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Starting Humira but have a cold

Posted , 5 users are following.

Gail363
Gail363

I'm supposed to be starting Humira but I unfortunately caught a cold from my granddaughter. I'm not running a fever at all just a stuffy nose. Should I start the Humira or wait until I'm totally better?

0 likes, 22 replies

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  • julielou01
    julielou01 Gail363

    Posted

    Give your GP a ring tomorrow, see what they think....just to ease your mind..everyone is different....I have never stopped my meds(not humira) because of a cold and have not any adverse reaction.
    • Gail363
      Gail363 julielou01

      Posted

      Thank for your reply Julie! I haven't started Humira yet. I was supposed to start it tomorrow. So I wouldn't be stopping treatment,just postponing it I guess. I'm currently only on prednisone and it's not helping my RA flare at all so I was really anxious to get started. I don't want to end up sicker though.
  • EileenH
    EileenH Gail363

    Posted

    Have you a specialist rheumatology nurse? I know Julielou has suggested the GP but my experience of GPs is they don't know a lot about the specialist drugs - and Humira is definitely one of those! I'm sure a couple of my friends have had to wait when they've had a cold.

    NRAS (National RA Society UK) says:

    "If you feel unwell, or have a cold or cough with phlegm it is best to postpone your next dose and discuss what to do with your rheumatologist or nurse specialist. Although there is no hard evidence to support this practice, many rheumatologists use antibiotics for coughs with sputum or tonsillitis if patients are taking TNFi drugs."

    They have a national free helpline number if you are in the UK.

    http://www.nras.org.uk/

    • Gail363
      Gail363 EileenH

      Posted

      I do have a Rheumatologist. I was on Methotrexate and got a toxic liver. Then Arava and had adverse side effects. Started Enbrel but my insurance denied coverage so was switched to Humira. I'm supposed to begin it tomorrow. Last week I got a bad sore throat but no fever that ended up becoming a cold. I was also on a prednisone taper as a bridge to try to help with this flare. So far I haven't gotten any relief so I was looking forward to trying the Humira.
    • EileenH
      EileenH Gail363

      Posted

      Then you do need to check with your rheumy just in case - I'm sure you are looking forward to trying the Humira but it would be silly to try it tomorrow and end up feeling worse, and possibly having to wait even longer when waiting just a week would perhaps make the difference.
    • Gail363
      Gail363 EileenH

      Posted

      You are right. It's better to error on the side of caution at this point. I definitely do not want to get any worse!
  • skhavis
    skhavis Gail363

    Posted

    I would def check with your rhem nurse - I got horrendously ill after taking my very first dose and ended up on antibiotics and treatment been stopped for nearly four weeks now
    • Gail363
      Gail363 skhavis

      Posted

      Thank you!! I guess I will email my doctor in the morning before I do anything.
  • julielou01
    julielou01 Gail363

    Posted

    The only reason I suggested GP was because I dont have a rheumy nurse..(or team that i can contact anytime)..just get to see the rheumy, as and when....Perhaps I should have said your rheumy team...but thanks Eileen for pointing that out...i forget some of us are lucky to have more contact with specialist teams.....But please...contact a profesional if you are unsure....and good luck, and hope the Humira helps smile
    • EileenH
      EileenH julielou01

      Posted

      Very much depends on the country too - outside the UK many GPs know/want to do even less than in the UK when it comes to a specialist question wink 
    • julielou01
      julielou01 EileenH

      Posted

      Im in Surrey......all we get is a 4-6 monthly with a rheumy....so any other problems that arise have to be dealt with by GP.....thats why I guess I said it...didnt think....I have other friends in Wales and Scotland who have great specialist teams...
    • Gail363
      Gail363 julielou01

      Posted

      Thank you Julie! I am in Oklahoma USA. I'm lucky to have great insurance and the ability to choose my specialists.My husband is retired military and thank goodness for his benefits! I know a lot of people aren't as lucky. Here in the US and abroad. And thank you for the well wishes. 😘
    • EileenH
      EileenH julielou01

      Posted

      Are there really no rheumatology specialist nurses in your hospital department? That is appalling. I know people in Wales who struggle to get any specialist management - their GPs are hopeless. It really is a postcode lottery sometimes. 
    • julielou01
      julielou01 EileenH

      Posted

      Nope...no one....when I started my treatment, I wasnt even given a leaflet about it., or any info...thank ggodness for Google..Just told to go home, take this, and we will see you in 4 months....blah blah blah....Yes you are right...postcode lottery..My only contact is to go to the GP, or try and get an emergency appoint with Rheumy (last one took 8 weeks) sad
    • EileenH
      EileenH julielou01

      Posted

      Where do you go? Since you are in Surrey - what about St Peter's at Ashford? I know at least one absolutely outstanding rheumy there, though his special field is PMR/GCA so maybe he isn't as good at RA. But even I was given leaflets by a specilaist nurse when a rheumy wanted to put me on some old and nasty RA drug - when I don't have RA as such and it does nothing for what I do have!

      I don't know - then they wonder why patients don't take their medication...

    • julielou01
      julielou01 EileenH

      Posted

      Im under Epsom.....The nurses that attend the clinic, are just that...nurses, infact they usually do bloods....there is no one I can contact if things are bad...this is why my knee is now completely shot away, and will need to be replaced soon....Im not even 50 yet.. and yes your right about patients not taking their meds...with no support or no one to talk to.
    • Gail363
      Gail363 julielou01

      Posted

      Wow! I'm thankful our healthcare doesn't work like that. I can email my Rheumatologist and she usually emails me back in a few hours. The reason I posted on here is because it's Sunday and she isn't in her office.
    • julielou01
      julielou01 Gail363

      Posted

      Thats the NHS for you....it is a lottery....dont get me wrong, it is great, but when it comes to specialist teams it depends where you live....We have the Marsden just up the road, so for cancer treatment, you have the worlds best, but other treatments, not necessarily so...BUT you will get treated, and dont have to rely on if you have insurance or not.
    • EileenH
      EileenH Gail363

      Posted

      Yes, as Julielou says, there are downsides but when push comes to shove in the UK you will never be left looking at your purse and saying you can't afford medical care for the big things. I'm (now, though I hate to say it) middle-class but had we had to pay our medical bills in the year when I broke my leg and shortly afterwards my husband was diagnosed with cancer and needed chemo, surgery and radiotherapy we'd have been bankrupt and he'd have been out of a job. As it was...

      It really does depend - and I have plenty of friends in the US who struggle to get quick responses from their doctor's offices too.

    • Gail363
      Gail363 EileenH

      Posted

      I agree with you! It's sad to see so many people suffering without proper medical care. I'm thankful I happen to be one of the few that has both insurance and a great Dr available to me.
    • Guest
      Guest Gail363

      Posted

      Hey Gail! I am in OK too and have just taken my second shot of Humira. I am SO GLAD to not be taking MTX. I can't believe how clear and energetic I am. It hasn't stopped the pain but I can tell a big difference. Do you have an ambassador nurse for Humira? You can get one and also they have assistance where you only have to pay $5 for two shots. Good luck with Humira, I hope it works for you smile
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