Obviously biologics are not the answer for me. I took my first Humira shot on a Sunday, the following Thursday, I had to go to the walk-in clinic for bronchitis and back to the doctor the following Thursday for another round of anti-biotics.
My doctor thinks I would just stay sick if I kept taking it.
What medications or treatments are working that are not immune suppressants? My doctor could increase my Methotrexate but would I stay sick with that as well? Currently I am on 12.5 mg (5 pills once a week). He said he can increase it to 8 pills. Any thoughts?
Prednisone and the DMARDS have a much stronger immuno-suppresion than do the biologics and they are totally systemic unlike the Biologics who's immuno-suppresion is very specific.
Bronchitis is a general term but it doesn't generally appear that suddenly. it take 3-4 days to get started (let alone get to the point of having to appear at the ER) and usually is the result of another cold/flu virus or even allergy that was there first.
I'm sorry but something just doesn't sound right. Not from your doc and not from what happened. I'd be asking a lot more questions.
lamb, I had just finished my second round of anti-biotics for an upper respiratory infection the day before I took my first and only Humira shot. My rheumy told me to start Humira the day after finishing my last anti-biotic. I guess I did not realize that the upper respiratory infection was not completely gone.
Thanks Hawk, that make a lot more sense. Bronchitis doesn't just pop up from a humira shot. Hope you are feeling better. Whats the doc say about continuing the MTX while on antibiotics. Many of us are told not use the MTX while on antibiotics.
Whos telling you that? Sulfa drugs and Penicillin are big no-no's with methotrexate. Trimethoprim (Bactrim or Septra), an antibiotic often used for respiratory and urinary infections, may dramatically increase the toxicity of methotrexate.
MTXd ramatically lowers your immune response. Generally if you are not running a fever its okay, but you need to ask who's prescribing your MTX. If you are running a fver NO Obviously if one is prone to infections as it seems you are one would be extra careful. Of course live vaccines are a huge no-no
I'm no expert, but I do recall having to be anti-biotic free for two full weeks before the Rhuem doc. would allow me to continue the Humira shots during my first go w/them in 2008.
I'd had an infection in my jaw and required emergency treatment. After the surgery, I went through the full bottle of anti-biotics and then marked the calendar for two weeks to start my injections again. I don't recall what kind of anti-biotics they were. I am allergic to penicillin, but don't think that would have made a huge diff. in the amount of wait time before the next injection.
Hawk, the other thing to remember is that because MTX suppresses both your immune and inflammatory response, the symptoms will actually not seem as bad, so it can be harder to tell if you still have a bit of lingering infection - another reason to go off it if you have any reason to be on antibiotics. You should always call your Rheumy and ask them for advice if your primary care doc puts you on antibiotics, and make sure you do educate yourself as well, I’ve not heard of going straight onto Humira the day after antibiotics finish before, and the more information you have, the better the discussion you can have with your Rhuemy.
That makes a lot of sense to me. I even think maybe they should do bloodwork to see if my white cell count is still up to make sure it is gone.
Katie Lady said:
I'm no expert, but I do recall having to be anti-biotic free for two full weeks before the Rhuem doc. would allow me to continue the Humira shots during my first go w/them in 2008.
I'd had an infection in my jaw and required emergency treatment. After the surgery, I went through the full bottle of anti-biotics and then marked the calendar for two weeks to start my injections again. I don't recall what kind of anti-biotics they were. I am allergic to penicillin, but don't think that would have made a huge diff. in the amount of wait time before the next injection.
I'm taking 8 pills, I was vomiting violently on 6 so ask for anti nausea meds. The doctor gave them to me and I'm doing fine on 8. I also take Remicade infusions because the mtx was not helping enough.
My doctor has mentioned Remicade infusions. I do not know anything about Remicade. Do you have to miss work twice a month to get infusions? How is it working for you?
Cissy said:
I'm taking 8 pills, I was vomiting violently on 6 so ask for anti nausea meds. The doctor gave them to me and I'm doing fine on 8. I also take Remicade infusions because the mtx was not helping enough.
