Has Anyone Had A Virus While On A Biologic?
I'm curious if anyone has experienced coming down with a virus while taking a biologic? I'm on Humira and it works exceptionally well in me. To be honest I've sometimes wondered if it works TOO well.
I know that sounds like an odd thing to say but I experienced relief from my symptoms the very next day after my first injection. Within two weeks they were gone completely.
Can I get sick while on a biologic?
For a lot of people that sounds like a dream. But I've wondered if the Humira works so well in me that I could be sick and not realize what it was because of the extreme suppression of the inflammation in my body?
I have read cases online of people saying that when they get sick while taking Humira, they don't get a fever. And I wonder if that happened to me recently.
Close to finding relief with psoriatic arthritis treatment
I recently flew out to Colorado and when I got back I felt ... off. Then it went from off to not being able to eat without feeling nauseous. My gastroenterologist was so concerned about my symptoms that he got me in for an upper endoscopy within a few days. Everything came back negative.
I'm getting my appetite back. Slowly. I can eat now without feeling completely nauseous but there's still a pang in my stomach, especially after lunch.
I'm also not dizzy like I was two weeks ago when I felt constantly car sick. That's the best way I can think of to describe it. And my head isn't pounding like it was.
Supressing my immune system
I just wonder if maybe I got a virus on the plane but couldn't tell what it was because the Humira works so well in me that it was suppressing some of the symptoms you'd typically get with a virus like fever and chills. And that, also because of the Humira, it's been taking my body a long time to get rid of it.
Just curious if my experience matches anyone else's? I still don't definitively know what the issue is ... or was. I'm just trying to figure it out.
Submit your own question!
I wish our forum were more active. I posted pretty much this same thing both here and on the ankylosing spondylitis forum that I'm a member of. On the AS forum we're having a robust discussion. Here it's crickets. 🙁
I have to ask, where is the AS forum?
I haven't had that experience - but I did just take a flight this weekend and I'm paranoid I'm getting sick (is that a sore throat I'm feeling?). I did see on the plane two women (separate from each other) who had on the surgical masks and I thought that's a good idea I should do that.
Hope you're feeling better
I just started Humira yesterday. I was talking with my sister and law who’s a nurse and she told me just a few weeks ago, another nurse in her surgery center who takes Humira ended up with a 103 degree fever but absolutely no symptoms of any illness. The fever obviously concerned her and she went to the ER, she was diagnosed with the flu and ended up having to stay in the hospital for 4 days to treat it because it was so bad....but zero symptoms, she felt nothing. I guess thank good for the fever. I have so many questions about the Humira. Originally my doctor told me not to me concerned at all about the suppression of the immune system, but them yesterday when the nurse was sent into show me how to give the injections she told me I did need to be cautious and call them anytime I get sick, etc.
Also, my doctor has left me on methotrexate and Otezla along with adding the Humira. This seems excessive to me, I was hoping the Humira would replace the others.
Hi Sean. I'm on a biologic for my psoriasis and I've not had a virus while taking it. I've been on it for about a year now but not had any side effects. However, it is something that worries me, particularly with the current Covid-19 situation, but I'm just hoping it's going to be OK. - Jack, Community Moderator.
