Coronavirus and psoriasis: Is my treatment putting me at risk?

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Courtney_J

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31/03/2020 at 00:00

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Courtney_J

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Last activity on 13/10/2022 at 16:47

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Hello everyone,

Since psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease, you are probably taking anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroids, etc.), immunosuppressants (methotrexate) or biologics (Humira, Cosentyx, etc.). These treatments can weaken your immune defenses, however it is recommended not to stop or change them without the advice of your doctor!

Have you read the recommendations dedicated to patients with chronic conditions such as inflammatory diseases? Has your doctor warned you or reassured you about your treatments? Has he or she given you the procedure to follow in the event of coronavirus symptoms? Do you feel sufficiently informed as a patient?

How are you handling the social distancing and stay-at-home measures? Does this pose major difficulties for you in following your treatment, for your daily life with the disease? Feel free to share the difficulties you have to overcome, as well as ways to alleviate them as comments to this discussion!

If you haven't already seen, we've published a few articles that may be of some help and guidance to you:

Coronavirus and Chronic Illness

Coronavirus: What do you need to know?

Feel free to share your experiences, as well as any thoughts or questions you may have below!

Take care,

Courtney

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nothingelse

02/04/2020 at 11:35

nothingelse

Last activity on 26/02/2024 at 13:08

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@Courtney_J I've been worried since I'm on Humira injections. The whole point of TNF inhibitors is that they lower immune system response, so I'm afraid that it will make me more likely to catch COVID-19. I feel a little in the dark here, I've had nothing from my GP or anyone else. Is everyone else self-isolating?

Coronavirus and psoriasis: Is my treatment putting me at risk? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-psoriasis/coronavirus-and-psoriasis-is-my-treatment-putting-me-at-risk-3141 2020-04-02 11:35:01

Belfast1

06/04/2020 at 17:36

Belfast1

Last activity on 12/07/2023 at 11:11

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Hi - I’m on Stelaria for palmar plantar - it is an immunosuppressant but hosp say I’m not on the higher risk bracket - I am a bit confused - does anyone know what the difference is?? Thanks

Courtney_J

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14/04/2020 at 16:50

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Courtney_J

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Last activity on 13/10/2022 at 16:47

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1,279 comments posted | 17 in the Living with psoriasis group

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Hello @nothingelse‍ and @Belfast1‍, thank you for commenting. Let me tag some members to see if they have any advice or can provide any clarity for you both:

Hello members, I hope you don't mind me tagging you! Have you had any information about your conditions or your medications vis à vis the coronavirus? Do you have any advice to share? How are you doing during this difficult time?

@Happychick46‍ @Clarity‍ @HelenaCreaby‍ @Janeywom‍ @Tamara26‍ @Jillyb‍ @Salsa79‍ @Amberl481‍ @Alan.byrne‍ @Leannek22‍ @killoranm‍ @Chillsy‍ @Nicole79‍ @Hannfoley‍ @SadieJane‍ @Nikki76‍ @Leanne2013‍ @Oceanwesley‍

Take care,

Courtney

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HelenaCreaby

Edited on 14/04/2020 at 17:32

HelenaCreaby

Last activity on 22/05/2020 at 15:02

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I am on Methotrexate and Xeljanz which both cause me to be immunosuppressed and according to the guidelines issued by the HSE this places me in the category of those who need to cocoon. You need to be extra careful and mind yourself. I was showing symptoms in early/mid March and my GP referred me for a test for Covid as I was in a high risk category along with my symptoms. Ultimately it came back negative thankfully. Your GP won't reach out to you generally speaking but if you have symptoms or concerns they will do a phone consult. I'm not sure if the criteria are the same in Belfast - from what you say @Belfast1‍ it wouldn't seem so and I don't know the procedures either for the NHS. Hope this helps x Stay safe and well all.

Happychick46

Edited on 14/04/2020 at 17:11

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Happychick46

Last activity on 13/04/2021 at 22:46

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Hi I'm not bad myself at this time. I do try to pot around, just trying to keep busy. I do find my psoriasis arthritis has been playing up ABIT. Cause I'm used to going swimming. I was advised that I'm high risk so not taken any chance. But this washing and cleaning all the time has taken its toll on my skin. Constantly moisturing. As hard as it is, I just try to stay positive. And I'm on (methotrexate) so that I been informed is high risk

Happchick 46

Belfast1

14/04/2020 at 17:40

Belfast1

Last activity on 12/07/2023 at 11:11

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@HelenaCreaby thank you so much - I have since received a letter stating that I’m in the high risk bracket - but the hosp had said the drug stelaria unlike methotrexate didn’t put me there....I know it is all very confusing!!

take care - stay safe

LittleWoman

30/04/2020 at 14:20

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LittleWoman

Last activity on 26/02/2024 at 13:08

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@HelenaCreaby @Happychick46 @Belfast1 Hi everyone, I'm on methotrexate too, I thought about stopping my treatment at first but my doctor told me to continue. I've been self-isolating for several weeks since I got my letter also. Even if more and more people stay at home around me, it's still just as hard and frightening. I can't see my family and friends, go to the shops or just for a walk... I feel really lonely and anxious and I spend most of my time watching telly. I don't know what to do...

Happychick46

30/04/2020 at 14:57

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Happychick46

Last activity on 13/04/2021 at 22:46

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HiI understand where you're coming from. I just try to pop around cleaning, spreading it out though the day. I put happy tunes on and sing to myself. Done my first Jigsaw puzzle. Word search. Just to keep the mind alive. I'm lucky I got a dog and a cat , l chat to them so I don't look totally nuts. I facetime my grandkids. And ring friends. I try to stay positive. Happy chick 46

TheBoss

25/05/2020 at 14:55

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TheBoss

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I know this is a bit late now, but I asked my GP at the start of all this about the steroids I'm on for my nail psoriasis and he ensured me that I (and the rest of you too if you're on them) would be fine as my dosage I'm on isn't enough to be seriously immunosuppressive.

Hope everyone is well. I've actually enjoyed a little bit of the lockdown, it gave me time to be with my thoughts and my wife and slow down life a bit. Not to say that I won't be glad when it's over, but it was a nice change of pace.

Take care everyone!

Courtney_J

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09/06/2020 at 11:45

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Courtney_J

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Last activity on 13/10/2022 at 16:47

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1,279 comments posted | 17 in the Living with psoriasis group

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Good morning everyone,

How are you today? emoticon cute

How are you managing your psoriasis now? Is it more complicated this time of year? Have you returned to a "normal life" after these few months of lockdown? Have you noticed any flares or changes in your psoriasis post-lockdown?

Feel free to share! We are all here to help each other!

Take care,
Courtney

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Courtney_J, Community Manager, Carenity UK

Coronavirus and psoriasis: Is my treatment putting me at risk?

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