Tell us about your symptom and treatment experience. Take our survey here.
stou007
Last Updated:
I catch everything each month. I'm sick for at least 3 to 4 days. I'm on Rinvoq. I know that kind of medication can lower your ability to fight infections. However, I don't know how to deal with this anymore.
christine.laaksonen Community Admin
Last Updated:
Hi
Eric_the_Eric Member
Last Updated:
I'm on Xeljanz, which is the same type of medication as Rinvoq, but not as selective. The one advantage JAK inhibitors like Rinvoq and Xeljanz have over biologics is that they have a fairly short lifespan in the body. So you can pause the medication the moment you begin feeling symptoms of an illness coming on. Unfortunately, you're still looking at about three days before your immune system begins to bounce back from the suppressant effects of the Rinvoq, and with the common cold, that's the prime incubation period. My best advice is to inform everyone around you of your weakened immune system so that they can be more aware of taking greater preventative measures themselves; wear a good three ply surgical mask, or KN95 type mask, when in public during cold and flu seasons; scrupulous hand washing and sanitizing; stay away from sick people.
stou007 Member
Last Updated:
Thx Christine for your comments. Rinvoq is the 4th medication I've tried, and it finally gives me good control of the pain and fatigue, so I'm reluctant to try another one since most of them all have the same action, acting on the super duper active immune response. Currently, I stop my medication when I feel I'm sick to let me immune system go crazy and fight the infection, not sure if it's good thing! I will contact my rhumatologist. I go both the flu and covid shot on top of that 🙁
christine.laaksonen Community Admin
Last Updated: