Hi everyone,
I first had pneumonia in December 2010, I had felt so ill, shivering and aching all night, that my daughters' called out the GP, she came out on Christmas Eve and diagnosed me with pneumonia. I had antibiotics for ten days, and felt fine after.

I was diagnosed with RA in July 2009, and on Humira, mtx, hydroxy and tramadol and paracetemol.

On Friday evening I began to feel ill again, had been suffering from a bad cough with high fever on and off for two weeks, but didnt visit the GP, as I know they say that they're only interested after three weeks of a cough.

My daughter called the out of hours and they wanted me to attend a centre, but I live too far, and nobody here drives, so they had to send the GP, she asked me how high my temp was, and I told her 39.8, which I thought wasn't particularly high, problem being I only understand farenheit lol!!! She then examined me and my temp was down to 38.4, she told me I should have gone to the surgery when I had the high temp, but I told her I didnt think it was worth bothering them.

Anyway, she diagnosed me with pneumonia, so am on antibiotics now, and starting to feel better I did ask her if it was possible that having RA would make it more likely to get pneumonia, but she said she doesn't think so. I know we are more prone to infections, but wondered if anyone knows it is common to suffer from pneumonia?????

Yes I was advised to have a pneumonla jab too, I was given it at the some time as my flu jab. I think I am right in saying that one jab lasts a life time. It is the drugs lowering our immune system that causes us to get these problems. Hope you are O.K. now, but I should ask about the vaccine when you next go for your routine bloodtest.Zena x.

Thank you Sue and Zena, I wasn't aware that I needed the pneumonia jab, I had the flu jab as normal in October. Nothing was mentioned, and as I had no idea I thought the flu one was enough

Lyn, thank you, I did have an idea that we were prone to infections due to compromised immune system, but had no idea about pneumonia being a problem
I will speak to my consultant, I see him next month, so that's quite good timing. Just lately I haven't actually seen him, its been one of his students (or whatever they are nowadays, apparently registrar isnt used now???)
He is a bit rude actually, he said I looked spaced out from drugs the first time I saw him, and I told him that maybe it could be lack of sleep and then having to be up at 5.45 am to work
He refused to give me anymore naproxen that the consultant had prescribed at my last visit, as he didn't think they were a good idea!!

So I am hopeful to see the consultant this time, as he is really lovely and listens and understands I will definitely ask him for a chest and heart x ray when I tell him about this episode of pneumonia being the second one

Lynne, you have obviously been looking into this risk and cause of heart problems after your own scarey experience. Do you think that thiis higher risk applies to all biologic treatments, or is it only anti tnf treatments that your research has uncovered? It does make you think, particularly considering the short time that these drugs have been available. I suppose long term problems will gradually reveal themselves and we are the guinea pigs!! But then how else is progress to be made, particularly as R.A. itself has its own possible heart problems. It is something that we all need to be aware of, thankyou for your information. Zena x

There must be something going around; my Dad who has RA was admitted to hospital on Saturday night with what the drs now think is pneumomia on his lungs and he has had both jabs.

I remember now because my mum only had the flu jab but dad had both.

He is on oxygen and intravenous anti-biotics and they will not release him for another couple of days.

He was due to have a chest x-ray & see the chest consultant next week






Caroline