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...

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WarriorGal 04/12/2021

How many of you were told to stop biologics for a week after receiving vaccine?

My old Rheumy told me to stop but when I complained about being on Pred, she said to go back on Rinvoq afte rtwo days off and told me I would NOT have to stop for 2nd dose.

New rhuemy, wants me me to stop for 2nd dose which is scheduled for tomorrow the 13th. She wants me to stop Rinvoq for a week after but ok to stay on Plaquinil and Naproxin. I just started Palquinil so I doubt it has taken effect yet.

Very confused and very concerned.

WarriorGal 04/12/2021

So my old rheumy told me the reason to stop is to help the vaccine work better. Our biologiclas lower the level of antibodies we would receive.

MarleneJ 04/13/2021

My rheumatologist told me not to stop my meds. He knows how bad I am, when not medicated.

I did hold my mthx, not going to stop Cimzia.

WarriorGal 04/13/2021

Is Cimxia woeking for you?

Kimhurts 04/13/2021

I stopped nothing and Moderna kicked my butt.

WarriorGal 04/13/2021

So far so good. Mild fever after first dose.

Lonie2 04/13/2021

I am on xeljanz for about 2 1/2 years now. I was told to stop the day I got my 1st vaccination and the following 6 days. I got my first moderna shot Tuesday April 6th by Thursday everything hurt my joints and knees were swollen I had chills and probably a fever I felt horrible. Yesterday I got a steroid script and started back on xeljanz tonight I feel so much better. Now I’m afraid to get the second shot which is scheduled for may 4th. How has everyone faired with their second shot?

WarriorGal 04/13/2021

Lonie - that is basically what happened to me. First Moderna vax 3/16. Went off Rinvoq and went into a massive raging flare! Was prescribed a medrol dose pack. After two days I weaned myself off the pred and went back on the Rinvoq.

Took my second dose today and i'll TRY to not do Rinvoq and see how it goes.

Lonie2 04/13/2021

I hope the second time is the charm and you get through it painlessly. Let me know how you make out.

WarriorGal 04/16/2021

So far 3 days without Rinvoq. Just Plaquinel and Naproxen that my new rheumy added and said I could keep taking, post vaccine. I figure I'll go as long as I can without Rinvoq and then go back on if I start to flare -- but I will NOT take anymore prednisone.

I'm hearing we may need these vaccines annually.... I sure hope they do more research on the effects of them on those of us with autoimmune diseases.

debRAinOC 04/18/2021

I happened to be switching from Humira to Enbrel around the time I became eligible for the vaccine. My rheumy said to stop Humira for 2 weeks before getting the first dose of the vaccine, and then start Enbrel 2 weeks after getting the second dose of the vaccine. So I was off meds for about 2 months altogether. Since the Humira was no longer working well for me anyway (after 12 years on it!), I didn't notice much of a difference when I stopped it. I guess I was lucky.

WarriorGal 04/18/2021

Yourr heumy seems th emost conservative of all of us in this this group. Glad you weathered that long break OK. Were you on anything other than your biologic? Also 12 years is exceptional and wonderful! I hope Enbrel is working for you now.

ME: I cannot believe I have gone 5 days without Rinvoq! Plaquinil and Naproxen are working wonders and keeping my pain to a bare and bearable minimum. BUT... I am finding it harder and harder to stay awake, the fatigue is that bad.

CAPABLE 04/26/2021

Is it the med that makes me tired or the illness

WarriorGal 04/26/2021

RA causes fatigue. What treatment are you on? How long have you beeb on it?

MarleneJ 04/29/2021

WG Cimzia has been working for 3 years, but not quite enough. When I added the Plaquenil to mthx and Cimzia, I was 100%. But Plaquenil has too many side effects. I think I'm getting closer to needing to change biologics.

I don't get my second shot till August. Trudeau really screwed up the vaccines, and the whole country is paying for it. Most Provinces are in complete lock downs. In BC, we are not even allowed to leave our health regions. Although our case load was down a bit today!

WarriorGal 04/29/2021

Sorry to hear that. Here our biggest problem getting people vaccinated are idiot politically based conspiracy theories...they wont wear masks either.

We'll likely never reach herd immunity and will keep bouncing back and forth from seeing improvement to escalating.

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