Positive covid & Benepali

[hedgehog45]

Morning. I am slowly recovering from covid which has been incredibly difficult physically and emotionally. My RA dept advised me in a voice message to stop taking my Benepali injections whilst ill but to carry on with Sulfasalazine. I’ve missed one injection so far and probably won’t do this week either as still not recovered. However my back, neck & shoulders are in pieces - muscular aches & pains from all the coughing I think. I feel as though someone has kicked me in the back and now I’m waking with chronic headaches which I think are stemming from the back/neck pain. Has anyone else experienced this with covid and have any tips on how to help recovery and also deal with the back/neck issues? Am so so worn out. Thanks.

[Moomin8]

Although I haven't had Covid, just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery 😊

[hedgehog45 in reply to Moomin8]

Thank you so much. It’s been horrific I have to say - my entire family got it over Xmas and new year starting with my 17 year old then my husband and I. I just hope I get back to full strength again soon and the RA doesn’t misbehave!! Thank you 🙏

[sylvi]

I am so sorry you have had this awful disease and as i don't have any answers for you i am sending gentle hugs instead.xxx

[hedgehog45 in reply to sylvi]

Thanks that’s so kind. Xx

[janmary]

I can’t answer your question, but wish you a speedy recovery

[hedgehog45 in reply to janmary]

Thank you. Xx

[Hidden]

I’m so sorry you caught this vile virus.

I would ask your team I would assume it’s based on an individual basis as some get the virus worse than others.

I hope you recover quickly x

[Deminem]

Hia,

So sorry you all have this, especially you given your existing health issues.

It sounds awful. If it were me, I'd get on to my rheumy nurse, there must be some help they can offer you to ease the pain. Maybe a short burst of steroids which work quickly.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no expert and am as confused as everyone else, even experts it seems. We now know that steroids and Biologic are being used to treat ppl with covid so what's up with that! Too much mixed messaging is disabling.

[hedgehog45 in reply to Deminem]

Thanks - yes will get back onto rheumy team for more advice. It’s always so hard actually getting to speak to them in person! On their original message they said as the bio similar suppress the immune system further it wasn’t advisable to take them whilst dealing with covid which makes sense. It’s giving my body a chance to fight it but then the knock on is that the RA symptoms creep in... can’t win!!

[Deminem in reply to hedgehog45]

Yes stopping biologics is the standard protocol even with lesser viruses.

I find I can stop my Enbrel for 2 weeks before I start getting in trouble with symptoms returning. I always have my back up pain meds Celebrex to keep me going till that point. I only take 1 of those if I'm really in trouble bcz the health warning on meds scare me. I'm a minimum effective dose sorta girl.

[hedgehog45 in reply to Deminem]

Thank you - I don’t know Celebrex. Is that on prescription?

[Deminem in reply to hedgehog45]

Hi, yes it's is a very good NSAID drug, and very good for RA pain and migraines, it is good for me anyhow. I tried tramadol a few years ago and spent the whole day vomiting, not for me but some get on with tramadol, I was obv allergic to that and it's been added to my notes never to be given again.

[Deminem in reply to Deminem]

Is prescription only!

[hedgehog45 in reply to Deminem]

Ok thanks. Might ask my rheumy and/or GP about it. Thanks for the suggestion xx

[Hidden]

Oh boy big hugs well gentle ones how about a neck warmer you put in a microwave to assist headaches. I also do Vicks on neck and temples with bad headaches. Its like marmite Vicks love or hate but works for me. x

[hedgehog45 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks - yes have been using neck warmer in microwave but haven’t tried vicks on the neck - will give that a go! Thanks.

[AgedCrone in reply to hedgehog45]

Unless you have used Vick before,,,,& know it suits you ...try a small amount on the soft underside if your arm first.Vick brings me out in a horrible blistery rash.

[medway-lady]

I'm sorry no idea but hope you're feeling better soon.

[hedgehog45 in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks so much x

[Domhem]

So sorry to hear this, I think we were speaking before Christmas when I was isolating. Sorry I don’t have much advice but I really hope you start to feel better soon xx

[hedgehog45 in reply to Domhem]

Thanks - yes we were. I hope you’re ok now. It’s been one of the toughest times I’ve ever known apart from my initial diagnosis with RA. Have never felt so challenged physically and emotionally but feel like I’m slowly coming up for air now. Just could really do without constant back and neck pain!! Take care. Xx

[Domhem in reply to hedgehog45]

We are fine thank you, I was just very sad to see your post, I can only imagine how hard it’s been but I’m very pleased you are starting to feel better. Re pain as others have said I would speak to your the rheumatology team and see if there are any meds to help you and help speed up recovery. Sending you hugs X

[Marionfromhappydays]

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

My sister had covid, started Christmas day (she's still not 100% recovered, snotty now) she said her ribs, back and sternum still hurt from 3 weeks of coughing. She isn't on arthritis medication like you but she was shocked at just how much she ached.

Shes found gentle walking had helped relieve the pain a little.

Hope you hear from your rhematology team soon and it clears quickly. Its bloody horrendous xx

[hedgehog45 in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Thanks Marion. Sounds like a similar ghastly experience for your sister too. I’m at the same sort of stage and still coughing in fact. I’ve started a gentle walk now each day which is good as have lost so much weight and strength in the past month so very small steps to recovery. I hope your sister feels she is turning a corner. You’re right it’s bloody horrendous !!

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to hedgehog45]

Small steps x

[Soundofmusic52]

Oh bless you it’s sounds horrendous do you no where you contracted this horrible virus. Listen to your body and rest I hope you feel better soon sending you a BIG hug xx

[hedgehog45 in reply to Soundofmusic52]

Yes. Unfortunately my 17 year old daughter caught it at school in the last week of term and both my husband and I inevitably caught it from her. I genuinely do think you can only really catch it from being indoors with an infected person for any length of time. You’d have to very unlucky to catch it from someone passing you by outdoors etc etc. stay safe! Xx

[allanah]

Sending love, it sounds like you are having an awful time. Yes my doctor takes me off meds for infections etc so your body can fight them and until you are well. So I'd check with them. So I'm so sad you've been through this and I hope you all feel better very soon x

[hedgehog45 in reply to allanah]

Thanks so much for your online good wishes! Much appreciated xx

[Gnarli]

Just wanting to add sympathy and hopes for a swift recovery. Hugs

[hedgehog45 in reply to Gnarli]

Thanks so much xx

[springcross]

Hi hedgehog. I'm really sorry to hear you've had the dreaded Covid but glad to hear that you're recovering, albeit slowly. Is there anything your GP or rheumy team could give you to ease the discomfort you are experiencing? It might be worth a phone call. Good luck with it all and I hope it's short lasting for you. xx

[hedgehog45 in reply to springcross]

Thanks - haven’t actually heard from the GP but might ask about pain relief. Thanks so much x

[Vonnie10]

How awful for you it's so scary this virus hope you feel better soon.x

[hedgehog45 in reply to Vonnie10]

Thanks so much x

[bunnycaramel]

I’m afraid I can’t answer your question but hope you have a speedy recovery

[hedgehog45 in reply to bunnycaramel]

Thank you. Xx

[Neonkittie17]

Just to say hope you’ll soon be feeling improved. Wonder if because you’ve been laying down more the back and neck are hurting so much? Have you asked your doc for pain relief and what is best to take to alleviate it. xx

[Eiram50]

Really sorry to hear that you are suffering in this way, and I wish you the speediest of recovery.

Have you spoken to your GP/Rhuemy about painkillers or a stein anti inflammatory to help you through?

Hope you begin to feel better soon x