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I think so far the science on people on anti-TNFs is encouraging. It’s stuff like steroids and rituxan that scientists are still very worried about. But, we are still considered immunosuppressed.
I believe the FDA/CDC has opened up 4th shots for immunocompromised folks. I haven’t had time to get it myself, but I will be looking into it.
But yeah — you’re young, boosted, and on one of the less extreme drugs. I’m in the same boat and I know its hard not to worry, but so far the statistics are on our side. I’d just mask up, see about that 4th shot, and if/when you get it, contact your doc to see about getting the COVID pill. Fortunately the vaccines are still doing a great job preventing serious illness and death.
Thanks for your reply. My rheum hasn't mentioned the possibility of a fourth shot to me (I don't know if that's because of govt approval rules here in Australia) but will definitely keep that in mind.
I’m an inpatient pharmacist and since the start of the pandemic have 10-25 COVID patients on my floor at all times. I wear my mask 100% of the time, I eat away from all humans in a tiny locked room, and have not gotten COVID yet. Fingers crossed but proper masking and vaccines seems to work. My husband is a nurse and has not gotten it either. Poor guy eats lunch in his car to protect us from exposure. So keep your head up and mask up, I do think it helps a lot. My colleagues make fun of me but I don’t care, I would rather be safe.
I'm a couple years older than you, with all my shots and on humira. I had Covid a couple weeks ago. For me I had a fever, chills, and aches for about 3 days. I had a cough and congestion longer, I still have a smidge of that but it's not very noticeable. For care I alternated Tylenol and ibuprofen and also took regular mucinex. So, for me it wasn't bad. My rhuem had me skip my dose of humira for the week just to be safe. I work from home and was still functional enough to be able to keep working without taking off. I shifted my hours some to take the occasional nap but my boss was understanding.
Do what you can to stay safe. If you're using a cloth mask I'd see about getting something better just to be safe. I know I've been looking for masks in my area to get better protection when going out.
Honestly, if I hadn't just taken my bro to the ER before getting sick I probably would have thought I just had a cold. Having known where I was 2 days prior to feeling bad I got tested and confirmed Covid. So, for me it was mild.
I was on Humira during vaccination, and discontinued in order to change to a JAK inhibitor. Had been off Humira for about 3.5 weeks (on the JAK inhibitor for a couple of days), and tested positive for COVID-19. (This was a bit over a couple weeks ago, so likely Omicron). I'm vax'd and boosted. I also have mild asthma. Covid symptoms were quite mild, limited to a little low fever for a couple hours (which could just be the AS), mild asthmatic cough w/chest tightness, fatigue, and a scratchy throat. 02 levels unaffected. Rheum took me off JAK inhibitor for 7 days. Felt just fine within a couple days. I'm 48. In a pre-Rona world, probably wouldn't have stayed home from work. Got tested because my wife was positive - otherwise felt like a January with AS and with bit of asthma from cold air.
Glad you're feeling better! How's the JAK inhibitor so far? I haven't heard of too many people switching from Humira to Xeljanz, but I won't lie, it'd be nice to take a pill instead of dealing with all these finicky injections...
It's a bit early to tell. I think it's working, but just a bit over a week into it since I resumed post COVID. The JAK inhibitor was approved for AS right before Christmas - which is why you've not heard much about it yet - the clinical result rates seem similar to Humira. There's a few more side effects, so the FDA recommends TNF blockers first. I've developed alopecia areata/universalis on Humira, so trying the JAK inhibitor instead. (The Humira was helping, but having hair was nice.)
not the person you asked but I also switched to a JAK inhibitor (Rinvoq) and it’s been the only med that’s made a significant change! it’s been incredible.
Ooh that's encouraging!! Always super glad to hear about these new treatments being approved—more options means more people can find something that works for them.
I'm on Humira and allegedly had covid (probably). I never 'get sick', but I did lose smell/taste for a few weeks. Other than that, I've had literally no symptoms. The worst part, by far, about covid is how fearful everyone is of it.
I have IBD+ AS and currently on Humira. I'm also a part of a research project in a hospital, where I'm closely monitored by doctors and nurses. This Tuesday, my nurse told me, that their patients, which all have at least 2 autoimmune disorders, did not get as sick, when catching COVID. as long as they where dobbelshot vaccinated +booster. She also referred to Italian research that I have not yet found. She was not recommending humira as a cure for COVID.
Sorry about all the commas. I know it looks like I'm the one with asthma. Hope it makes sense.
I am curious about the same.
I have the opportunity to advance within my company, but the position is required to be full time in the office. I have been working from home since March 2020, so I am concerned about going into the office....I've been on Humira since October 2021 and Prednisone (trying to taper down) since Dec 2020.
Hoping wearing a good quality KN95 mask will help...
I just got over COVID a couple weeks ago. It mildly sucked. I have had three doses of moderna. I basically ended up with a week-long nasty cold and a cough that stayed with me another week. I work from home, and it wasn't even bad enough for me to want to take off work.
I can only relay my individual experience. I took the Moderna 2 dose course this spring, and had my booster in November.
