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Taking precautions with Remicade....

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/18/2009 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
I am starting my first infusion on Tuesday and i am of course a little bit nervous..mostly about germs of course and getting sick. What type of precautions have you taken..as the result of the Remicade. I want to get the Flu shot and the vaccine for the Swine Flu..if I can get it. I have also talked to my daughter about not being so touchy...with the kids at school. You know the old rule...telling your kids hey don't hold hands with kids or hugging. Any tips..i would appreciate...because i want to be careful. Also...at the bus stop..their is one mother with two kids...that are very touchy...hugging...touching my daughter her backpack...how do i address this issue and explain my situation to the mother (normally i would overlook it) without hurting her feelings...(i don't want to be mean..or make her feel as though i am only addressing her kids....its my new rule for my daughter...for very important reasons). So any ideas would be appreciated..like touching shopping carts and washing doorknobs..things like that. Thanks in advance!
Posted 9/18/2009 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
just as an example..unfortuntely..her 3 year old son has Bronchitis...and he was outside today..coughing and touching the kids... thanks
Posted 9/18/2009 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I've never heard that people on Remicade being told not to get flu shots. I got my seasonal a week ago and will get H1N1 as soon as it's available. If you're worried about catching it from your child, frequent hand washing and disinfecting items she has contact with should do the trick.
Posted 9/19/2009 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
My husband's GI told us that folks on remicade just need to be careful about live or attenuated vaccines. The seasonal and swine flu shot are safe, because they are not live or attenuated vaccines. So, go for it. Get the seasonal and swine flu shot. I know that my husband will be.

My husband makes it a point to wash his hands frequently, and carries alcohol-based hand sanitizers for when he cannot wash his hands. Other than that, he tries to keep his hands away from his nose, eyes, and mouth. Also, if there are sick folks in adjoining cubes in the office, he just works from home, just to be on the safe side. Also, he never shares his food with anyone. I also clean all surfaces in the house with a bleach based cleaner, since he's had problems with c-diff, but also to help keep us all healthy. When traveling, we carry saline solution, and also apply a little vaseline to the inside of the nose with a clean q-tip, to keep the nasal passages moist, so that germs don't get through easily.

With kids, it's much harder, since kids are very tactile . . . I'd suggest having your kids wash up immediately upon coming home, and laundering their school clothes with each wear.

Hope this is some help. Don't be scared of the remicade, it really can help. My husband has been on it since April 08, with no real increase in infections.

PV
Posted 9/19/2009 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I'm Brandy, and new to this forum. I have been on Remicade for a little over 3 years now. I take the 'flu shot every year, and have also taken the pneumonia shot. I've never had any adverse reactions to the Remicade or the shots. Take a book, let them bring you some breakfast, take a nap while you're getting the infusion - the worst part is the needle! cool

I also keep a big bottle of hand sanitizer on my desk and use it several times a day - AND encourage clients to do the same! Wet wipes are also a necessity. I'm never without them in my purse.

I take the precautions like everyone does and should, but I lead a pretty normal life. Relax, you will be fine - and you will feel better! :-)
Posted 9/19/2009 7:43 AM (GMT 0)
yes, i agree with the others, don't start freaking out. Use hand sanitizer frequently in your home and when you are out and about. Carry those hand wipes with you - put them in your car and in your kids school bag.

Most importantly: Let your child be a child, kids are always going to get germs one way or another. Practice good hand washing with them & your family and don't worry! No need to live in a plastic bubble.

Good Luck with your Remicade! Wish you and your family all the best - a happy healthy flu free season! :o]
Posted 9/19/2009 7:55 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on Remicade for over a year now. I haven't noticed an increase in infections at all. At first I was very cautious about exposure to illness but I'm much more chilled out about it now. I just keep a distance if anyone is coughing or sneezing badly and obviously wash hands often. I have found that whenever I have caught a bug it hasn't really been much different to before remicade. I have had one chest infection but I was prescribed antibiotics so quickly and they worked so well that I really haven't been worried since. I am so much better now I'm on Remicade it made a difference almost immediately. The docs are prepared for your reduced immunity just go with it and enjoy relief from your symptoms.

Best Wishes
Hayley

P.S Forgot to say, I have two boys under the age of 4 and they mix as usual with other kids at play group. I take no extra precautions with them and let them enjoy being with other kids. They both wash hands often but no more than I would insist on if they didn't have a mum on remicade. I also work in a school which as you know are notorious for being breeding grounds for bugs but still nothing major that my body with the docs help couldn't cope with.

Posted 9/19/2009 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Don't freak out - you don't need to change your life completely. Matter of fact, you just need to take the same precautions anyone should take. Wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer when a sink is not available, avoid people obviously contagious, don't eat/drink after sick people, etc. Just common sense stuff. And definitely DO get vaccinations like the flu vaccine - just don't get the nasal version.

I've been on immune suppressant drugs for the last 5 years (Remicade, Humira, now Cimzia) and I haven't gotten any sicker now than before. Matter of fact, thanks to my disease being under control due to the meds, I find myself healthier. I've been sick once with a non-Crohns related issue and that was strep, about 2 years ago.

I work with the homeless population and children on a regular basis in a church. We all take the same precautions to avoid passing around illness to ourselves and those who enter the building and I've had no issues. I even vacation to a huge germ pool (Disney World) at least once a year and travel for business on airplanes. It's no biggie.

I don't change my behavior. I hug those kids, wipe snotty noses, shake hands with the man on the street, touch the doorknobs, etc. I just wash my hands frequently and don't touch my nose/mouth until I do.

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