Enbrel, RA, and Yellow Fever vaccines... Oh MY!

A Wolf

New Member

Joined : May 2014

Posts : 4

Posted 8/19/2015 10:36 PM (GMT 0)

So sadly despite the Max dose of MTX (25mg / wk), Hydroxychloroquine, and Sulfasalazine... my inflamation levels are such that my Rheummy wants to put me on Enbrel. She basically told me that on biologics, I can't receive a live vaccine once on Enbrel. Now of course, my natural next questions are "what live vaccines might I want??". This is all because I tend to tag along when my SO goes to conferences in far off lands, I wanted to be a good proactive RA patient and get any live vaccines that I might need in the future before the Enbrel. After culling the list, I basically came to trying to get the vaccine for Yellow Fever.

I'm coming up with nothing. Despite the fact that my Rheummy has given me a prescription for it and is all on board with me receiving the vaccine, no one seems to feel the same. I've tried a couple of places and no one seems to be ok with giving me the vaccine because I am an RA patient.

Has anyone navigated these waters before? If so, can you share with me your experience?

celebrate life

Veteran Member

Joined : Dec 2014

Posts : 2112

Posted 8/20/2015 4:25 AM (GMT 0)

I have been on biologic for over ten years, and I work in a school and work out at community center. I wash my hands a lot. Still get a fair number of viruses, like athletes foot, shingles, and pink eye, but I seem to get less of the common colds and stomach viruses that everyone else does. I only get the flu vaccine.
The benefits of biologic FAR outweigh the drawbacks for me.
I was hoping to get Lasik surgery to correct my vision, but the nearest center said "no" due to RA. Too risky.
I've just come to accept there are limitations in my life.
Beth

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