Covid and Etanercept

[Tardebigge]

Hope someone can help as my Rheumatology helpline and GO surgery are off until Monday. I am due to inject my weekly dose of Enbrel ( Etanercept) tomorrow but have just tested Covid positive. No symptoms so far. Do I inject or not? And continue taking leflunomide? Not sure who else to ask except you knowledgeable lot! I could just delay until Monday if the answer's not clearcut.

[Hidden]

Do not inject and stop all Dmards. You may need antivirals but it must be within 5 days of testing positive. Contact 111 they should be able to help.

[Tardebigge in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, will do that now

[Madmusiclover]

Stop them! I was told this when I asked my rheumy ‘in case’. Not on your drugs but I think principles are same….

[Tardebigge]

Thanks, I contacted 111 and so far have waited 6 hours for a duty GP to ring me, the local pharmacist I was told to ring hadn't heard of Etanercept or Leflunomide and suggested I talk to a doctor! Fat chance. I shall have to wait for Rheum advice line to reopen on Monday

[Tardebigge in reply to Tardebigge]

Update for those in similar circumstances: On duty GP rang me after nearly 7 hours , went through history, said I needed anti virals, he couldn't prescribe, I had to ring 111. Did so, jumped through usual hoops, spoke to " anti viral doctor" who said I needed them but she could not prescribe them, would refer me to someone who could, waiting for call back " within 24 hours". I can't count the number of times I have been told to " ring back if your symptoms worsen" - then what, wait for a call back within 24 hours?

[Hessie5]

Hi - I was told by my rheumatologist nurse not to inject - I stayed off my Abatacept for nearly 2.5 weeks I was okay. But do check with your rheumy team there. As said, it was recommended to not inject by my rheumy team. Wishing you a swift recovery .

[Tardebigge in reply to Hessie5]

Thanks, I'm still waiting for call back from 111, will contact Rheumy team when their helpline opens at 6 am tomorrow

[HamHammy]

When I got covid I was told not to take my benepali or methotrexate. I see you have made contact to find out about anti virals 👍

[Tardebigge in reply to HamHammy]

No luck yet!

[Runrig01]

I’m on etanercept, MTX and prednisolone. I was told to stop biologics and MTX if I or anyone in the house tested positive, regardless of symptoms. Hope you get the antivirals

[Tardebigge in reply to Runrig01]

Thanks Maureen, still waiting for a call about antivirals,perhaps they are short staffed at weekends, which is when they are needed most as hospital helplines and GP surgeries are closed.

[KittyJ in reply to Tardebigge]

If you have no symptoms do you need anti virals?

[Tardebigge in reply to KittyJ]

I now have symptoms which are getting more severe but breathing ok at rest

[Runrig01 in reply to Tardebigge]

As Kitty says the actual criteria is you have to be symptomatic with covid to be eligible. I’ve attached a screenshot of the criteria

Eligibility

[Spin1959]

I was diagnosed Covid positive on Wednesday after my catching it from my 9 year old grandson. I called 111 who then got the Covid team to phone me. I am on 20mg methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine and folic acid. Because my RA is currently unstable they prescribed me the antivirals Paxlovid. They make your blood pressure low and dizzy but I feel very lucky to have them. You have to report your positive results to the NHS and that triggers the response. Hope this helps

[Tardebigge in reply to Spin1959]

Thanks,I hadn't done that but will now

[MaxineC]

Hi, I was in exactly the same position as you 2 weeks ago. I take Benepali and Methotrexate and was told by both GP and rheumatoid nurse to stay off both of them until I felt better. I called my local NHS inform covid line to report my positive result on the Sunday and someone called me back on the Tuesday and was given the anti viral medication. I have not restarted my injections yet as still have a sore throat and sore ears! Oh the joys! I hope you get sorted and feel better soon.

[Tardebigge in reply to MaxineC]

Thanks for that,I reported my positive test to NHS as advised here and was rung up within 2 hours and booked in for anti virals tomorrow, glad you're recovering, hope I will soon, thanks to help from this site.

[MaxineC in reply to Tardebigge]

That’s great! Hope you feel better soon x