Hey,
I'm on methotrexate and Remicade infusions. I just had a flu-like virus hit me about 3 weeks ago. ( My immune system is so suppressed by these two drugs that things have a tendency to jump on me.) Anyway I did not take my methotrexate the week it hit because I thought my body might fight off the virus better without the MTX. I was over the entire thing in about 1 1/2 weeks. My fever was gone after 3 days and it took the rest of the time to gain my strength back. I was really weak. Anyway, one week after it ended, I was back on MTX and had my next Remicade infusion. I feel great now.

Also, as soon as the fever was over, my PCP gave me my flu shot and my pneumonia shot.

I hope you are feeling better soon. Those viruses can really wear you down.

Hugs,
Frances

I never get over colds. They always turn to bronchitis. But this was pre RA meds. But I don't get the flu, ever. And I never stopped taking mthx or my biologic ever because I was sick. I was never told to by my rheumy, and never knew it was advised. Now, with a 6 month infusion that is impossible so I just have to suck it up, if I get sick. I just ruined my intestines and stomach on Bactrim for 10 days to get rid of 2 months of bronchitis. Never again with that drug.

Hey,

You could try boiling garlic for 10 minutes and eating around 8 cloves, it's a broad spectrum anti-biotic and always helps me. I normally eat it before sleeping until the cold is gone. Hope you feel better soon. Take care

Hi,
I'm on MTX for RA and virtually spent Winter with chest infection, sinus infection and Upper Respiratory infections one after the other. I'd had the 'Flu inoculation as soon as it was available, too. I know my lymphocytes are very low which raises the chance of infections. So pleased our Spring has come.
Hope you get over your cold quickly.
Hugs

Sorry you are under the weather. The problem is with a cold and RA and on immunosuppressive drugs, it amy take us a little longer than the average 3-5 days. If the cold is not getting any better, you should see your provider. It may be turning into Bronchitis or worse pneumonia. Even though it may be tough for you to take days off it is best if you have a bad cold to tay home. One so you can rest and nurse yourself back to health and Two so you don't spread the germs onto other co-workers and they become sick as well.

There was a girl last week at work who was diagnosed with shingles and told to stay home by her provider. She came to work and mentioned it to the charge nurse and was ordered out of the clinic immediately. Not only was she putting her co-workers at risk, myself who is immunosuppressed, but she also works in the ob/gyn department with pregnant mothers. That is so unfair to patients and staff alike. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Tea Tree oil. You can find it almost anywhere, and it's fairly inexpensive, averaging $4.99 a bottle. It's what is known as an essential oil, and it has a great many atributes.

Tea Tree oil, as well as Lavender essential oil, is know for it's antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic abilities. What's this mean? It means that it fights colds and flu's, infections, warts, fungus, sepsis, tetanus and a great many other things.

One of many added bonuses, it helps break up phlem and relieves coughs.

There are a couple of ways to use this oil. It can be applied directly to the skin for cuts, burns and scrapes. Gargled for tooth aches and added to bathwater where you are both absorbing and breathing it.

My personal favorite however is to diffuse it in the air with a tart warmer or pot of simmering water. When you do this, it fill the room. Not only does it actually steralize the air, but as you breath it in, it fights the virus in your nose and throat, killing it, then enters your blood stream to continue working from there! Doctors have only one medicine to fight the flue, God has provided many!

You can also go old school and add it to a bowl of steaming water, drape a towel over your head, and breath it in. It's more direct and you will allow more into your blood stream.

You can use Tea Tree or Lavender, or both. Add a little mint or eucalyptus for a little extra oomph.

Essential oils, believe it or not, are often used by pharmasutical companys. Vicks vapor rub, if memory serves me right, is rosemanry, lavender and eucalyptus added to petrolium.

Tea Tree is so popular, you can find it in the first section of just about any store. Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, etc. I sugest purchasing it from an herb shop where you can ensure it's 100% quality. Although I have also bought it from Walmart.

BTW, these are strong seeing as to how they are condense. So a drop or two will do!

I can tell you how much these two oils have helped around this house. With three kids, I keep it diffusing all through the cold weather months to help ward off viruses before they get a chance to really develope.