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!

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jbsheen | @jbsheen | Jan 4 7:47pm

In reply to @annewoodmayo "thanks for info about the clinical trials :) You can't participate if you had a disease..." + (show)

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.

lkirnbauer | @lkirnbauer | Jan 5 8:46am

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!

shawnasierra | @shawnasierra | Jan 6 12:54pm

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

wct30058 | @wct30058 | Jan 7 12:05pm

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!

jopp | @jopp | Jan 7 11:39pm

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.

julietjuliet | @julietjuliet | Jan 8 11:12pm

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.

jopp | @jopp | Jan 9 2:05pm

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.

wct30058 | @wct30058 | Jan 9 7:15pm

In reply to @jopp "It’s definitely the Paxlovid. I experienced the same thing. I have not been diagnosed with rheumatoid..." + (show)

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.

jopp | @jopp | Jan 9 10:09pm

In reply to @wct30058 "I know how you feel. There is something out there to help us but I have..." + (show)

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

arthur57 | @arthur57 | Jan 10 7:29am

In reply to @wct30058 "I know how you feel. There is something out there to help us but I have..." + (show)

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!