Are we at a higher risk of the coronavirus?

@karm!nR I'm wondering if I should keep doing my Humira injections or if I should stop. Or should I keep going now and stop when/if I get infected? This whole thing is so stressful!

@karm!nR‍ Hello karm!nR, thank you for opening this discussion. Of course you're not being crazy. Many people with chronic illnesses are worried. If you haven't seen it yet, we recently published an article focusing on the coronavirus and chronic illness, it may clear up a few of your questions

Carenity Health Magazine: Coronavirus and Chronic Illness

@acb0945‍ It is not recommended to change or stop you treatment without your doctor's approval. If you can, I'd try to get in contact with your doctor to ask.

Hello members, I hope you don't mind that I've tagged you. Do any of you have any advice for karm!nR? Have you been in touch with your GP or specialists? 

 @thefirstsbear‍ @ouchhh‍ @Benjosh‍ @lourdesr‍ @wingsofafairy‍ @Lorays‍ @Eddies‍ @CodyGirl5150‍ @Angelanorman031‍ @prettytired‍ @Shar73‍ @Shellibelli‍ @Jbabyjbaby‍ @Debsha44‍ @Beehoerner‍ @Leleray‍ 

Take care,

Courtney

Don't stop your injections unless your doctor recommends it. If you happen to get this virus, let your rheumatologist know immediately and have them advise you. 

  That being said, please be very careful. 

Sorry I don’t have any advice and I haven’t been in touch with my doctor since this madness has started. I have been trying to eat more vegetables and fruits during this time just as a precaution. 

Months before this became a critical topic nationally, I had done my own research on the efficacy of Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) in dealing with COVID-19, including reading abstracts of Chinese research journals. I had already been prescribed this medication by my rheumatologist for RA, along with Methotrexate and Sulfasalazine, which he said that, in combination, were equally effective as a biologic (Humira and others). I never seriously considered taking a biologic, because my conscience would not allow me to burden the nation's health care system with costs amounting to $35,000 to $55,000/year---even though my insurance would pay most or all of it. This is an example of the rip-offs of the pharmaceutical industry in this country, which are part of the worst health system in the world among advanced industrialized nations (#38 according to the World Healh Organization, down there with third-world nations). More important for this topic, however, is that even though I have an ample supply of Plaquenil (as well as Sulfasalazine), I have decided to avoid all of these drugs because they are "immunosuppressant." I want my immunity system to be in the best possible shape to resist COVID-19. Did I consult with my rheumatologist before making this change? No. I believe that recommendation is primarily to limit liability. We have to take charge of our own health care, especially now. Consider this when deciding your own course of action . . . AND your vote in November. Hopefully, by then we might have effective national leadership. We don't have it now,

Hello everyone,

How are you all doing today?

If you haven't already seen it, we just published the other day an article on hydroxychloroquine and the impact of its use for treating COVID-19 is having on chronic patients. In it we summarize the results of our survey on Plaquenil and COVID-19 from Carenity members across the globe. I think you all may find it interesting.

Plaquenil as a treatment for COVID-19: What are the consequences for chronic patients?

Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or your own experiences in the comments below the article!

Take care,

Courtney

@Courtney_J Thanks for the article, it was interesting to see that so many people were having a hard time getting their prescriptions! I haven't had any problems with that, I wonder if it's because we're behind the other countries surveyed in the virus timeline a bit? Has anyone here had any issues getting their plaquenil or other prescriptions?

Personally, my doctor told me just when this all started to not change anything and everything I've read has said not to change anything unless you have flu-like symptoms. I'm continuing to take my Rheumatrex, but I've pushed off my Cimzia injection this week until the next because I've had a few symptoms as has my wife who is also "sheltering in place" with me. We haven't had problems breathing so we haven't been tested, but if things worsen we're on a list to come in for a test. 

I hope you all are doing well considering! We're staying positive besides the bit of stress, staying busy doing things around the house and going through our Netflix queue.

Hi, I am on plaquinilI have not had any problem getting my medication. Anyone else on plaque when L still have problems with there RA I’ve been on it for about A year and a half I am still having a lot of pain in my body throughout.