Biologics, methotrexate and frequency of infections.

[HevJ]

How often do folks on this combo go down with infection? Over last year I have had about 6 lots of antibiotics for different things.

[helixhelix]

I’ve been on a biologic & MTX for nearly 18 months, and the only infection has been a bit of athlete’s foot after spending 3 weeks in a swimming pool.

[HevJ in reply to helixhelix]

Luckily I have my yearly review so will ask my consultant what he thinks!

[helixhelix in reply to HevJ]

Were you prone to infections before you started on biologics? Since I cleaned up my lifestyle I haven’t been sick at all so nothing much has changed 🤞🏼🤞🏼.

[HevJ in reply to helixhelix]

No never. Today I discovered my immune system is really compromised. I am only on 7.5mg of MTX so quite low but each time I go back on it my bloods spike. Been advised to stay off while they have a think what to do. Currently Benepali is working but the MTX is to boost the immunity... watch this space

[AgedCrone in reply to HevJ]

I was on Mtx for a long time & never needed anti biotics....6 courses in one year must be very unusual.Did your rheumatologist prescribe them or your GP?

Next time you see him/her have a word with your Rheumatologist about Mtx...it is in fact an immunosuppressant....the last thing we all need is our immune system to be boosted. RA is caused by our immune system wrongly overreacting ....we need it calming down,not boosting.

Hope you get some suitable meds very soon.

[rab1874]

I’ve been on biological drugs 2 years and methotrexate 3 and usually pick up a few chest infections a year which usually takes 2 rounds off antibiotics to clear

[HevJ in reply to rab1874]

Yes with a dental infection after an implant I needed two lots of antibiotics. Any illness takes much longer to recover from too.

[KittyJ]

Only one lot of antibiotics for a chest infection over the past year since adding a biologic. I have got my annual cold at the moment but it looks like that's up clearing ok 😊

[HevJ in reply to KittyJ]

Hope it’s clears soon

[KittyJ in reply to HevJ]

Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

I get chest infections - I have had antibiotics twice but now I am constantly steaming with olbas oil, watching lifestyle, food, sleep etc and seem to be controlling it.

[Barrister]

I’ve had one dental infection in the last 18 months.

Clemmie

[achyknitter]

I have been on MTX for four years and find that any colds, coughs or general winter ailments do last. They are no worse than anyone else's and begin to clear up as they should but come back every time I take MTX, weaker each time but it can take several months to feel well again. To date nothing has been bad enough to need antibiotics but, I feel, that it is only time before that happens.

[Mmrr]

I've had a resurgence of herpes simplex, persistent fungal infection of my toes and hand foot and mouth disease in the few months I've been on baricitinib. Nothing too serious, but enough to stop me taking it for a week or two each time.

[TheBoys]

Crikey.

.i ve been in one long purgatory of infection. I m bringing up at my review in December .

[Jackadoodle]

Hi, yes infections vary, I have been in hospital twice this year with water infections including a chest infection. temperatures of 39.8C and 39.6C was given antibiotics in hospital for 8 days, consultant said I was close to sepsis so get checked early don’t leave it until too late.

[stbernhard]

Hi HevJ, I am on MTX sine 2010 and a biologic since 2012 and never had an increased occurrence of infections, thankfully. I hope your bug defence system will sort itself out soon. All the best.

[CagneysMum]

I’m on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquin and not had any infections in 18 months.

[Ninaseven]

When I was on methotrexate I had several chest infections. It got to point everytime I got a cold I would go to GP to get antibiotics. I also suffered from throat infections from the sores I would get in my mouth. Since I started on Humira I have been lucky and have not had to have antibiotics. Good luck. Everyone reacts so differently to these drugs.

[wishbone]

I've had problems with infections over the last few years and stop my meds at the first signs of one. As has been said, we need methotrexate and other RA meds to suppress our overactive immune systems but that's the last thing we want if we have an infection, which can become serious as happened with Jackadoodle above. You really need to have a chat with your rheumatologist.

[RA2002]

I’ve been on a combination of these for quite some time but in the last 12 months. I’ve had two serious toe infections which required antibiotics - I wondered if the change to bio similar Benepali is connected?

[Lyneal]

Hi, I too have had many infection, had to come off MTX injections because of repeated infections. Been off all drugs for six months now, but feel I will have to soon go back on it and I am dreading it, the difference I feel without MTX is amazing.