Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Antibody Study results

[lily2003]

Hi

Awhile back, some helpful poster here (everyone is so helpful!) posted news about this Johns Hopkins research project and included a link where one could apply. They are looking into vaccine response in the immune compromised and immune suppressed. Those of us on immune suppressing meds like MTX (me) are included in their criteria.

In early September, I was finally accepted into it. They sent a prepaid lab slip for me to get my blood tested for the COVID antibody levels. I'll be getting tested in regular increments and the first one applicable to me (some time frames had already passed) was the one month out since my third shot. I had gotten my third Moderna shot at the end of August (I'm in the US), so I waited a couple of weeks and then went to a local lab and got the test.

The results were outstanding. They noted that anything less than .8 (point 8) would be qualified as negative for antibodies. Mine result was ">2500" !

Of course this was accompanied by multiple caveats that it is still not known what levels of antibodies are even important to fighting COVID. Yet, I am happy that I'm a solid positive at this stage. Will let you know about results in future months. Curious to see what the drop off will be.

BTW, when I got my third Moderna at the end of August, my pharmacist also suggested I get my first pneumonia vaccine and this year's flu vaccine. I said, sure, why not. She injected the pneumonia and Moderna in the left arm and the flu in the right, with marked bandaids on top so I knew which was which. I did have a very strong reaction the next 36 hours or so, but I'd had a very strong reaction to Moderna #2 back in March. I felt right as rain about 48 hours after.

Also, to give context, I'm on mono-therapy with 15 mg of MTX, having been diagnosed with RA two years ago. My rheumy felt last spring that I was definitely in remission. (And I do feel good -- "like the old days…") For each of my three Moderna shots, I withheld MTX the week before and two weeks after with no ill effects.

Anyhoo, thought the antibody story was a good one to share. I'm still careful: ate at a restaurant this week for the first time since this all began and even there, I popped my mask on now and then. The restaurant was barely half full. I always wear my mask in stores. (Well, in my town, there's still a mandate.)

[Mmrr]

Thankyou for this really encouraging update.

[springcross]

That's great lily, I'm really pleased for you. x

[GinnyE]

After my third primary vaccine my antibody test result was >2,500 so I felt happier too. I’ve eaten out once and have some more pre Christmas meals arranged now.

I think if I don’t have a bit more freedom now, when will I? Bit uneasy though! I know just how you feel.

It would be helpful to hear how well you hold on to the antibodies in the next few months (£50 a test here).

Thanks for posting.

[Hidden]

Hi Lily2003,

That's really encouraging to hear, thank you for sharing your story with the community.

All the best,

Hannah - NRAS