Rheumatoid arthritis

[BoccaBaciata]

I have RA. Not currently taking medication for it as have reacted badly to everything I've been given, apart from kenalog injections - O last had one in November. I've been in a lot of pain and have been talking Naproxen and cocodamol daily for a while.

Does RA place you in the higher risk category? It only occured to me this evening that it might but I can't find anything definitive out online. I'll call the clinic tomorrow but in the meantime any reassurance/advice would be brilliant

I think that it does if you are on immunosuppressants, but otherwise maybe not? I have RA too so will follow thread in interest.

I am on immune suppressants and don't know either. We are prone to inflammation which is one of the risk factors

I have Psoriatic arthritis (which is also autoimmune) and take an immunosuppressant but this isn't on the "list" or underlying conditions!!

@BarbedBloom that's what I've read, too. Complications of CV arise when the body fights it too hard (I'm oversimplifying, I know!) - basically an exaggerated immune response. Which of course all of us with these inflammatory conditions have.

Fellow RA'er here. I am so stressed as I do take biologic injection fortnightly and am frankly scared.

I am now working from home which is a relief but can't stop thinking about dh going to work and dc's going to school and bringing it home. My DH has said he still has to go to work.

I am so anxious and it's actually making me feel short of breath which then makes me even more scared!

Sorry to hijack, I just feel really upset and scared after watching that press conference.

I would love to know what other RA'ers are doing about their children going to school please?

This is the latest advice from NRAS:

www.nras.org.uk/news/coronavirus-what-we-know-so-far

Seems, if you're on a biologic or steroid you're at greater risk, likewise if you are flaring.

My daughter has JIA and is on a biologic... the advice is to avoid crowds / public places. Not sure how she's going to do that at school!?!

There's a thread under autoimmune disease called Corona and methotrexate which is a similar question.

I have RA and I spoke to my GP today who says I'm in the vulnerable group. I take methotrexate and hydroxychloriquine.

If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine, then I'd count yourself as vulnerable.

Ok so if we're in the vulnerable group how do we protect ourselves when dh and dc's are still working/schooling?

Probably only if taking methotrexate.

The NRAS article seemed to suggest that if you're just taking methotrexate, you should be okay. Concern is over those taking biologics or steroids.

Aiui there is a slight increased risk compared to being you and not having it, because there is a standard slight increased risk of developing bronchitis from a normal cold with RA. Similarly if you got into the very unlikely situation of being borderline for the immune storm effect that produces organ damage RA could contribute a little. But these are not actually very dangerous by themselves - the time to worry is if you are taking strong immuno-suppressant drugs or strong anti-inflammatories for it, as both of those are counter-advised with Covid-19.

Great, feel even worse now🙁

I am off my immune suppressants - since June other than one jab in October that lasted 2 weeks.

yes I am probably prone to more inflammation than the average person but I have not been especially ill since then and had a perfect blood test in December.

God knows what this means for me.

I keep seeing stuff about how taking ibuprofen makes you more susceptible/at risk of complications if you get CV, but I'm not sure if this is more rubbish doing the rounds or not. NSAIDS like ibuprofen + codeine or Naproxen are the only things giving me relief at the moment (pretty much in a constant flare and have been for weeks).

I was due to get another kenalog injection next week - probably not a good idea now, even if they're still doing them.

Just jumping on this thread to say I've been very relaxed about Coronavirus so far but... I have Tietzes a rare inflammatory condition affecting the chest and ribs. Similar to Costochondritis.

But when it flares badly I require hospital treatment for pain management, I'm on a lot of medication just to manage it daily, under pain team etc etc. I'm usually in hospital every 6-8 weeks or so, sometimes for a few hrs, sometimes a few days depending on what my body wants to do.

One of my meds is Diclofenic so as that's an anti inflammatory I'm concerned. Also, when flares are bad I really struggle to expand my chest ( lungs otherwise fine, airways clear no lung conditions) but I'm scared of I get this and it triggers a massive flare I won't be able to expel the mucus coughing. I've become unbelievably anxious about this the last 2-3 days which in turn can trigger flares... just a vicious circle :(

My husband has etanercept injections and methotrexate for RA. I'm going to ring his RA consultant today and ask if he should stop them. I'll let you know what she advises.

@BoccaBaciata I think the WHO/PHE would tell us to avoid anti inflammatory medication if it was a known risk.

I spoke to my consultant’s secretary yesterday. She advised me to continue with medication (I inject a biological and take steroids as needed) and to ring back as more advice is released. I am a teacher and am really stuck about what to do.