I look after my preschool grandchildren two days a week and am constantly picking up coughs and colds from them. The colds seem to take ages to go and then I get another!!! Any tips on boosting our immunity.
I take Mtx. Does everyone miss a week when they have a cold. I haven’t it I think my cold is getting better.
Know how you feel Jolles I’ve had a cold and virus since coming back from holiday last Saturday, also coughing up muck so might have a chest infection as well, giving it until Monday then going to Doctors to get an antibiotic xx
Stay away, lol it’s not an easy question for me but I bet you’ll get lots of suggestions.
Philip
I can’t stay away. I look after them whilst parents work. I made a promise but thankfully I’ve said any more children then no more childminding by me !!! Lol
Lol good for you lol.
I feel sad for you. IMHO, the only way to avoid all these colds and virus’ is to stay away from children in any environment, and enclosed spaces in general for the adults, sorry 
Hi I’m the same had this cold and cough over 2 weeks now it not getting any better don’t have trouble with chest so I can’t get antibiotics, got a appointment with chest clinic next 2 weeks so hope they help
Not much chance for me I work at school lunchtimes pick everything up
I teach at a special school and tweek my meds down when things are around/in my class. I’m pretty well maintained on 15mg of methotrexate a week so can go down to 10mg or 7.5mg for 2-3 weeks with little adverse effect but I have to make sure I rest more as fatigue creeps back in if I lower things too much. My Dr knows I do this and is ok with that.
There is a nasal spray called 1st defence that may help.
Ali
Wash your hands, endlessly! And even pre-school kids can learn about coughing and sneezing into hankies, and can wash their hands too.. Basically you catch all these things either by contact, hence lots of hand washing and trying to avoid snotty nosed hugs and kisses. Or airborne, hence hankies. You learn to be more alert to spotting indirect contact - sickly kid wipes nose on hand, picks up a toy and hands it to you.....wash your hands/ use hand gel.
I carry hand gel with me all the time, which doesn’t kill everything but does help a bit.
I’ve been on MTX for 9 years now and doctors have never asked me to stop during bouts of sickness or courses of antibiotics. It’s a case by case decision as depends on your general level of health, how ill you are etc etc.
Best thing to do is to try to live as healthily as possible; so proper food, exercise, good sleep, do all the usual good things and don’t do the bad ones like smoking. And wash your hands!
Thanks helixhelix
You’re right about hand wash. Think I’ll go buy hand gel. It’s my youngest grandchild who’s only 1 that’s the most difficult - when he’s poorly just wants lots of hugs and cuddles. Hey ho they grow up so quickly so hopefully it will be easier soon.
Thanks everyone for advice. 😀
I am exactly the same. Am on a biologic now but also look after my young grandchildren three days a week. One has started school and seems to always have a cough or something which makes me quite neurotic. But you can’t let them down can you - when you’ve made the commitment. I think I will step up the hand washing etc, having read this thread. Chickenpox is my worst fear. Mine had it when they were temporarily staying with me and I had to move out! Still don’t regret it though, although like you, I would not commit to any future grandchildren.
I know what you mean about chickenpox!! My blood test shows I have antibodies but I still worry that I could get it. Thinking about paying to have children have chickenpox vaccine.
My daughters would never expect me to look after their young children whilst they go to work. They pay for childcare as realise it's hard work and not right to expect grandparents to do it.
My son and daughter-in law would never expect me to look after their children. I offered. I love doing it and they are so precious to me. I was only diagnosed with RA last year and the meds are really effective. I am very active and apart from the colds have no real problems at the moment so most probably in a differ position to you.. I just wanted some tips on how best to avoid coughs and colds.
Before they got the dreaded chickenpox I researched the vaccine and from the various websites it implied that it could be funded by the nhs in eligible cases. I thought our family should be eligible, but the GP seemed a bit clueless about this. I was following it up - but before I did they got the spots!
Why is your family elegible for free chicken pox vaccine? Just interested.
I believe that if a child is in close contact with an immuno-suppressed person it may be eligible. In my case they were living with me. We were happy to pay actually, but the surgery said they didn’t have the vaccine?
It's really unnecessary. I mean having RA and being on drugs doesn't make you so immunosuppressed that you need vaccines especially for chicken pox when you have already had it. Would be a waste of your money.
This is normal. Same thing happened to me . Kids must pass on a higher inoculum vs adults. Within 6-12 you will be able to resist the bugs.
Hi JoolsJB
We have 7 year old triplets & have had them all at least once a week to give Mum & Dad a rest. We had been having them after school 2 evenings & some Saturday nights. Coughs & colds go round our family all the time. I keep lots of tissues, and ask them to get rid of them in the bin & then wash their hands. I draw the line at anything that says it’s antibacterial because we (& they) need to be exposed to some bugs. This was proved by one of our dogs who consistently had an upset stomach. He improved overnight when we changed our washing up liquid from an antibacterial one! Nic xx
Oh I agree about being exposed to some bugs...we won’t use antibacterial kitchen sprays, Dettol floor cleaners, and just use pure soap for dishes. But I am pretty obsessive about hand gel/washing hands after being on public transport, with sick kids, those sorts of things. Which I don’t do when I come in from the garden. You have to choose your bugs!
I'm afraid the garden is filthy. Full of hidden bugs and filth within the soil itself. I wash my hands after every job no matter what. It's a habit. Dirt is dit!
I’m on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine... and I work in an infant school, so daily in contact with 120 three, four and five year olds. I’ve found that when I’ve changed jobs I’ve picked up colds.... but after a while I seem to avoid them, so I guess I build immunity within the group I’m working with. I am careful about hand washing, and we keep boxes of tissues EVERYWHERE at school so that the children can always be encouraged to blow their noses, throw away tissue, and wash their hands. That said, I have had a chest infection over half term break (typical!) and GP advised me to miss my methotrexate. I’ve missed two doses and my joints are playing up as a result I’d say just be careful about hygiene x
Thanks everyone. It makes me feel so much better talking to others who know how it is!! I was a bit tearful this morning but now back on form.
I was a tutor at my granddaughters grade school this year. I got shingles in February! I learned to use hand sanitizer constantly and took lots of supplements and got lots of rest. Didn’t get sick after that. Have RA
Same here, I have a 14 month old grandson who always seems to have a snotty nose and wants cuddles. I do see him when he has a run of the mill cold, but avoid visiting if he is poorly. I do the handwashing and hand sanitiser thing.
It's very diffucult, I would love to take him one day a week but just can't manage to lift and lay him, my shoulders won't stand it.
Don't want to sound mean but maybe you shouldn't be expected to look after preschoolers when your immune system is compromised. Can't they go to day care or nursery? It's not fair especially if you have RA.
There is nothing you can do to prevent these coughs and colds. My grandchildren are constantly coughing etc. I simply stay away otherwise Like you I would be constantly ill.
Keeping colds at bay!!
Don't think MTX for me (anyone else)
Any tips on how to deal with steroid hunger? 
Deficient immune system
