Oh my,,, you are not alone with your problems.    Many people have that
battle with their sinuses and their inflam.arth.    Try to get your doctor
to battle the infections without turning your immune system up side down.

Harv

Walt, that scream wasn't quite loud enough to work.  Try Again!
Gwen

If all your infections are superficial, try a superficial rather than a
systemic resolution.

I don't blame you for being frustrated, Walt!  I've had my fill of
infections, too, this winter.  I wish our bodies wouldn't work against us
this way.  Nanny

bummer, guy.  this situation has to be extreemly frustrating for you.  i'm
curious, here . . . how can your rd know with absolute certainty that other
drugs will have the same effect upon you?  seems to me she could be
statistically guessing that "might" be the case for you, when it might not
be the case at all.  i mean, many seem to have different experiences with
the same drugs.  (of course, i realized i'm showing my ignorance, here.)  if
that's the case, i think the question you might have to ask yourself is:
"is it worth the risk to you, and your frustration levels, to try something
else that might continue this cycle or might just break the cycle?"  i know,
not much help here, but i do wish i knew an answer for you.

kate

Just venting here ...

I am on Humira and Arava.  I take Arava every-other day because of my liver
issues, and Humira every week to make up the difference.  This has me on a
rediculous cycle.

I take the Humira every week for a few weeks, then I get an infection -
usually a staff or fungal infection of my skin.  Then I skip a dose, have a
flare, and the infection subsides (with treatment of course).  Then I go
back on weekly Humira to get the flare under control and start the cycle
again!

This is really getting old.

My RD is afraid of going back on daily Arava, but she doesn't want to try
anything else instead of Humira because I would likely have more infections.

SCREAM!!!!!!!

Walt

I have almost the same situation. And I felt fantastic on Humira once a
week. I am currently taking Arava once a day with milk thistle to protect my
liver. And I have been taking Humira every 10 days for 2 months with good
results. If those horrible sinus problems show up again I have no idea what
to try. I might have to try small doses of prednisone. I also take Celebrax
once a day with Cytotech to protect my stomach.
Maybe 10 days would work for you.
Best of luck!
Judy H.

Walt, do yourself a favor and search "probiotics" and treat the underlying problem rather
than just covering up the symptoms. Lots of info and I have personally benefited greatly
from taking probiotics in Kefir and supplements.

Hope this helps.

Bill

Billy Boy

To reply correct [at] and [dot]

Oh Walt,

Don't have any magical suggestions here but wanted you to know we are all
thinking of you.

Take care and I hope no more infecitons for you.

(((((((((((walt)))))))))))

does that include trying biologics other than TNF inhibitors?  It seems to me
that one could make a strong case for at least trying those as your immune
system might respond quite differently to them.  As i now seem to be off TNF
inhibitors for good, i'm thinking i'll have to make that case in the future.

I have been on 50 mgs  of doxycycline daily since last March as a
prophylaxis treatment for sinus infections. I used to have regular
infections, but since starting this regimen have had very few. I had
one at Christmas time, but then i was not vigilant about taking the
doxy.
My rheumy prescribed this, saying that this was being done in practice
although there has not been long term studies done yet regarding its
efficacy. It was brought out at last year's ACR convention.
    Rose   @}>->--
    Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

    Please remove "Ima" to reply.