Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Has anybody in this group been tested for covid 19? I mean viral swab test, as opposed to antibody test, but also, anybody had an antibody test? Has anybody been symptomatic and unable or discouraged from being tested? If so, for what reason?
I'm just curious. There have been so many snafus with testings - this after CDC director assured us that EVERYONE would have the opportunity, and we're going to need it in the long run.
I'll be tested next week, as part of the protocol for having local elective procedures. I'm finally having a lumbar facet joint block on June 8, after having it kicked down the road for 4 months. I think I'm in need of a cervical block as well, but that will be another story.
And just for the fun of it, has anybody's rheumatologist attributed RA to degenerative disc disease? I seem to remember something from years back the RA affected C1-C2, but basically nothing else. Anybody else hear that? Of course, my rheumatologist doesn't acknowledge that the pain I've had in my hands for the last 12 years might be RA, despite my not having swelling or redness, even though I have had wonderful, though ever shortening relief from Rituxan. My spine is in total mess. OA now, sure, but what do you folks think about inception? Does RA trashing synovial joints/fluid lead to OA?
Be well.
bc
I haven't had the test. I haven't had symptoms so I figure it is a waste. I'm not convinced the antibody test is reliable yet. I'm on Hydroxychloroquine, so maybe I'm protected, maybe not? Who knows?
Hope your procedure goes well.
Case Report: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Degenerative Disk Disease
https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/case-report-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-degenerative-disk-disease/
I'm 75 and my back pain is getting more frequent. Loading and emptying dishwasher and washing machine.... walking too long.... unloading groceries from my car.... Also have some symptoms of neuropathy and podiatrist says it's likely coming from my back (we eliminated diabetes). My GUESS is more OA than RA since Zeljanz has me in remission.
Been debating seeing a chiropractor?? I bought a lumbar belt.
However, except for my neck, and sometimes my lower back, I do not have much pain. A physiotherapist gave me a few simple exercises, and it looks like i am going to make the 3 months since my last treatments before Covid. I hope your blocks go well. I can't believe your rheumatologist won't admit your hands are RA damage. RA has certainly wrecked my hands and feet!
Most businesses have opened up, and most have stopped wearing a mask. We were lucky to get it shut down so quickly in BC, unlike Ontario and Quebec in Canada. Although they may get worse, since they also had marches, with no apparent precautions. Such a horrible time, so many deaths!
Sorry to learn of your spinal issues. They can be a bitch! I've had neck pain (and supporting imaging) for 8 years, but not since 2014. I had some very weird stuff going on late last year and made the rounds trying to get a doctor to test me for Myasthenia Gravis, for the overlap with my symptoms, but had no luck until Feb 28. But, in the meantime, my RD thought my old 2014 cervical MRI looked serious enough to order a new one. Trouble is, he was just doing a CYA, so he could saettle backe safely knowing I didn't have nerve compression. Well maybe not. The body is dynamic, and an MRI is statis. My bottom line here is that I have significant disc damage and stenosis fro C3-4, c4-5, c5-6 and ALSO severe facet arthopathy. But, life ges on.
More recently, I did have my covid 19 test- negative - and had facet joint injections in L3-4, and L4-5 bilaeral, and I'm soaring! Such a difference. Yesterday and today (a week out), I noticed a little impingement, but I can WALK like a humanoid doing bipedula locomotion. How cool is that? I see the doc again on June 29, and I'll ask him about lumbar future and what about Cervical? The MRI order was for stenosis, which is marginal but ok, but the facet stuff is raging.
Back to the topic... we're experiencing a significant uptick in cases where I am (northern CA). We're "only" up to 18 cases, but that was a steady 7 cases 2 weeks ago. They opened the local junior college to certain courses (fire academy, police academy and something else that slips my mind). Everyone, students and faculty have suposedly been tested, but there are cracks!
There's this place in my area where they actually conduct the covid test, but I have never been there because the result takes 24-48 hours to be out. The result is usually delayed. So you can't expect me to visit there when I want to travel and a covid result is needed asap. I actually make use of the test kits like some people do to check my status. I ordered it from https://www.confirmbiosciences.com/covid19-instant-coronavirus-test-kit/. And as you already know, it is a fast option.
Anyway, I'm a super masker, and I am not being exposed to COVID. That's they way I have dealt with this pandemic. I have had one vaccine, and supposed to be another the middle of August. Canada screwed the pooch when it came to the dictator idiot, Trudeau getting on the ball and getting vaccines. But, I know we are not supposed to get into politics, except pretty much everyone west of of the Ontario-Manitoba border hates Trudeau, and a lot of people in Ontario, unless they have been bought off with money.
- Had COVID (Dec 20)
- Antibody tested
- Vaccinated
- Had COVID (Dec 20)
- Antibody tested
- Vaccinated
- Wear mask in public