The Arthritis Foundation helpline can help answer some of your common questions about financial assistance and more. Contact them at 1-800-283-7800 or visit https://www.arthritis.org/i-need-help for more ways to get in touch. Drug manufacturers may have financial assistance programs. Visit the links below to find out more about them. Abbvie: (Humira), (RINVOQ) Humira and [...]
Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Headspace is an app for meditation, and they have free modules available. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting. Take care of your body. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Exercise regularly, get plenty [...]
Before making a decision about whether or not to be active outside, be sure to check the latest guidance from your local health department and community or state leaders. In most places across the United States, residents can go for a walk or run as long as they practice social distancing and good hygiene. [...]
Talk with your medical provider regarding your symptoms and if they are not available, check to see if there is a local support line that has been set up. If you develop any of these emergency warning signs* for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately: Trouble breathing Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New [...]
Please consult your physician to find out what is best for you and your treatment. Research is still very active in this area, and your healthcare provider will have the most up-to-date information for you. Currently, the only treatments approved by the FDA are "infection prevention and control measures and supportive care, including supplemental [...]
If you are due for a refill, order if from your pharmacy now, or if you need a refill, contact your health care provider. If your refill is for 30 days, ask your doctor to write it for a 90-day supply. That will give you a cushion in case it’s difficult to find later. [...]
Please speak with your rheumatologist before considering any change to your treatment plan. They are an expert on your health! However, the following points are recommendations for clinicians by the ACR COVID-19 Clinical Guidance Task Force: Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine (HCQ/CQ), sulfasalazine (SSZ), methotrexate (MTX), leflunomide (LEF), immunosuppressants (e.g., tacrolimus, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine), [...]
The short answer is that experts warn patients not to stop or change dosage of medication without calling their doctors. The long answer is that we don’t know whether taking immunosuppressant drugs further increases the risk of catching COVID-19. But Michael George, MD, a rheumatologist and assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology at [...]
FORWARD is asking you for this information now as it may provide valuable information to health care providers going forward to help make decisions about how to treat patients with rheumatic diseases who get COVID-19. Our 6-month questionnaires are the mainstay of our research, but if there's an important question that needs answering for the [...]