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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have RA, Had Malignant Cancers, Bladder Cancer, Now Treated. Immune System Low, Constant Sinus Infection. What To Do?

I have RA. I have had malignant cancers three times in the last 25 years, testicle at 38 , large right toe removed at 57, bladder cancer at 60. I am now 62 and cancer free. I have taken methotrexate , Enbrel, and predisone for a year now. I have been so stressed about my lowered immune system that I have stopped taking them. My pain is not unbearable. My problem is I am terribly afraid of pneumonia . My doctor says I can get pneumonia from stopping my meds, but they tell me everytime I have an infection to stop my meds? I am prone to having bad sinus infections, and many times they cause me to cough up mucus, and when I call the RA doctor they tell me to skip the meds till the infection is better. My question is isn t this information I am getting somewhat confusing and it stands to reason to me if I need to stop the meds when I have an infection then the taking the meds will contribute to the infection. I think I am better off without the RA meds. I need some clarification, because I have constant sinus infections!
Thu, 7 Nov 2013
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Oncologist,  's  Response
RA is basically related to the immune system and drugs work by supressing the immune system. Since the medicines suppress the body's entire immune system, you will be more susceptible to infections during that period. When the blood counts are critically low, you will be be advised to give a break to your medicines to help the counts to recover. What you need to do is to avoid catching infection and take preventive measures like avoiding getting exposed to people with infection, avoiding crowded places, wearing face mask when going out, maintaining healthy diet. you can take vaccination also like pneumococcus vaccine and influenza shots.
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Have RA, Had Malignant Cancers, Bladder Cancer, Now Treated. Immune System Low, Constant Sinus Infection. What To Do?

RA is basically related to the immune system and drugs work by supressing the immune system. Since the medicines suppress the body s entire immune system, you will be more susceptible to infections during that period. When the blood counts are critically low, you will be be advised to give a break to your medicines to help the counts to recover. What you need to do is to avoid catching infection and take preventive measures like avoiding getting exposed to people with infection, avoiding crowded places, wearing face mask when going out, maintaining healthy diet. you can take vaccination also like pneumococcus vaccine and influenza shots.