Re: enbrel and flu

[Guest guest]

Carole, If hubby doesn't get the shot, good chance this bug will

visit your home. Work close with your Dr. to map out a good strategy

for dealing with this flu season. An alternate rx for PA may be all

you need, even though it may not work with the pain as well. But you

must work with your Dr. on this. Flu could be very tough on your

system, even with the shot. But PA out of control along with the

flu . . . Well, work with your Dr. I'm sure I'm not the only one on

this list who will be praying for you. - JudiRose

> Hi,

> I have been a " silent member " of the group since 2000,when I was

> diagnosed with PA, and have only posted a few times over the years.

I

> have had tremendous denial about my disease, probably because it

> was " mild " and I thought the Dr.s were wrong! My right index

finger

> is a funny looking thing...all crooked and I can barely bend it. My

> right foot (large toe joint)is mangled from 3 surgeries over the

> years (but painless now!) and I am usually achy all over...so, it

was

> time to take some action. I began Enbrel in July and noticed

how " un-

> stiff " I was after 2 months...a miracle! It all crept up on me and

I

> didn't realize how bad I had become. I had to stop the enbrel for

17

> days about a month ago because of a sore throat with white spots

and

> Iwas put on the Z-PAK (zithromycin) two times to get rid of it.

> I have had reactive airways disease (RAD) for about 8 years (any

time

> I get a cold it goes right into bronchitis) and I always get a flu

> shot.

> To get a flu shot while on Enbrel you have to make sure it is a

> killed vaccine...not live. So, I was able to get it this year, much

> to my relief (even thought you could still get the flu).

>

> My concern is with my RAD and the severe flu season upon us should

I

> stop the enbrel for a few months? Since enbrel lowers the immune

> system I am terrified that if I get the flu I would be in big

trouble.

> I spoke to the enbrel people and spoke to my rheumy....the rheumy

> said I could stop for a few months....the enbrel people wouldn't

say

> either way...but did warn about infections being dangerous while on

> enbrel.

> What are your feelings about this...the more input the merrier!

> I just feel very mixed up at this point. I don't want to do myself

> dirt by stopping the enbrel but I also don't want to get doubly

sick

> if I get the flu and am not able fight it. I have 2 teen daughters

in

> high school (they got the flu shot) and a husband that never gets

the

> shot because he doesn't believe it! I don't want to live in

> a " bubble " !

> Thanks in advance for your understanding and support and

> happy holidays to all of you!

> Carole

>

> [Editor's Note: Not sure this is the answer you want, but: Given

that hubby won't get the shot, and that you have high-schoolers who

come in contact with thousands of others, chances are you're going to

be " challenged " by the flu bug. It might be wise to stop the Enbrel,

and give yourself maximum protection against the flu. I'd go with

what the doc says.

> D.]

[Guest guest]

JudiRose,

Thanks so much for your response. I stopped the enbrel last Monday and am

only on mobic 7.5 mg 2 times a day. I have 2 boxes of enbrel in my refridge

and it doesn't expire until May 04, so it is there for me when the flu

season is over.

So far there are not too many outbreaks of the flu in New Jersey...let's

hope it stays that way.....somehow I doubt it!

Stay well and thanks again for responding.

Carole

>From: juroma43@...

>Reply-

>

>Subject: [ ] Re: enbrel and flu

>Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 18:23:26 -0000

>

>Carole, If hubby doesn't get the shot, good chance this bug will

>visit your home. Work close with your Dr. to map out a good strategy

>for dealing with this flu season. An alternate rx for PA may be all

>you need, even though it may not work with the pain as well. But you

>must work with your Dr. on this. Flu could be very tough on your

>system, even with the shot. But PA out of control along with the

>flu . . . Well, work with your Dr. I'm sure I'm not the only one on

>this list who will be praying for you. - JudiRose

>

>

> > Hi,

> > I have been a " silent member " of the group since 2000,when I was

> > diagnosed with PA, and have only posted a few times over the years.

>I

> > have had tremendous denial about my disease, probably because it

> > was " mild " and I thought the Dr.s were wrong! My right index

>finger

> > is a funny looking thing...all crooked and I can barely bend it. My

> > right foot (large toe joint)is mangled from 3 surgeries over the

> > years (but painless now!) and I am usually achy all over...so, it

>was

> > time to take some action. I began Enbrel in July and noticed

>how " un-

> > stiff " I was after 2 months...a miracle! It all crept up on me and

>I

> > didn't realize how bad I had become. I had to stop the enbrel for

>17

> > days about a month ago because of a sore throat with white spots

>and

> > Iwas put on the Z-PAK (zithromycin) two times to get rid of it.

> > I have had reactive airways disease (RAD) for about 8 years (any

>time

> > I get a cold it goes right into bronchitis) and I always get a flu

> > shot.

> > To get a flu shot while on Enbrel you have to make sure it is a

> > killed vaccine...not live. So, I was able to get it this year, much

> > to my relief (even thought you could still get the flu).

> >

> > My concern is with my RAD and the severe flu season upon us should

>I

> > stop the enbrel for a few months? Since enbrel lowers the immune

> > system I am terrified that if I get the flu I would be in big

>trouble.

> > I spoke to the enbrel people and spoke to my rheumy....the rheumy

> > said I could stop for a few months....the enbrel people wouldn't

>say

> > either way...but did warn about infections being dangerous while on

> > enbrel.

> > What are your feelings about this...the more input the merrier!

> > I just feel very mixed up at this point. I don't want to do myself

> > dirt by stopping the enbrel but I also don't want to get doubly

>sick

> > if I get the flu and am not able fight it. I have 2 teen daughters

>in

> > high school (they got the flu shot) and a husband that never gets

>the

> > shot because he doesn't believe it! I don't want to live in

> > a " bubble " !

> > Thanks in advance for your understanding and support and

> > happy holidays to all of you!

> > Carole

> >

> > [Editor's Note: Not sure this is the answer you want, but: Given

>that hubby won't get the shot, and that you have high-schoolers who

>come in contact with thousands of others, chances are you're going to

>be " challenged " by the flu bug. It might be wise to stop the Enbrel,

>and give yourself maximum protection against the flu. I'd go with

>what the doc says.

> > D.]

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

Working moms: Find helpful tips here on managing kids, home, work — and

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[Guest guest]

For everyone's info... I am on Enbrel... and I currently have the flu. I seem

to be getting over it quite nicely, however, I have not taken a shot since

last Wednesday. I have recently cut down to only 1 (25mg) shot per week, so

maybe I am recovering fast due to that. Anyway, thought you might want to hear

from someone on ENBREL who actually has the flu.

In a message dated 12/18/03 10:20:17 PM Eastern Standard Time,

caeb2000@... writes:

<< JudiRose,

Thanks so much for your response. I stopped the enbrel last Monday and am

only on mobic 7.5 mg 2 times a day. I have 2 boxes of enbrel in my refridge

and it doesn't expire until May 04, so it is there for me when the flu

season is over.

So far there are not too many outbreaks of the flu in New Jersey...let's

hope it stays that way.....somehow I doubt it!

Stay well and thanks again for responding.

Carole

>>