Restarting RA meds after having Covid

[Mouseling]

Hi allI had Covid and took antivirals. I tested positive on the 12th October and first tested negative on the 17th October.

The nurse said I can have my Tocilizimab injection now. I am just questioning if it's too soon. I have a lot of catarrh it is clear, no infection. I am also extremely tired, getting some aches and stiffness, so I am putting this down to RA beginning to creep back. I have missed one dose of meds because of Covid, I should have had it on the 11th October.

I guess I just will have to hope I will be OK starting again.

Any one else have experience of restarting meds after having Covid? 😊

[Madmusiclover]

Yes! Mine are tabs and it took several restarts as each time I tried I felt awful. Took me 10 weeks to feel fully better. Nurse should know negative does not equal feeling well or as our nurses put it ‘feeling fit and well in yourself’. Well. As fit as we ever feel. 🤦‍♀️

[Mouseling in reply to Madmusiclover]

Thank you for your reply. Did you have any symptoms other than testing negative when you restarted your meds?The catarrh started to build up since, Thursday and tiredness, I have just slept all afternoon! Did you find you were more tired than usual which could be put down to Covid? Thank you for any experiences. I hope you are well now, how long ago did you have Covid? 😊

[Madmusiclover in reply to Mouseling]

Yes I felt proper poorly after testing neg. Can’t remember details. Very fatigued. I had Covid in June 2022. Missed a family wedding!

[Amnesiac3637]

Yes, started meds as soon as clear of covid and if your nurse, who presumably has access to your notes - and your best interests at heart - says start your Tocilizumab I would be doing so. Your RA will flare if if you don’t and as you’re over covid…….👍😄. Hope you’refeeling better v soon.

[Mouseling in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Hello thank you yes I want to start meds again but a bit nervous bacause of having so much need to blow my nose! I am wondering if surpressing my immune system might mean it turns into something else... It is a gamble and like you say the nurse says to go ahead. Thank you for your reply

[Beachwalk]

My RA has been dormant for 5 Years, had Covid for the first time and now RA blown up and having a steroid injection next week. May have to go on meds again. ! Feeling very low about this and the pain

[Jackie1947 in reply to Beachwalk]

The injection should help. I'm in remission but still have to inject and take a tablet.

[Beachwalk in reply to Jackie1947]

Thank you. I’m scared as I’m only being offered methotrexate, while waiting to go to the skin clinic as I have reaction to meds , including a reaction to sulfazane tabs.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Beachwalk]

Take one step at a time. I always found the steroid jab in the past helpful. Good luck

[Jackie1947]

Once I had a clear line I resumed the biologic jab. I still took Sulphzasaline throughout. As I was given antiviral tablets I didn't feel ill. I was placed in a virtual Covid ward and had to text my oxygen levels twice daily. This was April 2022 so don't know if it's still the same

[sylvi]

I got diagnosed with covid on the 19th of this month and i am still positive as of yesterday. I am also off ra meds. What worries me is the heart problem i have. I still don't feel right though i am brighter than i was on Thursday. xxxx

[Green230461]

I felt sluggish for three weeks after restart. Speak to rheumatologist or nurse if you can

[MidWhitgiftian]

Was off MTX for a week immediately post Covid Booster as per advice from Rheum. Nurse. Back "on" now.