Hi everyone, I am new to the site needing some advice?
Is anyone on the biologic injections?
If so are you always sick? With the surpressed immune system.
I am due to go on Monday to start mine and I am worrying incase I am always sick out off work and effects my kids. So as much advice and Information I get would be great 😃
Many thanks Emma ♥️
Hi Emma, and welcome 😊 I’ve been on biologics for a year now and I’m not always getting sick. I’ve had one cold since starting but that’s the same as before I was on biologics so no difference. I am careful with washing my hands and steering clear of unwell people but not to the extent it affects my life too much. Biologics made a big difference to my RA and I hope it does the same for you. Lots of people on here are on them and are doing really well. Which one are you going to take?
Hey Kitty thank you for your reply. I am not sure as of yet. I am up on Monday to find all that out said on the letter I could be there for 6 hours for tests etc but I am assuming that it will start from Monday. That's great advise I have two young kids and a job I just can't afford to be in bed all the time with sickness lol so just wanting everyone's experiences on the injections x
Ah ok, you probably won’t start on Monday as after all the tests and assuming they’re ok, you will then have to wait for your injections to be delivered and for a nurse to come to your house to show you how to inject. That’s what happened with me.
Kitty,i might sound a bit thick.
But what are biologic injections exactly..
I've got Chronic Fibromyalgia ,Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis. Rheumatoid medication just don't agree with me. I've had fluid drained from my groin that had leaked out of my hip. Bones removed from both hands because of it. Now they want to do a Complete Wrist Replacement. Which I have turned down on the Advice of my Pain Management Doctors. I am due to go in hospital in a few weeks time for Gallbladder removal etc.
At 1st they thought it was Pancreatic Cancer, but my liver has gone down and my Bile Ducts are now clear. I still have the Cyst on the Pancreas and in the Kidney, but the Gastrointerologist Consultant said that the Gallbladder itself is causing a lot of my stomach problems. .But I am in so much pain all the time with everything else, im worried about going back in to have another operation. I have been on Fentanyl Patches and Pregablin .Ive had Depo Steroid injections in the top and bottom of my Spine, but nothing is working for me At the moment i am back on the Butrans Patches and Pregablin. I have been on these off and on for 8 years.
They just aren't working for me anymore. I've not been out of the house for over 5 years, except for Doctor or Hospital Appointments.
Then i read what you were saying about biologic injections. I'm 75 years old ,so it's not a case of Quantity of life anymore .It's Quality of life and at the moment I haven't got any quality.
If you could give me any help or Advice on these kind of injections would be really appreciated. Thanks x
You’re not thick Gjkas, but here is the link to NRAS Booklet on meds to download. Biologics are on page 48. This will explain it better than I can 😊
Hi Emma
Welcome!
I have been taking biologics for roughly 4.5 years and fortunately, I’ve picked up something only then once.
I am a social worker and around children a lot so the chances of picking up bugs etc, increase but nope, I seem to have done ok.
I think the best advice is to be mindful. Wash your hands, use an antibacterial ( I carry one with me!) and just practice good hygiene.
Wishing you the best of luck going forward.
Marie
Hi Emma I’ve been injecting for more than 10 years and it’s been a life saver for me I was a reception teacher till retirement and to be honest never gave “picking up” any illness a thought but did have the flu jab every year ! The self help cleanliness tips from others sound good ideas Hope you find a drug that relieves your symptoms good luck
Hi Emma, I'm in a similar position to you ie waiting to go on to Biologics. I'm also a bit worried about having a reduced immune system as I help out with my two young grand daughters & they seem to have coughs, colds & sickness bugs quite a lot at the moment!
I am really pinning my hopes on Biologics- a biosimilar of Humira I think, as I'm hardly ever free of pain /stiffness at the moment. I am waiting for the pharmaceutical company to contact me so keeping my fingers crossed that will be soon!
Hope the injections go well for you Emma ,and thank you to everyone on this site who keep me going with their advice & support xx
I thought I would catch all sorts.Daughter would always say no to coming if kids had bad cold but I dont think I have caught one really.I have had shingles were I had to stop my injections for 3 weeks.most time I am ill is by stress or diverticulitis illness not with catching things from others I hope it will mean you live a better pain free life.I still struggle but it helps
I’ve been on them for nearly 18 months with no problem at all. I do the basic hygiene things like washing my hands, but that’s all. If you are sensible and look after yourself there shouldn’t be a problem.
