Infections-Candida, Oral infections, any infections. Did you have any chronic infections before starting Xeljanz?

I was wondering if chronic internal infections contributes to long term inflammation in the body thus triggering some sort of attack against the body with auto-immune disease.  I figured since Xeljanz and these biological immune modulators work by suppression, could it be some chronic infection gong on in the body that triggers all sorts of auto-immune disease?

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Permalink Reply by dreamscometrue on March 10, 2017 at 5:29pm

I just find it interesting that the body responds to biological immune modulators so well.  Like internally the body is getting inflammation and no one knows why.  I'm very curious if its environmental, especially within the last 20-30 years or so that so many Gen-X'ers are plagued with these unknown auto-immune disorders

Permalink Reply by Camryn on March 10, 2017 at 6:50pm

I haven't started any kind of treatment except topical Betaderm yet but I've definitely had other inflammation issues, especially since November of this year but really over the last three years or so. I haven't been able to get a solid diagnosis except for polyneuropathy thus far. I do have to wonder if inflammation caused my neuropathy so your theory makes a lot of sense to me.

Permalink Reply by dreamscometrue on March 10, 2017 at 6:59pm

I agree!  I've read that inflammation is the core of most diseases so I'm just wondering the HOW internal inflammation manifest in diseases like RA and other things.  Strange but worth thinking about

Permalink Reply by Camryn on March 10, 2017 at 9:07pm

It feels as if the medical community knows so little about how inflammation operates. I'm sure in the future we'll look back on this time and shake our heads at the lack of knowledge. Currently I'm curious about low dose naltrexone as a treatment for alopecia and other autoimmune conditions as it seems to reduce inflammation. https://chriskresser.com/low-dose-naltrexone-ldn-as-a-treatment-for... It's too bad more doctors don't seem to know much about the drug,

Permalink Reply by dreamscometrue on March 10, 2017 at 9:34pm

Oh wow!  I didn't know about this drug myself.  I have to get oral surgery really soon and I know my gums are badly infected.  I know most of these drugs you can't take while having an infection, so I want to get this surgery over with asap.  I also was thinking maybe this low chronic infection in my gums had anything to do with auto-immune disorder, as I've read that RA can cause gum disorders.  

But I'm certainly going to look up Naltrexone and hopefully my insurance will cover it.  Thank you so much for the link and responding to my thread:)  Please keep me updated with anything you find and I'll do the same

Permalink Reply by Camryn on March 11, 2017 at 11:17am

Good luck with the surgery and I wouldn't be at all surprised if there's a link between the two! I had a weird episode back in November where I had pretty bad pain in the back of my mouth and was sure it was an abscess but my dentist couldn't find anything wrong and said it must be inflammation. After a couple of weeks it went away.

Let me know if your insurance company come through and definitely let's keep each other up to date on any interesting info we learn. 

Permalink Reply by dreamscometrue on March 12, 2017 at 11:13pm

I will!  Look at the link I posted.  Very interesting!

Permalink Reply by dreamscometrue on March 12, 2017 at 11:11pm
Permalink Reply by Suzie on March 13, 2017 at 6:00pm

I also think autoimmune diseases are genetic as well, just like heart disease, etc.  My mother had scleroderma (auto immune) and I have an aunt and a great, great aunt with RA such as myself.

I developed AA at the age of 15 (about 35 years ago).  My mother just took me to our family doctor and he had no clue what it was.  My hair grew back on it's own and never lost it again.  Fast forward to the age of 26 after my second child and developed RA.  After a few years later I had to start taking biologics (Enbrel, Humira and Orencia) over the next 15 years. Started Orencia and 8 months later I stopped because I hate taking biologics and then I developed AA.  Started taking Xelanz and have had success with the patches filling in.  I have told myself that I must continue taking these drugs NOT only for the AA, but for the RA as well. 

The million dollar question is how does our immune systems get so out of whack in the first place!

Permalink Reply by dreamscometrue on March 13, 2017 at 6:06pm

Suzie!  That's the million dollar question! I don't think its genetic or hereditary, as I'm the only one who has a few auto-immune disease.  Now I'm starting to think its environmental.  My alopecia started at 15-16 in patches then grew in, and at 23-24 started coming out again until eventually I have AU.  Just now I developed RA, so I know its all tied together.  Check mout the article Im posted above.  I'm at the point where I'm not 100% I want to be on biologics, as I'm using ACV to control my RA which seems to work.  I've always tried to avoid the drug thing, if I can.  But if its a must I will

Permalink Reply by Suzie on March 13, 2017 at 6:16pm

dreamscometrue, I believe for some people it's genetic/hereditary....not everyone though. It could be a combination of genetics and environmental as well.  I'm 51 and like I said previously I had lost patches on the back of my hair at the age of 15.  BUT, it all came back on it's own within 6 months to a year.  No drugs, shots, or anything. We didn't even know what it was that I had.  Then it stayed in remission until the age of 48.  I consider myself fortunate to have only had 2 bouts with this awful disease and both times just AA (lots of thinning though).  There is a doctor I believe in North Carolina who says he can help people with autoimmune diseases WITHOUT drugs, but only problem is insurance doesn't cover any of his tests, visits, etc.  YET insurance companies are willing to spend BIG $$$ on Xeljanz, Enbrel, Humira and Orencia for me?!  Doesn't make any sense.  I truly don't like taking these drugs, but with my RA, it's truly unbearable to be without it.  I can't eat, sleep or work and that is no life!

I wish you all the best!

Permalink Reply by dreamscometrue on March 13, 2017 at 6:35pm

Oh I totally agree!  This disease is a mystery as with all auto-immune disease is.  They've got to be tied all together as I notice people with AA, AT, and AU have at least one other auto-immune disorder as well.  I hear you with the insurance company and drugs, its outrageous!!  I've been toughing out most of my issues as I have a high tolerance for pain and aches and stuff, I always look for alternatives, but if I have to resort to medication then I have no other choice, I'd just have to

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