Paxlovid and Autoimmune Disease

Posted by kathy51 @kathy51, Sep 29 11:06pm

I am 73 and have had Psoriasis and since I was about 8 and Psoriatic Arthritis since I was in college. I was on biologic first Enbrel for 20 years and then Remicade for 5 years. I have had to discontinue the Remicade because it has caused some sever lung and skin issues.
The first time I had Covid and was put on Paxlovid the arthritis and other autoimmune issues disappeared not just dulled they disappeared . I was pain free for the first time in years. I told all my Doctor and a friend how is a well respected researcher in the field of psoriasis but I don’t think any of them took me seriously. Unfortunately after a trip overseas I came home with another case of Covid yesterday my doctor put me on Paxlovid again
I have taken two doses, I am not on a biologic not, but tonight I am pain free,

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Lara K | @larak | Sep 30 8:25am

Interesting. I must pay more attention to this if I ever get COVID badly enough to need Paxlovid, again.

I've only had COVID once, this past January. I do not get COVID, flu, or RSV vaccines. I just didn't get COVID during the height of the pandemic for some reason. I mean, I did mask. I didn't go out unnecessarily. I stayed in my "people pod" (as a privileged member of the Laptop Class). Etc. But still...

I always just figured that my immune system, which enjoys attacking the body it inhabits, must also be pretty good at attacking other things. I've never been prone to colds or flus.

That may be changing as I age, though. I'm 55 now. I might want to look at the non-mRNA COVID vaccines.

Anyway, I was so focused on the head cold in January that I didn't pay attention to my arthritis. Now, I wonder if Paxlovid helped?

queenie2030 | @queenie2030 | Sep 30 6:05pm

When I took Paxlovid for Covid my PMR pain was totally gone. The ER doc had me reduce my prednisone . That resulted in a painful flare when the Paxlovid wore off.

esgsf | @esgsf | Oct 1 7:35am

Just FYI-I had a drug interaction with Plaquenil and Paxlovid that you may want to be aware of.
When I had to take both together my heart rate dropped into the low 40’s and my Drs took me off the Paxlovid immediately. For some people with certain medication pathway responses, it is a known risk. Very thankful my doctors were aware of the risk and on top of it, before it became a health Crisis. Can’t take Paxlovid going forward as a result. The Plaquenil works well for my Sjogren’s.

lasks | @lasks | Oct 2 7:03am

In reply to @esgsf "Just FYI-I had a drug interaction with Plaquenil and Paxlovid that you may want to be..." + (show)

Fortunately, my GP realized Paxlovid and Flecainide could not be taken together. He prescribed a different antiviral.

esgsf | @esgsf | Oct 2 7:19am

In reply to @lasks "Fortunately, my GP realized Paxlovid and Flecainide could not be taken together. He prescribed a different..." + (show)

Could you please share the alternative antiviral prescribed? Thanks!

lasks | @lasks | Oct 2 8:38am

In reply to @esgsf "Could you please share the alternative antiviral prescribed? Thanks!" + (show)

My doctor prescribed molnupiravir. Don’t know if there are other options.

gaia33 | @gaia33 | Oct 3 1:20pm

I had the exact same experience with Paxlovid! I have lupus, and had regular hip pain.
I didn't realize how much pain I was managing until I took the anti-viral and all my pain was gone… All of it, gone!
My rheumatologist completely completely dismissed it.
However, now I am about four weeks post Covid/Paxlovid and I am more achy than I have ever been in my life… Joints that never hurt me ache the minute I get out of bed..my back is so sore, sometimes I can't even stand. I feel the inflammation is worse in my body, my ears hurt, my eyes hurt… My neck hurts.
I've read some research that Paxlovid Can trigger rheumatoid arthritis. Please, no!

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