Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Dizziness/vertigo..sinus infection?

Donnarae
Donnarae
Hi there group. I have been gone off of here for probably almost 2 years now. I have been doing so well on my Simponi monthly shot that I almost didn't think I had RA anymore. I've had an issue since around Christmas that I'm a bit concerned about and wonder if somebody here might have some answers. 4 years ago, prior to having RA, I was having a terrible time with dizziness and vertigo. I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and I was in the hospital trying to rule out other things through an MRI. It took around three rounds of antibiotics for it to finally kick. I have had no other issues since being on simponi. But now I'm not certain if this is another sinus infection. I saw my Rheumatologist on the 6th and told her what I was going through altho then rather mild. She put me on a dose of z pack and everything seemed to be okay but came back with a vengeance against yesterday. Im back on zpack again. I was due my shot on Christmas Day but didn't take it as I don't think I should if I have an infection. Has anybody else had anything similar and do you go on antibiotics and take your biological or wait until it's cleared your system? Thanks, Donna
dorthy
dorthy
My rheumatologist told me if I think I have an infection to NOT take my Humira shot. To wait until the infection was on the mend.

My ENT tells me that a Z pack won't get rid of a sinus infection that you should be on antibiotics for at least a month to really clear it up. Otherwise it will keep coming back and will get resistant to the antibiotic.
dorthy
dorthy
I forgot to mention that my ENT and Rheumy know each other and are good at working together to help me get over acute sinus infections.
Donnarae
Donnarae
I'm feeling much better today. .3rd day of antibiotics. .plus taking an otc for sinus. ..I'm going to try and get in with primary care dr this week. .ra is out of town but primary is great. . When I had the sinus infection before, the zpak worked just took time. .I was on blood thinner then as had a PE..not RA related. . Thanks. .my hands are still good..so just need to clear this up. . Simponi has been a miracle for me!
MarleneJ
MarleneJ
In Canada, the rheumatologists don't take you of meds for an infection. If you are having surgery, they might tell you to. I am supposed to have the pin in my bunion removed, and there is no way I will be going off my meds, which are my last options. Because for me, having severe RA just doesn't compare to an infection.

I have been on Antibiotics many times and never gone off my drugs, and never had an issue. The only time I had a problem was getting over shingles the first time. That took 5 months, and my RD did say I might get better faster if I went off my meds. Instead another doctor told me to take Famvir instead of Valtrex, because Famvir targets the Herpes Zoster more than Valtrex, which targets Herpes Simplex.

I always tell people to take Zinc and Vitamin A if they are having a lot of infections. I hang around my 4 under-4 grandchildren, and I rarely get sick.

Personally, I think American RD's are more worried about litigation than what is really good for you. JMO!