Re: Horrible Summer Cold - No Enbrel

[Guest guest]

Sue,

Just and FYI, Hydrocodone is the generic to Vicodin the pain pill. Thought

you might like to know that.

Terri

[ ] Horrible Summer Cold - No Enbrel

> Friday night I started having symptoms of a cold, and it has turned

> into a vicious one. I knew I'd need some white blood cells one day, or

> do they even help to fight off colds? I was miserable all weekend but

> went to my PCP on Monday. She gave me a prescription for an antibiotic

> and a sample bottle and prescription for some cough syrup called Prolex

> DH.

>

> I should have used the sample before having the prescription filled,

> but I felt so bad I didn't want to have to be going back to the

> drugstore the next day. When I got home, I read the sheet that came

> with the Prolex. It mentioned something about allergy to codeine, which

> I think I have. I called and spoke to the pharmacist. He asked if I had

> a true allergy to codeine; did it make me break out in a rash? I said

> no, it made my heart race. He said Prolex has hydrocodone, kind of a

> synthetic codeine, so it shouldn't bother me.

>

> So on Monday I took the Prolex four times as prescribed. It didn't make

> me break out in a rash, but it did make me feel awful. Yesterday I

> didn't take any until bedtime. When I woke up, I had a hangover. I

> might not be allergic to it, but I certainly don't like the way it

> makes me feel: my head feels like a balloon, with water sloshing around

> in it.

>

> I went down to the drugstore today to make sure they have codeine

> allergy listed on my chart because I don't want any more, nor do I want

> any hydrocodone. My insurance didn't even help pay for it (must not be

> on their formulary), so I paid $35 for an expensive lesson. I'm going

> to remind my PCP, also, not to prescribe me any.

>

> I've also been afraid to inject Enbrel since I do have a croupy

> sounding cough, but my RA seems to be cooperating for now.

>

> Sue

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have had a rotten " cold " as well - actually bronchitis ( probably from

allergies - then sinus infection - then dripping - then bronchitis- but

fortunately not my traditional " May/Memorial " Day pneumonia). My doctor gave me

Biaxin - I had a cough syrup left over and refrigerated from last fall that she

said would be fine to use - Phenergan (sp?) with codeine. Along with benadryl

(because of the seasonal allergies) - it can really help you sleep. I don't like

the way it makes me feel either - but it does help to clear the lungs- and

almost functional. I am on Remicade- they won't give as long as I have an

active infection. I did not take methotrexate last weekend, either, as my

Rheumatologist said not to when I had a respiratory infection . Needless to say

my prednisone is doing double duty. The point of this - when you are on a TNF in

particular- be very careful about respiratory infection. I 'd get OK from Doc

before attempting Enbrel. Take good care of yourself - hope you are better

already as I send this.

Hugs,

> Friday night I started having symptoms of a cold, and it has turned

> into a vicious one. I knew I'd need some white blood cells one day, or

> do they even help to fight off colds? I was miserable all weekend but

> went to my PCP on Monday. She gave me a prescription for an antibiotic

> and a sample bottle and prescription for some cough syrup called Prolex

> DH.

>

> I should have used the sample before having the prescription filled,

> but I felt so bad I didn't want to have to be going back to the

> drugstore the next day. When I got home, I read the sheet that came

> with the Prolex. It mentioned something about allergy to codeine, which

> I think I have. I called and spoke to the pharmacist. He asked if I had

> a true allergy to codeine; did it make me break out in a rash? I said

> no, it made my heart race. He said Prolex has hydrocodone, kind of a

> synthetic codeine, so it shouldn't bother me.

>

> So on Monday I took the Prolex four times as prescribed. It didn't make

> me break out in a rash, but it did make me feel awful. Yesterday I

> didn't take any until bedtime. When I woke up, I had a hangover. I

> might not be allergic to it, but I certainly don't like the way it

> makes me feel: my head feels like a balloon, with water sloshing around

> in it.

>

> I went down to the drugstore today to make sure they have codeine

> allergy listed on my chart because I don't want any more, nor do I want

> any hydrocodone. My insurance didn't even help pay for it (must not be

> on their formulary), so I paid $35 for an expensive lesson. I'm going

> to remind my PCP, also, not to prescribe me any.

>

> I've also been afraid to inject Enbrel since I do have a croupy

> sounding cough, but my RA seems to be cooperating for now.

>

> Sue

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm afraid I'm not feeling much better. I have a terrible headache that

feels like a sinus headache. I'm just not getting well very fast, and

it's really getting old. I hope your bronchitis is better. At least

mine has not developed into that. I have a friend and a sister who have

repeated bouts with bronchitis. Last Sunday I was due for an Enbrel

injection, and I keep delaying it. Luckily my RA is not flaring, but it

might just start any time now. When I see my rheumy in August, I think

we need to address the low white blood cell count problem. I'm getting

sick too often now.

Sue

On Thursday, May 27, 2004, at 12:07 PM, k.j.choate@... wrote:

> I have had a rotten " cold " as well - actually bronchitis ( probably

> from allergies - then sinus infection - then dripping - then

> bronchitis- but fortunately not my traditional " May/Memorial " Day

> pneumonia). My doctor gave me Biaxin - I had a cough syrup left over

> and refrigerated from last fall that she said would be fine to use -

> Phenergan (sp?) with codeine. Along with benadryl (because of the

> seasonal allergies) - it can really help you sleep. I don't like the

> way it makes me feel either - but it does help to clear the lungs- and

> almost functional. I am on Remicade- they won't give as long as I

> have an active infection. I did not take methotrexate last weekend,

> either, as my Rheumatologist said not to when I had a respiratory

> infection . Needless to say my prednisone is doing double duty. The

> point of this - when you are on a TNF in particular- be very careful

> about respiratory infection. I 'd get OK from Doc before attempting

> Enbrel. Take good care of yourself - hope yo!

> u are better already as I send this.

>

> Hugs,