I don't understand how the antibody test works. I think I heard they were looking for a positive IgG. I have had a positive IgG for years, way before I ever heard of COVID-19. My sister-in-law had this test, but it came with a disclaimer that said the test was only about 10% accurate, so what is the point?

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.

I may be tested (not anti-body) cause I attended a very vrowded BLM?George Fl0yd protest in Princeton yesterday. High risk, so....

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.

My back, every disc and facet are very damaged. I have Degenerative Disc and Facet disease. I've hurt my back a few times, and my neck. But not every single place. That has to be systemic to me. I'm in a spinal group, and people are always talking about this disc or this level being bad. Mine are all equally bad, because OA moves in after the RA damage! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

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!

I forgot to answer the topic of this thread! I haven't been tested for COVID and probably won't be. Our area is free of COVID. And by area, I mean the entire interior of BC, 500 miles by 500 miles.

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!

Hi Marlene,

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!

my grandmother has a suspicion of covid-19, I am afraid for her health

one thing about the coronavirus is that you won't know you have it without being tested. So if you haven't been tested recently, ten, you are not doing yourself any good by refraining from the test.
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.

Well, a year later, and here we are! I still have not had a COVID test, because I have no symptoms. In fact, it is the best my lungs have been in 35 years. My asthma is gone, and because I isolated for 1 1/2 years, and wore a carbon filter mask, that is for cyclists who are couriers in cities with to protect them from the pollution. In other words, molecules. I wore that everywhere since COVID started, and ended up with no colds, which always turned into pneumonia which lasted for 4 months. My last CT scan said the bottom of my lungs had dried out and they were working again. It's amazing.

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.

- Tested
- Had COVID (Dec 20)
- Antibody tested
- Vaccinated

- Tested
- Had COVID (Dec 20)
- Antibody tested
- Vaccinated
- Wear mask in public