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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question about immune system and dangers

didyann
didyann
Help me decide. I am taking methotrexate, have been for about a month. It is supposed This is scarry especially with the news of people loosing their hands and feet to infection.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I think you're missing part of your post. What is it that is scaring you about it? I didn't like it due to how it made me feel, and like the biologics, it comes with it's possible list of side effects.

Unfortunately, when it comes to treating the RA, the only meds that don't scare me is Tylenol and Motrin.
didyann
didyann
Half my post was missing. I was concerned that it lowers my immune system. I have a flock of chickens that I dearly love. Pets. my ra doctor said it was ok to keep as long as i wear a mask. The bacteria in the coop is probably off the charts. I do clean it regularly but chickens are chickens
lynnedavidson3
lynnedavidson3
It sounds like your doctor gave you good advise. MTX works well for me, and I would not stop taking it unless it caused a problem.
altoclef
altoclef
Tanyan, Tylenol is one of the scariest drugs out there! It can quickly mess up your liver and kidneys beyond repair.
aggie83
aggie83
Can you get someone else to clean the coop? Do you use medicated feed? Remember that about 10% or more of what a chic ken eats gets dropped in the poop, so depending on what you feed, this could include beef or poultry by-products.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Methotrexate is locally acting, not systemic. The goal with DMARDs is to reduce the immune response to normal function.

There is a common misconception that those with autoimmune disease are immune compromised. When, in fact, our immune systems are overactive.

Autoimmune disease, wherever it is localized, is not isolated to that specific area. Reduce immune function closer to normal levels helps reduce systemic complications. Cardiac/circulatory, pulmonary, dermal, etc. Many of us have overlapping conditions.
bcatz
bcatz
Chickens? Well, that is actually not a good combo. I would not have chickens and be on enbrel. I do know that. My aunt has been and has had chickens for years. She has something going on with her lung. It's either RA Lung, pre cancerous growths or a bacteria from chickens. It's probably the first as she's had RA for 25+ years and has had asthma PLUS horrid allergies.

Wear a mask and consider letting those pets live their lives and not breed.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Didyann,

Its not a good idea to make friends with food. Just food for thought!

You are definitely more important than they are, so if its causing your body harm. Let someone else raise them! and get you a dog or some fish!