Critical with covid

[anneileen]

I haven’t posted in a long time, mainly because my RA has been well controlled and I have since developed other conditions that made life very difficult for me.

Last November I became very ill with covid and spent some time in a critical condition in Intensive Care, which was the most terrifying time of my life. I am 67 now. Thankfully I am here to tell the tale but I have been left with extensive lung damage and lots of long covid symptoms. This, together with RA, LGL Leukaemia and Fibromyalgia has been very difficult.

Now 6 weeks ago I started with the worst flare up I have ever had. Nothing is touching the pain and swelling in many of my joints. I can barely function and I am feeling very low. I am starting a course of steroids and Sulfasalazine, which scares me because, even though I have had the covid vaccine, I am worried that this drug will make me more susceptible to infection and the vaccine not be as effective and I am terrified of getting the virus again.

I have heard that some people who have had covid have gone on to have a bad flare up of their RA.. I wonder if anyone here has had the same thing happen?

Thank you for reading, I just needed a place to have a good old moan 😂. ❤️

[Neonkittie17]

Oh my, it isn’t a moan .. you’ve really been though it. Did the flare up come not long after the vaccine? I think some RA patients have experienced general inflammation after the vaccine and that can manifest as a flare up. I think people will reply here to let you know who have experienced the same . Hoping things look up for you and you’ll get some improvement.

Sulphasalazine is a DMARD they start a lot of people on as it’s got very few side effects and works well for so many. It never gave me any infections as it doesn’t lower your immunity that way. It was my first RA med and worked so well for 8 years and no flares. Once it is working you should be able to come off the steroids. xx

[anneileen in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thank you for your kind words. The flare up started a couple of weeks before I had the vaccine otherwise I would have blamed it on the jab too. I started with RA almost 30 years ago and have been on many and varied drugs, but over the last few years things settled down with just the occasional flare up. This is why I am so shocked that it has come back so bad. Thank you for responding xx

[Neonkittie17 in reply to anneileen]

Oh no and it was steady for you too and no it can’t be blamed on the vaccine then. Have you mangaged to discuss your RA blood results recently with your doc/rheumy at all? I was diagnosed September 1996 and been on several meds and had 3 great ones and some awful times between when meds failed, but very good since starting Rtx 7 years ago. Seems long covid is causing you a mega flare up. I hope you feel improvement soon and send you my very best healing wishes. You’ve a lot to cope with in addition to the RA and I hope the leukaemia is under control. xx

[Ms-D]

Hi firstly sorry to hear you are suffering. I was in hospital with severe covid in January and since then have had a flare that isn't not going away. I was on steroids but went down a tablet over five weeks. Since last week my hand is painfully swollen so back on steroids. Hope you get some relief soon as I know how hard this is.

[anneileen in reply to Ms-D]

Thank you for your reply. Im sorry you have suffered with covid bad enough to be hospitalised. It is strange that people are having bad flare ups, I have had RA for 30 years and never had such a bad flare up. Both My hands, wrists and fingers are all red and swollen, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles and feet. Im hoping the steroids settle things down even though I wish I didn't have to take them. I hope you feel better soon too. xx

[Ms-D in reply to anneileen]

I had the vaccine a month ago and apart from a sore arm I was okay but dealing with a flare up right now is now fun. I really hope the steroids and sulphasalazine help you. Its hard when there is so much pain in the joints that even the simplest of things seem so tiring and hard. Thinking of you.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Ms-D]

I know how hard it has been for you too and the long Covid causing you to flare also. Mega healing wishes to you too, lovely. xx

[anneileen in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thank you so much. xx