Did PAXLOVID also relieve your arthritis and autoimmune symptoms?

I have erosive arthritis, which can be excruciating, and usually require a high dose of Naproxen (Aleve) daily. While taking Paxlovid I had very little need for my pain meds. I finished the Paxlovid 3 days ago and still have not needed anything for pain. I am wondering how long this will last.

I am so happy that your symptoms are going away! I lost my taste and smell in December of 2022 due to Covid and still don’t have it back! I’m wondering if Paxlovid will help me get that back? I also have an auto immune disease, Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, for which I take Synthroid and Cytomel to control. Also, in April of 2022, I had 18” of my colon resected due to severe diverticulitis. I’ve wondered if my loss of taste/smell began after my colon surgery. None of my doctors have said that could be the cause or not. I also never get hunger pains. I eat because I know I have to. It’s quite frustrating to say the least and I pray every day to regain my senses. Continued good luck on your journey!

I believe there are some links between Epstein Barr virus and autoimmune diseases just as long covid is linked to EBV. It’s possible that the paxlovid had an effect

I recently had the same reaction to Paxlovid when prescribed for COVID in November 2023. I also felt better than I have in years! My PCP was pleased at my response but offered nothing in reply. I have read about the 15 day clinical trials for long COVID and that it was a combination of 2 meds that were approved for emergency use only.
So….what now? It is the only medication that has resulted in pain relief, elimination of fatigue and all of the other responses to our autoimmune diseases!

I’m just getting over COVID and taking PAXLOVID and just told my wife the same thing. I have bad pains normally in my shoulders and back and neck and the pain has improved 95%.
Beside getting rid of the cough I feel great. Improved mobility and range of motion in my shoulders and not feeling that nerve like ache in my joints.

Yes! I have been in an active rheumatoid arthritis flare for several months and am currently taking methotrexate and prednisone to relieve symptoms. The day after I started taking Paxlovid (so, after one morning and one evening dose), practically ALL of my joint swelling, redness and pain completely went away. Could it be the methotrexate kicking in all of a sudden? Or the chia and flaxseed I've started consuming? It's hard to say -- but the change practically overnight is absolutely astounding. I let my doctor know but so far she has not responded to me. It seems like a very exciting development!! I hope it merits some study.

It’s definitely the Paxlovid. I experienced the same thing. I have not been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis but do have arthritis in my hands, shoulders, and some moderate to severe stenosis in my neck and back which has caused leg weakness and drop foot in both feet. I have trouble with stairs and balance. I’m 64 years old. Since starting on Paxlovid I feel like I turned back the clock 10 years. No joint pain and walking normally without issue. Haven’t tried because of having COVID but feel like I could even run. Very frustrating as this tells me my condition could be treated. What is causing this premature aging I have been going through for two years now? Why doesn’t my back hurt anymore? Is is an anti inflammatory property in the Paxlovid? Need to figure this out because beside the cough from COVID I feel great.

I know how you feel. There is something out there to help us but I have a feeling that it will not be pursued because it is probably one of the two “old” drugs combined in Paxlovid. I don’t believe that studies will be done on drugs that won’t result in a huge profit for pharmaceutical companies. If the emergency use designation is removed, we can insist that it be prescribed off label.

Very frustrating because I have not felt this mobile in 2 years.

I did reach out to pfizer yesterday (via email this time) to let them know about peoples favorable experiences with this med. I had also called and talked with someone previously as indicated from one of my previous posts. It wouldn't hurt for others to do the same. Obviously drug was just approved for covid but they could reformulate drug for other indications and go through trials if they wanted to I suspect. Millions could benefit from this obviously!