Saw the Rheumatologist today

[Bill]

Good. I have a sister with a habit of clenching. It was a real problem for her when she got some implants (no shock absorption), so she had to have a splint made. Hopefully it is only a one off for you. No point worrying though. If your bio fails you there are plenty of others to try.

Cheers

[Fred]

Not sure what's going on there, but good idea to keep notes for future reference. And lime Bill said there are plenty of other Bio's now should it be the problem, but I'm not aware of it being so with Humira.

A dentist did tell me once that pain can travel along the jaw and make it feel like another tooth, but he may have been fibbing cause I kept telling him the one he took out years ago sometimes still hurts.

[D Foster]

I have started a couple of years ago with sensitive teeth but I use Sensodyne Rapid toothpaste which seems to work ok.

[Turnedlight]

I’ve had good teeth all my life until I started down the road of medication for psoriasis. I’ve had a couple of gum infections and a root canal since then. I don't think the drugs totally caused the root canal, I think it just revealed something that was there and on the drugs my body could no longer fight it. I think that was when I was on Humira but it might have been mtx.

I would say be sure to tell your dentist what you are on, they will pretend to understand, make sure they understand properly as my dentist didn’t think to give me antibiotics as a precaution whilst doing the treatment, and I got an infection which was not a nice experience!

[northcoast]

Teeth are a bit better.

However, the knuckle is not. It's not terrible by any means, but it's  definitely got that arthritic feel to it.  I took a Celebrex just to see if maybe it just needs some help coming back down, but I'm not hopeful that any relief there will be permanent. I'm also noticing feet and leg stiffness trying to creep back in.  Seems to be slowly cascading down the wrong path.  I've been reading up on anti drug antibodies... I'm going to guess I'm building up the tolerance these days.

I also have a spot on my left shoulder that has been sore for a couple months that I thought might be mild tendinitis from working out, but with the other symptoms, I'm leaning towards arthritis here too.

Here's the kicker... the knuckle and shoulder were not areas that have affected me before.  They are new spots.

If I'm right about the ADAs, well, it's deflating for sure.  I was cruising.  Hopefully I won't be one of those people that just burns thru the biological after a few years and then am left with nothing.

[Fred]

 Hopefully I won't be one of those people that just burns thru the biological after a few years and then am left with nothing.

There's always Stelara, Cosentyx, Taltz and Tremfya. And moire in the pipeline.

Hopefully you will find one that gives long term relief.

[northcoast]

Had a little hiccup with the Humira injection last night.

Prepped the area, hit the button on the end, needle went in, but no medication was released.

Stopped after about 8 seconds.  Pulled the needle out... small amount of blood (no big deal), and cleaned it up.

30 seconds later, the pen discharged on the sink.  No idea what happened here.  But it did leave me with a bruise about an inch across and a bit of a knot with it as well.  Not a big deal either... just a little sore is all.

Anyways, went to the doctor's office quick and inquired if I should take another dose or wait.  I don't think that any medication went in me, but I really don't have any way of knowing (who knows - maybe a little goes in once the needle enters the skin), so the I was advised to wait a week and take another dose.  They also gave me a sample so as not to mess up the prescription interval, which would have been a mess for sure.

****************

On another note:  I have another question in to the doctor about this, but just wonder if anyone here as an idea...

My dad is almost 87 years old and in rough shape with congestive heart failure, so that means his legs and feet are full of fluid he can't get rid of and has poor circulation there as well.  After a few months of this, he's developed some ulcers, and the one came back positive for Staph.

Do I need to just stay away from him?  I know Staph from skin issues can be very contagious, and with my immuno-suppressive therapy in place, I certainly don't need a Staph infection.  We are just praying that he doesn't have MRSA, in which case I highly doubt I should be around him at all.

Again, I'm awaiting the response from my doctor, but just wondering if anyone had a guess.

[Bill]

My sympathies, nc.

There are hygiene protocols that you can follow. I am sure that you could ask hospital staff or search on line for infection control guidelines for mrsa. I lost my Mum to congestive heart failure. Value your time.

[Fred]

Switch to the pre-filled syringes instead of the pen type. You have more control and that problem wouldn't have happened.  

As for the staph problem. I would suggest being cautious, we can't all keep away from these problems and you could pick it up anywhere but as it's your Dad then I'm sure you will both be sensible and avoid any chance of cross infection. Avoid using the same towel for example, and if you have an open wounds then I would keep away for a few days just to be sure.

Also get yourself some of that hand wash stuff they have in hospitals (not sure what it's called, but I would have thought you can get it from a pharmacie) and keep a bottle at your Dads property.

Your Dad needs you at this time in his life and I would say give him that time, but just be a little bit more cautious about skin contact.