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Remicade and allergies question....

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Posted 9/17/2011 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
I am not sure if this is related to the Remicade or not, but since I had my first infusion (actually about 4 days later) I noticed that my nose is stuffer and runnier than normal. I am not sick btw - it just seems my allergies are in over drive. Have any of you on Remi noticed that your nose gets stuffier than normal? I also have this horrible post nasal drip that is driving me INSANE! I am already on Zyrtec and Singulair (I'm thinking about starting a saline nasal spray).

If yes, does it go away when your body get used to the infusion or is this something that I just have to deal with?
Posted 9/17/2011 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
I am not on Remicade but I have those problems with my nose and I use a Netipot, Nasonex and Patanase, lol. It's a chore having to do all of that in the morning just to breath - some days better than others... I also have post nasal and LPR. There are a lot of options for clearing the passages but it would be an annoying side effect if it is one. Hopefully it's something due to the weather and it clears up without treatment.
Posted 9/17/2011 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
most medicines make my have cold-like symptoms. i think it's just normal side effects.
Posted 9/17/2011 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
I am not on Remicade anymore but when I was my allergies were worse. Off Remicade I only need Claritin here and there when the count is really high. While on Remicade I had to take Allegra and Nasonex and still had some sinus headache and nasal problems. Nasonex is what really helped me.

I also second the Neti Pot, doing that twice a day really helps me.


On a different note I just started Humira and the day I started I had bad sinus problems for about 5 or 6 days. I thought it might be the same issue but I haven't taken anything just used the Neti pot and they are gone. So not sure if it was the same kind of thing or I was getting a small cold or something.
Posted 9/17/2011 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Also recommend the netipot. Best thing ever for stuffy and runny noses! I'm not on remi either, but I hardly ever have allergy symptoms, but this week have been sneezing quite a bit, i think some of it may have to do with the change in seasons. Allergies are only ever an issue for me in early fall.
Posted 9/17/2011 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know if it's Remicade or the UC (dysfunctional immune system), but my allergies have become much worse post-UC (even before going on Remicade, I think).

Remicade is known to cause respiratory infections, so it's not surprising that it would affect the sinuses.
Posted 9/17/2011 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
I've had allergies all my life and in the past I was able to get by with Claritin or Allegra. As I got older my allergies got worse and that is why I am on Zyrtec and Singulair. I have tried the steroid nasal sprays in the past and each time I ended up with HORRID colds, bronchitis, pharyngitis and laryngitis. So now I try to avoid them.

I know about the Netti pot and my best friend uses it on occasion for her sinus issues. I may have to give that a go...I have to do something because this post nasal drip is making me cough and the coughing has caused my Costochondritis to act up (this is inflammation in the rib cage and sternum - primarily a complication of Fibromyalgia - it's pretty painful).

I have read some info about Remi and it states that one of the side effects is nasal/sinus issues. I was just hoping to hear that it's something that will go away in time :(
Posted 9/17/2011 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hiya Red,

I've only tried Remicade once. But about a week after my infusion I went through a bronchial thingy with the runny nose and coughing...the whole works. I rarely get colds and was very surprised that it happened. The good news is...it went away in about the same amount of time a regular cold would....which for me would be about a week and a half.

Hope it clears up for you soon.
Posted 9/17/2011 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Squattie - good to know that I'm not going crazy! lol I didn't think this was run of the mill allergies because it seems so much worse than I ever remember it being. Btw, I rarely get sick with colds either.
Posted 9/17/2011 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Sherry, I am on humira, and it plays with my sinus all the time.
Posted 9/18/2011 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
It probably doesn't help that you started Remicade right at the beginning of fall allergy season!

Come to think of it, my seasonal allergies got worse after UC. But, I developed oral allergy syndrome against all fruits, allergies to indoor allergens, and multiple chemical sensitivities after starting Remicade. I've also had a couple bad sinus infections while on Remicade. I can't remember the last time I could fully breathe through my nose...

AND I've had on-off ear pain since being on Remicade. It was the worst within the first couple months of starting Remicade and in the past month. In between then, it hasn't been too bad. My GI doesn't think it's Remicade-related though.
Posted 1/2/2014 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Sambo, you might want to start a new thread with your topic to get responses. That was not our experience with Remi.
Red, infections and sinus stuff did go along with the infusions. Might be your weak spot too. Things just take longer to heal when the immune system is suppressed.
Posted 1/2/2014 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't notice mine getting worse when I started on Remi. Allergies for many people do get worse over time. Increased exposure = increased reaction for a lot of us.

My latest weapon is Breathe Right strips. I thought my nasal passages were so swollen they wouldn't help me, but they allow me to breathe through my nose when I lay down at night, which helps me breathe better.
Posted 1/3/2014 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
You guys do realize that this post is over 2 years old yeah? ;)

Btw, my allergies and sinus infections have eased.
Posted 1/3/2014 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Too funny, how the heck did I do that? I was wide awake. Glad the sinus's have improved in the 2 years I have been wondering!lol
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