1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others

Posted by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira, Mar 30, 2017

Let's talk about living with rheumatoid arthritis.
As moderator of the Autoimmune Diseases group, I noticed that several people were talking about RA, but those conversations were scattered throughout the community. I thought I would start this discussion to bring us all together in one place.

Let’s grab a cup of tea, or beverage of choice, and let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

lisabeans | @lisabeans | Apr 18, 2020

Thanks for asking. I'm fairly well. Trying my umpteenth medicine to control my RA. I've been working at a school full time which i love. My rheumatologist is closing his practice end of June so its like starting over now. I've been pretty much since school closed. How are you doing?

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 18, 2020
In reply to @lisabeans "Thanks for asking. I'm fairly well. Trying my umpteenth medicine to control my RA. I've been..." + (show)
@lisabeans

Thanks for asking. I'm fairly well. Trying my umpteenth medicine to control my RA. I've been working at a school full time which i love. My rheumatologist is closing his practice end of June so its like starting over now. I've been pretty much since school closed. How are you doing?

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I’m doing better than I deserve Lisa 😊 Glad to hear you are OK. I know it’s difficult when you lose a doctor you really like and have to get a new. I get a new primary care doc every 3 or 4 years due to rotation but my care team at Mayo does have good continuity for my care so I’ve been good with it.

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lisabeans | @lisabeans | Apr 18, 2020

Glad to hear you are doing well and well maintained.

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Apr 18, 2020
In reply to @susanneloss "Hello! I'm Susanne, from Florida, and was diagnosed with RA eight years ago. I've learned, throughout..." + (show)
@susanneloss

Hello! I'm Susanne, from Florida, and was diagnosed with RA eight years ago. I've learned, throughout the past 15 years that RA seems to come along with other diseases, doesn't it? I'm excited to see a site specifically for RA. I'm looking forward to hearing, and learning, from others on here

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@susanneloss Welcome to Connect! How did you find us? We’re not doctors or medical professionals, just a group who share what works and what doesn’t. Did anything specific bring you to Connect? Take some time and look at all the groups that are here and just dive in!

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 30, 2020
In reply to @georgeeliot "My name is Gail." + (show)
@georgeeliot

My name is Gail.

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Hi Gail @georgeeliot, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are glad you found us. Do you have any questions you are trying to get answered or any experiences to share for what has helped you?

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georgeeliot | @georgeeliot | Apr 30, 2020

Two days ago l asked my rheumatologist whether l should stop taking methotrexate which, because of its impact on the immune system, may increase my vulnerability to covid19. He seemed unwilling to offer a straight answer. He said it was up to me to decide. That isn't helpful. Finally he said that the drug does NOT lower one's immune system. That was certainly news to me, having been warned the exact opposite for 20 years by a variety of physicians. But, he repeated, it is still m y decision. That's a decision I'm not equipped to make.My layperson's logic tells me that, at 79, l am an ideal target for covid19. Can anyone help me with this puzzle?

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georgeeliot | @georgeeliot | Apr 30, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi Gail @georgeeliot, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are glad you found us. Do you..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi Gail @georgeeliot, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are glad you found us. Do you have any questions you are trying to get answered or any experiences to share for what has helped you?

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John, l sent my question 3 minutes ago.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 30, 2020
In reply to @georgeeliot "Two days ago l asked my rheumatologist whether l should stop taking methotrexate which, because of..." + (show)
@georgeeliot

Two days ago l asked my rheumatologist whether l should stop taking methotrexate which, because of its impact on the immune system, may increase my vulnerability to covid19. He seemed unwilling to offer a straight answer. He said it was up to me to decide. That isn't helpful. Finally he said that the drug does NOT lower one's immune system. That was certainly news to me, having been warned the exact opposite for 20 years by a variety of physicians. But, he repeated, it is still m y decision. That's a decision I'm not equipped to make.My layperson's logic tells me that, at 79, l am an ideal target for covid19. Can anyone help me with this puzzle?

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@georgeeliot, I'm 77 today 🙂 and also in the high risk category with an autoimmune disease but it's currently in remission so I'm not taking any medications. I'm not sure anyone can answer your question even the doctor (IMHO). I think the real question is which is the worse risk - stop taking the methotrexate and a new risk of what occurs when you do that or continue taking it and the risk of getting an infection from COVID-19. Here are a couple of articles that may provide a little information towards what you are asking.

COVID-19 infection and rheumatoid arthritis: Faraway, so close!: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7102591/

Methotrexate and Coronavirus: Does Methotrexate Make You High-Risk for COVID-19?: https://creakyjoints.org/treatment/methotrexate-immunosuppressing-coronavirus/

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1 reply
georgeeliot | @georgeeliot | Apr 30, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "@georgeeliot, I'm 77 today :-) and also in the high risk category with an autoimmune disease..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@georgeeliot, I'm 77 today 🙂 and also in the high risk category with an autoimmune disease but it's currently in remission so I'm not taking any medications. I'm not sure anyone can answer your question even the doctor (IMHO). I think the real question is which is the worse risk - stop taking the methotrexate and a new risk of what occurs when you do that or continue taking it and the risk of getting an infection from COVID-19. Here are a couple of articles that may provide a little information towards what you are asking.

COVID-19 infection and rheumatoid arthritis: Faraway, so close!: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7102591/

Methotrexate and Coronavirus: Does Methotrexate Make You High-Risk for COVID-19?: https://creakyjoints.org/treatment/methotrexate-immunosuppressing-coronavirus/

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Thank you for the articles. I read them with great interest and, obviously, mounting frustration. Shall continue with methotrexate, as that answer seems minutely preferred (although it's also clear that nobody knows anything for certain), and just stay in the house waiting for covid to knock. But you know, John, AAAAGGGGHHH.
Meanwhile, happy birthday.

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