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Did PAXLOVID also relieve your arthritis and autoimmune symptoms?

Posted by annewoodmayo @annewoodmayo, Jul 15, 2023

Hi, everyone

I have been diagnosed with autoimmune diseases.
The diagnoses have changed over time (lupus, not lupus, spondyloarthropathy, akylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Raynaud's, Sjorgren and maybe others that I have forgotten... sorry about the spelling).

When I took Paxlovid for Covid, many of my symptoms disappeared or were significantly reduced.

Has this happened to anyone else?

I'm thinking that perhaps my autoimmune disease is somehow based on a VIRUS, since paxlovid is an anti-viral and it was like a miracle cure for my symptoms.

I told my rheumatologist about it, but I couldn't get her to focus on the logical connection between the anti-viral (paxlovid) and the reduction in my symptoms. It was very frustrating. I actually cried in my car after the appointment.

I think this could be a game-changing piece of evidence in my medical treatment and diagnosis. And maybe for other autoimmune disease sufferers, too! But I don't know where to turn with this evidence.

What do you think I should do? What doctor should I go to?
My primary care doctor probably won't offer anything; he never intervenes in my rheumatological care.

Please let me know if you had the same experience: an anti-viral medication (paxlovid or another one) reduced your autoimmune/arthritis symptoms.

I searched around online, and it was hard to find and hard to understand information there. In the CDC's PubMed, I found one source that indicates the possibility that immune suppressing medications can reactivate the Epstein Barr virus in some patients. Epstein Barr causes fatigue, among other symptoms, but fatigue is one of my worst symptoms.

Thanks!

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katiliz1 | @katiliz1 | Sep 14 5:59pm
In reply to @val64 "One more thought. Paxlovid includes two drugs: nirmatrelvir, which actually inhibits Covid, and ritonavir, which was..." + (show)
@val64

One more thought. Paxlovid includes two drugs: nirmatrelvir, which actually inhibits Covid, and ritonavir, which was designed against HIV, but is included in Paxlovid because it inhibits a liver enzyme that breaks down other drugs, including nirmatrelvir. You don't know whether the apparent effect on your symptoms requires both drugs or whether ritonavir alone might have the same effect. If it's not currently possible to try Paxlovid, it might be worth asking a Dr. to prescribe ritonavir alone. That is almost certainly legal, and is probably even reasonably priced.

One reason Paxlovid could have helped you would be if the ritonavir increased the level of some other drug that you're taking. The doctors probably wouldn't be thrilled if this is what's going on. But if it is, it would be nice to know. Or it could be that there is some naturally occurring compound whose metabolism is affected by ritonavir, and that is what is improving your symptoms.

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I am not on any medications except occasional ibuprofen for my osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, CPPD arthritis (constant inflammation from calcium deposits in soft tissue and joints). I felt almost completely pain free after the first dose of Paxlovid. I googled, and sure enough, I'm not the only one. My first thought was-Is it suppressing Epson Barr virus?

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pennysmith66 | @pennysmith66 | Sep 16 7:41pm

Omg yes, yes, yes. I felt like Wonder Woman for those 5 glorious days. I’m 66 years old and I asked my dr if there were any studies involving Paxlovid & RA, osteo, & regular arthritis those are my 3. My roommate who gave me the covid wasn’t eligible to take the meds & was asking me what I was on because, I was running around getting projects completed. I felt like I was eighteen again. I wish they would find out if it were safe for patients like me to take it long term.

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1 reply
wct30058 | @wct30058 | Sep 17 12:46pm
In reply to @pennysmith66 "Omg yes, yes, yes. I felt like Wonder Woman for those 5 glorious days. I’m 66..." + (show)
@pennysmith66

Omg yes, yes, yes. I felt like Wonder Woman for those 5 glorious days. I’m 66 years old and I asked my dr if there were any studies involving Paxlovid & RA, osteo, & regular arthritis those are my 3. My roommate who gave me the covid wasn’t eligible to take the meds & was asking me what I was on because, I was running around getting projects completed. I felt like I was eighteen again. I wish they would find out if it were safe for patients like me to take it long term.

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We are all saying the same thing; unfortunately, no one listens! I have spoken to my Rheumatologist, Pain doctor, Primary physician, and Pulmonologist. I even printed part of this forum to show my Primary. They all expressed mild surprise and continued with the business at hand. I have also contacted the manufacturer and posted on various websites with no response.
Paxlovid changed my life for five days.

