Anyone on biologics or azathorpine had Covid?

[Workinghardeveryday]

Hi, I am on both and terrified of catching Covid.

Would be very interested to know if anyone on the same drugs has had Covid and if so how bad was it?

Thanks

Oh no!! Someone must have had it and okay now 🤞🏻

I'm on both too. Not had it.

@Tambourina

Thanks for your post, I really want some reassurance that someone has had it and been okay.
Are you shielding? I haven’t been to a shop since last February! Haven’t seen any family or friends for a year apart from my mum 3 times briefly from the front door

The CovidIBD data look pretty reassuring with regards to biologics and azathioprine. I've avoided it so far, got my 2nd jab tomorrow

@8MinutesToSunrise
Really! How do you find that information? I would really love some reassurance, I never leave the house apart from dog walks 3 times a week for 30 minutes.
Kids are back to school which is a big worry for me.
Had my 1st jab on 7th April not sure when the next one is. Also don’t feel covered at all after reading it hardly works on people on those meds ☹️.

Here's one of the papers pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32425234/
I'm also a bit worried about jab efficacy so am planning on doing a spike antibody test after my second jab.
I'm not going out much either, haven't been to a supermarket yet but am prioritising walks with friends. Its hard to balance the covid risk with wellbeing.

@8MinutesToSunrise
Thank you for posting that information, makes for interesting reading.
I know I really need to make an effort to see people, every day is the same!!
Weird question, are you on biologics? And if so have they affected your periods?! I have been on them for about 18 months and went from 35 day cycle to 21! My consultant said it’s nothing to do with meds but it literally changed the month I started them!

@Workinghardeveryday yes, I'm on imraldi now, haven't noticed a change in my cycle that coincided. But I also think that medicine as a field and very often individual drs take little interest in or account of our cycles and how that affects things and is affected.

Ds is on Azathioprine, steroids and about to start biologics for permanently relapsing ulcerative colitis. He's had the vaccine but not covid. He's been shielding for most of the pandemic. His consultant told us that Azathioprine is less of a problem than the steroids. Not sure about the biologic.

He's 18 for ref. Not at uni (thank god he didn't go!) and hasn't been able to get a job.

As a family we've been extremely careful during lockdowns. Eldest DD has not gone back to uni and has done everything online and we took our other children out of school and put them in an online school. After tonight's press conference I've been on the vaccination booking page several times as DH, DD, another DS and I should now be able to get our vaccination. I'm terrified of any of us getting covid tbh!

@onlyreadingneverposting8 what was in the press conference? I didn't see it and can't see anything in the transcript about more people being eligible to book vaccines?

I'm on biologics, been on 3 different ones through covid (imraldi, vedolizumab and then tofacitinib), plus steroids. Last chance now - if these ones don't work I'm going to have to have surgery. Haven't noticed any difference in menstrual cycle on any of them OP. I've got my second jab in 3 weeks, and I can't wait.

@WeatherwaxLives basically if you are an adult and live with someone who's immunocompromised then you can get a vaccine. I think it's due to worry about immunocompromised people not raising sufficient immunity to the vaccine.

I am on a biologic and methotrexate, I've had it and although I felt like death I recovered fairly quickly and was back at work two weeks later.

@onlyreadingneverposting8 thank you, that's exciting, means DP should be able to have his!

Thank you all for posting. @onlyreadingneverposting8 I really think biologics are the way forward for him really. Hopefully once he gets started on them you will see a complete difference!!
@WeatherwaxLives have you tried humera? X

@VerityWibbleWobble that is very positive! Gives me a lot of reassurance - thank you x

@Workinghardeveryday

I’m on Etenercept Benepali biologic and had Covid at the very start of 2020. It was initially diagnosed as a lengthy asthmatic episode, lasting a month, I was given steroids, various antibiotics and various inhalers.

The ONLY Covid symptom I had was the inability to talk while walking because of my lungs being unable to take in air. I literally couldn’t walk 5 doors away. I didn’t get the fever, the sore throat or the dry cough, nothing else at all.

I had my Covid vaccine a few weeks ago and I had no reaction to that either. My rheumatologist explained that my autoimmunity had been ‘levelled’ out by the ingredients of the vaccine and as such, my body loved it and totally accepted it.

Not sure if this will reassure you but I’m a member of huge forums on Facebook for lupus and Addison’s disease (thousands of members in each) and many of us are on various biologics and immune suppressants and huge doses of steroids and lots have had Covid and completely recovered. In fact off the top of my head I can only remember 2 people (one from each group) who have been hospitalised and seriously unwell with it - and both are now okay. But - obviously this is hugely anecdotal!

@Bagelsandbrie Thank you for your post. It does really help honestly - thank you! X.

@Loushome that is very promising, in my mind anyone on my meds has no chance, so does make me rethink! Thank you so much X

I’m on azathioprine & a biologic. Not had covid as far as I know.. Due to living alone & limited support I’ve been to shops albeit early morning every week and have regularly seen friends for walks. I wouldn’t worry too much as long as you’re cautious and still social distance. What we do need now is the data on how we are all responding to the vaccines.

@RARach
I am just so worried about it, miss seeing people and going to shops!
When I have had my second I am having an antibody test after a few weeks. I think we should be allowed one on the nhs tbh!!

It would be helpful to know. Nothing we do is without risk and we are still at risk of infection even without covid. But, I just take all the precautions I can, go early, avoid crowded areas etc. I can’t believe the amount of people I see that don’t gel their hands after say using a cash point machine or self service till. I think it will take a long time to feel comfortable doing normal things again.

@RARach
You’re absolutely right when you say ‘as far as I know’.

I wasn’t aware at the time I had it because of my lack of symptoms. It was only looking back at my records online and a chat with my GP which put it together 17 months later.

But if you have no antibodies it doesn't mean you won't have T cell immunity, does it?