I agree with everything Jen has said here. I was on Orencia self-injections for a year and I didn't have any problems with infection etc.
I'm really careful washing hands - use soap and keep washing for about 30 seconds before rinsing and drying..
I try to stay away from crowds of people when I can in Winter with cold and 'flu germs everywhere. I also keep my face, legs and feet and hands and arms moisturised to prevent dry skin cracking - dermatologist's advice..

Hope Orencia will work for you as well as it has for 51percent .

I'm also on Orencia. Just going on my third year. So far it has worked wonders for me. As far as your immune system , do all of the above but add probiotics. You can also take ginger and turmeric capsules. I have since the beginning. Seems to help with the inflammation and pain too. Good luck.

I was wondering about this even though I am on Enbrel so thanks for the information. Glad I am not the only one having issues with getting sick.

My doctor suggested wearing the face masks when out in public. Does anyone wear them?

I have kept my illness very quiet but wearing a mask would open up a lot of questions. Struggling with how to handle this. I am so tired of being sick though so seriously thinking about wearing the mask.

I'm not on Orencia, but want to say you do not want to boost your immune system! RA is treated by reducing your immune system, so adding things to try and boost it back up is not something you really want to do.

As others have said, wash hands, try and stay away from sick people, etc is you best bet.

Good Luck!

I thought that too sk8ingjudge. I asked my Rumi if it was defeating the purpose and she said definitely not. To take the probiotics. So just following the doctors orders?

I agree with Jen but I also take hand wipes with me if the store is out and I need to wipe the grocery cart down. I also have hand sanitizer in my car and use is as soon as I am out of the store. Then the hand washing, all the time. I keep the face mask in my purse but have not used them yet. I don't go to any big functions in enclosed areas this time of year. I too am on Orencia and doing well. Good luck to you!
Wendy

What Jen said...

I will also specifically say avoid rubbing your eyes. I do it sometimes without thinking, and that is preferred route #1 for germs.

Remember that alcohol based wipes and gels do nada for (most, like 99%) viruses, so back to handwashing.

I am positively swimming in a sea of germs almost every day. An intense focus on handwashing has kept me well... Er, so far.

For me the best thing is to be vigilant when in any public place or around other people. Fortunately for me that is only 2-3 times a month.

At stores I make very sure that I don't touch any door handles or handle anything in the store. Wash my hand every chance I get. If I use a shopping cart the handle gets wiped down with an anit-bacterial wipe.

The way I look at it, the only way one is going to get any kind of infection is from other people - so I just don't go anywhere there are other people unless totally unavoidable. Since my wife does all the grocery shopping she adopts the same routine. Even our PCP had her get a flu shot this year because of the possibility of contaminating me.

Just posted on Gabreilangels discussion.
Just in case you want my 2 cents.
I know it's a huge concern.
Great suggestion Jen. I'm betting we'd be amazed at how many times we put our hands to our face.
Sammy

i think it just depends on everyone's personal situation, school teacher, nurses, working full time outside of the house, or retired, or on full time disability at home, and/or able to control the "fish bowl" of life.

if you are in contact with the entire world every day outside of your castle, do not beat yourself up - there is a limit to the protections

the face mask and gloves never worked for me in closed door mandatory staff meetings with other employees and customers who just go to work or out and about sick. i have one of those infection meters. i'm kind to myself about it.

if you can restrict to a fish bowl during "flu season" but I am reminded of my worse pneumonia - it was in July and that makes me feel that regulating my environment is just a dream more or less. depends on a lot of other factors :) and who is counting on you and what your options are, how prone you are to infections, the state of your lungs and all that jazz :)

do your best and be kind to yourself.

depot

Thank you all for all the great replies!!! I'm new to Daily Strength and many times I feel so alone in all of this. I'm determined to NOT let this pull me down!!! Being only 48 I feel like I should doing what normal 48 year olds do... EVERYTHING! I have my limitations and I know now that I can't push myself too hard. I do go to the gym and try to workout. I'm actually starting to see a little difference from the Orencia. I have Bursitis very bad in my upper arms and shoulders. For over 2 months I haven't been able to lift my arms. I'm getting a little more movement out of them. They have been giving Depomedral, but doesn't really work well anymore. I think Orencia is finally starting to kick in. Hoping and praying! I work in the medical field so I'm wearing a mask ALOT! lol