Covid and RA pain

[Gottarelax]

I'm recovering from Covid. I didn't get an antiviral and to be honest didn't really need it. I'd had an MTX jab (my first - moving from oral) the day before symptoms started. I stopped taking Sulphazalasine partly because I thought it may be wise but mostly because I didn't feel up to taking them. What I noticed was that as my Covid symptoms are reducing my RA pain also seems a little reduced. Stiffness is about the same. That's got me wondering...is it enforced rest, my immune system having a real foe to defeat so is giving my joints a break, or is it the MTX jab being more effective than tablets? I guess it's not a question that anyone can answer but I'll enjoy while it lasts.

[Cutes]

Hi, that's really interesting. In the past I did used to notice that whenever I had a cold, my R.A. symptoms would reduce and like you, wondered if it was just because my immune system had something better to do at last, i.e. attacking the virus instead of me! When I first started having Anti TNF infusions at my local hospital, I mentioned this theory to the Rheumatology specialist nurse and she thought it was hilarious, but I still suspect there might be some truth in it. I had Covid just over a year ago and can't really remember what my RA was like at the time, although I definitely did stop the methotrexate and Anti TNF injections for a couple of weeks, as I felt instinctively that was probably the most sensible thing to do, not having been able to get hold of anyone from Rheumatology at the time; they eventually replied 2 weeks later...! ( The advice from my surgery by the way, was to contact Rheumatology for their advice.)

[rosieglows]

Hi there

Totally agree with your assessment. when I had Covid my (uncontrolled) RA symptoms just disappeared Was almost disappointed when I recovered and the joint pain came back. I too believe it’s down to the immune system having a proper job to do Maybe a new clinical opportunity there to explore!

The devil finds work for idle immune systems maybe?

[Gottarelax in reply to rosieglows]

Yes, this morning I can feel the RA creep back. Ah well at least I didn't have to cope with both together.

[Createsomething in reply to rosieglows]

Hello, yes I very much agree with your theory. In the past I've found that when I have had flu, or chest infection or even sunstroke etc then my RA seems to calm right down. I believe it's down to our immune systems having something important to do, so it switches tasks to the most urgent one, ie the infection.

[Mistydawn]

I had covid over Easter and found my RD symptoms were reduced once Covid took hold. However, the RD symptoms started appearing once I was clear of Covid. My theory is that the body can't cope with more than one severe ailment at a time so the RD symptoms were masked whilst my body tried to fight off Covid, ha. I too did not take any antivirals.

Before I realised I had Covid though, about three days before) my RA symptoms shot up dramatically together with the fatigue...

[Marycullen in reply to Mistydawn]

I had the same thing. I actually had been in remission with the Ra for about 4 years and last year was on no RA meds. Got Covid the second time in April and thought it was RA at first then temperature happened and tested positive for Covid. Heard later that the Pfizer vaccine is bad for suppressed immune systems which I got last spring and then Covid in July first time. Then the major inflammation hit me as bad as it was before I was diagnosed with RA in 2000. Now I am a mess again. Anyone else experiencing this

[Gottarelax in reply to Marycullen]

sorry you’re suffering again after enjoying remission.

[cyberbarn]

"The devil finds work for idle immune systems maybe?"

I have always wondered that. I live in the countryside, have a flock of chickens, pony sitting for the farm next door, have had dogs all my life until relatively recently, hate house work, eat food past it's sell by date and always garden in bare hands. You would think my immune system had better things to do than attack my joints!

[MerielPB]

I think it's quite logical that if you give your immune system something to do, it will distract it from doing the things it's not supposed to be doing.

Certainly don't think it's an hilarious idea Cutes!