Partners immune system

Fayech

Hi There

My partner has Psoriatic arthritis and takes Cimzia which obviously affects his immune system. The problem we have is we have 2 girls under the age of 4 and as kids they catch colds and coughs. Due to covid etc we have been keeping them away from nursery toddler groups and seeing friends but now things are getting better I'm wanting to take them out again. My partner doesn't want me too in case they catch something, last time we went to a soft play he was on antibiotics for a week. I really don't know what is for the best I'm worried that my girls aren't socialising with other kids and don't want to leave my side. But on the other side if my partner gets ill he can't work and we can't pay the bills.

Any advice would be gratefully received

Tom

Welcome to the community, @Fayech .

I see that you and your partner have concerns about exposure to Covid and the effect that the measures you take may affect your young children. This must be a very difficult time for you both. Following this moderation stage your post will be released to the Forum, and I am sure that other members will have experiences that will be helpful.

You may also like to talk to our Helpline team on 0800 5200 520

There is this information on our website:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/certolizumab-pegol/

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Tom, Moderator.

helpline_team

Hi Fayech,

Thank you for posting on the Helpline forum. I am sorry to hear that your partner has psoriatic arthritis and it is understandable that he is worried about his reduced immunity and increased risk of catching infections including Covid-19. Of course, it is important that your young children get out and about to socialise, attend nursery, toddler groups etc. Tom has given a helpful response to your post. As he says, other people on the Forum may be facing similar challenges. Posting on the Living with arthritis forum may generate more responses.

It sounds as if it may help your partner to talk things through with his rheumatology nurse and GP. He may be entitled to a 4th booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if he has not already received this. This would give him additional protection.

As you and your partner are aware, because certolizumab pegol affects the immune system, it can make you more likely to pick up infections. It can also make them harder to spot. So, it is important for your partner to tell his GP or rheumatology nurse straight away if he develops any signs of infection such as a sore throat or fever, coughing up green phlegm, diarrhoea, or any other new symptoms that concern you.

I hope you find the information given below of some help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/covid-19-updates/

If at any point you or your partner would like to talk things through informally and in confidence, you are welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 520 0520 weekdays 9am – 6pm.

Best wishes,

Fiona, Helpline Advisor 

Ladyship

I have osteoarthritis for many years along with injuries having done much manual work. Now in may 2020 I got lymes disease from an insect bite but my condition goes undiagnosed , saving to get a test done in Germany)I have no faith in doctors / consultants etc they don't seem to believe or take what I'm dealing with on a daily bases, seriously

Because of this my arthritis has got worse dealing with both conditions is becoming quite difficult effecting my mental health, I cannot turn to doctors ( my physiotherapist was brilliant couldn't do enough and I do excercises every day) . Is there anybody out there who has a similar story or any ideas that may help

helpline_team

Hi @Ladyship

Thank you for posting on the helpline forum. I’m sorry both types of arthritis are having such an impact on your quality of life and mental health.

You have posted this as part of a different conversation, so it will be missed by most people. If you haven’t already done so, you may also wish to post on Life With Arthritis so that you can get similar story or any ideas from others that may help.

I’m sorry you have been having difficulty with diagnosis for the symptoms that you have experienced since the insect bite in May 2020. It’s been a particularly challenging time to get diagnosed and treated. I would suggest that you call us on our freephone helpline 0800 5200 520 so you can talk things through with one of our advisors.

In the meantime, you can find out a little more about Lyme arthritis and about emotional wellbeing and arthritis here:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/lyme-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/emotional-wellbeing/

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Mags

Helpline team