Missing Benepali this wee

[Blackwitch]

Following a gastroscopy a few weeks ago I ended up with a cold, then a sore throat, followed by a flare up of my Sjögren’d’s. I had a 2 hour emergency appointment with an Opthalmologist who scanned my eyes and was brilliant. She gave me different eye drops and is changing the lenses in my glasses.) Now I have all of them plus a headache and swollen glands. I know my GP will say phone the rheumatology helpline which I will (so I won’t bother with the GP) but I’ve decided not to do my Benepali injection today. Has anyone else been advised to miss a jab? I suppose I’d better do a Covid test too. 🙄 I don’t really have the energy to do anything. Nic xx

[Runrig01]

I’ve had to miss my benepali and methotrexate a number of times, and can honestly say I’ve not noticed missing 1 week. I’ve missed for longer period when I had 7 weeks of infections, and suffered then. The danger is if you take it, this sore throat will progress to a chest infection.

[Blackwitch in reply to Runrig01]

Thanks for your reply. I did get a very swift answer back from the helpline and they said I’d done the right thing so I’ve just got to find the safe place I put my Covid tests now. xx

[Jackie1947]

If I've felt unwell ie I had vertigo last week with nausea I didn't inject the Benipali. The odd week won't have any impact.

[AnnieJ123]

If I have an infection I skip a week. Benepali does wonders for my RA but since injecting I have more bowel problems, which I assume are infections and my neutrophils are lower than they were. All medication have side effects. I sometimes wonder if the dose is too strong for me as I weigh around 53 kilos the dose is for those who are around 68 kilos if I recall correctly. Biologicals lower our ability to fight infection, so I avoid at these times. Sometimes, I wish I was on a maintenance dose in order to have less side effects ,and this would also be cheaper for the NHS.

[Noodles43]

It’s always wise to delay your biologic if you are very unwell, especially if you’re on antibiotics as you will be even more vulnerable to additional infections. I’ve done this with Benepali and I’m doing it right now with Cosentyx as I have a throat infection after having a flu type bug.

Hope you feel better soon 😊

[Blackwitch in reply to Noodles43]

Thank you Noodles. As well as a sore throat, my salivary glands have now swollen and I can feel my ear starting to throb on the left side. The nurse on the rheumatologist helpline was convinced it was a flare of my secondary Sjögren’s. I’m really fed up with this now. I have a numbing throat spray and eye gel, have now tested negative twice for Covid so just have to wait it out. I really don’t want my GP involved as he doesn’t take me seriously. I hope you feel better soon. xx