COVID-19

By brendaready

3 min read

I’ve battled RA now since 2003. Just as cases were being reported in Washington state of the COVID-19 virus, I was in the midst of moving cross-country from Washington to Texas.

Symptoms appeared after my flight

In late February I made a trip to Seattle to see my doctors. Shortly after my return on March 9 I got a scratchy throat. I need at least thought no not another sinus infection from having flown. I then from March 9 until March 29 had this craziest strangest flu I have ever experienced.

I stayed home instead of going to the ER

My doctors said just stay at home it gets bad go to the ER. Well, I wasn’t going to the ER to get more germs so I stayed at home and sheltered in place because by then all of our rules and regulations in the country began to shut down. I quit taking all of my medications because I was so sick I was worried about sepsis as I am on a biologic and steroids. Luckily I have someone that can go and do my shopping for me and help with everything around my house I’m not unpacked and likely won’t be for several more months.

I took a COVID-19 antibody test

Three weeks ago here in Texas, the antibody test became available. I went to a drive-through tent located in our small community hospital. Two nurses came out garbled in PPE and took nine vials of blood as I’m hanging my arm out the window. I really admire those two women because my veins are normally flat from all of the steroids I’ve taken over the years.

I tested positive - I had it, and had been recovering for months

24 hours later I was notified by my doctor here in Texas that I indeed had tested positive for COVID-19 and that I currently did not have the virus. It seem to me that only a month has gone by that I was trying to convalesce but in reality it’s been 2 1/2 months recovering. I’ve been back on my Humira and my steroids now for a solid month but still I’m very fatigued. I’ve noticed a difference in my lungs and I’ve been told that it’s gonna take some time. I scoured the Internet to find to see to hear about anybody else with my autoimmune problems that had COVID-19.

Looking to speak with someone who also had COVID-19

Today I have not talked with anyone and would really like to hear from anybody on this forum if they also contracted the virus. I was scared out of my wits for two months waiting for a test to figure out if I’ve had the virus or not and now even knowing I’ve had the virus there is no guarantee that the antibodies will last at all. So while the state of Texas opens all around me I am still sheltering in place at the advice of my doctors. I’m 62 years old and I believe through many different epidemics etc. in my lifetime. Never before have I seen our country come to a screeching halt.

Hopefulness and optimism moving forward

I am hopeful and optimistic that we will learn more through trials and case histories of those that have experienced COVID-19. If I do leave the house I will be wearing a mask. I wish everyone out there is safe and amazing day because I am truly grateful to say that I survived the COVID-19 and it could’ve been way way worse (not that it was a picnic, don’t get me wrong) but I am here when others are not. Thanks for listening.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The RheumatoidArthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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L rick Phillips Moderator & Contributor
Most fortunately I have not had Covid-19. I had to get test but I could not get a reasonably priced antibody test. Here in Indiana we are basically open for all who do not are so much. I hope someone will respond, I wish I could help out. rick - moderator
Alesandra Bevilacqua Community Admin
Hey <inline-mention user-id="3140685" username="brendaready"/> ! Thanks so much for sharing your story here with us. While you wait for others to chime in, I did want to share this article from <inline-mention user-id="3243552" username="Tamara Haag"/> - who also experienced COVID-19 with RA: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/coronavirus-diagnosis-autoimmune' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/coronavirus-diagnosis-autoimmune/</a> I hope this is helpful to you! Sending you love today, Alesandra (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention user-id="3140685" username="brendaready"/> ! Thank you for reaching out to our site and sharing your story. I have RA but I have not had COVID-19. You are in my thoughts as your are recovering. Please keep us posted. Just Keep Swimming... Lynn Marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.Net Team Member"
Tamara Haag Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention user-id="3140685" username="brendaready"/> , Thank you for sharing your story! I also had COVID-19. <inline-mention user-id="3109693" username="Alesandra Bevilacqua"/> shared the link: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/coronavirus-diagnosis-autoimmune' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/coronavirus-diagnosis-autoimmune/</a>. I'll give you a few more details in case they are of interest. I was diagnosed with RA in 2000 and am now 42. I was sick in bed for 6 weeks. The fever lasted 2 weeks. I was more fatigued and weak than I've ever been. Luckily, I didn't feel the mental fog that I usually have with RA fatigue. But I felt like the gravitational pull of the earth was much stronger, like every cell of my body was being pulled to the ground. Sometimes it was so pronounced I had to shuffle across the room because I could barely lift my feet. I also had a tingling sensation throughout my body that was usually not unpleasant but sometimes intensified to a pins-and-needles sensation in my feet, hands, and limbs. There were times when I used my hands "too much" - texting or holding an iPad - and my hands would start to shake. The 7th week I was still extremely tired and weak, but was "sick on the couch" rather than "sick in bed." I interacted with my family more than week. The 8th week I was able to start having a more active life, doing some chores around the house, etc. Last week was week 9, and it was the first week I felt like myself again. I still don't have the stamina I did before I got sick. And my pulse and blood pressure have remained higher than they were before covid. I had a scare five days ago where my pulse was 120 and BP was 137/81 (I'm usually 100-110 over 65-70). I went to urgent care and they did an EKG and luckily it was fine. So this has been a long, drawn out illness for me as well. I stopped my intraveneous Orencia before I got sick. My last IV was in February. I was nervous about catching COVID and having a severe case, so that's the personal decision I made. (Please note I am not saying this is the best decision for everyone. This is the decision my doctor and I made for my individual case. For others it may be better not to change your medical treatment. Please make such decisions with your doctor, as everyone's situation is different.) I continued with the hydroxychloroquine I take for RA. When I was diagnosed it was still being recommended for COVID, so I continued taking it. Some of the research I've seen that has come out since then about the drug was very concerning, but luckily I didn't experience some of the extreme consequences some people in the studies have. If you have any questions for me, I am happy to answer them. I'm so glad that you are okay and that you have someone who could help with errands. I hate that you got so sick, and know all too well how hard that is. Wishing you all the best, Tamara
qejm0g Member
Brenda and Tamara, thanks for sharing your experiences. I did ask my rheumatologist about any RA or other immunocompromised patient covid experiences or studies that she was aware of-she wasn't at the time of our appt. Your story has helped to validate my anxiety. I'm just trying to take it day by day. Others have lost more than I.
1. Tamara Haag Moderator & Contributor
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="3157267" username="qejm0g"/> , I'm so glad that some validation helps. This is all new and scary and disorienting. I too am grateful for all my blessings and that I'm okay. And then every once in a while, while I was sick, I just needed to cry, and now every once in a while I take a deep breath and acknowledge "that was hard." Because both things are true: I am lucky, and it was a hard experience. I wish you all the best as you continue taking it one day at a time, Tamara (Site Moderator)
Kelly Mack Moderator & Contributor
Hi BrendaReady, thanks for sharing your story! What an ordeal! I also had COVID-19 back in April and did OK. I feel fortunate that I believe I had a 'mild' case. It was still no fun, but I was able to stay home and recover there. My doctor checked in on me daily and I was careful to rest a lot, drink tons of fluids, and watch for warning signs that indicated I needed to go to the ER. Thankfully, I was better after about two weeks although the fatigue lingered a few weeks longer. Glad you are doing better! Best, Kelly (<a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net' target='_blank'>RheumatoidArthritis.net</a>)