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.

@gmross

I have been diagnosed with an autoimmune process since at least 2017. I have been given various diagnoses: RA, inflammatory arthritis and taken various medications, methotrexate, plaquenil, etc.
I had COVID x 2 at least more than a year apart and was prescribed Paxlovid both times. I had complete resolution of my joint pain both times and it was fabulous. Mentioned to PCP and Rheumatologist will no response. The only other med that has ever completely alleviated my joint pain in the past was high dose steroids.

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It's amazing how your physicians have zero response to the effect of this drug. I have lost respect for most physicians in general. Most are overworked so frankly don't seem to care. And physicans are taught in medical school to rely on lab results, without them, their guess would be as good as yours or mine. No real secret here, it's like a mecanic relying on what the computer tells them ails your car. Disappointing.

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@gmross

I have been diagnosed with an autoimmune process since at least 2017. I have been given various diagnoses: RA, inflammatory arthritis and taken various medications, methotrexate, plaquenil, etc.
I had COVID x 2 at least more than a year apart and was prescribed Paxlovid both times. I had complete resolution of my joint pain both times and it was fabulous. Mentioned to PCP and Rheumatologist will no response. The only other med that has ever completely alleviated my joint pain in the past was high dose steroids.

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I had the exact same experience, including a previous diagnosis of RA without Rheumatoid Factor, medications taken, steroids, and complete resolution of joint pain with Paxlovid. I felt younger and stronger in comparison to my everyday existence. I, too, have mentioned it to all my physicians, with the exception of my PCP, who thought it was very interesting and had not heard it from any other patients. I search for studies or news relating to this phenomenon.

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I had the same reaction to Paxlovid. A miracle cure. No response from my doctors. I understand your reaction to crying after your appointment. I think every day that I do not have to be this miserable, nor does my family. This isn't the largest tragedy in my life indeed, but close to it. Relief so near yet so far away!

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I have been struggling to get a diagnosis for fatigue, joint pain, and asthma that had a big uptick in the past few years. Took Paxlovid and all miraculously resolved! So amazing. Based on what I'm reading here my autoimmune suspicions feel confirmed. Also somebody needs to research this!!!

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@awwwebbie

I have been struggling to get a diagnosis for fatigue, joint pain, and asthma that had a big uptick in the past few years. Took Paxlovid and all miraculously resolved! So amazing. Based on what I'm reading here my autoimmune suspicions feel confirmed. Also somebody needs to research this!!!

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Hello!Are you still feeling better and are you still taking Paxlovid?How long did you take it before feeling better.I can barely walk which I believe came on from covid.I am in my 40's and walk like I am 100 years old with the worse case of scoliosis.I use to walk 8 miles a day too.The pain is unbearable too.The Doctors can't find a thing.I am just wondering if there is a possibility this could work for me.Were there horrible side effect from it?

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Why has the price on Paxlovid gone from free to close to $1500.00??????

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@awwwebbie

I have been struggling to get a diagnosis for fatigue, joint pain, and asthma that had a big uptick in the past few years. Took Paxlovid and all miraculously resolved! So amazing. Based on what I'm reading here my autoimmune suspicions feel confirmed. Also somebody needs to research this!!!

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Did you just take the regular 5-day course of Paxlovid and have that positive effect?

The NIH is funding a big study on Paxlovid as treatment for Long COVID. I qualified for it because I have Long COVID, but still need to make it past the screening to officially begin (and I might still get the placebo). Part of the reason I tried to join the study though is because I have an autoimmune arthritis and POTS and small fiber neuropathy that are thought to be autoimmune in origin.

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Have you heard of Gavin Giannoni at Barts london ? He champions the idea that Ms, an autoimmune disease, is caused by EBV. In one thread to a post he published, someone says that paxlovid killed all Ms symptoms in 4 or 5 people! Dave

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Yes, I suffered long covid for two years, got it again, got paxlovid, and it cured a lot of symptoms. There are clinical trials in place for 30 days of paxlovid treatment to knock out the virus. I was offered to be in it, bit put I needed back surgery in the middle of it. The trials are part of getting fda approval to prescribe paxlovid to treat long Covid.

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My wife and I took the ferry to boston, this was the first time out with other numerous people, to manual hall food
court with hundreds of others from around th e he world. 2 days later we came down with covid with also having 3 shots. I took plaxovid and all my covid and r.a. issues disappeared. Recently I had a r a fair up and wonder if I could take placovid again.

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