Re: Flu Shot, Humira Shots & Headaches

[Guest guest]

I guess different rheumatologists have different ideas about this. Mine

makes sure that I get a flu shot every year. (I'm on Enbrel.) I think

that it's even more important for those of us on these

immunosuppressant meds to get a flu shot. I know we're not supposed to

get the inhaled, which I believe has the live virus.

My rheumy said that they are not recommending the shingles vaccine for

us.

Sue

On Saturday, November 1, 2008, at 02:45 PM, bridgefinesse wrote:

>

> I want to comment on a couple things. One is, when I was at the

> rheumatologist in

> September, he smiled and said " don't even bother taking a flu shot

> this year " because of my being on Humira. He said that I can no

> longer make the antibodies to counteract the flu and told me to stay

> away from " sick " people and stay well. No fluhot!

[Guest guest]

Quick reply! I am seriously far behind but this subject line caught my eye!

1) Flu shots: Each PATIENT is different. An acquaintance and I share the same

doctor. We are both on Humira. She has psoriatic arthritis as well as a cancer

survivor. He does not recommend a flu shot for her because of this. However, he

insisted that I get one the second week in September. My family doctor put me on

his priority list this year and has even requested that my entire family be

vaccinated. 3 down, 1 to go. Hubby is still on the fence. I will not force him.

2) Humira headaches: I have noticed that the more injections I do, the frequency

of a SPECIFICALLY SINUS headache. It comes 2 hours after I inject to the sinuses

above my eyes. I have been having great luck with Sudafed Sinus HOWEVER my

rheumy wants me to monitor my blood pressure while on the Sudafed. If my bottom

number goes above 90, I am not to take Sudafed. He also told me that this is NOT

a common side effect and in fact, may lead to me stopping Humira if they become

too intense as I increase my dosage to weekly.

Migraines... Whole other story. I have suffered with them all of my life until I

had my hysterectomy in 2000. My kids both suffer from them as well. I will try

to catch up on posts and tell you what has worked for us in the past however in

the meantime I would suggest that anyone with TRUE, CHRONIC migraines to please

see a neurologist ASAP.

*~ Kami ~*

[ ] Flu Shot, Humira Shots & Headaches

To Clora & others,

Yesterday you mentioned delaying your humira injection; felt like you're

getting a sinus

infection. I've done the same a couple times and even though I missed a couple

injections, since January, the drug is still helping me immensely.

I want to comment on a couple things. One is, when I was at the rheumatologist

in

September, he smiled and said " don't even bother taking a flu shot this year "

because of

my being on Humira. He said that I can no longer make the antibodies to

counteract the

flu and told me to stay away from " sick " people and stay well. No fluhot!

You mentioned getting a shot. Was that okay with your doctor? If so, does he

think

that we can still get some protection from it?

The other comment I wanted to mention concerns your migraines. I'm very sorry

that

you have to suffer through those. I hope that they didn't " begin " at the same

time you

started Humira. I've been on this drug 9 months and for 8 of those 9, I notice

that I feel

" headachy " for about 12 hours. I am a person who honestly has never had a

headache in

her life. In fact, I was hugely healthy until 15 years ago when RA hit me (I'm

62). I also

take 17.5 mg MTX, one day a week, which I also inject (to bypass my stomach).

Oral

MTX made me vomit and injected MTX gives me nausea for half a day. So I have 1

day

each week with nausea, 1 day every other week with a headache. It's all a

small price to

pay for otherwise feeling well.

I read everyone's comments here and sympathize so with the pain everyone deals

with.

I had truly met my " limit " as far as pain tolerance before starting on Humira.

I couldn't

sleep, experienced a lot of pain when I'd turn over in bed at night, and was

an aching

mess during the day. Joint pain is horrible, awful and its no wonder we go to

any

lengths to get rid of it. 2 babies and a gallbladder operation many years ago

do not

compare with the unrelenting, steadiness of constant pain. I worry so that

it's just a

question of time before one of the bigtime side effects of Humira hits me. In

the

meantime, I'm doing my best to live a normal life.

Joy

Yesterday was my humira injection day. I didn't get the injection cause I

think I am

getting a sinus infection and/or a cold. I just got a flue shot Thursday, I

wonder if that

is the problem.

>

> Sorry I been rambling, that's me once I get started I can't stop.

haaaaaaaaaaa.

>

> God bless everyone. And have a pain free day.

>

> gentle hugs

> Clora

.

[Guest guest]

Group

and Joy;

 

I have had migraines since I was 23 years old,   I am 54 be 55 November 20,  The

migraines will come and go.  Last a year than out of the blue quit hurting for a

few months.  Only to start up again.  I have been on pain pills since I was

23..  Mostly darvacets,  fiornal w. codeine,  and morphine.  Others I don't

remember. (all for my migraines).