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2 replies
herbalist | @herbalist | Sep 17 6:21pm
In reply to @wct30058 "We are all saying the same thing; unfortunately, no one listens! I have spoken to my..." + (show)
@wct30058

We are all saying the same thing; unfortunately, no one listens! I have spoken to my Rheumatologist, Pain doctor, Primary physician, and Pulmonologist. I even printed part of this forum to show my Primary. They all expressed mild surprise and continued with the business at hand. I have also contacted the manufacturer and posted on various websites with no response.
Paxlovid changed my life for five days.

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Paxlovid helped my osteoarthritis for 30 days. I was so happy but the doctor listened and went on with his agenda.

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veronikabradley | @veronikabradley | Sep 18 10:27am

When I contracted Covid-19, I was prescribed Paxlovid which contains two (2) inhibitors: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Not only did Paxlovid prevent the increase of Covid symptoms, it also eradicated my psoriasis, bleeding nose (2 years), welts with extreme itching and unbelievable muscle pain from toxic response while taking hydroxychloroquine. (I should have paid better attention to the adverse side effects.) All of my ailments disappeared after five (5) days of taking Paxlovid and lasted a very precious 3 weeks. I was actually starting to feel like I could run again.

Now I'm back on methotrexate because my psoriasis is much worse. But I still remember that most wonderful morning when I stood up and my legs were normal. Something I haven't felt in a very long time.

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poupardr | @poupardr | Sep 18 12:03pm
In reply to @wct30058 "We are all saying the same thing; unfortunately, no one listens! I have spoken to my..." + (show)
@wct30058

We are all saying the same thing; unfortunately, no one listens! I have spoken to my Rheumatologist, Pain doctor, Primary physician, and Pulmonologist. I even printed part of this forum to show my Primary. They all expressed mild surprise and continued with the business at hand. I have also contacted the manufacturer and posted on various websites with no response.
Paxlovid changed my life for five days.

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I share your frustration with the doctors that seemingly aren't as excited as we are that our pain was so affected! I'm wondering if contacting one of the health reporters from our local (or major like LA) TV stations might get some attention to this issue. I would love to hear professionals discuss it and get some interest going to experiment with this drug.

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1 reply
krikorianc | @krikorianc | Sep 24 6:31pm

I suffer from back pain and neck pain along with osteoarthritis in many parts of my body. Had spinal fusion lower back, ablation on my cervical spine. After two days on paxlovid all my pains are at a minimum. I'm 82 years old and have suffered with bodily pain for 30 years.

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1 reply
poupardr | @poupardr | Sep 25 9:24am
In reply to @krikorianc "I suffer from back pain and neck pain along with osteoarthritis in many parts of my..." + (show)
@krikorianc

I suffer from back pain and neck pain along with osteoarthritis in many parts of my body. Had spinal fusion lower back, ablation on my cervical spine. After two days on paxlovid all my pains are at a minimum. I'm 82 years old and have suffered with bodily pain for 30 years.

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I'd like to know how long your pain stays away. My knee arthritis pain stayed away for 3 weeks. It was wonderful! But now it's back. 😔

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2 replies
wct30058 | @wct30058 | Sep 26 12:20pm
In reply to @poupardr "I share your frustration with the doctors that seemingly aren't as excited as we are that..." + (show)
@poupardr

I share your frustration with the doctors that seemingly aren't as excited as we are that our pain was so affected! I'm wondering if contacting one of the health reporters from our local (or major like LA) TV stations might get some attention to this issue. I would love to hear professionals discuss it and get some interest going to experiment with this drug.

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I have not thought about that! It is certainly possible that it will obtain more attention than it would from doctors. I don't know if they would cover the story since it is primarily hearsay or word of mouth. It was suggested on this thread to contact a naturopath, a doctor in a small practice, or a physician who specializes in chronic fatigue syndrome/

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Bet | @bet7 | Sep 27 2:17am
In reply to @poupardr "I'd like to know how long your pain stays away. My knee arthritis pain stayed away..." + (show)
@poupardr

I'd like to know how long your pain stays away. My knee arthritis pain stayed away for 3 weeks. It was wonderful! But now it's back. 😔

Jump to this post

Sucks

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