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Did PAXLOVID also relieve your arthritis and autoimmune symptoms?
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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I searched ur Subject and see ur post. I just had C for 4th time. No vax. 2020, 21 and 22. Got it again 2 weeks ago. I started taking Hydroxy for RA in blood in 2020. No symptoms til mid 2023. Began more meds and by mid 2024, took Hydroxy, Sulfasalazine and later Methotrexate, all 3. 2 months ago the combo started being less effective. Doc ordered a biologic injection to start next week plus other 3. I treat covid with Hydroxy and Ivermectin plus vits and supps plus a steroid mister. Knocks symptoms down in 3 days. I tried Paxvolid 2nd time and made me sicker day 1. Quit. 3rd C, I tried it without Iver added and it worked well. That was 2022. I had no RA symptoms then. This time I wasn't going to use Pax but though symptoms were mostly gone in 3 days, I still tested positive and needed to test negative to go on long time planned family car trip. My RA joints(wrists/hands) got double worse in 1st 3 days of 4th C infection. When I took 1st dose of Pax that 4th day and took a nap for 3 hrs, I woke up and hand/wrist pains were like they were(light) in 2023. I was stunned and texted my RA and PCP who gave me the Pax. That was 1 week ago today. I took 3 days of Pax and quit say 4 days ago. My old pre-Pax pains are now returning but still less than their height a week ago. Waiting to hear comments from both docs, RA and PCP. I think there is something about Pax as my 3 RA meds had never knocked the pains out and they were wearing off. I will ask about a 15 day test on Pax. I hear it is tough on organs but so are the Sulfa and Methotrexate
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1 ReactionHi, Pilates student !
How did your rheumatologist react? Any information?
Thanks!
Anne
Update - antiviral did not work...but taking a daily 500 mg Lysine is minimizing my skin breakouts and itching. Low Dose Naltrexone is also helping with less fatigue and overall pain.
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1 ReactionMedicare stopped covering it for Covid.
Hi, thank you for posting this. I have psoriatic arthritis and every morning for the past five years I have woken up with stiff and painful fingers. Three weeks ago I tested positive for COVID for the first time. My pcp prescribed Lagevrio (paxlovid was put because of possible drug interactions). I took it for five days. During that time, my fingers did not hurt in the mornings. I’m approaching three weeks off the Lagevrio and the morning symptoms have not returned. I’m grateful and curious. Did your symptoms return? Did you find anyone with more information?
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1 ReactionRecently, August 23, 2025, I had Covid and took Paxlovid…all of my PMR symptoms were relieved for more than 10 days.
I have a virtual appointment this coming Monday, September, 8th 2025. I am going to discuss with my Mayo rheumatologist representative that my PMR symptoms being relieved for about 10 days from the Paxlovid 5 day regimen.
Yes!!!!!!! I suspect that my PMR may be from a viral source in my body.
Recent MRI results identify inflammation but I have never had a comprehensive Antigen series of blood tests.
I understand how you could be so frustrated…I am too. I have been suffering with varying levels of pain for over a year.
As I am tapering through 2mg. of prednisone I still have days of terrible pain!!!
Wow I’m so happy to read this. I was just telling my sister for as long as I can remember it’s the first time my elbow isn’t hurting and more. The inflammation is down. It doesn’t take me as long to get going in the morning . My feet still hurt but not as much. I can put my heels on the coffee table and it doesn’t hurt. I have a lot of fatty lumps under my skin and they have been deflated. All since I got diagnosed with Covid September 30 and was prescribed Paxlovid. I’m so worried the pain is going to come back.