UnabridgedMD
Bringing Hope, driven by science. Isabelle Amigues, MD, is a physician scientist with a speciality in rheumatology. She has trained both in Paris, France as well as Columbia University, in New York City. At age 40, in the midst of an existential crisis, she was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. A timely meeting with a non-traditionally trained practitioner taught her a different approach to disease. She experienced the power of meditation, visualization, energy healing and love. Her journey through cancer inspired her to learn more about these alternative approaches, and now that she has studied many of them she has integrated them into her own practice of medicine. Dr. Amigues is the author of multiple book chapters and scientific articles in rheumatology. She is the founder and CEO of UnabridgedMD.
Follow Dr. Amigues on Social!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridgedmd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedMD
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unabridgedmd4
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UnabridgedMD
UnabridgedMD
How COVID-19 Affects Your Immune Health — Rheumatology101 with Dr. Isabelle Amigues
Can a COVID-19 infection flip a hidden switch in your immune system—triggering arthritis or other autoimmune conditions? Dr. Isabelle Amigues explains what she’s seeing in clinic, the science behind post-infection immune shifts, and why treatment and vaccination choices must be tailored to you.
What You’ll Learn:
From infection to inflammation: Real cases of new-onset inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid, psoriatic) and PMR emerging soon after COVID-19—and how clinicians decide if it’s causation or coincidence.
The “two-hit” model: Genetics and risk factors (family history, smoking, stress, adiposity) can lie dormant until an infection like COVID-19 triggers overt autoimmunity.
Immune overdrive & treatment overlap: Why severe COVID-19 sometimes responds to steroid/IL-6/TNF-blocking therapies—tools also used for autoimmune disease—plus what that tells us about shared pathways.
Treat what’s in front of you: If your labs/exam meet criteria for RA/PMR/vasculitis/lupus, treat per standard rheumatology care—regardless of whether COVID was the spark.
Post-COVID (long COVID) nuance: Dysautonomia, fatigue, exercise intolerance often require team-based care (coaching, nutrition, PT, psychotherapy) to rebalance sympathetic/parasympathetic systems.
Vaccination decisions: Not one-size-fits-all. Context matters—prior reactions, exposure risk, location, and current therapies (e.g., IVIG may already provide community antibodies)—so decide with your rheumatologist.
Science evolves, partnership endures: Cutting through misinformation with clear, individualized education and a strong patient-physician relationship.
What’s next: Details on Dr. Amigues’ upcoming holistic inflammation webinar and group coaching designed to speed remission and build resilience.
If an infection can nudge a predisposed immune system into autoimmunity, which lever will you pull this week to lower baseline inflammation—sleep, stress care, movement, nutrition, or community support?