If you’re immunocompromised, you may be due for a booster if it’s been four months since your last dose. Here’s what to know.
By Kelsey Kloss
New Research Shows Booster Shots Give Patients on Immunosuppressants More Protection Against COVID-19
It’s the first study to quantify the effectiveness of the vaccines for this population in a real-world setting.
By Study Highlights Pros and Cons of Pausing Methotrexate to Get COVID Shots
While researchers find pausing methotrexate for two weeks resulted in more protection from the COVID vaccine, it also led to increased disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers hope new studies will shed light on these questions for those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID.
By Kelsey Kloss
Everything You Need to Know If You’re Prescribed Paxlovid as an Immunocompromised Patient
See answers to all of your questions about this antiviral pill — from how it works to side effects and more.
By Kelsey Kloss
How to Stay Safe From COVID-19 While Traveling — Even When Others Aren’t Wearing Masks
The removal of mask mandates from public modes of transportation has left many high-risk patients feeling more vulnerable. Find out what steps you can take to stay safe if you're planning to travel.
More than 40 percent of patients reported at least moderate sleep disturbances and nearly 70 percent reported at least moderate fatigue.
By Kelsey Kloss
COVID-19 Pandemic Particularly Difficult for Those With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain, Shows New Research
Lack of access to care during the pandemic impacted pain intensity, functionality, and quality of life in those with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic lower back pain.
By Kelsey Kloss
What You Should Know About Long-Haul COVID
Here’s what research says about how long COVID lung disease, mental health, brain fog, and more may impact people who are immunocompromised.
See answers to all of your questions about this antiviral pill — from how it works to side effects and more.
By CreakyStaff
Rheumatology Patients Are Still Struggling with Shortages of Actemra, a Medication Being Used to Treat COVID-19
We talked with rheumatoid arthritis patients and rheumatologists to find out how this shortage is physically and mentally impacting our community — and what to do if you can’t access Actemra right now.
By Susan Jara
Anxiety During COVID-19 Linked to Medication Interruptions and Disease Flares in Rheumatic Disease Patients
Experts hope these findings can help physicians and patients communicate better when making decisions to stop medication for inflammatory arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.
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 CreakyStaff
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.
The answer to this question can empower you to feel good about mask-wearing, even as others toss theirs aside, shares Laurie Ferguson, PhD, clinical psychologist and Director of Education Development at the Global Healthy Living Foundation.
By Kelsey Kloss
Your Thoughts on Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Plus, why it’s perfectly okay not to “learn a lesson” at all.
By Kelsey Kloss
How the Immunocompromised Community Can Support Each Other During This Stage of the Pandemic
You may have a sense of being left behind as the rest of the world returns to normal activities, but connecting with other immunocompromised patients may help you feel less alone.
In the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, only 30 percent of respondents said they feel more comfortable doing activities in public this summer compared to last summer. That said, they were most comfortable planning gatherings with close family and friends.
By Angie Ebba
With COVID Restrictions Lifting, What Will Happen to Us?
"Instead of returning to the old normal, let’s create a new normal, a future that includes access and accommodations, and multiple ways of experiencing and moving through the world," says patient advocate Angie Ebba.
By New Poll Reveals Patient Experience with Evusheld, the Preventative COVID Treatment for Immunocompromised
According to the Global Healthy Living Foundation’s latest COVID-19 Patient Support Program poll, lack of access and lack of doctor recommendations are among top reasons why patients aren't receiving Evusheld.
From spoonie to painsomina to brain fog, find out common terms used by those living with arthritis and chronic illness.
By CreakyStaff
Pride and Chronic Disease: Raising Awareness Together
We're raising awareness with our LGBTQ+ patient community on the unique challenges they face as people at the intersection of multiple identities.
By Angie Ebba
What Does It Mean to Be Proud?
“As June comes to a close, I may be putting away my rainbow romper and unicorn headband, but I’ll be unapologetically stepping out with my cane and posting about my disability on social media.”
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.
By CreakyStaff
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.
By CreakyStaff
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.
