Cold sores and Orencia

[bernese1225]

Hi, can I ask if anyone has suffered with cold sores when taking Orencia (Abatacept)? I got 5 after taking my 2nd weekly injection, 2 up my nose (ouch) and 3 around my mouth. I've not taken Orencia for 3 weeks now, waiting for sores to clear up. GP gave me a course of Aciclovir tablets and they are slowly but surely going. I'm starting Orencia again tomorrow, just hoping cold sores don't reappear because I'll be taken off it.

I really need it to work, been on prednisolone with no break since 2013 and that's caused so many problems including dry thin skin, flakey brittle nails, dry eyes, receding gums and weight gain.

I thought Cimzia was the one, I was on it from April to October but alas it didn't work on my feet.

No Christmas/New Year parties for me again this year folks and it's my birthday on Christmas Day, like many of us I'll be comfy on the couch while dancing in my head 💃

Merry Christmas and a Happy New (pain free) Year everyone 🎄

[Moomin8]

Hi- fingers crossed that all is well very soon- happy dancing feet Christmas 😆🎄🎅🎁

[popsmith1874]

Hi if it's not the side effects from the meds then it's the from this disease and then we pick up every bug going, I'm struggling with a sore throats and heavy cold at the moment,merry xmas🎄

[bernese1225 in reply to popsmith1874]

Thank you for your reply. Hope you feel better soon .

[Judetheobscure]

Hi Bernese 1225 - I found that the combination of a biologic and a further DMARD overwhelmed my immune system and I got cold sores and other infections which, of course, meant coming off all medication until they cleared. However, by cutting down and then dropping the 2nd DMARD all the infections stopped.

Obviously did this with Rheumatologist's blessing - I asked if I could try it. I've noticed that several posts have mentioned cutting back like this on for example the MTX and that this has been effective. Maybe that's something you could check with your consultant. Perhaps he/she may suggest cutting back on the prednisolone?

Whatever is decided I hope the cold sores heal quickly and wish you both a Happy Christmas and a Happy Birthday. Jude

[bernese1225 in reply to Judetheobscure]

Thank you for replying. I'm only on the biologic. My body won't tolerate any of the DMARDs. I feel like I'm in a vicious circle... I try a new med and start to reduce prednisolone then have to stop new med and increase pred. because of flare up. One day they'll find the med for me.

Thank you for the birthday wishes and Merry Christmas to you and yours 🎄

[Judetheobscure]

I'm sorry it's proving so difficult to get the right med for you. Fingers crossed that there will be one on the market soon that will do the job. Hope things calm down for you. All the best birthday wishes to you. Jude