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Benepali, cough, cold

Posted , 7 users are following.

martin31040
martin31040

Hi, anyone on biologicals? do you stop taking them if you get a cough or cold ?, I'm on Benepali got a cough and cold so I missed a week cough cold seemed to be improving after about a week or so, so I started Benepali again now cough cold has come back, any views, thanks.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • amkoffee
    amkoffee martin31040

    Posted

    I can't really answer your question but I wanted to warn you about stopping a medication cold turkey without checking with your doctor first. There are a lot of medication out there that need to be tapered.

    • martin31040
      martin31040 amkoffee

      Posted

      Hi, I understand but Benepali can just be stopped with no problem as far as I know.
    • carol303055
      carol303055 martin31040

      Posted

      Yes, you're right. I was advised in the event of any infection, coughs, colds, sore throats to withhold the Benepali (and Humira when I was on that).  Your body is trying to fight the infection and the biologic is suppressing your immune system. 

       

    • amkoffee
      amkoffee martin31040

      Posted

      I am glad you were able to stop it without having to taper. I have made the mistake once of stopping a medication without talking to my doctor first, only to discover that it was a bad decision to make. And I have heard of people who has stopped a medication abruptly, such as prednisone which is a very dangerous drug to just stop. So I just wanted to make sure you were okay and I'm glad you are.

    • carol303055
      carol303055 amkoffee

      Posted

      Hi Amkoffee, you're certainly right about prednisolone. I'd just managed to get mine down to 5mgs after a year and my respiratory doc told me to put it back up to 20mgs! Here we go again. 

  • linda23834
    linda23834 martin31040

    Posted

    Hi Martin, a fortnight ago I had a swollen throat and cough, didn’t feel right. I didn’t take my injection. I saw the Dr. She said I did the right thing. She thought I had a virus, but no infection.  Because your immune system is lower with the injections, it can’t fight a virus as well. The hospital also told me not to take injection if you have a virus or cold. Hope this helps.
    • martin31040
      martin31040 linda23834

      Posted

      Hi Linda, I'll give my next Benepali injection a miss it's due this Saturday, my RA is not bothering me, my immune system must be concentrating on cough and cold.

    • linda23834
      linda23834 martin31040

      Posted

      I was advised that you can miss a week and it shouldn’t effect your condition. More than that, then you need advice. My Dr told me to get checked out anytime I’m not well. Maybe a virus, but can turn easily into an infection.  Hope all our advice has helped Martin.
  • carol303055
    carol303055 martin31040

    Posted

    Hi Martin, yep, I am also on Benepali. I once tried to be clever and tried carrying on but ended up with an underlying chest infection for months. I usually find it's enough to stop just one dose and don't have much in the of joint pain but it is a nuisance. Because I've also had a lot of chest infections I also have some antibiotics as back up which I can start promptly then I always stop my Benepali. Why do mine always start on a Friday! Carol

    • martin31040
      martin31040 carol303055

      Posted

      Hi Carol, I did miss one week and my cough and cold was improving but then I did the next injection and set if off again I think, so I'll miss this next one and hopefully I'll improve, thanks.

    • Gloria814
      Gloria814 martin31040

      Posted

        Hi Martin

             I am also on a biologic--Cimzia and twice I had a cold and stopped the drug so my body could try and fight the cold.  First I waited a week and 2nd time 10 days.   I was OK but I did start to have increased pain in ankle and fingers.   You can stop that medication without it being a concern but any signs of infection that seem more than a cold should be followed up with call to doctor.   Been on this medication 10 months and doing well with it.  I hope you also continue to do well on your biologic once the cold symptoms are resolved.      Gloria

    • martin31040
      martin31040 Gloria814

      Posted

      Thanks Gloria, I'll miss my next injection this Saturday and hope cough cold clears up.

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