 

I have hit my pain limit also,  as I have said many times,  " I would take

arsenic if the doctor gave it to me for pain. " I cope the best I could,  I had

to have some relief as many here knows. 

 

I am flabbergasped at the amount of people in pain.  Migraines,  Raynaulds, 

IBS,   and so on.  What did they do back in the 1800s,  They used home remedy's

now lost. 

 

I hope I am not depressing everyone it's just a bad day for me.  I humbly

apologize if I have. I am so sorry that so many suffer.  Love you all. God bless

everyone.

 

gentle hugs

Clora

 

********************************************

 

 

 

From: bridgefinesse <bridgefinesse@...>

Subject: [ ] Flu Shot, Humira Shots & Headaches

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2008, 3:45 PM

To Clora & others,

Yesterday you mentioned delaying your humira injection; felt like you're getting

a sinus

infection. I've done the same a couple times and even though I missed a couple

injections, since January, the drug is still helping me immensely.

I want to comment on a couple things. One is, when I was at the rheumatologist

in

September, he smiled and said " don't even bother taking a flu shot this year "

because of

my being on Humira. He said that I can no longer make the antibodies to

counteract the

flu and told me to stay away from " sick " people and stay well. No fluhot!

You mentioned getting a shot. Was that okay with your doctor? If so, does he

think

that we can still get some protection from it?

The other comment I wanted to mention concerns your migraines. I'm very sorry

that

you have to suffer through those. I hope that they didn't " begin " at the same

time you

started Humira. I've been on this drug 9 months and for 8 of those 9, I notice

that I feel

" headachy " for about 12 hours. I am a person who honestly has never had a

headache in

her life. In fact, I was hugely healthy until 15 years ago when RA hit me (I'm

62). I also

take 17.5 mg MTX, one day a week, which I also inject (to bypass my stomach).

Oral

MTX made me vomit and injected MTX gives me nausea for half a day. So I have 1

day

each week with nausea, 1 day every other week with a headache. It's all a small

price to

pay for otherwise feeling well.

I read everyone's comments here and sympathize so with the pain everyone deals

with.

I had truly met my " limit " as far as pain tolerance before starting on Humira. I

couldn't

sleep, experienced a lot of pain when I'd turn over in bed at night, and was an

aching

mess during the day. Joint pain is horrible, awful and its no wonder we go to

any

lengths to get rid of it. 2 babies and a gallbladder operation many years ago do

not

compare with the unrelenting, steadiness of constant pain. I worry so that it's

just a

question of time before one of the bigtime side effects of Humira hits me. In

the

meantime, I'm doing my best to live a normal life.

Joy

Yesterday was my humira injection day. I didn't get the injection cause I think

I am

getting a sinus infection and/or a cold. I just got a flue shot Thursday, I

wonder if that

is the problem.

>

> Sorry I been rambling, that's me once I get started I can't stop.

haaaaaaaaaaa.

>

> God bless everyone. And have a pain free day.

>

> gentle hugs

> Clora

>

[Guest guest]

Lemme tell you.... We would only have been so lucky to have been born in the

1800's! OPIUM was a common " remedy " ... Laudanum..... washed down with some

whiskey.... ooooh we would be happy people and PAIN FREE!

Clora: Those are some potent pain killers you are using for migraines. My kids

neurologist does not advocate anything stronger than a Tylenol for a headache.

He prefers to use preventative medicine and in the case you get a migraine,

medications that are targeted specifically for them such as Imitrex and MaxAlt.

The reason their doctor does not advocate the use of painkillers is that they

can cause " rebound headaches " . He explained in the sense that your body gets

used to it and when it stops, the headache come back. His philosophy: Treat what

is causing the headache, not the pain.

My son was on Inderal for a while as a preventative but is now migraine free

after switching to 200 mg of B2 and 400 mg of Magnesium a day.

My daughter is only 14 and gets menstrual migraines. She is on an oral

contraceptive to keep her hormones regulated. Finding the right pill took a few

tries but *KNOCK ON WOOD* she has been migraine free for over 18 months.

*~ Kami ~*

[ ] Flu Shot, Humira Shots & Headaches

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2008, 3:45 PM

To Clora & others,

Yesterday you mentioned delaying your humira injection; felt like you're

getting a sinus

infection. I've done the same a couple times and even though I missed a couple

injections, since January, the drug is still helping me immensely.

I want to comment on a couple things. One is, when I was at the rheumatologist

in

September, he smiled and said " don't even bother taking a flu shot this year "

because of

my being on Humira. He said that I can no longer make the antibodies to

counteract the

flu and told me to stay away from " sick " people and stay well. No fluhot!

