Advice from my Rheumatologist re Corvd-19

[Penguintaz]

Hi all!

I am seeing more posts about this current pandemic, I e-mailed my wonderful rheumy and he sent me some links I thought I would share. He also adviced to follow advice from our government and NHS plus hand washing and social distancing.

eular.org/eular_guidance_fo...

And

rheumatology.org.uk/News-Po...

Stay safe all!

[svfarmer]

Thankyou for sharing - it’s a very worrying time for us all x

[Penguintaz in reply to svfarmer]

Hope you are staying safe and well! X

[Kevin53]

Social distancing and hand washing is key. Best wishes Kevin

[Sin123]

I’m still keen to find out if we’re deemed as ‘high risk’ as far as the government’s latest announcement is concerned. Particularly if on immune suppressants. Any thoughts?

[Penguintaz in reply to Sin123]

Hi sin!

The government deems anyone who is eligible for the free flu shot to be "high risk". Immune suppressed or compromised is absolutely in this category.

Unfortunately we are high risk from any type of infection/ illness

[SweetKris]

I am on prednisolone and not sure whether I should self isolate. Any thoughts?

[KayHimm in reply to SweetKris]

How much prednisone are you on? I read 20 mg a day starts to pose a big risk. But there are probably a lot of other factors like your organ involvement and other issues. Can you reach your doctor?

K

[SweetKris in reply to KayHimm]

I'm on 10mg at the moment

[KayHimm in reply to SweetKris]

It sounds like all lupus patients have been asked to self-isolate in the UK. See Paul Howard’s post.

[Hidden]

I have diagnosis of UCTD and take hydroxychlotoquine. Is it a “disease modifying drug”?

Am I high risk?

[misty14 in reply to Hidden]

Hi awrigo

Your at risk because of having UCTD but Hydroxy is known as an immune modulatory drug . It's not as strong as the known DMARDS like Azathioprine and MTX. Steroids also put you at greater risk of infections. Hydroxy coukd be a good treatment for covid 19!. I'm no medic so this is just what I've learnt. Someone with more knowledge may reply but I hope that's helped you. X

[Hidden in reply to misty14]

I have read that hydroxychloroquine is in Stage 3 trials for treatment of Coronavirus. Let’s hope so!!

[misty14 in reply to Hidden]

That sounds really promising awrigo. The good side of this awful virus is that they could also learn more about our immune illnesses!. Gives us more hope doesn't it?. Keep well and safe X