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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / April 2005A Strange kind of Question
Okay, I know it isn't strange, but now I'm wondering about the RD. I was told that no one, absolutely NO ONE can be put on Enbrel until they have had the TB test (no problem with that) AND a Pneumonia shot (Big Problems). I've done a quick (extremely) check of the group, and it appears that no one, absolutely NO ONE talks about getting a pneumonia shot. I could have missed one or two, but the general thing is it appears most have not received this. My concern is quite simple actually, I end up in the hospital for 6 weeks with the flu shot, and nearly died the last time I had a pneumonia shot (both in the military, they don't listen). The receptionist is saying that I will not be given any DMARD without these booster shots (guess who may be suffering for a long time). So, if I can get together a list, I think I can convince *him* since the receptionist isn't the doc, nor is she a nurse (though she likes to play one <g>). How many here, on Enbrel were given the TB test and the pneumonia shot? How many just the TB test? How many just the pneumonia shot? How many got neither of those things? Smokie Darling (Annie) Hi Annie, I did not have a pneumonia shot. My RD waived the TB test as I had one several years ago (in order to volunteer in my daughter's school) which was negative. Also, I worked in the healthcare industry for many years and had a routine TB test each year. The results were always negative. Hope this helps. Bonnie > Hi Annie, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Bonnie Thanks Bonnie, that'll help. I've had a TB test last year (January-February time frame) that was negative, but they want to do another (according to the receptionist). SD Annie Before starting on the enbrel, I had to get a chest x-ray, TB test, and had the pneumonia vaccine! Donna G > Before starting on the enbrel, I had to get a chest x-ray, TB test, and > had the pneumonia vaccine! > > Donna G Well, if they order a chest X-ray, that'll take a long time. There's a three week waiting list for non-emergent chest X-rays. The doc would have to say he thought I had pneumonia to get me in sooner, and even that could be days. Then there might be trouble when the X-ray comes back "clear". Good grief! I may end up having problems anyway, because I don't think I can take the vaccine (I'm not willing to risk two or three months in the hospital just to prove a point). SD Annie Good thinking and good questions. I can only say that most of the people taking DMARDS in this newsgroup have been taking them for a long time. Your question is about people before they start a DMARD. It is my understanding from my RD that everyone under his care takes a TB test every year. That was how I was found to have TB. I DO NOT take pneumonia shots or flu shots. They give me both. Harv > Okay, I know it isn't strange, but now I'm wondering about the RD. I > was told that no one, absolutely NO ONE can be put on Enbrel until they [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Smokie Darling (Annie) hi annie, i've been on both enbrel (1st) and remicade (2nd). i've never had a pneumonia vaccine. i didn't have to have a tb test prior to enbrel, but did prior to remicade. diane > hi annie, > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > diane Diane and Harvey, Thanks for both replies, I appreciate it. I did NOT have a TB test before Remicade, but I did before starting Humira (which was a horrible, horrible drug FOR ME). Harvey, like you I get incredibly sick if given the flu shot. The last was in the Air Force (since it was required). After I was released from the hospital the doctor put a note in my medical records that they'd be better off dealing with me "maybe" getting the flu and missing a couple of days rather than the 6 weeks I was hospitalized for the shot. Actually, that wasn't the last, when I was first DXd with RA (99 I believe), the RD at the time insisted I get a flu shot, as did my PCP. My job was very unhappy with the 6 weeks sick thing. So, have never had one since then. Be nice if the medical "professionals" would read my frickin' chart before insisting every single dang year that I get a shot. We have the arguments for about 3 months, then I get a call from them (the docs not the office staff) saying "oh, um, well, er, why don't we forget about giving you a shot?" Gee guys, can you remember that next year? Prolly not... Oops, sorry, I'll get off *that* soapbox (one of my favorites, can ya tell?). Smokie Darling (Annie) > Okay, I know it isn't strange, but now I'm wondering about the RD. I > was told that no one, absolutely NO ONE can be put on Enbrel until they [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Smokie Darling (Annie) I didn't have the tb test, but had to have a chest x-ray and also the pneumo vacc. (I'm in the UK) Jayne I never did have a TB test, but have had two pneumonia shots in the last 5 years of using Enbrel. Kelly C.;o) > Okay, I know it isn't strange, but now I'm wondering about the RD. I > was told that no one, absolutely NO ONE can be put on Enbrel until they [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Smokie Darling (Annie) I had a TB test and a pneumonia shot. Elizabeth I've never had a pneumonia shot and took enbrel for 2 years. I had to get a TB test when I was put on Humira. Barb C. in FL > Okay, I know it isn't strange, but now I'm wondering about the RD. I > was told that no one, absolutely NO ONE can be put on Enbrel until they [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Smokie Darling (Annie) I had neither of course, I was the first patient of my doctors to go on Enbrel when it was first approved. I had already had a pneumonia shot years before if that makes a difference. And a TB test within the past 5 years for some other reason.  