Huff n Puff Forums

Joined: 27 Dec 2009 Posts: 94

I've been worried for a long time about a lung infection because of the Remicade, Prednisone and Arava that I take on a daily basis to treat my ILD and RA. I do take Bactrim to prevent an opportunistic infection.

Over last weekend I started to feel bad and on Monday I went to see my PCP about the intense abdominal pain that I had developed. It was Diverticulitis. A condition that I have had in the past. The last episode was about 10 years ago.

So, now I'm on Cipro, Flagyl and 30mg of Prednisone. My PCP stopped the Bactrim until I finish the 10 days of Anti-Biotics. He was seriously concerned about the infection and said that I had about 48 to get better or it would be off to the hospital I go to get the Anti-Biotics via IV. I told him that wouldn't be my choice of action.

He said that the infection was of a serious concern because of my overall health and all the Auto-Immune Suppressants that I'm taking. The infection could take off, and that would be a bad thing.

Although I'm feeling much better today. Here's my question, my sister was also on Remicade, Arava and Prednisone and got an infection that was caught late, she ended up in intensive care for around 30 days. The infection was very stubborn and cause severe lessions. Have any of you gone through a bad experience with an infection that was most likely related to the meds that you take?

My lungs are not yet effected, But I'm nervous.

Gob Bless,

captex

Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 174

I hope you've contacted your rheumatologist and pulmonologist about the infection. You should stop the Remicade and probably the Arava, while you're on the antibiotics. They may want you to stop the prednisone too, not sure. Most folks here aren't on those meds, except prednisone. Immuran and methotrexate don't seem to suppress as much as Remicade, or any biologic in combination with those other meds. There might be some readers out there who don't normally post, who might be on those meds and if so, hopefully they will private message you or post here about it. You might try some RA blogs to ask about infections generally, though most of those don't have RA-lungers posting that I'm aware of. I too hope it doesn't cause any lung infections for you. Talk to your rheuma about PCP prophylactics.