Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Anyone else suffering with allergies

Just curious to know if anyone suffers with allergies on biologics? I have noticed my allergies always worsen on a biologic and I do get more sinus infections now. Started taking Zyrtec and nasal spray but I am still suffering. Finishing up tomorrow with my antibiotic and I am still not cured after 14 days of antibiotics but much improved. Doc thinks I could have nasal polyps so I will have to see ENT for next infection. My body is in pain pretty much all over since I have not taken my meds due to the infection. I find if I go back on the meds too soon, the infection comes back. Any advice?

Shari

About 99% sure that allergies are what set off my autoimmune stuff. Always flare terribly late summer, just about the time that ragweed takes off. Also in spring another flare, not quite as severe. Have always wondered if the christmas tree sets me off? this year toying with not getting a tree?

Anyway, gonna go to the allergist, see about allergy shots. But the rheumy warned me that they may help or they may set me off worse.

Hi Sue- very interesting you are finding your allergies could be triggering your flares. Not sure if my allergies are triggering my flares but very possible. I do find when I get sick, my body flares, but if I take an antibiotic it immediately calms back down again and I can avoid the steroid dose packs. I really do think my allergies are triggering sinus infections. Maybe just get a little artificial tree this year to see if that makes a difference. Hope your new allergist can help you. How are you doing off your dose pack and back on the Humira now?

Shari

Hi Shari.

I am sorry you are still having problems. I am really having allergy problems and I also am having a lot of pain. I think there is a correlation. I did get sick so much when I was on the Biologics especially Humira.

Sorry I haven't been in touch over the weekend.

Hugs to you and yours.

Hi Joyce-so sorry you are suffering with a lot of pain and allergies. Have you seen an Allergist? Thinking I should go this route. ENT didn't help me much in the past with my allergies and I do remember I had this same issue on biologics years ago . I am wondering now if I should hold off on my MTX and Simponi because I know it will just turn into another sinus infection.

Hope you have some better days Joyce and looking forward to catching up soon.

Shari

Hi winter,

second day without pred and my body is holding its own; Humira later this week....

Hi Sue-that is great news your body is holding up without the steroids. I did the same thing as you are doing, taking the steroid dose packs on a biologic for a flare up. It paid off for me, my disease is much less severe as it used to be.

Shari

Hi again,

I just got another Humira shot wednesdy night and I could've sworn my allergies seemed to get worse shortly after the shot and for the next day.

But it settled out (if anything was wrong to begin with) and had a good day today. Even my cranky neck was less cranky.

So here's my latest question:

If the Humira suppresses my immune system which allows my allergies to get worse, but the worsening allergies make the inflammatory arthritis flare, is it kind of like feeding fuel to the fire during allergy season?

Something I'll be asking a doctor.

Hi Sue-sorry your allergies may be exacerbated by your biologic. I am going to ask my Rheumy about it too. I have been eating more honey and trying to stick to a raw food diet, which is helping my allergies and pain. Also, I use the netipot and Patanase nasal spray.

Glad to hear you are feeling better with Humira.

Shari

Have you considered allergy shots?

Do you have a theory on whether they should help or hurt in regards to the autoimmune stuff?

Well, my allergies were only irritated wednesday night, maybe thursday a bit, but by friday, feeling a lot better, and really good yesterday and today so far.

Even my cranky neck is less cranky the last few days.