How cautious is cautious enough when it comes to Covid?
Being on immunosuppressants for Crohn's, the thought of catching Covid-19 scares me. It really scares me. I have enough medical problems already.
Like many other immunosuppressed individuals, I feel disposable by society and government. I protect myself as well as I can: I have gotten 4 Covid shots, always wear a mask in public, and actively avoid gatherings of any kind. But how much caution is enough? How much is too much? Just how safe have the vaccines made us, as a distinct group?
My Crohn's has already dictated many aspects of my life. I don't want to add the risk dying of suffocation to the list of possibilities. But everyone else seems to be fed up with Covid prevention and all the ensuing restrictions.
I don't know where the line between caution and recklessness is anymore. I could really use some help.
Hi
, I've been dealing with similar questions, especially because I have had some other health issues as well. I would suggest talking to your doctor about your risk levels and maybe even seeing an immunologist if your GI feels they can't give you a clear answer. Your doctors should have a better grasp of the literature in regards to how COVID can affect Crohn's patients as well as how immunosuppressed you are, based on the meds and dosages you have been given. I will share, just from my own personal experience, that I am still being exceedingly careful. Many of my friends and family are pretty clearly talking behind my back about how careful my husband and I (and sometimes question us to our faces), but we do not eat indoors at restaurants, we wear our masks everywhere, and we have not started flying. That being said, I made a HUGE exception the other weekend for a conference I needed to go to for work (my doctors were not too pleased, but they told me to weigh my risk against how badly I needed to go). There were thousands of attendees in a convention center and many people got COVID. I, however, did not and I feel that my KN95 mask did a lot to protect me, so I'm grateful for that. Again, that is only my personal experience, but I wanted to share just so you know you are not alone in trying to manage these decisions! -Eshani (IBD Team Member) Thank you! Your words are very reassuring. It helps just knowing I'm not alone in this. I will check with my doctors and see what they have to say as well.
These are such valid questions and I think at some point we all have asked them. I think it is great you are reaching out to see how others are coping. As for me, due to my diagnosis I took the precautions that I felt were best for me. I did end up contracting COVID last month. I too was nervous as I am immunocompromised but my experience was not bad, thankfully. For me it was like having the flu, which of course is not fun but it never got severe. I share my experience in hope to bring some relief to you. Yes, we are immunocompromised but it also doesn't mean a death sentence. Our bodies are pretty magnificent. Overall, I say, take the precautions that make you feel safe, and forget about the noise around. Big hugs to you, Elizabeth (team member)
I definitely agree with you do what feels best for you and makes you feel safe, what others think doesn't matter. Stay well and thanks for sharing your perspective. ~Fondly Lynne S.(IBD.net Team member) 
honestly, all I can say to you is the same as I have said to the many other people in the IBD community that have asked the same question. You. Do. You.
Your comfort is all that matters. A few of my IBD friends still mask up no matter where they go... Others just mask up if it's busy.
I've seen lots of research (usually published on Twitter) that talks about how people on different medications for IBD are responding to vaccines. But, at the same time, our bodies are different so there's no concrete way of knowing without having antibody tests.
- Sahara (team member)