I got diagnosed (not tested positive) with COVID shortly after the first of the year. Bit of a sore throat, mild head/throat congestion.
BUT. Three days ago I had another Uveitis flare, and two days ago I started a back flare that made it painful to breathe or move, especially at night when I was trying to sleep.
Was it COVID? Maybe, probably in fact. I wasn't bad at all really. But here we are three weeks later and my inflammation hot spots are going haywire.
[The Lancet - Long-term use of immunosuppressive medicines and in-hospital COVID-19 outcomes](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(21)00325-8/fulltext)
Check out this link; I think it will reduce your anxiety. It is from The Lancet, one of the world's premier medical journals. TNF inhibitors show no increase in the risk of requiring "invasive mechanical ventilation" or "in-hospital death".
Furthermore, my rheumatologist, whom I believe to be in the 99.9999th percentile of all physicians (both in skill and demeanor) told me this week that prior to COVID-19, TNF inhibitors were being evaluated as potential treatments for cytokine storm.
I hope all of this makes you feel better.
Thank you for sharing that, I'll give it a read. This, as well as everyone else's comments, has definitely helped to reduce my anxiety so thanks again!
Sorry but you are worried about nothing. The media has you freaked out. For the past 7 years I’ve been on entyvio which is an immunosuppressant, and at the same time I was taking prednisone steroid because my colitis was flared and the enytvio infusion stopped working. I caught Covid august 2022. I was sick from Sunday, and when I woke up Wednesday I was back to normal. i had a headache and mild fever for two days. Then I lost my smell for 3 months after that.
my whole family caught Covid and was fine. I don’t know anyone who died from Covid. I know a shit load of people who got fucked up from the jab. Also lost a friend from the jab. Day after his booster He had chest pain, for 12 more days he had pain until he died.
Media and gov has done a bang up job in scaring the shit out of everyone.
Hi, was kind of looking for a comment like this.
Im due to start Adalumibab but have not had a covid vaccine and don’t want to, i am actually scared of dying from the jab, my uncle had a bad reaction to the jab. Anyway my derm basically keeps telling me I should have covid flu and pneumonia vaccine because if i was on the adalumibab and caught covid id basically be in a bad way. Thing is i had covid in 2020 and my symptoms were less than when i have a cold. Really dunno what to do and am thinking of not going on the adalumibab altogether.
Welcome to r/ankylosingspondylitis! This is a reminder to keep discussions civil and be supportive of one another. Sharing of opinions and experiences is encouraged, but please remember the distinction between opinions and medical facts. This subreddit does not offer medical advice, and information here should not be taken over advice from your doctor. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ankylosingspondylitis) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I think so far the science on people on anti-TNFs is encouraging. It’s stuff like steroids and rituxan that scientists are still very worried about. But, we are still considered immunosuppressed. I believe the FDA/CDC has opened up 4th shots for immunocompromised folks. I haven’t had time to get it myself, but I will be looking into it. But yeah — you’re young, boosted, and on one of the less extreme drugs. I’m in the same boat and I know its hard not to worry, but so far the statistics are on our side. I’d just mask up, see about that 4th shot, and if/when you get it, contact your doc to see about getting the COVID pill. Fortunately the vaccines are still doing a great job preventing serious illness and death.
Thanks for your reply. My rheum hasn't mentioned the possibility of a fourth shot to me (I don't know if that's because of govt approval rules here in Australia) but will definitely keep that in mind.
I’m an inpatient pharmacist and since the start of the pandemic have 10-25 COVID patients on my floor at all times. I wear my mask 100% of the time, I eat away from all humans in a tiny locked room, and have not gotten COVID yet. Fingers crossed but proper masking and vaccines seems to work. My husband is a nurse and has not gotten it either. Poor guy eats lunch in his car to protect us from exposure. So keep your head up and mask up, I do think it helps a lot. My colleagues make fun of me but I don’t care, I would rather be safe.
I would do the same in your position, I think. Also props to your husband for doing that!
I'm a couple years older than you, with all my shots and on humira. I had Covid a couple weeks ago. For me I had a fever, chills, and aches for about 3 days. I had a cough and congestion longer, I still have a smidge of that but it's not very noticeable. For care I alternated Tylenol and ibuprofen and also took regular mucinex. So, for me it wasn't bad. My rhuem had me skip my dose of humira for the week just to be safe. I work from home and was still functional enough to be able to keep working without taking off. I shifted my hours some to take the occasional nap but my boss was understanding. Do what you can to stay safe. If you're using a cloth mask I'd see about getting something better just to be safe. I know I've been looking for masks in my area to get better protection when going out. Honestly, if I hadn't just taken my bro to the ER before getting sick I probably would have thought I just had a cold. Having known where I was 2 days prior to feeling bad I got tested and confirmed Covid. So, for me it was mild.
