Here’s what you need to know about the current guidance and potential risks of getting a COVID-19 vaccine if you’ve had allergic reactions to infused or injectable medication.
By Kelsey Kloss
What to Do After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine If You’re Immunocompromised or Have an Autoimmune Condition
From the steps to take immediately after your COVID vaccination to how to protect yourself for months beyond, here is your plan of action.
By I Have Ankylosing Spondylitis, Take Remicade, and Got the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine — Here’s How I’m Doing
“Getting the vaccine was the best choice for my personal circumstances,” says Kristen Schlichting, who acknowledges that the level of COVID-19 risk she is exposed to as an eye surgery nurse certainly influenced her decision to get it sooner rather than later.
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.
By Kelsey Kloss
Questions to Ask Loved Ones Before Meeting Up If You’re Immunocompromised or at High Risk for COVID-19
If you really want to see someone outside of your household in person, this list can help you determine if it may be okay.
By Kelsey Kloss
Exactly What to Do If Someone in Your Home Gets COVID-19 and You’re Immunocompromised
When you have underlying health issues, it’s especially important to take these steps to avoid getting sick when someone in your household gets COVID-19.
The coronavirus may initially affect your respiratory tract, but COVID-19 can have serious cardiovascular consequences. Here’s what you need to know to keep your heart healthy.
By Are Inflammatory Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease Patients More at Risk for COVID-19 Complications? Yes, But There Are Caveats
A slew of new studies presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology yields key takeaways for patients and providers.
How to Treat Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis During COVID-19: New Clinical Guidance
A task force of dermatologists, rheumatologists, infectious disease, and other experts reviewed the latest research to ensure psoriatic disease patients get the right care 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.
By Osteoarthritis Patients Who Take NSAIDs Do Not Have an Increased Risk of Contracting COVID-19
When compared with patients taking acetaminophen and/or codeine, those taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were not more likely to become infected with the novel coronavirus.
The Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Baricitinib Is Authorized to Treat Severe COVID-19 (Along with Remdesivir)
The targeted therapy, known as a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, may help people who are hospitalized with COVID-19 recover more quickly when given with the antiviral medication remdesivir.
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.
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.
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.
People with Mental Health Conditions Are More Likely to Get COVID-19 — and Vice Versa
Important new data suggests that people with a psychiatric diagnosis were more like to contract COVID-19—and at the same time, people who got COVID-19 were more likely to develop a mental health condition afterward.
By The 19 Mental Health Tips Everyone with Chronic Illness Needs to Get Through the COVID-19 Holiday Season
The holidays are never easy when you have a chronic illness, but this pandemic year is especially fraught with loneliness and anxiety. Here is advice to help you cope when things less than merry and bright.
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 participants’ thoughts on getting a COVID-19 vaccine now that they are rolling out across the U.S. and around the world.
By 6 Ways the Coronavirus Pandemic Affected Me as Someone with Chronic Illness (Despite Never Having COVID-19)
“We tend to shy away from talking about our challenges, especially when we know others out there are doing far worse,” says rheumatoid arthritis patient Eileen Davidson. “But I am a firm believer in self-expression and speaking up about our troubles. We shouldn’t suffer in silence.”
By COVID-19 Patient Support Program Poll Results: How Are You Coping with Loneliness During the Pandemic?
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 loneliness and how people are coping with it.
However, researchers note that it’s still imperative to be vigilant to avoid getting COVID-19 if you have a rheumatic disease.
By Kelsey Kloss
New Coronavirus Variants and Immunocompromised Patients: What’s the Link?
People with severely weakened immune systems may be involved in the spread of new coronavirus variants. Here, experts explain what this means and what to know if you have an autoimmune condition.
Can the Diabetes Drug Metformin Help Prevent COVID-19 Complications?
New research showed that women with type 2 diabetes or obesity who were taking metformin had a lower risk of dying from COVID-19.
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.
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.
Study Finds Upadacitinib Is More Effective Than Abatacept for Hard-to-Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis But Has More Side Effects
A head-to-head study looked at how RA patients who didn’t do well on their first biologic fared when they switched to either upadacitinib (Rinvoq) or abatacept (Orencia).
By Kelsey Kloss
Hydroxychloroquine Doesn’t Have a Significant Impact on Heart Rhythm Intervals for Lupus Patients, Even with Chronic Kidney Disease
A new study shows that lupus patients who need to take hydroxychloroquine can be reassured that it does not have a significant risk for serious heart toxicity.
Obese adults with PsA who lost weight with a low-calorie liquid diet had fewer PsA symptoms and less disease activity, the authors report.
By Kelsey Kloss
How to Move More at Home When You’re Stuck Inside During COVID-19
Staying active can help reduce your arthritis symptoms and help you feel better overall.
If You Have Knee Osteoarthritis and You’re Not Exercising, Your Quality of Life is Likely to Suffer
According to new data, only 11 percent of people with knee osteoarthritis in the U.S. are considered physically active.
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.
