Hay fever and immuno-suppressant drugs

[Alexce93]

Hi everyone!

I'm in a bit of a panic! I have read a few awful stories about patients on infliximab (remicade) and falling critically ill from a simple cold.
I get hay fever in the summer and was wondering if I need to take any extra precautions? I haven't had hay fever since being put on infliximab but as summer approaches I'm starting to worry!

Thanks to any advice given!!

 

[Josephine]

I would contact the chemist or GP for advice.

 

[Christie]

Hi,Im on infliximab and am dreading this summer (if we get one) as my hayfever was really bad last summer, especially my sore eyes, I didnt go to my gp though and just used over the counter, am thinking might have to see my gp this year.

 

[rygon]

Im on inflxmab and have suffered with colds in the past and didnt find them to be any worse than normal. It seems the nurses are only worried if you have fever (although they recommend getting a flu jab every year just to be on the safe side).

I get hayfever as well and just take the usual antihistamines to help. I dont find it gets any better or worse when on infliximab, and had no other problems being on the drug.

The NHS factsheet might help calm your allergies http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/hayfever/Pages/Allabouthayfever.aspx

 

[Christie]

I would just like to say that my hayfever has been really bad this last couple of days, I dont understand though because the weather is terrible at the moment!! how has yours been??

 

[Alexce93]

Thanks for all of your replies! I am fine so far but I do live in a city now so don't think I'll get it too bad this year!

I hope you'll feel better soon Christie! :ghug:

 

[rygon]

If you have asthma make sure you are stocked up on your inhalers and that they are working for you as I find my asthma gets worse with hayfever

 

[alex_chris]

Hey Alexce, in your sig you say that you discontinued aza and are just on remicade (infliximab). Remicade is actually less likely to give you a serious infection than aza (and even with aza it is rather unlikely, I personally nearly never catch a cold and have been on aza, with a 2 year intermission, for 10 years).

I wouldn't worry too much about hay fever. You also seem to take multivitamins, so that's a good thing to be less likely to fall ill in general. Are you taking any vitamin D supplements? Also, sport helps to strengthen your body so that you, despite remicade (and or aza), will be less likely to get sick.