Hi Emma, I have been on Biologics for 5 years + now. I am on Etanacept. I find the worst time of the year is winter when cough and colds are about I normally get one and because of the Biologics it takes me sometime to get over it. I suffer tiredness but to honest the pros of Biologics way outway the cons for me. Best advice is to stay clear of people with colds etc, I always carry hand gel and use it after being in public places ie supermarkets etc. Stick with it it is well worth it.
Ray.
Morning everyone and thank you for all your replay it's been really helpful. I've so much going on about them in my head lol
When yous first started them, where you out of work alot with sickness?
I've already had my flu Jan but what is the thing about that your not aloud live vaccines when your on the treatment? This scares me lol why aren't we allowed them? What if I pick a holiday and it's a country I need an injection? Don't go? They give an alternative?
Also another thing worrys me is there is risk of skin Cancer? Has anyone experienced this?
Am I reading into it all too much lol 😂
I just worry for my kids that mummy will be sick all the time as I am in good health atm apart from the RA and some mobility issues.
Yes you are going a bit overboard Emmano! But it is a lot to take in when you first read of the possible side effects.
I have been on biologic infusions since 2016 and have had no more coughs and colds or any other infections than I had before.
I had skin cancer before I took biologics ......because many years ago I was a silly young thing and sat in the sun too much!
You can really stop worrying about live vaccines....there are really only two that you might think of having.
Yellow Fever.....which is for countries that you might not even have heard of & probably wouldn’t want to visit anyway.
Prior to having RA I had that vaccine every 10 years, as I did sometimes travel to those countries.......but would never choose to go again! They are not exactly anywhere you would usually choose for a holiday.
Then there is the Shingles Vaccine which on the NHS (this year) is offered to people of 70 & 79...... Which as you mention having children I doubt you are that age yet?
There is a non live vaccine for shingles called Shingrix, but that is not yet available in the NHS.
I think there is also oral Typhoid which is live ..... is but most people have the injection which is non live.
So try not to worry too much....most people here who only have RA with no other health complications appear to do well on Biologics.
I am certainly the best I have been in years.
I do keep away from friends who have any sort of viral infection like winger colds& I carry hand sanitiser gel...but otherwise life continues as usual.
Good luck...I hope you do well on Biologics.
I was out of work a lot with RA pain rather than being ill from biologics! For me, the benefits outweigh the costs - I could work more and see my friends more because I was finally on meds that worked for my RA. I do stay away from snotty children and use a lot of antibacterial on public transport. I have found that colds affect me worse now, when I do get them, but have gotten vaccinated against anything serious, as we all should (flu and pneumonia).
You're not allowed live vaccines because if you are immunosuppressed, they could make you ill. So you can ONLY get specific "killed" vaccines if that makes sense. So we can cover ourselves against flue or pneumonia. If you want to travel somewhere that requires a live vaccine I assume you will just have to spend a lot fo time searching for the "killed" version of the jab, if it exists. If it doesn't, only other option is to stop your immunosuppressive meds while you get the jab - but this is something doctors will talk you through as and when the situation arises.
No experience of skin cancer but yes, there are many side effects tot he meds we are on. I'm sure seeing their mummy in less pain will be a good thing 
Good luck
S x
Thank you so much. I could totally deal with a cold and I'll probably get my alot because I've to young kids and they go to creche and school so they probably bring alot of germs into the house 😂 I just hope I don't get the seasonal vomitting bugs because I always seem to miss then atm, I am definitely going to try these injections. I suppose I am won't know until I try it. So here to hoping it works well for me.
fingers crossed you feel a lot better!
I have been on them for 6years infusions for 4 years injections for 2 years and never sick with them had a few colds and other things but chances are i would have caught them anyway.I had tried so many different meds and these are the only thing that has helped me.Good luck
I atarted on humira 2 months ago and I haven't seen any change as far as getting sick. I did get flu shot. I think as long as you get plenty of rest and eat well you should be fine
I'm on abatacept injections been on them for about 4 year's no sickness at all, tried quite a few before this but were no good for me.
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