Yet another enbrel ?--warning, female issue

Diseases & Conditions Rheumatoid Arthritis
1
We all know that enbrel can put you at risk for infections, but does that includes just bacterial infections, or fungal infections as well?  Reason I'm asking is that I'm fairly positive I have a vaginal yeast infection too.  I never get these, except when I'm on certain antiobiotics, and I hot a horrible one when I was on sulfasalizine.  Did any of you females notice an increase of yeast infections once starting enbrel?  I HATE them!
 
Elcamino
2
hey el!
 
what happens to the body on TNFs is that it poses the risk of you becoming immunosuppressed.  the white blood cell count can deminish (that's why it should be checked periodically).
if indeed a person get immunocompromised and WBCs drop too low, a person can develop oral and vaginal fungal infections (thrush and yeast).
 
have you had recent blood work?
how are your WBCs?
 
i've had 2 bouts of thrush while on Enbrel.
 
so yeah, your body's own bacteria can take over and cause infection if you get immunosuppressed.

Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.
Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.

3

Hi Erin,

I do have regular bloodwork done (at least monthly).  Humira most definitely dropped my blood counts (don't know which ones exactly).  I wouldn't be surprised if enbrel did too.  My rheumy mentioned that if I didn't start getting some kind of benefit from the enbrel in the two months I've been on it, he wasn't comfortable leaving me on it.  My overactive imagination suspects it could be because it has started affecting my overall blood counts, but I did not clarify with him why I couldn't stay on it for at least 6 months?  Especially since it can take at least that long for some people. 

If the tnf-inhibitors affect my blood count in a bad way, what else is there that won't?  Most of the dmards will, from what I've read.  Methotrexate, which would be a future option, also decreases blood counts.  I actually think you are more at risk for decreased blood counts with that one.

Elcamino

4
well sure they all do. it's sorta a double-edged sword. but if it is needed, it's worth it.
do you want to stay on the enbrel? do you feel it's helping?
honestly i've been on humira since last august, and only this past month (so that's 9 months of therapy) have i noticed bebefits from being on it.

with the blood counts, your WBC and hemoglobin and hematocrit and liver functions are most important. if all is within normal limits...then i would say give it some more time before switching again before it even gets a chance to work.
what do you think?
some tough calls we must make eh!?

Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.
Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.