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!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

annewoodmayo | @annewoodmayo | Nov 19, 2023

In reply to @t4young12345 "I have emailed Pfizer and am awaiting a response. Thanks for that idea." + (show)

HI t4 !

I don't think anyone else has gotten any response from Pfizer, so please keep us posted if you do get one.
My mother used to say that, "There is strength in numbers." Maybe somebody will get us some info!
🙂

BeBold | @bebold | Nov 19, 2023

In reply to @t4young12345 "From the first day I took Paxlovid my terrible arthritis pain in my hip disappeared. It..." + (show)

Paxlovid seemed to help me at the time I remember saying to my doc and actually felt it could be a treatment until I read it was actually bad for others. Follow your gut.

arthur57 | @arthur57 | Nov 19, 2023

In reply to @annewoodmayo "HI arthur57, Thank you for your contribution. Can you explain more about the "latest...version"? I didn't..." + (show)

Hi annewood!

Yes, I learned this recently when I came down with Covid in September, my second time. When I had Covid the first time in July of 2021 I was able to secure the Paxlovid script and I couldn't believe how fast it kicked it, was mostly feeling like new after only one day of taking it (3 pills). I did follow the directions and finished the next 4 days. So now I get it again just 2 months ago. I go to urgent care, feeling poorly pretty fast. I asked for Paxlovid and mentioned it helped immensely when I took it originally. She proceeded to ask me if I had a subsequent kidney function test??? I was puzzled but evidently they found out the original paxlovid could cause kidney issues in some patients, especially older ones. I'm now 66 and healthy. So she said they now offer a kidney friendly version but you need to have script written for the newer version (what's that all about). so thats how I know and my pharmacist confirmed when I picked it up. Again after just one day, it kicked my Covid completely. This time I saved the remaining 4 days of paxlovid, just in case, lol.

Also, this drug has only been approved for covid from what I gather. Maybe pfizer is or will do trials for the indication of arthritis if it's helping folks, which it sounds like it is, at least from what I've read here. They would be stupid not to, as the market would be immense if it proved to be of significant value to arthritis victims of which there are millions of course.

Best to you!

arthur57 | @arthur57 | Nov 19, 2023

In reply to @annewoodmayo "HI t4 ! I don't think anyone else has gotten any response from Pfizer, so please..." + (show)

I guarantee you if Pfizer learns of these positive developments I can't believe they wouldn't run trials for this indication as many drugs are useful for more than one condition. I am a minority owner in a gastroenterlogy drug that is in 4 different trials for various indications so I can't believe they wouldn't pursue such a lucrative market if it showed promise.

arthur57 | @arthur57 | Nov 19, 2023

In reply to @annewoodmayo "HI arthur57, Thank you for your contribution. Can you explain more about the "latest...version"? I didn't..." + (show)

Sorry, I forgot to answer your question. No I have never been diagnosed with any autoimmune disease and do have arthritis like most folks my age (66) but is osteoarthritis which is most common kind. Only in my lower back but I'll deal with it as it doesn't change my lifestyle to any degree. Thanks.

rita | @ritabtripp | Nov 20, 2023

I just started taking Paxlovid for COVID and might not have connected the dots had I not read your posts, but you’re right - my arthritis pain disappeared! Wow!

annewoodmayo | @annewoodmayo | Nov 21, 2023

In reply to @bebold "Paxlovid seemed to help me at the time I remember saying to my doc and actually..." + (show)

HI BeBold,
I have been wondering if a medication from the same class/group/kind as Paxlovid might work.
I don't think that I ever took an antiviral, which is what Paxlovid is, before. So maybe some kind of antiviral medication would work better than the medications I am currently taking.
)
(Hope this makes sense. 🙂

annewoodmayo | @annewoodmayo | Nov 21, 2023

In reply to @arthur57 "Sorry, I forgot to answer your question. No I have never been diagnosed with any autoimmune..." + (show)

HI Arthur57,
Thanks for your insight and your optimism!

Do you remember the movie "Awakenings" with Robin Williams as a doctor whose new medication woke patients up from long term, coma-like states? Then the medicine lost effectiveness, and the patients reverted to their former situation?

That's how I feel. So, I'm really glad you shared your "insider" perspective on the medication. 🙂

annewoodmayo | @annewoodmayo | Nov 21, 2023

In reply to @ritabtripp "I just started taking Paxlovid for COVID and might not have connected the dots had I..." + (show)

Hi Rita,
I'm glad you are getting relief.
For most of the people who have posted here, the pain returned after stopping Paxlovid. Sorry to have to share that with you. But it did seem to last for awhile for some people.

Please let us know what your doctors have to say about it. Many of us have emailed Pfizer. I emailed through their website.

Thanks for contributing. Hope you get a lot of relief!!

arthur57 | @arthur57 | Nov 21, 2023

In reply to @annewoodmayo "HI Arthur57, Thanks for your insight and your optimism! Do you remember the movie "Awakenings" with..." + (show)

LOL, yes, I actually do remember that movie. Showing my age now. Anyway, just one clarification, my original 5 day dose of Plaxovid was July 2022, not 21. I don't even think it was available in 2021. Anyway, I am finding the comments on the arthritis relief to be of extreme interest. This is how many drugs in the past were tested for further indications, patients took the drug for original intent and found they experience some positive side effects. Hopefully something to this!

Best to all!