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    Default COVID 19 and Wegener's - musings

    Hi y'all,

    It's been a while. Ready for another LOOOONG Marta post? LOL
    Well here it comes.

    Needless to say, I'm sure we're all thinking about this new world order (C-19) and how it relates to OUR old world order (WG).
    Man am I seeing a ton of parallels between the two, the more I hear about the symptoms (and post mortem) of Covid19 patients, the more I think that WG, and Covid 19 were designed together in some other worldly lab and this also gives me some ideas on the management of the issues from our perspective.

    I. Am. NOT. A. Doctor.
    All of this is just me sitting at home and philosophizing in my pea brain.
    What I write is not in any way intended as advice, or anything of the sort, just fodder for thought.

    Point 1: The similarities

    So C-19 attacks the lungs. We all know that. Same with WG. One of the symptoms they're telling people to watch out for, is loss of sense of smell and taste. I went through at least three years with that particular symptom. So we know C-19 is also hitting the sinuses. A lot of people who have passed from C-19 have also shown to have renal failure as one of the final symptoms, and found post mortem. Does this sound familiar to anyone on this forum? I'm sure the answer is yes.

    Point 2: The actual killer

    With WG, it is our immune system attacking healthy tissue that is the threat of killing us. In C-19, it's the immune system attacking the virus (who likes the same areas that our WG immune system has already had ample practice on). It's not he virus killing people, it's the immune response to the virus. That immune response is the same immune response that has threatened our lives in the past. The exact same immune response, in the exact same areas. It is the immune system creating extra phlegm and mucous and inflammation in the lungs that is keeping people from getting enough oxygen (I've been hanging at high 80's - low 90's oxygen saturation since diagnosis in 2010). It's the inflammation in the kidneys that make them shut down and not be able to filter.

    Point 3: Precedent

    How do we deal with the idea that our immune system can potentially kill us? We do that by dealing with the symptoms (pred) and trying to mellow out the immune response (the physiological equivalent to trying to flatten the curve socially). We take immune suppressants so that an overblown response by our immune system doesn't shut down the whole operation. By taking immune suppressants and steroids, we are essentially flattening the curve internally, and allowing the body not to get overburdened with the response. It makes me think about how my body has handled flus and colds in the last ten years while on immune suppressants. If I do catch something going around, it takes longer for my body to react, it takes longer for the viral infection to go through it's course, but it's not as harsh as it would be without immune suppressants. I see a parallel both socially and physiologically.

    There isn't much we as humans can do about a viral infection. We haven't figured viruses out yet. All we can do, is let it run its course, and mitigate the symptoms keeping them from being deadly. In my mind, I've decided what I will do if I get hit (although I fear that this might be a nasty one to catch, I also in the back of my mind have a hope that we're actually trained and ready to go on this fight moreso than others... not sure which way to go, lol). If I get it, I will continue my Imuran, my Dapsone (PCP pneumonia deterrent) and I'll probably take some pred (I'm not on it now, but I think it would be a good one to take, as it decreases inflammation and it's inflammation that kills) I will (am) also supporting my immune system with Vitamin C, D, Oregano oil, Propolis, and Sambucol. That way (in my mind) I'm taking precautions (aside from social distancing - which I'm a pro at given the last ten years of WG) to keep any stray virus from taking hold in my body. Lots of snot rockets too - all you Weggies know the power of the snot rocket. Ha ha ha.

    Point 4: We're number 1

    In my usual Pollyanna fashion, I'd like to suggest we're the lucky ones. We've already gone through the panic, and fear that I see in people's faces on the news. We've done this for a while. We are the pros right now, despite being the vulnerable. This is our Olympics. Our exam time. We can help people who are truly panicked and give them peace of mind. I've gotten off social media (again) and I'm so glad I'm not on there as it's super gross right now, so maybe stay away from the negative nini platforms, but know that you've got this. Stay safe, do what you've been doing all along, and know that you're practiced in keeping safe and are miles ahead of the rest of the world.

    Peace y'all.... thinking of you all, and sending you all 'safety jujus'.

    Marta
    Last edited by marta; 04-03-2020 at 05:08 AM.

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