Managing infections on immunosuppresive therapies

[Guest guest]

I am certain that I cannot be the only person having this problem... I have had

RA for 6+ years and currently am on enbrel twice weekly and 5 mg prednisone

daily- this barely manages my symptoms, but if I can remain on the Enbrel

consistently I do okay.

However, I have had chronic sinus infections for 20+ years with a history of two

sinus surgeries. Presently I have infections in both ears, my sinuses, and,

(despite having a lifelong history of having perfect teeth & being very careful

about my oral hygiene) my gums seem to have become terribly infected as well. I

have also had several white ulcers on my tongue for the past two weeks- as soon

as I get one to clear up, another pops up nearby. My internist put me on

antibiotics and a steroid taper and told me to see my dentist as she doesn't do

teeth (despite the obvious relationship of my gum infection to my

immunosuppression).

I use a daily sinus wash, do my oral hygiene exactly as directed, change

toothbrushes once a month (and soak it in hydrogen peroxide between uses), and

wash my hands religiously. I stay away from people who are sick. Nonetheless, I

seem to be a magnet for infections...

Due to the infections, I have been off of Enbrel for over two weeks and now am

in a very bad flare for which I will be contacting my Rheumy tomorrow. Due to

the severity of the recent infections, I am afraid to re-start my Enbrel-

restarting too soon last fall led to a bout with severe bronchitis that took

almost three months to recover from.

This is a continuing cycle for me- it feels very much like the old

" Whack-a-Mole " game. How do other folks manage this, short of living in a

bubble?

Always sick, always tired, and always in pain.

~Marie