Deciding to Continue My Biologic Therapy in a COVID19 World

How have you been staying well during this pandemic?  Have you had to make difficult decisions about keeping doctor’s appointments, treatments, and testing?  This new world has made even the simplest activities complex.

I was due for my Cimzia injection in April.  I was uncertain if I should keep my appointment or delay my treatment.  Being that I have been following my state’s stay at home order, it feels odd keeping appointments.  There is no clear answer how treatments for spondyloarthritis and other immune disorders react to COVID19.  So, there is much trepidation for me going out in public because I’ve stayed home to avoid this virus.  Another reason I felt nervous about going to the doctors’ office for my Cimzia injection because the doctor’s office is adjacent to a large University medical center.  I didn’t want to be anywhere near COVID19.

As I debated whether to get my Cimzia injection, I noticed on social media, immunocompromised patients posting pictures and blogs about getting their treatments, such as infusions.  Most felt safe receiving treatments and discussed the important protocols that were put in place for their safety.  Still, I was feeling apprehensive.  My husband felt I should delay treatment, if I was feeling well.  My daughter, a physician assistant, felt I shouldn’t wait too long because I could get a bad flare, which would be difficult to get out of.

In the meantime, I was feeling like I was getting a sore throat.  I was concerned that this could be the beginning of COVID19.   I managed to stay calm, treating my sore throat with Tylenol, drinking hot tea with honey, and taking Zinc.  The guidelines for taking biologics are you should be feeling in good health when you get the treatment.  If you were to take a treatment, and had an underlying infection, you could get very sick.  With that in mind, I called the doctor’s office to cancel my appointment for my Cimzia injection.

The sore throat passed.  I believe it was seasonal allergy related.  I continue to put off this injection because I didn’t think it was a good idea to be up in the area of the medical center where COVID19 patients are being treated.  I was feeling well and thought I would delay my treatment for a few weeks once the peak of infections had hit and things would be on the decline.

My body had other plans for me.  I woke up over the weekend with the beginnings of a flare.  I knew I couldn’t delay this appointment any longer.  I took care of myself as best as I could and called the doctor Monday morning to schedule my shot.

I felt nervous entering the office building where my doctor is located.  My husband drove me to my appointment, dropped me off at the curb, and I entered the building.  I had my mask on and hand sanitizer nearby.  There was a security guard that was screening every patient entering the building.  I went up to the 6^th floor of the building, checked in, got my shot, and left.  I did it!

My thoughts about whether to delay your treatment is to first contact your doctor to speak to him/her about your specific medication and illness.  Our doctors can help guide us when making these decisions.  This disease is not a one size fits all type of illness and treatment plans vary greatly from patient to patient.  But I keep thinking of the advice I get from my doctor about my medicines.  For me, if I feel well, I’ll continue my treatment plan.  If I don’t feel well, I’ll delay my treatment until I feel better.  That’s how I’m going to roll with this moving forward without fear or anxiety.