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remicade and colds

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Posted 3/31/2011 5:52 AM (GMT -7)
We took my son off of LDN in December(not my idea) and started Remicade on January 18. While his numbers were improving on LDN, it was not fast enough for some people. From August through December, not one cold, not even the sniffles. In the last 4 weeks, three colds, nasty colds. And his CRP and iron are the same as on LDN. Yes he has gained weight, his ESR is down, and hemo is up, but I can't help thinking we gave up too soon, and we only had himat 3 mgs.

Post Edited (comedybob) : 4/8/2011 6:43:20 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/31/2011 6:14 AM (GMT -7)
I had one remicade infusion several years back. And it was a bit unsettling when I developed a nasty cold shortly after having it, as I hadn't had a cold in years. I never did go back for more remicade treatments.
Posted 3/31/2011 7:04 AM (GMT -7)
My hubs must be the odd one out when it comes to this: in the almost 3 years he has been on Remicade, honestly the man has not had one cold! This is a man who, if you looked at him from across the room, he would get your cold + sinus infection. Now, he is very cautious and he does not put himself in situations (knowingly anyway) where he would be exposed to ppl who are ill. However, I work outside the home, I do the public shopping and all that -- I am sure I being home a fair amount of germs...

Sorry your son is not doing better; with 2 autoimmunes in our house, I constantly worry about my children being struck with one...it makes me shudder.
Posted 3/31/2011 7:48 AM (GMT -7)
RA is on to something. Where do you get remicade ? The hospital or clinic. Where are all the sick people ? Hospitol or clinic. Hand sanitizer or just plain soap and water if done properly helps loads. Also, keep hand s away from face and eyes . Wash frequently when around other people especially hospitols and you will see a difference. Remember remicade lowers the immune system so we have to avoid exposer as best we can.
Posted 3/31/2011 1:21 PM (GMT -7)
I have been on remicade for almost 5 1/2 years now.  I got a few colds in the beginning.  But then I haven't had one in over 3 years until a couple of weeks ago.  It could of been the time of year also...at least where I live, everyone I know has had a cold these last couple of months, and no one had one from Aug. to Dec.  Just food for thought...   I certainly wouldn't stop the remicade because he got a cold.  Just watch him and be sure to take him in if his cough lingers.
Posted 4/1/2011 5:55 AM (GMT -7)
yeah, I know we are over protective and paranoid. and I know that spring releases a whole host of respritory irritants. sniper- he gets his infusion in the hospital, in a private room. he is very clean.
Posted 4/1/2011 7:07 AM (GMT -7)
My husband has now been on remicade for a little over 3 years. No colds during this time. He is pretty cautious though. Has hand sanitizer on him at all times, and washes his hands frequently. He also does not put his fingers on his face if at all he can help it (eyes, nose, mouth). Also, he stays away from sick people, and the sick people we know, know to stay away from him.

For eg. a guy at work has been sick with something viral the last couple of days - he just stays home and works when he can instead of coming to work and infecting others - and my husband's work team is very conscious of the fact that he is immunosuppressed, and take great care to not expose him unnecessarily.

Also, my hubby takes a zyrtec every day, because he too has allergy issues. I think you can keep sinus infections at bay if you get the allergies under control. Also, he uses a netti pot frequently to keep his nasal and sinus passages clear, and free of infection. I do this also, because I used to get horrible sinus infections in the spring, and now I use a netti pot morning and night, and I haven't gotten one in over 2 years.

I hope your son feels better soon. Remicade has really worked for my hubby btw. I hope it does wonders for your son. Hang in there!

PV
Posted 4/1/2011 12:48 PM (GMT -7)
How interesting that so many on Remicade actually do have the opposite thing happen in that they seem to get less colds! I thought my hubs was really the odd one; at first when he went on it, we stood around always waiting the that other shoe to drop, and for him to get down sick with something....it never happened.

I can only hope that I come out just as lucky; I have recently started Humira for my RA and I hope that it doesn't mean I am going to get every cold that comes down the pipeline now.

~the RA half of "RA+CDhouse"~
Posted 4/1/2011 3:16 PM (GMT -7)
I've had a couple nasty colds since starting 2 months ago. One really bad one took 2 weeks to get over, then I developed a nasty cough that lasted almost a week. I haven't had one for the past couple of weeks since it's been getting warmer and a lot of people i know have had colds.

Maybe it's just the immune system reorganizing itself and getting used to a new stimuli?

Honestly, I don't mind getting a cold because it was a million times better then the awful time i was having with my fistulae...
Posted 4/8/2011 5:45 AM (GMT -7)
week 5 now for the colds, and his weight has plateaued again. 76 lbs, which is definately up from January, but down froma high of 78. he's been 76 for a few weeks now. his next infusion is in two weeks. we'll see if it makes any difference.
Posted 4/8/2011 6:13 AM (GMT -7)

whenI first got my infusions, I got bronchitis, 3 times within 2 infusions, now I get cough now and then, I spit up a grey sticky flem. but it comes and goes. I'm stopping rem, yesterday was last infusion. will see if back pain stops and cough goes away. I'm going to asacol

AG

Posted 4/8/2011 6:15 AM (GMT -7)
In the year and a half of Remicade I caught some colds.  I took zinc (Zycam) when I felt sick and it helped tremendouslly.  I don't know if they have pediatric doses but it is something to think about.  Remi will lower his immune system so he can get sick easier that not being on it. 

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