Remicade-What Precautions do you take?

Hello Lild,
I was on Remicade for over 5 years so I think I have some good feedback. *** I must note that I did eventually build up anti-bodies against the drug and it caused Drug Induced Lupus and a whole host of other problems and had to go in for surgery in April.

Anyway, I think you are over reacting just a bit. If you have a good Doc they will monitor your blood carefully to make sure your immune system does not go whack job on you! Remember that the drug, much like Azathiorprine, suppresses the immune system --- not shut it down.

In the five years I was on the drug (and I have two young daughters in school / petri-dish) I had no more colds, flus, bugs, infections, etc. than I had before Remi.

The most common side effects are sinus and bronchial infections but there are a list of so many more.

Aside from living in a bubble I am not sure you can do much more than you do now - wash hands frequently and try to stay away from sick people.

Best of luck!

Make hand sanitizer your best friend. I keep it in my office in an elementary school... The student keyboards and mice are ripe for germs. I keep it in my purse. I use the wipes they provide at the grocery store and when I am in any commercial establishment and I see a bottle out for use.. I use it! I recently got bronchitis when my sweet new granddaughter came for a visit from Cleveland to Texas, and had the snots.... *sigh* Sometimes you just have face and endure. I held her and cleaned her and even though I washed as much as I could... she shared her snotty nose with me!