Bummer, but again thanks to this site, I am not panicing.

Sounds so silly for a simple sinus infection/throat soreness, but I know Remicade really can make a simple virus a big deal.

My big question is....should I try to wait this out a few days, or with Remicade, should I just call the doctor and get going seeing about antibiotics. Just get nervous about letting this go and having it turn serious quickly.

So far the Remicade in general has been great. Leg nodules all gone and feel pretty well, then this, ugh?

Thanks for any info.

Gee, it all depends. If as you say, it is a simple viral thing, then I think it can wait. Antibiotics would do no good and are actually contraindicated. However, if you think that this is a secondary infection, such as a bacterial thing, then you should get on antibiotics right away.

You can't really tell by the drainage. Guage it by how you feel all over. If you have a fever, then call the doc.

The length of time that Remicade stays active in the sytem is a big concern in my book. I am on Humira and am glad that it is much shorter acting.

Jan

The nurses always ask me if I have a fever or any signs of infection or other illness. In fact, I am on antibiotics and they always ask me why I am on them. They called my GI once when I was running a slight fever. It was due to IBD issues and not related to anything else so it was fine. Definitely let the nurses know or call your doctor to ask. Better to be safe than sorry.
I'm guessing my post is late though

Just an update. Sinus infection did come on pretty quickly on Remicade. It was a little scary how fast things can develop on this stuff.

All my MD's were great and called in some antibiotics without having to see me. They all said the same thing, "Don't let this go. Chances are it will NOT go away untreated."

Pressure and pain are gone, but still have sniffles and I am keeping an eye on it in case it rears up on me again.

Here's to getting better and getting off this stuff. For now....thankful.

My husband developed a sinus infection while he was on Remicade. Unfortunately he also developed walking pneumonia along with the sinus infection and had his third Remicade infusion cancelled. My husband was put on antibiotics and is now ok but we were concerned so I called the maker of Remicade to discuss this problem. They said it was one of the side effects and said he should discontinue Remicade at this time. The makers of Remicade told me that the lifespan of Remicade in your system is three months.
You are correct in getting advice from your doctors.

I've had bronchitis 3 times and 2 sinus infections since I started Remicade. My doctor isn't too concerned because about the same time I started Remicade, my one year old son started day care. Every time he gets a cold, I've gotten sick. Right now we are attributing the brochitis/sinus infection to my son's colds.

The Remicade is working so well for me that I don't really want to give it up.

Good luck,
Pam

I have to say I always got sick easily. When I started Remicade in Dec and 6MP in Jan I was concerned with the low resistance, plus I have been on cipro for almost 7 months which also should be working against my immune system. I have seen no difference to other winters in my life. I have 2 small children that have been extremely sick this winter and although I get a fluish case of it I bounce back faster than before I was on all these drugs. I'm confused because I thought my immune system would suffer and maybe it has but in a way I feel like it has gotten stronger. I also work in Manhattan and am constantly at my kids schools. Between the two I come into contact with infections, flus, strep throat, etc every day. I don't want to jinx myself because I have had some sickness but I have to ask why is my immune system stronger now (hoping Jan can add some insight). I am also taking part of a medical study for 6MP that supposedly studies the effects of the drug on the immune system. Now that I've mentioned this, I will probably wake up tomorrow sick as a dog so I shouldn't jinx myself. I have also been a nut about washing my hands and not touching my face (but these remedies never worked in the past for me). Please feel free to share your thoughts. Maybe its the Cipro helping me fight things, but wouldn't I be immune after 7 months on cipro? This is just sparking my curiosity because I have heard how easy it can be to get sick while on remicade.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim1030,

I would definately check with your dr. if you haven't already. i got a cold/sinus infection jan 2006 while on remicaide and it turned into pneumonia.