Sickness in my new reality

[Guest guest]

Before RA, I would get about one cold a year. Cough, plugged nose -- would

last a week or so.

Now, what I get is an ear infection, sore throat, sometimes bronchitis --

this time congestion in my lungs.

My PC doc prescribed a higher dose of prednisone for 5 days and

antibiotics.

I understand that my immune system is lowered because of the RA drugs. I

don't understand why I get infections in areas that never were a problem

before.

I don't get a fever with these infections. I think I heard my doc say at

one point " you may have lost the ability to spike a fever. "

Did I hear her right? Any insight on the ear plus infections?

Thanks,

dd

[Guest guest]

I've been told by all my doctors that any little infection in our case turns

into a major one with multiple organ involvement. I am not surprised about

your ears...I never had a sinus infection in my entire life and now I have

multiple sinus infections and it take a long time and multiple courses of

antibiotics to get better. I too don't get any fever. They only way I know

the infection is back is because of the congestion, migraine, the pressure

and all my teeth hurting. So I have learned to look for signs not fever.

Hope this helps you.

God Bless - Vivian

[ ] Sickness in my new reality

Before RA, I would get about one cold a year. Cough, plugged nose -- would

last a week or so.

Now, what I get is an ear infection, sore throat, sometimes bronchitis --

this time congestion in my lungs.

My PC doc prescribed a higher dose of prednisone for 5 days and antibiotics.

I understand that my immune system is lowered because of the RA drugs. I

don't understand why I get infections in areas that never were a problem

before.

I don't get a fever with these infections. I think I heard my doc say at one

point " you may have lost the ability to spike a fever. "

Did I hear her right? Any insight on the ear plus infections?

Thanks,

dd