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Posted 4/26/2009 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Should people on Remicade or Humira be worried ?

I am a little bit scared though I do live on an island with only 300.000 people.
Posted 4/26/2009 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Isergodur! Have any cases been identified in Iceland? I hope you can keep it out! I think all of us should be extra careful, especially those of us that are on immune suppressing drugs. The warning for 6MP, Remi, Humira, etc., always identify an increased chance of infection. Just be extra careful and stay safe!
Posted 4/26/2009 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
THey are saying that the young & healthy are the most vulnerable to this illness. Take heart, Isergodur; you may be young, but you're not healthy...

That said, people with chronic illnesses are lower on the official list of people who'll be getting urgent help / vaccinations / medicines, should those resources be limited.

Ivy.
Posted 4/26/2009 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
ps. We discussed the pandemic triage list in this thread.
Posted 4/26/2009 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ivy,

I assume that you meant that we would be higher on the list for vaccines if needed?


I've been following the news reports on this subject with a great deal of interest as I too take Remi. I also work in Queens where the NY cases have shown up thus far. I'm concerned about this situation. I think we all need to be careful and keep ourselves informed about how this progresses. I'd suggest we talk with our doctors about this also. I'll be checking in with my doc this week that's for sure.
Posted 4/26/2009 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
I was wondering the same thing since I am on humira...
Kind of disheartening to know we're not as 'important.'
Posted 4/27/2009 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
No, Catman, I meant that we may be lower on the list. Just how low has been debated on the forum - see the thread I referenced.
Posted 4/27/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
This may be bad news for us too:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10721

_______________________

sorry I activated the link ivy...

Post Edited By Moderator (MMMNAVY) : 4/28/2009 3:24:23 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/27/2009 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
link didn't work for me...
Posted 4/27/2009 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
That's odd, Rider, it does for me. Try Googling "Caution! - anti rheumatic drug (Sulfasalazine) reduce immunisation" on site: flutrackers.com and see if you can find it that way.

It also mentions research that people with lupus just don't respond as well too the immunisation. I'm hoping sciency people (like you :-)) can read it and tell us if it's legitimate research, and if I've understood it properly.
Posted 4/27/2009 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
No it is not in Iceland yet, thank god.

I was thinking about wearing a medical mask :)
Don't want to dye from some swine thing..
I love pigs though..
Posted 4/27/2009 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
I'm really worried, myself. I have been sick for the past 5 days or so, my sister gave it to me and she works at Walmart so it's possible that she could have came in contact with someone who just came back from Mexico or something. I doubt it's what I have, seems like I'm getting better for the most part except my cough is getting worse and my voice is totally gone.. But nonetheless, will probably be calling my doctor if I'm not getting better by the end of the week.

From what I've seen though, most cases are mild. All the serious ones have been in Mexico, so hopefully the fatalities don't start happening everywhere, although it seems inevitable.
Posted 4/27/2009 3:54 AM (GMT 0)

isergodur said...
Should people on Remicade or Humira be worried ?

I am a little bit scared though I do live on an island with only 300.000 people.

Hi isergodur did you have your flu shot in the fall or this year yet? When i go to the ER for myself i always wear a mask just in case i catch any thing cause that is the place were germs live people coughing spitting with flu's throwing up and the (D) we don't need that even if i have to visit someone in the hospital i wear a mask,alot of people will stare at you thinking that you have something they can catch when your protecting yourself from them.When i go to the grocery store i use the hand cleaner the stuff you don't need water for and wipe the handle with wet wipes and i have my mask on before going into the store as for shopping that to is hard everyone is touching everything its full of germs so now i only go when i absolutely have to but never take of my mask and use hand cleaner and wash every thing when i get home just in case were are immune system is suppressed and we are prone to infections its not safe so now i do alot of on-line shopping and Sears shopping and send family to the rest for me is ther is a cold or flu going around i'll get it i guess i'm lucky that way.Swine flu i nver heard of here yet but we did here of the one that was suppose to have come from Mexico and ther was 40 deaths already not here we have to patients in PEI right now that they won't come public and say if it is this new flu or not i hope not. Good Luck to be safe ask your doctor about the masks for yourself its better to be safe than sorry right. Your friend Jenn smilewinkgrin
Posted 4/27/2009 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmm. I don't understand why, but it seems that Imuran and ASA decrease the effectiveness of the flu vaccine. I wonder if it would be specific to the just flu vaccine or other vaccines.

