Naomi

You are not as weird as you think. I always had colds and sore throats before I was diagnosed with RA. In fact I had a serious bout of flu which put me in bed for two weeks and this tipped me over the edge and into RA. Since then I have had nothing. I work full time and many people in the office have had colds etc and they are astounded that I have not been affected with such a low immune system. Even at home the family have had dreadful colds but I have escaped (touch wood don't want to tempt fate too much). Like you I do not understand why this is happening.

I wonder if the 12 hour symptoms are mini RA flares. I have had a few of these and within hours it is as if nothing has happened.

It will be interesting to see if others post about this.

Take care

Jackie
xx

Thanks Lyn. I was really hoping to have some input from you on this. I will certainly make the most of this.....as there aren't many good things about having RA. Naomi, X

Hi all,
I find that I am pretty resistent to bugs the same as all of you, I always have had a pretty strong immune system though, as a result of working with young children for many years, I think.. I feel as though I am going to get something but then it just dwindles away. My ra always flares a bit during these periods though presumably because my immune system is working harder to fight off the bugs

There was something rather strange that happened to me though once when I was in the process of increasing my mtx dose earlier on in my development of R.A. which my GP put down to mtx. I suddenly developed a very severe type of flu, though I had had a flu jab. I was not used to being ill really, apart from the odd bout of tonsilitis, so it was a real shock and totally knocked me off my feet. My bloods were completely haywire, white blood count was very low and neutrophils fell to 1. The amazing thing was, that all symtems of R.A. disappeared completely. My immune system must have been so low that it was no longer affecting my joints. If nothing else, it proved to me that I definately had R.A. and how much a part our immune systems play in this.

It was good to be free of R.A. for just a short time but as soon as the flu and resulting chest infection started to improve so the R.A. returned too. Must say it is not a remedy I would advise to anyone!!!! Zena xxx

Hi Naomi - yes, I've had the same experience. The rheumy nurse said it was because my immune system is constantly on red alert and zaps bugs before they cause any symptoms. Even with the MTX I seem to be free of colds and coughs.

I've always had an allergy problem that reduces my sense of taste and smell, but I've found that even that problem is reduced since I've had RA - so it's not always bad!!

Cheers - Sylvia