I'm on my 3rd upper respiratory for this year. I was at rheumy on Moday, he did an xray which cam out okay. On antibiotic and going from 6 to 8 methotrexate s for next dose. He did say an infection can raise you inflammation level, but I can't take steroids until I'm done with antibiotics, so I understand your pain totally. Trish

i am sorry from another lung-er

it was the worst for me with Methotrexate and Humira.

Melissa i really feel for you with the re-occurrence. Trish I am glad your x ray was OK, have you needed a lung cat scan yet?

Do you keep yourself away from second hand smoke at night?

I do not smoke, but if either of you happen to, my fellow RA friend who has to interrupt her remicaide for lung infections and who smokes a pack and half daily is on respiratory infection number 5 for this year. Besides supporting her emotionally I wish I had a magic wand.

Depot

Hi Depotblue, I rarely am around smokers- hate the stuff. What I am exposed to on a daily basis are germy kids. Trish, was your increase in MTX due to your infections, or simply a rise in inflammation levels. I've been on 8 MTX pills for several years. Hope you get relief from both the infections and inflammation!

Yes, yes, and yes. I was first on methotrexate got an upper respiratory tract infection. Stop methotrexate. Start Arava didnt help me. Stop Arava. Start humira after 2nd injection noticed an infection brewing upper respiratory again. Stop humira take antibiotic finished antibiotic start humira this weekend. Grrr. I am with you. I think this will b my life with RA and treatment. After getting sick from methotrexate and an antibiotic then she had me finish antibiotic before starting the Arava which is a DMARD. Good luck. Let me know if u find a trick not to get an infection while being treated for RA. Wishful thinking for a lot of us. Good luck

Had sinus & respiratory infections 3-4 times per yr on Enbrel.
Very frustrating as my doctor speaks as though I'm the only patient that gets infections on these meds.
Yet according to the nurse I spoke with from the Enbrel hotline it's not uncommon.
I've read to many posts to count on infections with these meds.
I don't know about all the side effects of each one but on top of lowering the immune system some like sinus & respiratory are high risk, not sure if you'd call it an actual side effect but it's not uncommon as my doctor would have me think.
God bless those lucky enough to not deal with the mess that can occur from treating RA.
I was removed from the Enbrel with each infection.
Restarted one week after anti biotic was finished. That was my doctors orders.

With young kids I'd imagine it would be hard. Of course hand washing which I'm sure you do.
It's frustrating to go off the medication for any length of time. Feeling like playing a game of catch up. One step forward & 2 steps back.
I've heard of others staying on treatment while sick but not sure if it was their choice.
Wishing you luck.
Sammy

i have this weird voo doo that I do at home to keep the encroaching colds, and sinus crap (maybe) away from my lungs. i use flonase, and an the allergy over the counter stuff and steam nasal baths and every quackish homeopathic thing I can get my hands on. I get a lot of lung infections Melissa and they do hose the biologic schedule so you have my sympathy. i also have gloves and masks which of course you are not going to wear in a classroom full of kids.

it's demoralizing to stop and start the magical poison. hang in there

Depot