You mentioned getting a shot. Was that okay with your doctor? If so, does he

think

that we can still get some protection from it?

The other comment I wanted to mention concerns your migraines. I'm very sorry

that

you have to suffer through those. I hope that they didn't " begin " at the same

time you

started Humira. I've been on this drug 9 months and for 8 of those 9, I notice

that I feel

" headachy " for about 12 hours. I am a person who honestly has never had a

headache in

her life. In fact, I was hugely healthy until 15 years ago when RA hit me (I'm

62). I also

take 17.5 mg MTX, one day a week, which I also inject (to bypass my stomach).

Oral

MTX made me vomit and injected MTX gives me nausea for half a day. So I have 1

day

each week with nausea, 1 day every other week with a headache. It's all a

small price to

pay for otherwise feeling well.

I read everyone's comments here and sympathize so with the pain everyone deals

with.

I had truly met my " limit " as far as pain tolerance before starting on Humira.

I couldn't

sleep, experienced a lot of pain when I'd turn over in bed at night, and was

an aching

mess during the day. Joint pain is horrible, awful and its no wonder we go to

any

lengths to get rid of it. 2 babies and a gallbladder operation many years ago

do not

compare with the unrelenting, steadiness of constant pain. I worry so that

it's just a

question of time before one of the bigtime side effects of Humira hits me. In

the

meantime, I'm doing my best to live a normal life.

Joy

Yesterday was my humira injection day. I didn't get the injection cause I

think I am

getting a sinus infection and/or a cold. I just got a flue shot Thursday, I

wonder if that

is the problem.

>

> Sorry I been rambling, that's me once I get started I can't stop.

haaaaaaaaaaa.

>

> God bless everyone. And have a pain free day.

>

> gentle hugs

> Clora

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, migraines do seem to be hereditary. My father never had a headache

in his life, but he used to say that his mother had what they called

way back then " sick headaches. " My sister also used to have them.

Sue

On Saturday, November 1, 2008, at 05:09 PM, ~ Kami ~ wrote:

> Migraines... Whole other story. I have suffered with them all of my

> life until I had my hysterectomy in 2000. My kids both suffer from

> them as well. I will try to catch up on posts and tell you what has

> worked for us in the past however in the meantime I would suggest that

> anyone with TRUE, CHRONIC migraines to please see a neurologist ASAP.

[Guest guest]

Kami and group;

 

You are so funny but right.  Yes the 1800s was all pain medication over the

counter, however; I probably would die from an overdose of opium or something.  

And there would be no stopping the progression of RA. 

 

I don't use them potent pain killers any more I was talking about the past.  My

doctor now is working on finding what is causing the migraines now.  I am taking

medicine for migraines now. 

 

How well I know about rebound headaches,  My doctor and I discussed it and he

said these are temporary for right now till we can find the cause.  He said he

would switch my migraine medicine around. 

 

I am taking Butalbital/apap/caffeine*TB,  Doc said just for now.  They are

helping.  I just got them today.  I have had these headaches almost a year.  He

is treating me for a lot of medical problems that he already sent me to

specialists for. 

 

When he first started taking care of the head aches,  he said it was a sinus

infection gave me antibiotics (lol I told him it wasn't a sinus infection)  I

took the antibiotics. 

 

A month or so later he said it was allergies and had me take allergy inhaler. 

In the mean time he sent me for all the necessary test, ex-rays and etc... 

 

This last time he sent me for my third sleep study to see if my c-pap was set

right.  He gave me a script to have my settings changed after he got the

results.  In the mean time he had to give me something for the pain.  I thank

God he gave me somthing to help my pain.  Most doctors are afraid to help people

because of all the ones out there wanting to get high.  He gave me a wonderful

pain shot in the behind, OH IT FELT SO GOOD HAAAAAAAAAAA.  not the shot the pain

going away. 

 

I do understand with children and teen agers he/she has to be careful about

giving them narcotics.  My headaches are so bad I can't even hold my head up.  I

cant stand bright lights.  I get sick and throw up.  I just feel sick all over

with migraines.  It's a living night mare. 

 

Lemme remind you.  IN the 1800s no washing machines.  No women voting.  No dish

washers,  ( well yes there was, women was the dish washers lol)  .  Women could

not own property.  If she divorced her second husband he got the kids that

wasn't even his. .  Women found cheating on their husbands was publicly

punished.  Mem cheating was patted on the back.  Need I go any further

haaaaaaaaaaa. 

 

Thanks for the up date take care and God Bless

 

gentle hugs

CLora

 

********************************************************************************\

*******************

 

From: bridgefinesse <bridgefinesse>

Subject: [ ] Flu Shot, Humira Shots & Headaches

@gro ups.com

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2008, 3:45 PM

To Clora & others,

Yesterday you mentioned delaying your humira injection; felt like you're getting

a sinus

infection. I've done the same a couple times and even though I missed a couple

injections, since January, the drug is still helping me immensely.

