side effects of biologics-anyone effected?

[Itswonderful]

just the above really. It look like I've been approved. I'm going for blood tests soon but I have done some research and found that they can suppress the immune system which has concerned me because one of the main triggers for me are viral and bacterial infections. Anyone here have any experience of biologics that can shed any light on them? Thank you and seasons greetings.

[Younie]

Hey, they change the way the immune system reacts in a certain way but do not make you immunocompromised. I am on my 3rd or 4th bioligic medication for severe asthma and no difference to the immune system for me its the steroids that make mine non existant

[Itswonderful in reply to Younie]

hey Younie! Thanks so much for your kind reply. Slightly relieved to hear your experience to say the least! I was thinking the same about steroids and also that as I tend to be a magnet to any respiratory infection that happens to be floating around, it can't be worse can it? So on the one hand I was a little nervous about the info I'd read about biologics suppressing immunity and in the other hand, I have to be reasonably careful now!anyway, so I figured it's got to be better than this! May I ask why you have been on so many different biologics? I am glad you feel better!

[Younie in reply to Itswonderful]

Hi, yes i have been on so many due to different reasons. My first was called mepolizumab/ nucala but after a while it wasnt as effective (over 1 year possibly 2) so they changed to another, benralizumab/ fasenra. I had side effects that i was not coping with at all and gave them an ultimatum of i go cold turkey or back to my origional as it was that bad for me. So back to the origional and then another was approved for use and am now on one called dupilumab/ dupixent. There is talk of another but it all depends on how many times i end up being admitted to hospital and the frequency. This is all after being told many years ago that there wasnt anything else they could do and just learning to live with it.

[Patk1 in reply to Younie]

Can I ask what Yr main side effects to fasenra were x

[Younie in reply to Patk1]

Hi, the side effects i had were a banging sore head for at least 2 weeks after each injection, causing me to be unable to function ( i never normally get headaches) and at least 1 bacterial infection every month that required treatment where i normally get viral ones and manage them due to being on long term antibiotics

[Itswonderful in reply to Younie]

Thanks Younie. How's things now?

[Younie in reply to Itswonderful]

On dupixent now and the infections went back to being the normal viral ones, sleepy for 1 day after which is fine. Still have hospital admissions but a lot less then before and alsp trying to wean off long term steroids which is causing some rebounds to hospital, so a very very slow process

[Itswonderful in reply to Younie]

Thanks Younie. Though the progress may be slow , it sounds positive!

[Patk1 in reply to Younie]

Thanku.not the best choice for you then.xx

[Petcarer88 in reply to Younie]

I to have had my 3rd injection Fasenra I was good until my 3rd injection side effects aches and stiffness and tiredness for over a week and now really bad fatigue and nasal congestion headaches not feeling good due my next dose in February but will have to see how I feel not sure will continue as feeling like I do is not good usually I am a active person but no energy of late

[Itswonderful in reply to Petcarer88]

So sorry to hear this. Thank you for sharing. It's helpful to know how it's going for people on biologics. I'm sure talking about it with your team may help with what to do next? I hope you find a good way forward. Best wishes.

[Nanto4]

Hii ,i got seen at Guys severe asthma clinic on 18th Dec and accepted on the 20th for biologics after a diagnosis of Narrow airway disease and Bronchitis with a bacteria lingering in my lungs.Starting the injections in January (benralizumab)as my inhalers are not enough to control my asthma and i have had 9 rescue packs of steroids this year already, Cant wait to be able to walk up a set of stairs without hanging off the handrail but praying i dont get a pile of side affects i suffer morning headaches already .

[Younie in reply to Nanto4]

I know lots of people on the same medication that didnt have anyside effects at all, everyone is so different

[Itswonderful in reply to Younie]

Thanks Younie. That's very reassuring.

[ellamental]

Hi I have been on biologic injections for a while now - over a year and my asthma has improved generally a lot so I rarely take prednisalone anymore or use the nebuliser BUT I do get the odd chest infection 2/3 a year and during those times my asthma is awful again and quickly back on pred and antibiotics. But otherwise no side effects. Good luck with it. 😊

[Itswonderful in reply to ellamental]

Ahh thanks ellamental. Good to hear you are much better. Yes I'm someone who tends to be a bit of a magnet for winter bugs and until this year I've laid low but this winter I decided to try and live my life as I would if I wasn't a bug magnet and I've paid a heavy price. So next winter and the rest of this one I will pick the things I think are manageable and hide at home the rest of the time. I figure that if I get chest infections now, if I go on the biologics and keep my head down in the wi there months, it might work out. We will see. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Staying positive! X

[ellamental in reply to Itswonderful]

Hi I don't think I get any more or less bugs in the winter on biologics but it makes the rest of the time a lot more easy, it really has been life changing for me. Sensible to be cautious in winter, I should probably be more mindful. I usually have the flu jab but they had ran out when I went and then I did have a chest infection so need to re book as it def helps. Staying positive is the way 😀

[Itswonderful in reply to ellamental]

That sounds reassuring too! Thank you and a happy new year to you. Cheers 🥂.