Humira

[Kitten15]

Hi there I've been on humira now going on 3 months for ankylosing spondylitis I now feel it is starting to work its magic but I've now taken a horrible upper respitory infection and feel pretty rotten. Can anyone tell me who is also on humira ever taken an infection whilst on it and did the infection go away on its own or did they need antibiotics. Hate bothering doctors as know how busy they are especially with the way things are at the moment with the NHS. I'm also scheduled to have surgery at the end of the month so got a lot going on at the moment. Hope everyone is doing well this lovely Easter Monday 🐣

[helixhelix]

if you are on a biologic you need to bother your doctors!! That is what they are there for! Mine would tell me off if I didn’t and risked an infection going wild.

And doubly important if you are due for surgery as you need to get rid of this infection or risk it being postponed.

Phone tomorrow please…

[Kitten15 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you Helixhelix your absolutely 100% correct . Will definitely phone gp in morning. This is all new to me being on these meds and you think you will be fine and the upper respitory infection will subside on its own. You hear so much regarding being on too many antibiotics and them not working efficiently when you really need them but better to be on them incase infection takes over then like you say the surgery being postponed. Many thanks for your input much appreciated 😊

[helixhelix in reply to Kitten15]

once you’ve been on biologics a while you will get a feel for how you react. But right now err on the side of caution. Do you have a temperature? If so you should also be checking with your rheumy team about stoppimg the Humira.

[Kitten15 in reply to helixhelix]

No temp thankfully but just feeling rubbish aching headache sore throat ears etc I've done a few lateral flow tests all negative as well. Need to stop the Humira 2 weeks before surgery also. Take good care and thanks so much for the advice x

[benjijen]

Was on humira for 3 years and never had any infections, not even a cold. Coincidence? Maybe but call with GP is a must.

[Nana246]

hi I’ve started Humira and have had 2 doses so far. I read that we have to contact rheumatology if we get any infections. I was told I have a higher chance of getting shingles too. Would be interested in hearing how you go. Good luck with the infection and your surgery 😊

[Nana246]

just wondering if you know about this support for Humira users

abbviecare.ca/en

I looked it up and I think this is link for UK? I’m in Australia and access it here. It’s a great service. Free sharps containers, loads of info, free travel cases etc.

Abbvie care is the name hopefully this is the right link

[cyberbarn in reply to Nana246]

That is a Canadian website. There doesn't seem to be an equivalent service for UK users.

[Nana246 in reply to cyberbarn]

oh ok. It’s a great service. It’s a shame if you can’t get it

[Nana246 in reply to cyberbarn]

can you try the number at the end of this article?

pmlive.com/pharma_thought_l...

[cyberbarn in reply to Nana246]

That is just the switchboard number for the pharmaceutical companay head office here in the UK. There is no indication from their website that they provide servces to patients in the UK. To provide that sort of service in the UK it would have to be commissioned and paid for by the NHS.

That article is from 2016.

[helixhelix in reply to cyberbarn]

I think this only operates where people are paying for healthcare by different means like insurance (don’t quite understand the US etc systems). Here in UK everything is free at the point of service, so generally it’s no frills service, and that sort of support should (😂) be provide by your doctors).

[Otto11]

Hi yes you need to come off Humira whilst you have an infection I’m afraid. Also 2 weeks prior to surgery. You need to speak to your GP. 🙁

[Kitten15]

Just saw doctor ive got a chest infection and asthma has really kicked in so I've got antibiotics and steroids. Doctor said people like us who are on biologics when take ill see doctor ASAP as it can really turn nasty. Thank you all foe your advice really helps speaking on this chat you don't feel alone with your illness great people who totally understand everything ❤️ No more injections Otto11 till way after surgery better safe than sorry 🙏 Thank you Nan246 good luck also with your Humira also hope it really helps your illness 😊

[helixhelix in reply to Kitten15]

Good! Tuck yourself up and rest a bit, and hopefully antibiotics will kick in quickly.

[Kitten15 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you Helixhelix you take good care also x

[Kitten15]

Also thank you Benjijen 😊

[Nana246]

thankyou kitten15. Hope you get better quick😊