I want to comment on a couple things. One is, when I was at the rheumatologist

in

September, he smiled and said " don't even bother taking a flu shot this year "

because of

my being on Humira. He said that I can no longer make the antibodies to

counteract the

flu and told me to stay away from " sick " people and stay well. No fluhot!

You mentioned getting a shot. Was that okay with your doctor? If so, does he

think

that we can still get some protection from it?

The other comment I wanted to mention concerns your migraines. I'm very sorry

that

you have to suffer through those. I hope that they didn't " begin " at the same

time you

started Humira. I've been on this drug 9 months and for 8 of those 9, I notice

that I feel

" headachy " for about 12 hours. I am a person who honestly has never had a

headache in

her life. In fact, I was hugely healthy until 15 years ago when RA hit me (I'm

62). I also

take 17.5 mg MTX, one day a week, which I also inject (to bypass my stomach).

Oral

MTX made me vomit and injected MTX gives me nausea for half a day. So I have 1

day

each week with nausea, 1 day every other week with a headache. It's all a small

price to

pay for otherwise feeling well.

I read everyone's comments here and sympathize so with the pain everyone deals

with.

I had truly met my " limit " as far as pain tolerance before starting on Humira. I

couldn't

sleep, experienced a lot of pain when I'd turn over in bed at night, and was an

aching

mess during the day. Joint pain is horrible, awful and its no wonder we go to

any

lengths to get rid of it. 2 babies and a gallbladder operation many years ago do

not

compare with the unrelenting, steadiness of constant pain. I worry so that it's

just a

question of time before one of the bigtime side effects of Humira hits me. In

the

meantime, I'm doing my best to live a normal life.

Joy

Yesterday was my humira injection day. I didn't get the injection cause I think

I am

getting a sinus infection and/or a cold. I just got a flue shot Thursday, I

wonder if that

is the problem.

>

> Sorry I been rambling, that's me once I get started I can't stop.

haaaaaaaaaaa.

>

> God bless everyone. And have a pain free day.

>

> gentle hugs

> Clora

>

[Guest guest]

Sue and group;

Who knows lol. They hurt. I don't know anyone in my family with RA

and headaches but me and grandma. Go figure. I heard of sick headaches

also. How did your sister get rid of her headaches?

gentle hugs

Clora

**********************************************************

> Yes, migraines do seem to be hereditary. My father never had a

headache

> in his life, but he used to say that his mother had what they called

> way back then " sick headaches. " My sister also used to have them.

>

> Sue

>

> On Saturday, November 1, 2008, at 05:09 PM, ~ Kami ~ wrote:

>

> > Migraines... Whole other story. I have suffered with them all of my

> > life until I had my hysterectomy in 2000. My kids both suffer from

> > them as well. I will try to catch up on posts and tell you what has

> > worked for us in the past however in the meantime I would suggest

that

> > anyone with TRUE, CHRONIC migraines to please see a neurologist

ASAP.

>

[Guest guest]

Sue,

The shingles vaccine is live, too.

Not an MD

On Sat, Nov 1, 2008 at 3:28 PM, Sue <marysue@...> wrote:

> I guess different rheumatologists have different ideas about this. Mine

> makes sure that I get a flu shot every year. (I'm on Enbrel.) I think

> that it's even more important for those of us on these

> immunosuppressant meds to get a flu shot. I know we're not supposed to

> get the inhaled, which I believe has the live virus.

>

> My rheumy said that they are not recommending the shingles vaccine for

> us.

>

> Sue

[Guest guest]

and group;

 

Uh excuse me. The flue virus is not alive right.  I always thought the flue shot

was dead viruses.  And wouldn't someone get shingles if they took a shingles

vaccine that was alive.  Help I don't understand this. thanks

 

gentle hugs

Clora May

 

> I guess different rheumatologists have different ideas about this. Mine

> makes sure that I get a flu shot every year. (I'm on Enbrel.) I think

> that it's even more important for those of us on these

> immunosuppressant meds to get a flu shot. I know we're not supposed to

> get the inhaled, which I believe has the live virus.

>

> My rheumy said that they are not recommending the shingles vaccine for

> us.

>

> Sue

[Guest guest]

Oh, so that's the reason it's not recommended for us. My rheumy didn't

explain why. I just hope I don't get shingles again, but since my PCP

treated it aggressively, I didn't have much trouble at all with it.

Sue

On Sunday, November 2, 2008, at 12:56 PM, wrote:

> Sue,

>

> The shingles vaccine is live, too.