Benepali - Do I take the injection as I'm still getting over an infection

[Louise0000]

I'm undecided after research on whether to take my injection after being poorly for a week with ear throat and head infection. Research doesn't really say if I should wait until I'm better or just take it on the day it's due which is today. Any advice gladly appreciated

[KittyJ]

Have you finished your antibiotics as that is usually why you stop taking it, did your rheumy not tell you when you are ok to start taking it again? I’d give them a call tomorrow and ask as we can’t answer that. You may get people’s experiences but that doesn’t mean they’d be right for you ( plus they’d probably all be different 😕)

[Louise0000 in reply to KittyJ]

Thank you for your reply I haven't been on antibiotics I've tried to get over it myself

[KittyJ in reply to Louise0000]

Ah ok, I’ve only ever stopped when on antibiotics so I’m sorry I can’t help 😔

[Madmusiclover]

Any infection I stop. Currently off my JAK.

[Runrig01]

So as others say you stop when you have an infection, and need antibiotics. Being on biologics we really need to treat potential infections seriously, and seek professional advice promptly. My gp has it registered im on biologics, and need to be seen same day if ? Infection. I’d suggest getting your gp to review, and see if you need antibiotics. You have to wait at least 48hrs after finishing antibiotics, before considering restarting. If you take the biologic whilst you have an infection, you risk it worsening, and could even develop sepsis. So it’s imperative you seek professional advice before restarting.

[Haz58]

I've always been told stop Benepali if I have any kind of infection. It stops your immune system fighting it and can make it worse. Not to take it again until I'm fully better.

[Weemillie]

Personally I would go with how you feel . As what normally happens and I know everyone is different Louise, if you find yourself over your infection or not ,it's than down to you .If you go 1 week without you don't tend to see a big difference however any longer than that and you will notice the difference in your joints/flare ect . So go by how you feel if you feel fine after a week take it ,if not then take it on the 1st day you feel better even if it changes your day of the week . Hope this help I'm going by experience Louise as I had to come off for an operation and it certainly took its toll on me that when I knew the benipali really worked . So good luck 👍.

[Cannyone]

hello Louise - I was talking to rheumatology in Inverness yesterday about exactly the same thing. With over 3 years on Benepali I had not succumbed to any infections. However after going for routine bloods I developed what I thought was a head cold.

I continued with injections at first but 3 weeks in , now have a wheezy chest (first time in life) the GP was saying I did not need antibiotics but suspend benepali. Rheumatology agree to suspend for 2 weeks.

If no improvement, refer back to Gp

If then prescribed antibiotics, follow standard advice not to restart until 48 hours after completing the course.

So now I am just concentrating on recovering from this unidentified virus. Not Covid - a throat swab was taken but no result yet.

I raised the issue of possible lung vulnerability on Etanercept but was told “it’s very rare”

I was told that when I developed tinnitus after 2 weeks on hydroxychloroquine.!

I reply that it may be rare ( less than one percent) but it does happen.

I am told my comments are noted.

Sadly I do tend to get the “rare” side effects.

I hope you can recover well with no withdrawal from Benepali.

I am already feeling less mobile and sore without it, which does prove how well it was working.

[Angels54]

Hi, I would say don’t take injection , I had this problem felt worse .