SignatureCyberhugs, DianeW It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. --Antoine de Saint Exup?ry Okay, I know it isn't strange, but now I'm wondering about the RD. I was told that no one, absolutely NO ONE can be put on Enbrel until they have had the TB test (no problem with that) AND a Pneumonia shot (Big Problems). I've done a quick (extremely) check of the group, and it appears that no one, absolutely NO ONE talks about getting a pneumonia shot. I could have missed one or two, but the general thing is it appears most have not received this. My concern is quite simple actually, I end up in the hospital for 6 weeks with the flu shot, and nearly died the last time I had a pneumonia shot (both in the military, they don't listen). The receptionist is saying that I will not be given any DMARD without these booster shots (guess who may be suffering for a long time). So, if I can get together a list, I think I can convince *him* since the receptionist isn't the doc, nor is she a nurse (though she likes to play one <g>). How many here, on Enbrel were given the TB test and the pneumonia shot? How many just the TB test? How many just the pneumonia shot? How many got neither of those things? Smokie Darling (Annie) I had the TB test before Remicade but at the time they were not giving the pneumonia shot. I have since had the pneumonia shot but it wasn't linked to the Remicade. I just looked it up -- I started Remicade May 11, 2001. Things have changed so don't think you can use me in your statistics. Sorry. It was sometime late last year that they started giving two tylenol and 1 benedryl tablet before Remicade. They never did that before either. I will be interested to see the responses, especially from the newest users. Duckie > Okay, I know it isn't strange, but now I'm wondering about the RD. I > was told that no one, absolutely NO ONE can be put on Enbrel until they [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Smokie Darling (Annie) Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) I'm another of those that started the Enbrel the day after it was released to the public. NO tests were done prior to starting the drug. I recently had a pneumonia shot (ouchie) and a TB test. My rheumatologist decided to backtrack, all these years later, and put me through the routine he now does for new Enbrel users. > I'm another of those that started the Enbrel the day after it was > released to the public. NO tests were done prior to starting the drug. > I recently had a pneumonia shot (ouchie) and a TB test. My > rheumatologist decided to backtrack, all these years later, and put me > through the routine he now does for new Enbrel users. Please keep in mine that the medicines have not changed but the number of people with TB has gone wayyy up since people have poured into the US but it started with all the SVN we brought into the US to keep them from being slaughtered and they brought TB with them. Before that time, it was completely controlled in the USA and not a problem. If you take a DMARD, be glad to take a test and start treatment early. Harv I had to have a TB test before starting Enbrel, but as far as I can remember, he never asked me about the pneumonia vaccine. Can't sear to it though, as it might have been in the paperwork I filled out. Don't remember it though. But I had the vaccine about 14 months before starting Enbrel, so if it was in the paperwork, it would have been covered. Don't remember him asking though, and I think my RD would have asked to double-check if it were a concern. No XRay either, I suspect Donna G may have needed more than others of us due to her lung disease. SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare I had to have blood work, a chem profile and a TB test. No mention of a pheumonia shot though. Rosanne > Okay, I know it isn't strange, but now I'm wondering about the RD. I > was told that no one, absolutely NO ONE can be put on Enbrel until they [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Smokie Darling (Annie) I didn't get neither!!! I've never heard of such thing having to get these shots before starting on Enbrel...on my next visit to my doctor, I'm going to ask her, if she's heard of any such thing. Mandy > Okay, I know it isn't strange, but now I'm wondering about the RD. I > was told that no one, absolutely NO ONE can be put on Enbrel until they [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Smokie Darling (Annie) Hey Mandy. Are you new here or did I lose my mind and you have been here for ages and I just didn't notice or ... Welcome from me if you are new. Pretend I said nothing if you are not. rofl My excuse is I am packing the world and misplace everything. My brain is in the second pod we packed. Duckie > I didn't get neither!!! I've never heard of such thing having to get these > shots before starting on Enbrel...on my next visit to my doctor, I'm going > to ask her, if she's heard of any such thing. > > Mandy > Okay, I know it isn't strange, but now I'm wondering about the RD. I > was told that no one, absolutely NO ONE can be put on Enbrel until they [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Smokie Darling (Annie) Okay, this is strange, but, I'm still going to be happy about it. I go in Monday (4/11, my late mom's birthday) for a TB test and to sign paperwork absolving the doctor of any error for not forcing the Pneumonia shot on me, I asked him if he'd rather be sued because I got sick from it (he didn't see the humo(u)r). Then I get the test "read" on Wednesday, and I get "taught" how to do an injection, along with videos to watch. Not sure what day they are going to choose (if it were up to me, it'd be Wednesday evening, thanks), but they *are* going to choose my injection day. So, wish me luck on all this, my last TB test (Jan/Feb of 04) was completely negative, they couldn't even find the spot they injected, and join me in hoping that Enbrel works for me. Smokie Darling (Annie) - who is running out of options i have a good feeling about you and enbrel, annie! the injections are easy and you'll start feeling better soon. here's to a negative TB test. diane Annie, Are you allergic to eggs or egg protein? Those that are allergic to eggs are usually the ones who have trouble with the flu vaccination and other vaccinations. Sounds like you might be since you react so strongly to them. Anyways, good luck with the enbrel and will be praying that it works wonders for you. BTW, once you start doing the enbrel at home, YOU can decide what day is best for you to inject it. Let us know how you do with it. Don't be surprised if after you start it and have been on it for a while that you get a bit of injection site reaction. I had this happen after I had been on it for several weeks and then the reactions stopped after a few more weeks. The nurse at the enbrel hotline said this was fairly common. Good luck and may you be feeling good real soon! Donna G > Annie, > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Donna G Nope, no problem with eggs, I eat them every day without ill effect. No one is really sure what is wrong with my reactions to immunizing shots,but I've had the problem longer than I've been active RA (my first flu shot was in 81). Thanks for the good wishes. Smokie Darling (Annie) i haven't seen an update on this thread, so i'm not sure if you've started enbrel yet or not, or have just completed the preliminary stuff yesterday. either way though, i wish you the best of luck with enbrel, and all the prelim stuff, sweetie. may enbrel be your magic bullet. kate (btw--i think the way you handled your rd was spot on. good job!) >> Okay, I know it isn't strange, but now I'm wondering about the RD. I >> was told that no one, absolutely NO ONE can be put on Enbrel until [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > Smokie Darling (Annie) - who is running out of options |
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