Re: (was Physical Job ) immunosupressant

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You really should check with your rheumy about immunosupressants.

WHY? Well you might have the wrong idea. The way I understand it....

PA is actually your Immune System in Overdrive. You are revving at way over the

normal RPM's, by taking an immunosupressant you are NOT putting yourself at any

additional risk of contracting a disease than any other " normal " person. The

immunosuppressant really just brings your immune system back to the normal

range. And while all the drugs you tried may have (or were supposed to)

relieved your symptoms, they did ZERO to affect your disease. When you get a

flat tire, you can add air all you wish, but you'll still have a flat tire. You

gotta patch it to stop the leak.

** Sorry, the first auto reference was unintentional, but then I couldn't help

adding the rest

Stay Well,

[Guest guest]

, I do understand all of that and appreciate the response. My wife is

trying very hard to start working again, but in Washington, tons of teacher

positions have been cut and she found herself jobless.

Once she starts working again, we will be able to afford me being out of work

for a couple days or so if needed, and am willing to appeal my insurance's

denial of my Humira claim. I am simply buying time until then. I started on

Indocin yesterday and will be starting MTX

on Saturday night. I know what needs to be done. I'm just trying to get to a

more stable point.

" thelorances " <thelorances@...>

[Guest guest]

I don't think that is how it works totally. It's better to think of your

immune system as stupid rather than in overdrive. It attacks things it

shouldn't. We are at higher risk of catching things when on

immunosuppresants. You can confirm that if you read the educational material

you would have gotten with the medication.

Gareeth

david wrote:

<<You really should check with your rheumy about immunosupressants.

WHY? Well you might have the wrong idea. The way I understand it....

PA is actually your Immune System in Overdrive. You are revving at

way over the normal RPM's, by taking an immunosupressant you are NOT

putting yourself at any additional risk of contracting a disease than

any other " normal " person. The immunosuppressant really just brings

your immune system back to the normal range.>>

[Guest guest]

,

Is correct PA is an over active immune system. The only time I have ever been

pain free in the last 14 years were the 9 1/2 that I had a kidney transplant and

was taking immunosuppressant's. Once my kidney transplant wore out and I had to

stop the meds then all hell broke loose and I haven't had a pain free day since.

The only reason I'm getting another kidney transplant is the fact that it will

stop the pain or at least cut it back to the point that I can get on with my

life for a while longer.

Celeste

[Guest guest]

Just because you are on immunosuppressant's does not mean you are going to catch

everything out there. I can count on one hand the number of time I was sick

while taking the transplant meds. If you use common sense when you are on them

you do just fine.

Celeste

[Guest guest]

Are you in Western Washington? If so, Harborview has EXCELLENT rheumatologists

(sorry...rheumy reminds me of some coughing, wheezing, skinny old person...LOL)

and Harborview charges for your care based on income.

Dena

www.arthritisBAM.blogspot.com

[Guest guest]

Gareeth is absolutely right. Not only are we more susceptible to catching

diseases but our bodies are less able to fight them once we do; so we can become

more ill than those who are not on immunosuppressants. A bug that in " normal "

people would be nothing more than a nuisance for a few days can land us in the

hospital and in some cases become life-threatening. Having read all the warnings

when I was first diagnosed, I talked to my internist about it and she said that

until you actually see how your body is going to react, it's " ok to be a bit

paranoid " and call the doctor at the first sign of anything when you're taking

drugs that suppress your immunity. Fortunately for me, I had no such reactions;

in fact, I've been healthier on them than off. Just me being weird or

unconventional, I guess.

Joanna Hoelscher

[Guest guest]

I will be starting Humira in 2 weeks, I work in a big office with more than 100

people onsite at any given time, I am scared of what I might catch and how long

it will take me to get rid of it but living with this constant pain in every

joint is unbearable. I handle insurance rejections and my hands get so swollen

you can't even see some of my knuckles and I can barley move my fingers. I keep

thinking I should try and learn something else but I don't know what, my back is

so bad I can't stand for more than 2 minutes without serious pain. I hope Humira

works.

lori sandolo <antlo2003@...>

[Guest guest]

When I first started taking MTX and Humira, I had the same fears. Now, while I

am cautious with more observant hand washing, etc.,I have relaxed as time has

gone by. I also take garlic pill supplements each day as a natural antibiotic

and anti-inflammatory.

Dena

www.arthritisBAM.blogspot.com

[Guest guest]

I am interested to know what you and anyone else has done to keep from catching

things from other people while on immunosuppressants, I am due to start taking

them in less than 2 weeks and am nervous due to the amount of people I am

constantly in contact with daily at work. lori

[Guest guest]

I was on Humira and MTX now I'm on Remicade and MTX. I have worked as a

certified nursing assistant for 18 yrs., I worked in the Emergency Room until

recently when I had to go on medical leave. I can no longer do that job. I

haven't had any problems with catching bugs going around. I am always cleaning

my hands, the buggies in stores and try to stand back when people are sick. You

just need to be more careful like not using the phone that others use without

cleaning it first, wipe things down if others use it before you. Not saying to

become a nut about it but you have to think of you first. Sorry to hear about

all the pain you are in and hope you find relief soon. I don't post much because

either my hands start to go numb or they start hurting. Along with PsA I also

have bilateral carpal tunnel, 2 bulging disks to add to the mix of a body that

seems to be falling apart at 38 yrs of age. I am looking into going back to

school in the fall if I can get some of these issues under control. My kids

want me out of the house because I am driving them crazy.I used to work 60 hours

a week so it has been hard for them to adjust to me being home, as they say

" even more in their business " . If things don't change it looks like I will have

to file for disability. I hope you find something that works for you.

" skinnc71 " <skinnc71@...>

[Guest guest]

I guess I'll have to agree to disagree.

AND YES! I did read ALL those warnings. I agree they are quite daunting, but

then, SO ARE the warnings on the back of an ordinary aspirin bottle....

MTX is a powerful drug, and an immunosupressant. And I will concede that

depending upon the dosage a person is taking that dosage could make that person

more susceptible to infectious diseases than someone taking a lesser dosage. I

can only speak from my own experience.

I take only 12.5mg of MTX per week. A very low dose. I am rarely sick. I have

had a few ordinary colds in the 6 years I have been on MTX, but nothing that

forced bed rest nor kept me from running my business. I meet and shake hands

with dozens of people on a daily basis as well as with people in my workplace.

That said, I do get flu shots, and try to wash my hands frequently and use

antimicrobials whenever I can. It's just common sense.

Certainly if I contracted the flu or something more serious, I would consult

with my doctors about my MTX usage and would discontinue its use, temporarily,

if so advised.

Stay Well,

[Guest guest]

WOW, I am so sorry that you are having all this pain. I hope the meds get the

pain under control so you can go back to school and do other things you would

like to do. I understand about your hands, I work on a computer and my hands

swell up and hurt constantly. I would love to go back to school, I am terrified

to stop working even long enough to wait for disability, I hope all goes well.

lori

[Guest guest]

I am a nurse in a pediatric clinic, and am constantly exposed to all the

illnesses little kids pick up and pass around. Being on biologics and MTX has

not caused any extra infection for me. Using common sense such as excellent hand

washing, proper rest and good nutrition, goes a long way. I read the labels and

am aware of all the risks, but for me, quality of life was more important. I am

our family's sole breadwinner and only driver and I have to be able to function;

the DMARDs help me do that.

Drei