Taking Mycophenelate and coronavirus

[christine2715]

I am taking Mycophenelate and Tocilizumab - both strong imunosuppressants - and wonder if that would effect my ability to get Coronavirus. I have GCA. I know that the imunosuppressants in Pred we are advised wont make any difference but these are much stronger. So if people who have underlying health conditions are asked to isolate . Would that include me. I am otherwise fairly well.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

There have been plenty of discussions on this - just trawl through and you'll find - either under coronavirus or covid-19.

We don't know how long this is going to last or how widespread - so unless its rampant in your area - I would say not at the moment'.

You could be self isolating for months, and that probably wouldn't do your general mental health much good.

I know its a cliche, but we really have to take this day by day, and just take the precautions we have been advised to... and if you're still lady mayoress --- avoid social gatherings.

[Yellowbluebell]

I think if you want to self isolate for what could be months thats up to you but most people have no need to nor the inclination to, to be honest. People need to take medical advice from their doctors based on their countries precautions and your local area issues. YBB

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to Yellowbluebell]

While I often agree with you YBB, I am going to disagree with you here.

We need to consider not just our own situation, but we need to consider the wider community.

Stay out of situations where you can't maintain a distance of at least 6 feet (2 meters), and out of small, close spaces.

As for mental health issues, imagine what would happen to your mental health if you became a host, and thus a vector, infecting 3-5 other people who then infect 3-5 other people and so on and so on...They still don't know how long one can be a incubator without symptoms - estimates currently range from 2-14 days.

If you are in a place where you can maintain a distance from others, there's no reason not to go for a walk, wave at friends or neighbors, have a chat (even if you're raising your voice to be heard). There's no reason not to tend your own garden, chat on the phone or online...

Believe me, there's nothing I want more than to go hang out in our local pub, where our community always gathers in times of stress and times of sadness and times of celebration. But I'd rather see them all hale and hearty in a few months. (We've anted up our usual monthly tab in advance to help see them through this tough time.)

We have to be responsible to and for ourselves, as well as to and for each other.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

Sorry good grief i didnt really expand on my reply to dadcue. I was only commenting on his advice for everyone to self isolate irrelevant of any underlying health conditions ehich he had now editted from his post.

I agree totally with you and also poopyscoopy who wrote something similar last night that we owe everyone else the right not to be infected by us when we have failed to take precautions to protect ourselves. I just think that self isolating without a reason and extremee will cause people to become lonely and possibly affect any mental health issues they already have. Yes take all the precautions you list but dont just hibernate indoors was what i should have said.

The incubation period is now considered anywhere up to 27 days which means that those isolating for two weeks are not necessarily clear now.

I am glad you all meet at your local pub for moments of stress, that sounds really supportive. We lost our village pub some years back unfortunately and the pub in the neighbouring village is where everyone but the locals go to!! Xx

[GOOD_GRIEF]

Yes, you should consider yourself in the self-isolation group. You need to be extra careful of being closer to people than 6 feet, and you need to be extra careful of keeping your hands clean: mindful of counters, doorknobs, light switches, handles, faucets, handrails, key pads, your phone and keyboards. So does everyone you live with.

If you do venture out, stay out of closed places. Stay off public transportation. Pubs, restaurants and coffee shops are off limits. Clean your keys when you get home. If you use your car, clean the steering wheel, door handles etc.

It should be fine to go for a walk for the time being, but keep your distance from people. Even here in NYC that's become a lot easier now that the tourists are pretty much gone and people are working from home.

We're wearing washable clothing when we go out with the dog for walks, stripping off in the foyer, dropping the clothes in a plastic bag when we come in, and dropping it directly into the wash. Shoes stay outside. Then we head for a quick rinse in the shower. You may not need to be as careful if you're in a lower population area.

We're heading for our beach house this weekend, which is in a much smaller community. We keep it fully stocked with supplies, and we should be fine there for a couple of months if need be. We'll be able to be outside on the property, and the dog can play outside all day.

There a fine but small hospital a mile away, and a much larger good hospital within 20 miles.

Shelter in place as much as possible. Enjoy the peace and quiet. This, too, shall pass.

[Hidden in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

Live by myself, don't go to nor can afford restaurants etc i have used sanitiser for 3 years washed my hands all my life... I even clean my remote Controls as well as keys etc. My shoes would be in the street if I left them outside. But I am not locking myself totally away. I am taking my dog out, going to the shop if I need to. I haven't got the money to stock up for a long siege. I live in a city and apart from a ride to the countryside can't get away from the terrace housing I live in where I share a passageway with about 14 people, half of whom have been back and forwards to Slovakia. My point.... We can only do what we can do and I clean my keys and don't touch door handles if necessary because I don't like germs. My ocd hS paid off for once Nd I have sanitiser and soap up the wasszoo. I just don't think I am physically capable of stripping off 3 times a day and certainly can't afford to do that amount of washing everyday....my outdoor coat barely manages a weekly wash. We all just have to do what we are able to do. Mentally, physically and economically I couldn't follow such a rigorous regime.... And I am totally weird about germs. Finally....

I used coughs to cover up a fart, now I fart to cover up a cough 😉

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

😁

[Whitner in reply to Hidden]

Poopadoopy you made me laugh out loud! Love it!!😁

[Hidden]

Hi christinr2715, I have pmr and take pred and mycophenolate. I also have diabetes, high blood pressure, fibro, hypothyroidism and chronic pain.

Yes our immune systems are comprised to some extent. And even if you get a normal cold the advice is to stop mycophenolate for a week. Then straight back on. But this is a different set of circumstances so can you email your rheumy for medical advice? I am currently in my car in the countryside having taken my dog out. I am being careful and have been since I started mycophenolate. I wash my hands and face when I get in and have always stuck indoor wear on but that is it at the moment. I hVe used hand sanitizer for 3 years. I have had to go in shops to get food and have checked website and used commonsense re schools starting and ending so I don't get caught up. All that said. Please follow the official advice and see if your rheumy is there or has some thi g on their website about your meds or a number to call.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I, of course, have a different take on self-isolation because I live in Italy and we are on lockdown anyway.

I may leave the house to shop or other essential activities - which includes walking the dog (or the children), I have neither! I may not leave my home village without good reason, if I do I need a completed form saying my origin and destination. I must keep 1m away from anyone I meet and some shops are restricting how many may enter at one time - but only food shops, pharmacies and the PO are open anyway. These restrictions also apply to people going to work - they must also maintain distancing as far as possible.

In your situation I would seriously consider that level of social distancing as they so nicely term it! Together with the hygiene advice that is the best you can hope for in terms of protection. And it isn't so bad - especially when I must bear in mind that if my husband developed Covid19 the chances of him surviving are very small - his lung struggles anyway ...

[Whitner in reply to PMRpro]

Wow PMRpro very interesting to hear what’s happening in Italy. We are just really getting geared up in the US. Church services and Sporting events cancelled. Actually any group events of 500 or more are discouraged and social distancing is recommended too. You and your husband stay safe!