Our immunity post covid infection?

[Flinda]

Good morning everyone,

I'm hoping someone might have a similar experience to me so I can figure out what's going on with my body!

Before I caught COVID in July 22, I had the usual RA symptoms on a fairly predictable basis ie when I over did the day's activities, I'd be shattered, stiff and in pain the following day, but after a day or so of rest, I'd be back out and about. So, my mads were controlling the RA attacks quite well, I think. There was always fatigue, that meant I couldn't do as much as a person without RA, and brain fog, that meant my thoughts were much slower or forgetful.

However, after catching COVID, I can't work out what my immune system is doing - it's all over the place! One day my left leg will cease up, another day I'll have awful indigestion, another day I'll feel as though there's a constant frog in my throat....etc Fatigue has increased so, to me, that indicates my immune system might be working overtime and draining me of energy almost daily. I have constant tinnitus now too, which I forget is there until I can't hear what people are saying! There's so many more things going wrong - and this is after 10 months.

My GP told me last Sept that I probably have long covid, but they couldn't do anything because they knew so little about it. I'm much better than I was back then, but no way near back to my pre-covid RA health.

Is there anyone else in the same boat? And, if so, how on earth are you coping?

Thanks

[TheBoys]

Hi Flinda

Snap!

This is pretty much how I’ve been on and off since diagnosis.

I didn’t get covid until September 2022. Following my Autumn booster. After this it was crazy. Flaring for a few days then nothing; sore throats; chesty coughs. A hospital admission for cardiac issues- after which the RA disappeared for about two weeks weirdly. Then up until a month ago more covid and more flares. I felt wretched. This is why i put off biologic treatments as couldn’t face any more medical woes.

I ve just been taking my bisoprolol for blood pressure and a daily diclofenac and things have improved. We went away for nearly two weeks and got to feeling very much better. So much so that my daily bisoprolol may need reducing. So all in all what with long covid, immune issues- it’s been a struggle but things seem to be slowly getting better.

Paul

[Flinda in reply to TheBoys]

Thank you for sharing Paul - it helps just to know I'm not alone trying to make sense of it.

I'm so glad your holiday break resulted in improvements too - that must feel great. Maybe I need to start to push myself to do more rather than rest through a fatigue period?!

I'm aware there are lots of immunologists working on trying to discover what is going on in our bodies, but nobody seems to be interested in our experiences, with the added complication with RA.

You say your RA Symptoms disappeared for a bit - that's exactly what happened to me about two weeks after catching COVID! My brain fog went, along with all the usual swelling etc - it lasted about 10 days but I felt on top of the world. Pity it didn't last long.

Hopefully, over time our bodies will sort everything out naturally as there's no sign of medical help, yet.

Cheers. L

[TheBoys in reply to Flinda]

I reckon you’ll settle down and improve!

Now I need to lose some weight which might help me a bit more.

Paul

[bpeal1]

Not specific to covid but I have found over the years that having a infection can knock the disease activity/ medication balance out of kilter and it often requires a steroid injection or even a change in medication to bring it back on track.