People with certain chronic diseases may have special concerns about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, given their medical history and risk factors for blood clots. Experts say it’s too soon to make any recommendations, but here’s what we know so far.
By Kelsey Kloss
What the CDC’s New Guidance on Travel for Fully Vaccinated People Means If You’re Immunocompromised
Is it safe to travel if you’re fully vaccinated but have an autoimmune or inflammatory disease or take immunosuppressant medication? Here’s what experts say, plus tips for staying safe if you travel.
By Read These Expert Perspectives About the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine and Blood Clots for Context If You’re Feeling Anxious
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently asked states to temporarily stop using the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine “out of an abundance of caution” after receiving reports of rare but serious blood clots. We curated insights from experts to help shed light on what this news means.
Although telehealth could greatly benefit people in rural areas who have less access to doctors, telemedicine care during the COVID-19 pandemic was commonly used among people who have high incomes and/or live in metropolitan areas.
More Than 40% of Chronic Illness Patients Often ‘Double Mask,’ According to New Poll
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, more than 40 percent of patients surveyed said they wear two masks at the same time for better COVID-19 protection. Most started doing so within the last two months.
By Kelsey Kloss
How ‘Double Masking’ with a Medical and Cloth Mask Could Better Protect You From COVID-19
Tighter-fitting masks offer more protection against coronavirus germs, research shows. And doubling up on masks is a good way to ensure your face masks fit more snugly to better prevent COVID-19.
The key takeaway of this study is really that rheumatic patients with lower disease activity seem to fare better than those in high disease activity if they contract COVID-19.
By Kelsey Kloss
‘Long-Hauler’ Symptoms Are Common After COVID-19 — and May Resemble Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Researchers are finding more evidence that many recovering coronavirus patients go on to experience symptoms that last for months and may need additional long-term treatments.
By How COVID-19 Affects the Brain: What to Know if You’re Already Prone to Headache, Brain Fog, Fatigue, and Other Neurological Issues
The coronavirus can cause considerable neurological, cognitive, and psychiatric problems. Here’s what you need to know about these consequences.
It’s not a reason to start using aspirin or to stop following standard COVID-19 mitigation efforts, but it does call for future studies to investigate the role aspirin plays in COVID-19.
By New Study Finds Many Immunosuppressive Drugs Don’t Increase Risk of Dying from COVID-19
This finding adds more to a growing body of evidence that people should keep taking their autoimmune and rheumatic disease medications throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
By Kelsey Kloss
Autoimmune Disease Doesn’t Lead to More Severe COVID-19 Outcomes, But Corticosteroids May, New Research Shows
Your level of risk may have less to do with your autoimmune disease and more to do with the type of medication you take for it, according to a recent study.
A new study found that many patients who tapered their meds wound up flaring.
Suspect Rheumatoid Arthritis? Seeing a Rheumatologist Within 6 Weeks Is Key
Time is of the essence when RA symptoms strike.
By EULAR 2020: 50+ Updates That Could Change the Way You Treat Your Arthritis
Held virtually, the 2020 medical meeting from the European League Against Rheumatism shared important medical breakthroughs and updates about managing rheumatic conditions.
As people rush to return to “normal,” Laurie Ferguson, PhD, clinical psychologist and Director of Education Development at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, shares her advice for handling the mix of emotions you may be feeling.
By Kelsey Kloss
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Increasing Anxiety in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
New research shows the psychological impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having on those with rheumatic diseases.
By Kelsey Kloss
How Chronic Illness Patients Can Cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder and Depression During COVID-19
This winter, we’re facing an intersection of several potential mental health risks — all of which may be exacerbated if you’re living with chronic illness.
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, more than 75 percent of patients who received the COVID-19 vaccine feel hopeful about the future. But anxiety still looms, as well as for people who have not yet received any doses of the vaccine.
By Why Faking Illness to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine Is Damaging to People Who Live with Chronic Illnesses
It’s not okay to ignore the concerns of immunocompromised people throughout the pandemic — and then turn around and claim to have a chronic illness in order to access the vaccine.
Many People with Chronic Illness Will Still Wear a Mask and Social Distance Once They’re Fully Vaccinated
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, more than 40 percent of respondents said they will continue social distance and wear masks around other fully vaccinated loved ones.
A new study found that patients with COVID-19 who had high blood sugar levels were more likely to be admitted to need intensive care and have a higher risk of dying than those with normal blood sugar levels.
The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Blood Clot Issue: What Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disease Patients Need to Know
People with certain chronic diseases may have special concerns about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, given their medical history and risk factors for blood clots. Experts say it’s too soon to make any recommendations, but here’s what we know so far.
By Kelsey Kloss
What the CDC’s New Guidance on Travel for Fully Vaccinated People Means If You’re Immunocompromised
Is it safe to travel if you’re fully vaccinated but have an autoimmune or inflammatory disease or take immunosuppressant medication? Here’s what experts say, plus tips for staying safe if you travel.
A new study from ArthritisPower shows that patients are very engaged when it comes to using a smartwatch along with short surveys to better understand rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
What Prompts Axial Spondyloarthritis Patients to Change Their Treatment? New Research Examines This Complicated Condition
Many axial spondyloarthritis patients are talking with their providers about their treatment plan — and wanting to prevent long-term damage is a major factor in how they think about it.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in High Disease Activity Don’t Change Their Treatment Regimen Very Often
Only about one-third of RA patients in high disease activity were offered a treatment change at their rheumatologist visit, according to a recent study in the ArthritisPower research registry.
A new study suggests that NSAIDs, a common osteoarthritis pain treatment, could be making symptoms worse. But more research is needed.
Xeljanz Study Raises Some Concerns About Heart and Cancer Risks: What Patients Need to Know
The medication, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis, already had a boxed warning for blood clots, infection, and certain cancers. Now more research is needed to understand potential additional risks.
FDA Approves Voclosporin (Lupkynis), First Oral Treatment for Lupus-Related Kidney Disease
The medication helped improve kidney function in people with lupus nephritis significantly compared with those taking a placebo.
A new study examined the effectiveness of digital exercise programs, which may be especially beneficial for osteoarthritis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To Boost Bone Density, Doing More High-Intensity Exercise in the Teenage Years Seems Key
More time spent in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity in adolescence was associated with greater hip bone mineral density at age 25 years, a new study found.
By Lupus Patients Who Don’t Exercise Are 3 Times More Likely to Become Depressed
Depression is common with lupus, but engaging in even just a little physical activity may significantly reduce your risk.
Rheumatoid arthritis patient Eileen Davidson has had her share of doctor visits virtually and in person. Here’s her take on the good and bad of telehealth — and why it’s transformed her care.
By Susan Jara
Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain: 7 Things You Should Tell Your Rheumatologist
Communication is the key to getting your RA pain under good control. Here’s what you need to discuss with your doctor if you’re experiencing an increase in RA pain.
By Susan Jara
How to Discuss Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain During a Telehealth Visit
Pain isn’t as easy to manage when providers can’t see and touch your joints in person, but you can effectively discuss and treat RA pain during virtual visits. Here’s how.