I too got sick very sick after my first shot I went to walk in and they came bursting thru the door with a wheel chair so when shot number 2 came around I was freaking anxiety that felt like a heart attack I didn’t want to get sick again I had just got better but 2nd wasn’t bad all I do know is fall asleep talking to someone or standing I fall asleep I fall asleep everywhere really bad I feel like a drug addict those one’s u see on TV that can’t keep their eyes open but I haven’t gotten sick again thank u lord!!!
I also got very sick after my first Humira Shot. I even came to the blog about it. I actually talked to rheumy and he said I had probably contracted a touch of a virus prior to the injection. I just took my second shot and moved it up a few days so If I were effected it would all be at one time. I am doing great today and I plan on keeping up the injections every 2 weeks, and 8 MTX a week. I hope to be getting better with each shot. I wish you all the best and hope you get relief soon!!!
Thanks so much for sharing with me. It sounds like maybe the 2nd shot and forward may not be as bad. I can guarantee that I will not take the 2nd shot until after I know I have no infection left in my body.
If you can't miss work, there are many other injectable biologics you can do at home. Remicade infusions pretty much take a whole afternoon, and many people feel wiped out the rest of the day, due to Benadryl being given to prevent allergic reactions.
TEHawk said:
My doctor has mentioned Remicade infusions. I do not know anything about Remicade. Do you have to miss work twice a month to get infusions? How is it working for you?
Way to go Hawk!!!! Thank you for trying. You are one step closer to taking control of the beast. As Marietta said there atre others if this one doesn't work. the important thing is YOU are calling the shots.
Antibiotics can increase the amount of MTX in your system. I wouldn’t advise taking both at the same time.
Some biologics make upper respiratory infections worse (stellara is one). Not sure about Humira. I would contact your Rhumey about that one. However, I survived staff while on Humira
I know this is an old thread but Id like to revive it,
I have another UTI, the first antibiotic was found to not be effective on this particular infection so I was changed on to another one TRIMETHOPRIM!! As this prescription was sent electronically to the pharmacy I use, I didn’t see what the drug was till I got home. I had asked the pharmacist if there was any interaction with MTX…her response? No interaction.
I phoned my GP as I was concerned about taking this drug as I know there IS an interaction with MTX. The GP heard me out but said the only interaction is that it affects the folate same as MTX and as my Hb is at normal levels, there’s not a problem. I explained that most people on MTX knew not to take this antibiotic because, as Lamb said, it greatly increases the toxicity of MTX, Apparently it doesn’t state this on the GPs drug screening programme.
So what to do…I told the GP I would take the antibiotic but I wouldn’t take my MTX this week. He wasn’t a happy bunny but I don’t want to risk my liver etc.
This doesn’t mean its right to ditch Drs advice, but I’m going with my gut instinct and with all the evidence from medical sites online
Go with your gut, Louise. At least that’s what usually works best for me. It’s so confusing when one doctor says take this or do this, but another doctor says the opposite! And on LWPsA I’ve read so many different opinions on what to do when we catch something–it helps to have all the input, but it also helps to be able to just make up your mind and choose to do what you feel comfortable with.
br/>
Louise Hoy said:
I know this is an old thread but Id like to revive it, I have another UTI, the first antibiotic was found to not be effective on this particular infection so I was changed on to another one TRIMETHOPRIM!! As this prescription was sent electronically to the pharmacy I use, I didn’t see what the drug was till I got home. I had asked the pharmacist if there was any interaction with MTX…her response? No interaction.
I phoned my GP as I was concerned about taking this drug as I know there IS an interaction with MTX. The GP heard me out but said the only interaction is that it affects the folate same as MTX and as my Hb is at normal levels, there’s not a problem. I explained that most people on MTX knew not to take this antibiotic because, as Lamb said, it greatly increases the toxicity of MTX, Apparently it doesn’t state this on the GPs drug screening programme.
So what to do…I told the GP I would take the antibiotic but I wouldn’t take my MTX this week. He wasn’t a happy bunny but I don’t want to risk my liver etc.
This doesn’t mean its right to ditch Drs advice, but I’m going with my gut instinct and with all the evidence from medical sites online