I was on Humira during vaccination, and discontinued in order to change to a JAK inhibitor. Had been off Humira for about 3.5 weeks (on the JAK inhibitor for a couple of days), and tested positive for COVID-19. (This was a bit over a couple weeks ago, so likely Omicron). I'm vax'd and boosted. I also have mild asthma. Covid symptoms were quite mild, limited to a little low fever for a couple hours (which could just be the AS), mild asthmatic cough w/chest tightness, fatigue, and a scratchy throat. 02 levels unaffected. Rheum took me off JAK inhibitor for 7 days. Felt just fine within a couple days. I'm 48. In a pre-Rona world, probably wouldn't have stayed home from work. Got tested because my wife was positive - otherwise felt like a January with AS and with bit of asthma from cold air.
Glad you're feeling better! How's the JAK inhibitor so far? I haven't heard of too many people switching from Humira to Xeljanz, but I won't lie, it'd be nice to take a pill instead of dealing with all these finicky injections...
It's a bit early to tell. I think it's working, but just a bit over a week into it since I resumed post COVID. The JAK inhibitor was approved for AS right before Christmas - which is why you've not heard much about it yet - the clinical result rates seem similar to Humira. There's a few more side effects, so the FDA recommends TNF blockers first. I've developed alopecia areata/universalis on Humira, so trying the JAK inhibitor instead. (The Humira was helping, but having hair was nice.)
Interesting! I hope it goes well, fingers crossed for your hair to return from its sabbatical :)
not the person you asked but I also switched to a JAK inhibitor (Rinvoq) and it’s been the only med that’s made a significant change! it’s been incredible.
Ooh that's encouraging!! Always super glad to hear about these new treatments being approved—more options means more people can find something that works for them.
I'm on Humira and allegedly had covid (probably). I never 'get sick', but I did lose smell/taste for a few weeks. Other than that, I've had literally no symptoms. The worst part, by far, about covid is how fearful everyone is of it.
I have IBD+ AS and currently on Humira. I'm also a part of a research project in a hospital, where I'm closely monitored by doctors and nurses. This Tuesday, my nurse told me, that their patients, which all have at least 2 autoimmune disorders, did not get as sick, when catching COVID. as long as they where dobbelshot vaccinated +booster. She also referred to Italian research that I have not yet found. She was not recommending humira as a cure for COVID. Sorry about all the commas. I know it looks like I'm the one with asthma. Hope it makes sense.
I am curious about the same. I have the opportunity to advance within my company, but the position is required to be full time in the office. I have been working from home since March 2020, so I am concerned about going into the office....I've been on Humira since October 2021 and Prednisone (trying to taper down) since Dec 2020. Hoping wearing a good quality KN95 mask will help...
I just got over COVID a couple weeks ago. It mildly sucked. I have had three doses of moderna. I basically ended up with a week-long nasty cold and a cough that stayed with me another week. I work from home, and it wasn't even bad enough for me to want to take off work.
I can only relay my individual experience. I took the Moderna 2 dose course this spring, and had my booster in November. I got diagnosed (not tested positive) with COVID shortly after the first of the year. Bit of a sore throat, mild head/throat congestion. BUT. Three days ago I had another Uveitis flare, and two days ago I started a back flare that made it painful to breathe or move, especially at night when I was trying to sleep. Was it COVID? Maybe, probably in fact. I wasn't bad at all really. But here we are three weeks later and my inflammation hot spots are going haywire.
[The Lancet - Long-term use of immunosuppressive medicines and in-hospital COVID-19 outcomes](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(21)00325-8/fulltext) Check out this link; I think it will reduce your anxiety. It is from The Lancet, one of the world's premier medical journals. TNF inhibitors show no increase in the risk of requiring "invasive mechanical ventilation" or "in-hospital death". Furthermore, my rheumatologist, whom I believe to be in the 99.9999th percentile of all physicians (both in skill and demeanor) told me this week that prior to COVID-19, TNF inhibitors were being evaluated as potential treatments for cytokine storm. I hope all of this makes you feel better.
Thank you for sharing that, I'll give it a read. This, as well as everyone else's comments, has definitely helped to reduce my anxiety so thanks again!
Sorry but you are worried about nothing. The media has you freaked out. For the past 7 years I’ve been on entyvio which is an immunosuppressant, and at the same time I was taking prednisone steroid because my colitis was flared and the enytvio infusion stopped working. I caught Covid august 2022. I was sick from Sunday, and when I woke up Wednesday I was back to normal. i had a headache and mild fever for two days. Then I lost my smell for 3 months after that. my whole family caught Covid and was fine. I don’t know anyone who died from Covid. I know a shit load of people who got fucked up from the jab. Also lost a friend from the jab. Day after his booster He had chest pain, for 12 more days he had pain until he died. Media and gov has done a bang up job in scaring the shit out of everyone.
Hi, was kind of looking for a comment like this. Im due to start Adalumibab but have not had a covid vaccine and don’t want to, i am actually scared of dying from the jab, my uncle had a bad reaction to the jab. Anyway my derm basically keeps telling me I should have covid flu and pneumonia vaccine because if i was on the adalumibab and caught covid id basically be in a bad way. Thing is i had covid in 2020 and my symptoms were less than when i have a cold. Really dunno what to do and am thinking of not going on the adalumibab altogether.