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Does Remicade make you more prone to infections?

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Posted 4/19/2011 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have had two Remicade infusions, am scheduled to have the third one this Friday. Now I am down with the worst cold/flu I have had in a long time. Is it just a coincidence, or has Remicade affected my immune system? What do you guys think?
Posted 4/19/2011 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Well, when I was on Remicade, I was hardly ever sick. When I got off of it is when I had the horrible virus that is going around. People here at work that are otherwise healthy are still coming down with it. So, hard to say, but I think it was probably just luck of the draw for you. Hope you feel better soon!

Posted 4/19/2011 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. Not only does it make you more prone to infections, you can even get deadly infections from Remicade.
Posted 4/19/2011 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
I was never sick on remicade...now im on humira for 3 months and have strep throat.....go figure LOL
Posted 4/19/2011 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, remicade makes you more a risk for infection(s).
Posted 4/19/2011 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on cellcept and imuran and the worst cold I got was a general cold w/a stuffy nose that lasted a few weeks. I do get the flu shot. In comparison my sister who is not on any medications and has no chronic illnesses gets about 5 colds a year and they really hang on (I get about one a year, usually very mild and gone in less than a week).

I also got Kidney disease from the 'safest' drug for UC'ers to be on. At this point I don't know what is going to happen to me on which drug I am on. It's a roll of the dice and I try to make the best decisions for myself.
Posted 4/20/2011 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, you are more prone to get infections on remicade. It lowers your immune system.  I never really got sick when I first started on remicade. I was at 5 kg every eight weeks. They upped me to 7.5 kg in August 2010 and I have had strep thoat and bronchitis.  I don't know.  My kids get sick and sometimes I don't get it and other times I do.  My kids had the cold that gave me bronchitis and I got that but they had the flu with it and I didn't get that. I think it just depends. But the warnings on the remicade sheet do say you are more prone ot infections and some have been fatal in people on it.

Also, if you are sick you might not want to get your infusion.  The nurse calls me the day before each infusion I get and asks if I am sick or have the flu.  If I am I have to reschedule. Take care and feel better.

Posted 4/20/2011 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, my GI has asked me to postpone the infusion by a week.
Posted 4/20/2011 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmm, I was on it for 5 1/2 years with no huge illnesses. Maybe up the probiotics a little bit. And are you taking Vitamin D? That might help as well. My husband has had this virus twice and everyone at work as had it twice or some even more.
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