THE FLU
I posted about this a couple of weeks ago but got not responses so I'm going to try again.
Is anyone else worried about the flu? It seems to be especially bad this year. The H3N2 strain is especially easy to catch and hits you like a train. Every night on the news there seems to be a story about someone dying from it.
So my question to anyone on Metotrexate or a biologic ... has your doctor given you any special advice about what to do if you get the flu? See your doctor? Get to a hospital? Just ride it out?
I've been lucky, so far, not to get the flu but I'm about to go on a TV shoot (I'm in advertising) for the next two days that's going to put me in close quarters with a whole bunch of people. So it's on my mind.
Hi Sean!
The flu is truly awful and I am always worried about it, even though I'm not on any medication that would affect my immune system. It must add an extra layer of concern when the biologics are involved. Are you planning to ask your doctor about this? I'd be curious as to what their answer would be!
I honestly think I'd get a better answer from calling Humira directly than from my doctor. They have a nursing line you can call 24/7 and the people there are pretty knowledgeable since they really only focus on one thing. I think because Humira is such a serious and expensive drug they go above and beyond when it comes to patient service. I've been pretty impressed. My doctor, on the other hand, is a little gruff. Whenever I ask her questions she acts as if I'm bothering her. That's why I have an appointment with a new rheumatologist in February to a) get a second opinion on my treatment and b) just see if I like her better.
My experience with getting sick or getting any kind of cold or flu is I need to get to a walk in ASAP. Unfortunately the last time I became ill it was pretty serious and it was due to being around a coworker who had pneumonia. I just don't realize how weak my immune system is so I definitely need to be more aware. I became so I'll within 2 days of exposure I was taken to hospital in an ambulance to find out I had sepsis. It was that quick and that bad. I spent 4 days in a hospital trying to fight pneumonia and UTI. Of course it's unrealistic to be able to avoid germs and people with illnesses but I know for me if I'm feeling off with a sore throat or congestion or anything I need to go to either a walk in or my primary if I'm able to get in. A cold can take me down for a while and I can't afford that. I hope you're able to navigate your health and life with PsA that works for you. Good luck to you
