Evusheld

[Middlesista]

From what I have read “Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules that act as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance or mimic the immune system's attack on cells.” For those of us on Rituxin which works to shut off our immune response, to some degree, by affecting our B cells - what effect will Evusheld have on our GPA?

[Dirty Don]

Got my Evusheld shot yesterday. Was randomly selected as Mayo has only 400 shots of it. Should head to Vegas next I guess. Felt fine during the rest time afterwards, but by time I got home I was very tired. Rested most of afternoon, slept well last nite, and feel good this AM. No symptoms today...NEXT!

[drz]

Does Evusheld have any risk of causing a flare of GPA like the vaccinations did for me? I don't dare get any boosters since the first two vaccinations seemed to cause a serious flare of my GPA that did a lot of damage to my lungs and body. I would try the Evusheld if it would be safe for me to take.

[Pete]

The explanation I was given for how Evusheld works follows. It prevents the spike proteins in the Covid virus from attaching to other cells, thereby facilitating the elimination of the virus from the body. Evusheld complements the body’s natural immune system. A Covid antibody test performed on a person who has received Evusheld is not likely to show any Covid antibodies as the monoclonal antibodies aren’t detected by this test.

That said, I have had two half doses of Evusheld with no obvious side effects. I suppose there is a small probability that Evusheld could trigger a GPA flare. I’m not aware of anyone who got Evusheld having a subsequent flare. See what your GPA doc says and proceed accordingly. Good luck!

[drz]

The explanation I was given for how Evusheld works follows. It prevents the spike proteins in the Covid virus from attaching to other cells, thereby facilitating the elimination of the virus from the body. Evusheld complements the body’s natural immune system. A Covid antibody test performed on a person who has received Evusheld is not likely to show any Covid antibodies as the monoclonal antibodies aren’t detected by this test.

That said, I have had two half doses of Evusheld with no obvious side effects. I suppose there is a small probability that Evusheld could trigger a GPA flare. I’m not aware of anyone who got Evusheld having a subsequent flare. See what your GPA doc says and proceed accordingly. Good luck!

My doctors have said it should be safe. The other question I had was if it would be effective for me if I was taking Avacopan and Azatioprine to control my GPA? But that risk has little downside so I will pursue getting it.

[drz]

How much hassle was it to get Evusheld? How long did it take to get approved to get it?

[Pete]

How much hassle was it to get Evusheld? How long did it take to get approved to get it?

For me, the hassle was minimal. I called my PCP’s office on Thursday, had an online consult with infectious diseases on Friday, and got the shots on Tuesday.

[Ashley37]

How much hassle was it to get Evusheld? How long did it take to get approved to get it?

My Rheumy offered it just last week at a follow up and I am scheduled to receive it this Friday. This is at MUSC where most of my doctors are. I’ll update once I receive it because I too had a flare up with my first booster.


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[drz]

i got the Evusheld injection yesterday at a clinic in next state where i get a lot of my health care. My local clinic did not have the drug available and our state has a more complicated procedure you had to go through to try get it so I avoided the hassle by driving 60 miles. The Evusheld injection is considered experimental so there are extra precautions required in its administration.

[Sixto]

I got Evusheld yesterday.

It was easy .. I got the prescription during my usual visit last week, then checked website (below), found local provider on the website, called, they had it in stock (which matched the website), they needed to call for insurance approval, got that, and I got the injection same day a few hours later.

Link: https://covid-19-therapeutics-locator-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com

Other then the usual split second pain for the injection, no reaction at all, no pain later in the day, and all fine today.

It's two shots, they did one in each arm, but it can be in thigh or another muscle area.

My last Rituxan 1000mg was 6 months ago and my latest blood test showed zero COVID antibodies after the booster 8 months ago, thus the recommendation to get Evusheld.

[MaxD]

I was just informed by my rheumatologist's office that Evusheld was approved for emergency use ONCE ONLY. Hopefully this will be extended by the government since the treatment is good for 6 months. As with everything COVID-19, policies are fluid, but if the past is predictive, CDC gives immunocompromised patients lowest priority if that. The other question of course is how effective Evusheld is against variants BA.4 and BA.5 which will dominate the next wave.

[VictoriaG_12]

I got the Evusheld shots last week and had a horrible reaction. The reaction was immediate and I was transferred to the ER. Has anyone else suffered from extreme fatigue, hot flashes, and bottomed out vitals right after the shots? I'm talking about, my pants weren't even buttoned yet when I was drenched in sweat and went down. I'm new to all this, support groups and stuff that is. I was diagnosed 3 years ago and have been doing it on my own since. But finally got the courage to reach out in hopes of finding others like me.

[Masha]

I am sorry you had that reaction. No, but had no reaction to Evusheld.

[drz]

I had no reaction to Evusheld injections but flared after the regular vaccinations for Covid so don't dare take any more boosters shots.

[VictoriaG_12]

I'm supposed to get a booster come this fall and I'm terrified after my last reaction. Especially living in a small town where, every time I have to go to the ER, the doctors tell me they don't know much about my disease. One doctor actually said it was something he heard briefly about in med school during that chapter, then never anything after. My actual treatment center is over 2 hours away so I only go to my local hospital in extreme emergencies. And each time I'm left to fend for myself while the doctor Google's my condition. It all has made me afraid to get anything outside of my normal infusions. Sorry, if this is a lot. I've had nobody to talk about this stuff with for years.

[drz]

I'm supposed to get a booster come this fall and I'm terrified after my last reaction. Especially living in a small town where, every time I have to go to the ER, the doctors tell me they don't know much about my disease. One doctor actually said it was something he heard briefly about in med school during that chapter, then never anything after. My actual treatment center is over 2 hours away so I only go to my local hospital in extreme emergencies. And each time I'm left to fend for myself while the doctor Google's my condition. It all has made me afraid to get anything outside of my normal infusions. Sorry, if this is a lot. I've had nobody to talk about this stuff with for years.

I have had this experience too in my rural area. The doctor that tells you he lacks knowledge of GPA is much better than one who thinks he knows how to treat you but has no experience or skill in dealing with GPA . They can kill you with their mistakes. A good doctor will try consult with your treating team and follow their advice and try not to do any harm while keeping you alive. I also had many doctors in ER ask me what is usually done for my current problems and then they try do the same. That is why many GPA patients become experts on their disease and how their body reacts to it. Trust your instincts. The Vasculitis Foundation also has a list of experts around the world that consult with doctors and they are usually done gratis.

[VictoriaG_12]

Thank you! I appreciate this so much.

[Pete]

As I write this during day 3 of Covid, I could have gone all day without reading this: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/09/07/health/evusheld-antibodies-omicron-ba-4-6/index.html

I started having symptoms on Labor Day evening — sore throat, greater than notrmal sinus drainage, and low grade fever. My wife took a Covid test Tuesday morning and called her PCP, right away. She got bebtelovimab yesterday. I called my PCP on Tuesday afternoon and she called in a Rx for paxlovid which I started Wednesday. I think I’m feeling better (read that as just a little less crappy), but still have way to go. Temp fluctuates between 100-101, sore throat, fatigue, no energy. Hope it doesn’t get worse…

[Dirty Don]

Hang tough my friend, another bump, you'll get past this one too.

[Pete]

This just in …

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/26/health/evusheld-covid-fda-eua-revision/index.htmlWith rise of new coronavirus variants, FDA halts authorization of Evusheld