Has anyone ever stopped taking benepali when ill?

[Revita2020]

Hi just wondered if anyone's ever stopped benepali when they've been ill? And also has it worked the same once restarted? I've been on benepali for about 6 months an came down with the flu an was strongly advised not to take my injection until 100% I'm not 100% yet but when it got to 5 days after my injection day I could feel my RA was starting to come back, I was feeling better but not fully back to normal still a bit sniffly etc so I took my injection as I was scared that if I left it any longer that it might not work for me the second time around. Just wondered if anyone else had stopped it and for how long? An also did it have any effect on how it worked. I'm hoping with it only being 5 days late it will go back to working the same as it did before for me.

[Marionfromhappydays]

Yes I've had to stop taking benepali for 2 weeks due to an infection.

I will preface this with it's never really worked totally for me (it took what was a 10 down to an 8) but once taken again it worked as it did before.

My rhematology nurses have been quite strict with me that they would rather me not take it than risk an infection (or infection getting worse) and I must not take again until totally feeling right. I would be careful about taking it when you aren't feeling totally over the infection.

Hope the cold goes totally soon x

[Revita2020 in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Yeah that's kind of what they said to be honest. Thank you for you're reply and hopefully it will continue to work for me the same as it did before 😊

[Helen-NRAS Moderator]

If you would like support, information or just someone to talk to, our NRAS helpline is open every week day from 9.30am to 4.30pm nras.org.uk/helpline/ 0800 298 7650. Or have a look at our website nras.org.uk. Kind regards.

[Dave74]

Hi ya I came off my benepali whenI had a lung operation last year for 5 weeks, I flared quite bad when I was off, my knee need asperation and steroid injected, but as soon as I was allowed to go back on, all my swelling went and bloods went back to normal! Hope this helps!

[Revita2020 in reply to Dave74]

Oh that's good as I was worried it might not work again for me 😊

[Salamanca21]

Just stop for a couple of days and then it will work as normal but don't upset your pattern of injections if possible...

[Revita2020 in reply to Salamanca21]

That's what I was thinking. I actually took it 5 days later when I thought I was better but have ended up with a chest Infection and I'm now on anti bionics for 5 days but this means I'll only miss another 1 day until my injection again. Hopefully it clears up in the 5 days. Lesson learnt do not take you're injection until fully recovered. Thank you for the reply 😊

[Shamrockgirl]

Interesting comments, but still feel a bit conflicted. My bad cold started a week ago, I didn’t do the benepali injection on that Friday. I could feel symptoms like painful wrists after a few days. I thought I was improving, but still don’t feel right & due an injection tomorrow. NRAS by e-mail can’t answer this as they’re not medically trained. My biologics nurse clinic is not available until Monday.

Any thoughts? I suppose if I felt better by Monday, I could do the benepali & change the regular day.