# Starting Remicade with a cold?

**URL:** https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/starting-remicade-with-a-cold/2224
**Category:** General
**Created:** [August 22, 2013, 11:31am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/starting-remicade-with-a-cold/2224 "2013-08-22T11:31:58Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![JDT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/jdt/32/1462_2.png) [@JDT](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/JDT)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2013, 11:31am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/starting-remicade-with-a-cold/2224/1 "2013-08-22T11:31:58Z")

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I have a slight head cold, feel pretty icky and am due to start my first Remicade infusion today. I called and spoke to the nurse yesterday who said that it's up to me, as long as I don't have a fever. I figured I'd turn to the REAL experts...you all...to ask what you would do!?!??!

Thanks!

~jackie

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### Author: ![nym](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/nym/32/65_2.png) [@nym](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/nym)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2013, 12:54pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/starting-remicade-with-a-cold/2224/2 "2013-08-22T12:54:55Z")

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If it were \*me\* getting my FIRST infusion, I'd consider putting it off until I felt better. I find it very important to know how I react to drugs, and would probably not get an accurate picture of how I reacted to it if I were feeling icky in the first place. But that's me.

I've been on Remicade for a while and would totally get an infusion with just a slight head cold. I usually feel lousy for a couple days after my infusion, so recouping from cold and infusion together wouldn't be too bad.

So, yeah, that probably wasn't too helpful. LOL Good luck on making the decision. :)

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### Author: ![michael\_in\_vermont](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/michael_in_vermont/32/640_2.png) [@michael\_in\_vermont](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/michael_in_vermont)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2013, 2:16pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/starting-remicade-with-a-cold/2224/3 "2013-08-22T14:16:08Z")

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My rule of thumb with getting my Remicade is if I don't have a fever I go. I frequently feel flu like when my inflammation is high. I get chills, slight nausea and headache and no appetite. I can feel really icky like I am coming down with something really bad. I seem to do this 2 weeks before my infusion and for 2 weeks after. I have sent a note to my doctor hoping we can reduce the interval between infusions. So I would get the infusion. There you have it: the experts all have a different take but that is what makes this such a great site, each of us is an expert on our own experience with PsA and hopefully will help you become an expert on yours. Good luck, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you get your first Remicade.

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### Author: ![Frances](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/frances/32/4766_2.png) [@Frances](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Frances)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/starting-remicade-with-a-cold/2224/4 "2013-08-22T15:13:20Z")

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HI JDT, I was getting over a bug when I got my first infusion and I was fine. The first dose should be lower than what you will ultimately get. Starting with my 5th infusion, I'm wiped out for 2 days after the infusion - but everyone is different. Some people don't have any after effects.

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### Author: ![Leahdc](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/leahdc/32/618_2.png) [@Leahdc](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Leahdc)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/starting-remicade-with-a-cold/2224/5 "2013-08-22T18:39:23Z")

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Every time I go they ask me if I had any infections or colds. I had just gotten over one but it had only been about 4 days since stopping antibiotics and I had to reschedule. Better safe than sorry.

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### Author: ![JDT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/jdt/32/1462_2.png) [@JDT](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/JDT)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/starting-remicade-with-a-cold/2224/6 "2013-08-22T23:23:31Z")

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They rescheduled me! I’m glad because I’ve felt progressively worse as the day has gone on. Thanks everyone! Until the next time…

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### Author: ![Frances](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/frances/32/4766_2.png) [@Frances](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Frances)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/starting-remicade-with-a-cold/2224/7 "2013-08-23T02:13:44Z")

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Good luck JDT ! The Remicade has worked wonderfully for my pain, I hope you also get good results.  
   
 JDT said:

> They rescheduled me! I'm glad because I've felt progressively worse as the day has gone on. Thanks everyone! Until the next time....

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### Author: ![JDT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/jdt/32/1462_2.png) [@JDT](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/JDT)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2013, 11:13am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/starting-remicade-with-a-cold/2224/8 "2013-08-23T11:13:09Z")

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Thanks, Frances! Knock on wood, right now my pain is minimal! I have a shoulder impingement that I had injected a couple of weeks ago and that bothers me depending upon what I reach for, but other than that, things are quiet for the moment. So glad it helped you, and hopeful that it brings my inflammatory markers down.

~jackie   
   
 Frances said:

> Good luck JDT ! The Remicade has worked wonderfully for my pain, I hope you also get good results.  
>    
> JDT said:
> 
> > They rescheduled me! I'm glad because I've felt progressively worse as the day has gone on. Thanks everyone! Until the next time....