I wonder if the flu vaccine even make a difference since this swine flu is brand new?
Posted 4/27/2009 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
I read an article that said that pomegranate juice seems to help protect the system from the flu virus. Did anyone else hear that?
Posted 4/27/2009 11:18 AM (GMT 0)
I've heard that pomegranate can help the immune system.

I live about 20 mins away from one case of Swine flu, so I'm freaking out a bit!

Posted 4/27/2009 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know about the 5-ASA's, but Imuran (azathioprine) is an immunosuppressant. The immune system acts to form protective antibodies when you get an immunization; that's how they work. If your immune system is suppressed, it would make less or no antibodies to most any vaccine.

Biologicals (Remi, Humira, etc.) only suppress one type of cell in the immune system, so I'm not sure how they would affect immunizations.
Posted 4/27/2009 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
this virus is not affected by the flu vaccine - its new, so its not covered. And you can't get it from eating pork.
Posted 4/28/2009 8:24 AM (GMT 0)
Just found this online brochure on things that people with chronic illnesses should consider while preparing for a possible pandemic. In short, it is possible that we will not be able to fill our prescriptions during a severe pandemic, and it's important to have contingency plans in place:

http://www.getpandemicready.org/

Click on "chronic medical conditions".
Posted 4/28/2009 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
I really think you all need not to panic. If you look at the number of cases and then look at the population in general you will see that it really isn't that bad. Everyone needs to just take natural precautions and wash their hands frequently, cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough, and most importantly if you are sick, STAY HOME!!!.

The reasons there are deaths in Mexico, in my opinion, is their poor healthcare. In Mexico if you don't have insurance or money to pay, you will not be treated. And most of the lower income folks in Mexico have what they call Seguro Poplar, and it is horrible. My husband is Mexican and we have family members who have this insurance and it is truly a sad situation for the poor. JMHO
Posted 4/28/2009 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that there's only cause for concern - not alarm - thus far but it will be interesting to see what happens next (WHO raised its pandemic warning level to 4 which is unprecendented in modern times).

Being on immunosupressant drugs could be a double sword - on the one hand we may not be able to mount a sufficiently strong initial response but on the other hand having two strong an immune response to flu is exactly what put people at risk on prior pandemics..

Posted 4/28/2009 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
I am concerned, since I can't even handle the common cold, but I agree there is no reason to be alarmed yet. The cases found outside of Mexico City have been minor so far.
Posted 4/28/2009 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
My own 2cents...the media hype has done something productive...people are at least "aware" of their sneezing, coughing, nose blowing, and other body habits. Many are not even aware of what they do, but when the SARS hype was around, I would have 1/2 or more of my students correct anyone who were not sanitary...you would not believe how big a germ factory high school kids are...it's kinda gross smilewinkgrin

I have been watchful of typhoid Harry, Mary and Larry in public places since all my meds...someone sneezes or coughs, I turn and walk the other way. But lately, I have seen people cover their sneezes, coughs, and take other precautions. Yeah!!!
Posted 4/28/2009 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
More dangerous to drive your own car within 25 miles of your own home
Posted 4/28/2009 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
I would say not to be concerned but for those of us who absolutely have to be out and dealing with people in close quarters every day. And for the fact that so many think they can still go out even if they are sick because they will NEVER catch the flu right? So I guess they're not endangering anyone...
Note the heavy sarcasm.

Really though, seven more cases were found in New York and you know why? Because sick children were sent to school to be around OTHER CHILDREN helping the disease spread. When are people going to learn?..
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