Hi, I'm new on here.

[Notabenenot]

I've had RA for about 25 years now, and it has been generally well controlled by drugs. At the moment though, I seem to have a "cold" which never goes away, and just now it's making me have catarrh, wheeze, cough, breathless, be very tired and really not able to do much. I do not seem to be able to shake it off - I've had it about 2 years now, so it's obviously not a real cold!

[keeta]

Hi love i think you should have a word with you Rhuemie doc .its been going on a long time and matbe your meds

Welcome to our family xx

[Notabenenot in reply to keeta]

Thanks, Keeta,

Yes, I think I will after Christmas. Will get in touch with the Rheumatology nurse or my GP. Never know which is best!

[keeta in reply to Notabenenot]

Most doctors don.t have a clue about RD and ill ask your nurse or Rhuemie doc for advice .so you might as well just ask them .but don.t leave it .hugs kathy xx

[Notabenenot in reply to keeta]

Thanks, I'll take your advice!

[keeta in reply to Notabenenot]

Xx

[StormySeas in reply to keeta]

I second that. RA nurses are the best route for advice as they're experts. General Practitioners often don't have the in-depth knowledge we need...

[Notabenenot in reply to StormySeas]

Thank you!

[helixhelix]

Are you on a biologic? Ever since I started on them I've had a fake cold... costing a fortune in tissues!

[Notabenenot in reply to helixhelix]

I don't know what a biologic is!

[helixhelix in reply to Notabenenot]

Not methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide or sulphasalazine, but one of these newer drugs:

tocilizumab (Actemra)

certolizumab (Cimzia)

etanercept (Enbrel)

adalimumab (Humira)

anakinra (Kineret)

abatacept (Orencia)

infliximab (Remicade)

rituximab (Rituxan)

golimumab (Simponi)

[Notabenenot in reply to helixhelix]

No, none of those

[Stars27 in reply to Notabenenot]

I’m on a biologic and a lot of mornings wake with cold symptoms which are gone in an hour or two. It never seems to come to anything

[Notabenenot in reply to Stars27]

Mine doesn't go - it varies from week to week - sometimes fairly negligible other times runny nose, sneezing, headache, aching joints and a wheezy throat - I sometimes think I'm hearing the cat but it's just me breathing!

[helixhelix in reply to Notabenenot]

Maybe this....?

nhs.uk/conditions/non-aller...

[Bubblyb in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you for this list, btw! 🌸

[New50 in reply to helixhelix]

After my visit to rheumatology. Finally someone listened and for the first time I am being given medication for my condition, which is prednisolone. I will be on this for 3 months till I see the consultant again. I have been given leaflets of drugs that are on offer are hydroxychloroquine methotrexate and sulfasalazine. You seem to understand the drugs on offer. I’m completely in the dark. Please could you give me some insight as to the difference. Thank you xxx

[helixhelix in reply to New50]

Have a look at these pages from NRAS. They're a good intro to the drugs.

nras.org.uk/dmards

Itis all a bit overwhelming to start with, so ask if you have more questions.

[New50 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you. Xxx

[New50 in reply to helixhelix]

The site is dodgy it’s comes up as an unsafe site that if you click on it it steals info reads” unsecured site”

[helixhelix in reply to New50]

Bizarre! They are a very respectable national charity, and I use their site a lot.....

[frechfield in reply to helixhelix]

Wow!! The list goes on.

[Jillyanne]

I would t bother with GP, go straight to your Rhuemy nurse .

Mine is far better than the specialist 👍👍

Good luck 😍

[juliea793]

Hello..

After what I have just been through with similar symptoms I would get some professional to listen to your chest. I too had been on medication for RA for 30 years..

I ignored the symptoms and then had full blown heart problem..With that in mind whoever you can get an appointment with first to check your chest out..

I have learnt my lesson and now suffering with being off all medication and suffering with full blown flare up until I see Consultant early January for a review of medication.

Please do not ignore these symptoms and put your mind at rest...Good luck..

[Notabenenot in reply to juliea793]

Thank you for that advice - it's been awhile since I had a chest xray. However, I dread being off the drugs, as the last time I had a methotrexate scare, and was off it for 7 weeks, I ended up in a wheelchair and unable to do anything with my arms and shoulders ( not able to eat properly, dress myself, do my hair among other things) and though going back on Metho has improved things, the damage has been permanent - still can't hold my arms up to do stuff, so I don't want that again!

[juliea793]

I know where your coming from but no harm asking for a chest xray.

[Notabenenot in reply to juliea793]

Yes, will definitely do that after Christmas - thank you