This is not the same DS it was before it was sold, and the server changed, as well as the format. I went to look someone up in one of my groups, to see if they had left. I forgot we lost that option when the format changed. This is so inferior to the old website. But, it is what we have!

Not sure about the 3rd shot. Waiting until they decide to do it here in Canada.

I'm still here, but I tend to lurk more. Ever since they changed the format and functionality of DS I haven't been as active on it even though I can say I am used to it now.

As for the booster it's a conversation I will be having with my medical team. I kind of figured boosters would be needed at some point as what vaccine doesn't need a booster? It's just a matter of when.

I will admit that seeing you, WarriorGal, post does offer me a sense of comfort though. Somehow knowing you are still out there doing the research, fighting the battle, and keeping us all up to date on the latest RA news is a significant comfort to me. Thanks for being there for us lurkers!

Thanks, Smith. Sorry I left you off of my very short list...

No worries that I didn't make the short list. It just makes me feel like my lurker capabilities are beyond stellar! :-D

More Booster Info:

BREAKING: 3rd dose COVID-19 vaccine authorization & recommendation for immunocompromised in the U.S.
Yesterday (August 12th,) the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized an additional dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for certain immunocompromised individuals ages 12+.
Today (August 13th) the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) also voted to recommend these additional doses.

This means that additional doses can be given immediately.
This recommendation is based on evidence that certain immunocompromised individuals do not mount as effective of an immune response to the vaccines, but a 3rd dose can help push many (but not all) of these low responders above the threshold of protection. Immunosuppressed individuals are also more susceptible to severe COVID-19 complications.
Key take-aways from the FDA and ACIP:

The CDC’s definition of “moderately and severely immunocompromised people” for whom 3rd doses are recommended includes:

 Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies

 Receipt of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy

 Receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)

 Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge, Wiskott-Aldrich syndromes)

 Advanced or untreated HIV infection

 Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, TNF blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory

The 3rd dose should be given at least 28 days after the 2nd dose.
Whenever possible, mRNA COVID-19 vaccination doses (including the primary series and an additional dose) should be given at least two weeks before initiation of immunosuppressive therapies.

The additional dose should match the mRNA primary series (Pfizer or Moderna), but if that is not feasible, a different additional dose is allowed.

Testing to assess immune response to vaccination and need for an additional dose is not established and NOT recommended.
While the committee says the people with more common chronic illnesses such as diabetes are not meant to be included in this guidance, the above list is also not exhaustive and gives discretion to physicians and patients. (Please don't ask us about your specific situation, talk to your own doctor!).
While the new U.S. recommendation is welcome news for the 2.7% of the U.S. population estimated to be immunosuppressed, it didn’t answer ALL the burning questions.

Finally, while a 3rd dose has been shown to increase immune response among the severely immunocompromised, there is still a sizeable proportion of this group who still did not mount detectable antibodies with a 3rd dose.
In studies of transplant recipients or patients on hemodialysis, among those who had no detectable antibody response to an initial mRNA vaccine series, 33-50% developed an antibody response to an additional dose. This is great but shows that some are still left with low protection even after a 3rd dose.
Given this remaining risk coupled with the current Delta surge, the CDC emphasized that immunocompromised people, including those who receive an additional dose, should continue to follow prevention measures for the time being.
This includes wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others they don't live with and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
Close contacts of immunocompromised people should be strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

BOTTOM LINE:
3rd doses now recommended for moderately to severe immunosuppressed in the U.S.

ACIP said it should be left to the patients and doctors to decide who needs an extra dose and what the timing of that dose should be. People will be left on their own to attest to their need for the third dose -- no prescription or doctor's note will be needed.

here in N J, CVS and othe rparmacies are giving third dose boosters. I asked if a doctor's note is needed and was told they can tell by our meds if we have compromised immune systems.

Being on a TNF inhibitor should absolutely quality me and most of us.

I'm still here, just not as often. I've been in a grumpy place regarding my RA (but not necessarily having more, different, or acute symptoms......just.....grumpy) and I haven't felt like I have much to contribute lately. None of my frustrations have answers; they are the sort of universal things that everyone with an autoimmune issue faces.

I will get a booster when it becomes available to me.

Re DS in general: if groups have been dropped - WarriorGal referred to two that are no longer here - were the people who frequented those groups given any warning? Was the decision to drop them based on their having too little traffic? Should we figure out a place to 'meet' if this goes belly-up?

WHO KNOWS! Yes, it could have been lack of participation. I don't know.

> > > But I like your suggestion that we look into an alternative website . . . or share emails now via messages as "insurnace" in case our group disappears or the site gets worse than it is??

> > > What do you think, Marlene, Kim, Smith, et al??

Katie - I am beyond grumpy. I am downright depressed about aging, aging alone, back pain which is not helped by my RA meds, and the whole world situations. I had COVID and injured by back in Dec and feel like i have aged 20 years since then.

I suppose I should have looked around when DS changed for another place to exchange support for RA online. Well, it's officially on my to-do list now. I'll let you know if I come up with anything!

WarriorGal, I hear you. I just had a photo of myself pop up in facebook from about six years ago, and when I look in the mirror I think I've aged twenty years since then.

Check your messages here for a message from me.

What are you doctors saying in terms of WHEN we should get boosters?

Immediately or wait 8 months after last dose?

I had my booster vaccination last wek. The quidance I had was largely what Warrior-Gal wrote, but added that patients could self-assess.

I had a reaction the 2nd day, with fever up to 101.3, fatigue, muscle aches and headache, but the reaction only lasted for 24 hours.

My doctor's practice sent out an advisory, recommending all immune compromised patients get the booster as soon as it was offered.

I have Moderna so they haven't recommended a booster yet officially but I already have my doctors note for when they do. My understanding is that only Pfizer is approved for the booster.

Yes, stay in touch. If you find another site. I want to keep up with you guys.

Kim,

Please forgive me, I forgot. Are you in Canada?

I'm in the US and got my Moderna booster (3rd vax) based on being on a JAX inhibitor.

As for other RA support groups, seems they are all on Facebook. Lots of newbies. Seems the go-to drugs are Methotrexate and Prednisone.