Here’s what rheumatologists and other specialists are telling their patients about getting the vaccine even during higher than usual disease activity.
By Kelsey Kloss
Could People with COVID-19 Antibodies Need Only One Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine? Possibly, But More Research Is Needed
The second dose appears to have less of a booster effect on these individuals, studies show.
By Can You Get the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine If You’re Immunocompromised or Have an Autoimmune Condition?
Public health experts and doctors want most people with autoimmune conditions, who are immunocompromised, or who take immunosuppressant medication to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s what you need to know.
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.
By Kelsey Kloss
Should You Take Extra Precautions Against New Coronavirus Variants If You’re Immunocompromised or at High Risk for COVID-19?
The rule of thumb is that even if you’re immunocompromised or living with chronic disease, you don’t necessarily need to take more or different precautions against the new variant — but it’s more important to follow the precautions you already know.
By Joint Replacement Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Arthritis Patients Should Know
Is it safe to have knee, hip, or other joint replacement surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic? Here’s what to expect from orthopedic surgeons and fellow patients who have been through these procedures.
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.
By Kelsey Kloss
More Research Suggests That COVID-19 Can Cause Autoantibodies Linked with Autoimmune Diseases
A new small study underscores the importance of researching autoimmunity and its potential role in long-hauler symptoms.
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.
By Can IL-6 Inhibitor Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications Treat Severe COVID-19?
In a recent study, the biologic medications tocilizumab (Actemra) and sarilumab (Kevzara) benefited very sick COVID-19 patients. But other research is conflicting.
By Kelsey Kloss
Sticking to a Medication Schedule When You Lose Track of Time During COVID-19
It may feel like every day is blending together, but some easy strategies can help you stay on track with your pills or injectables.
A new study found that many patients who tapered their meds wound up flaring.
By Suspect Rheumatoid Arthritis? Seeing a Rheumatologist Within 6 Weeks Is Key
Time is of the essence when RA symptoms strike.
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.
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.
By ‘I’m Scared and Sad’: A Health Psychologist’s Tip for Coping with These Common Pandemic Feelings
There are no easy fixes, but Laurie Ferguson, PhD, clinical psychologist and Director of Education Development at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, shares a small daily practice that can help.
Texas is my home and has my heart — so why can’t it use common sense and work harder to keep chronic illness patients like me safe during the pandemic?
By COVID-19 Patient Support Program Poll Results: Do You Think COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Is Fair?
The Global Healthy Living Foundation regularly polls the members of our COVID-19 Patient Support Program to understand the perspectives of chronic illness patients during the pandemic. Here is data about patients’ ability to access the COVID-19 vaccine so far and whether they believe the process has been fair.
COVID-19 Patient Support Program Poll Results: What Are Your Main COVID-19 Vaccine Concerns as an Immunocompromised Patient?
The Global Healthy Living Foundation regularly polls the members of our COVID-19 Patient Support Program to understand the perspectives of chronic illness patients during the pandemic. Here is data about patients’ main questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, especially those related to being immunocompromised.
Texas is my home and has my heart — so why can’t it use common sense and work harder to keep chronic illness patients like me safe during the pandemic?
By Kelsey Kloss
Should You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine During a Disease Flare-Up?
Here’s what rheumatologists and other specialists are telling their patients about getting the vaccine even during higher than usual disease activity.
By Kelsey Kloss
Could People with COVID-19 Antibodies Need Only One Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine? Possibly, But More Research Is Needed
The second dose appears to have less of a booster effect on these individuals, studies show.
In a recent study, 86 percent of people with lupus and 72 percent of rheumatologists treating lupus agreed that having people fill out short surveys about fatigue, pain, and more helped improve communication.
Why the Future of Patient-Centered Arthritis Research Will Involve Your Smartwatch
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.
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.
Women with Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis Don’t Seem to Benefit as Much as Men from Biologics, Study Shows
Significantly more men than women saw an improvement in their disease activity a year after starting a biologic, but more research is needed to understand why.
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.
Losing Weight on a Low-Calorie Diet Can Improve Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity and Heart Disease Risk Factors
Obese adults with PsA who lost weight with a low-calorie liquid diet had fewer PsA symptoms and less disease activity, the authors report.
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.
