Coronavirus

[thelmar]

I just switched on BBC Breakfast and caught the end of their ‘Click’ segment. It was apparently discussing research into the possible use of existing drugs to fight Coronavirus and said they are looking at a drug already approved for use against RD. Am assuming this is where the idea of using hydroxychloroquine against this virus came from. It is obviously far too early to get excited about this but thought you would be interested. Saturday morning is a shortened version of ‘click’ and I think there is a longer version on Sundays.

Now I think I am going back to sleep!!

Thelma

[Moomin8]

Morning 🙂 I just read that they're looking at using Actemra (on Twitter)

"Tocilizumab (Actemra) has been approved by the Chinese government to treat severe #coronavirus symptoms

👉🏽t.co/ETEQTga6GB

Apparently 272 with #Covid_19 already treated with #Tocilizumab

👉🏽t.co/fIF8ZVnkAS

Here's 1 with JAK inhibitor #Baricitinib as a potential treatment for #COVID19

👉🏽t.co/Y9xK0SJHE9

#COVID2019 #COVID #CoronavirusOutbreak #Coronavid19 #Coronavirus t.co/9vEISUTo2w"

This was posted by Dr Ai Lyn Tan

Position: Associate Professor (Consultant)

Areas of expertise: Early inflammatory arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis; psoriatic arthritis; muscle; imaging; MRI; ultrasound

Email: [e-mail]

[Hidden]

Yes and the lancet last week had a article on Baracitinib as a potential for blocking the virus infecting the lungs which is the big risk

[Stayloose in reply to Hidden]

Well that's an encouraging thought for those on Baricitinib!

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Stayloose]

And there was I thinking I going to be ok being on hydroxychloroquine, ah well hopefully good for all those on Baricitinib.

[Hidden in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

That may well be in the list of trial drugs too

[wishbone in reply to Stayloose]

It is Stayloose, though I'm not building my hopes too high as the female representative for the research facility did say it's little more than conjecture at the minute.

Still, it might be worth phoning rheumy to ask if the recent offer of increasing my dose of baricitinib from 2 to 4mg is still on. My lungs have not deteriorated since I was diagnosed with fibrosis 4 years ago and I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible. Don't know if it would be rude to ask rheumy, but I'm considering whether or not to phone on monday.

Thoughts from anyone are welcome.

[Stayloose in reply to wishbone]

My OH says he will be encouraged by conjecture at this point. They are your lungs. It seems perfectly alright to be proactive about them

[wishbone in reply to Stayloose]

Right, I'll phone on monday. It's not as if my RA does not need the higher dose, but I'm prone to infections which is why I refused to increase the dose when offered.

Out of the two, think I'd prefer to take my chances with an infection than that coronavirus.

Thanks Staylose, and thanks to your OH too.

Going to watch the England v Wales rugby match on the telly now....come on Wales!!!

[wishbone in reply to Stayloose]

Hiya Stayloose, just to let you know that after weighing things up I've decided it's probably best not to increase my barictinib. Reasons being I still have sniffles and occasional blocked nose after contracting a sinus infection a few months ago, which I'm sure was related to baricitinib. Don't want to increase my chances of getting that again as I had to stop the baricitinib until the sinus infection cleared. Also Lancet article linked above mentioned the possibilities of both 2mg and 4 mg treating coronavirus.

Good luck avoiding corona.

[Stayloose in reply to wishbone]

Thanks for the update. You can only go with your gut feeling on these things. If Baricitinib turns out to be the magic cure for Corona we will know eventually. Stay well🤸

[wishbone]

Yes, I saw that. Oldtimer recently did a"Good News" post about this.

Interestingly, around 2 years ago during an appointment with my respiratory consultant, he enquired what meds I was currently taking and when I told him I was due to start baricitinib it made him sit up in his chair. He went on to say that there was intersest being shown in baricitinib as there were indications that it might help people with lung disease. He then told me me that he had planned on not seeing me again, but has changed his mind and now wants to see me in a years time, which was roughly around last august. l don't think it requires rocket science to work out why......