Is this normal

[smudge1980]

I recently was given Clarithromycin 500mg for 7 days and Prednisolone 40mg for 3 days for an over the phone diagnosis of a chest/sinus infection. It's the 1st time I've taken oral Prednisolone, I normally have a steroid injection in the buttock every 6 month's with no problems. I only took 1 day of the 40mg pred because the side effects were horrendous. My soles of my feet and palms of my hands turned bright red, very hot and itchy. I ended up standing on a cold kitchen floor at 3am to get a bit of relief. My face was on fire and looked like a very ripe tomato. I just cldnt sleep and felt wired and tired together. I took it on Tues morning, symptoms started a few hrs later getting worse as the day/night went on. Weds I slept most of the day and night and finally feeling bk to my normal self today, Thurs. Is this a normal reaction to pred or have I had a bad reaction to it?

[KnitSewPurl]

Hi, have you taken your temperature? also you will need to contact your GP it could be either the prednisolone or clarithomycin that is effecting you. you will need to be seen or something less that is croping up like a secondary flare up from an infection . this can happen with people with SLE. if you cannot get through to your GP contact your consultant Rheumatologistat if they have a helpline speak to them .

hope you get it sorted out soon xx

[smudge1980 in reply to KnitSewPurl]

Thanx for your reply. Yes I had a slight temp rise but that was b4 I took the pred. Forgot to mention that my heart rate went up also. It normally beat 54per min (due to beater blocker's) and it went up to 75 beats per min. Was uncomfortable for me. I'm still taking the antibiotics and bad symptoms have now almost gone (still got a bit of itching of soles of the feet) A GP is phoning me on Monday to check on me so I'll make sure to tell him/her of my reaction. Thanx again for your input.

[KnitSewPurl in reply to smudge1980]

That's great that GP manages to get in touch with you rapidly. Try cold compress on the hot areas to keep cool, loose clothing might help.

I have had those type of swelling before due to secondary infection but not that bad as that.

Make sure you keep up with the paracetamol and ibuprofen or codiene. if you have any pain and discomfort have they prescribe you any thing for pain? You can get over the counter meds with paracetamol and codiene .also you can get fast acting long lasting ibuprofen they are expensive but they are good . only take it when need too. unless you are already on medication for your SLE like Arcoxia then I would not suggest taking ibuprofen .You would be double dosing on Nsaids .

[smudge1980 in reply to KnitSewPurl]

I'm taking paracetamol every 4 hrs which is helping. Can't take ibuprofen due to stomach issues. I also did a PCR test just to be sure and results have just come in negative, which is great! I'll be sure to tell gp of secondary infection in sle. Thanx for all advice given, very helpful

[MrsMarigold]

Hello smudge. First I’m in US. Our system is different as you know. I’m not sure I would be prescribed those meds without an appointment or telemed as the masses of us are doing since Covid. Also it would be helpful to know what your diagnosis is. Nonetheless I have experience with both meds and am also in my 60s. I have never been prescribed a high dose of steroids Like 40 mg. It’s usually building blocks but

I understand this can be done when necessary. I have experienced flushing at 30/40 mg, insomnia, red hot face and

Other parts of my body. Not good reactions but I was told to carry on it goes away. It

Didn’t so I retreated but I titered down. Did

Not completely withdraw. Next your antibiotic is a strong one. It’s difficult to discern if it contributed to the problem.

I hope you get better soon. Titters

[Oshgosh]

I don’t know the answer.I take prednisolone and have never had the reaction you describe.

[Oshgosh]

Have you got access to a rheumatology nurse,if so ,perhaps you could seek advice

[KnitSewPurl]

Hi smudge1980, how are you, any better from the last time? hope you have improved?

[smudge1980 in reply to KnitSewPurl]

Good morning KnitSewPurl, thank you so much for enquiring how I am. GP thought that I'm sensitive to Prednisolone at that dose and has written it on my medical records. I finished the course of antibiotics without further probs. But I do think I have a secondary infection, this morning I've started bringing up yellow/green phlegm again. At the moment I feel ok, a slight ear ache, but nothing to moan about. I'll be keeping an eye on things and will get bk intouch with GP if things progress.

[KnitSewPurl]

I presume you told GP about your yellow green phlegm that you are still coughing up. Because you will need to give cultures once you have finished your course of antibiotics to check if you are still resistant to the same ones that you had the last time or you need to be on a different one. They also need to note that your were on such and such antibiotics course for what purpose when sending it off as you are still coughing up phlegm . it is important that this phlegm does not stop your breathing or at any time give you difficulties in breathing . if you do contact them immediately or seek help straight away. suggestions is deep breathing and steam inhalation with menthol( Vicks). there should be on the internet on how to shift phlegm with coughing check out the bronchiectasis website . it will help to also shift it quickly. poor you hope you recover quickly. xxpart of our low or lack of immunity we don't have the oomph to fight infection as normal people do. So , we need to take double the amount of time to recover. Also if you do end up having a chest conditions antibiotics cover should be 2 weeks and not 1 week or 3 days. this is standard Chest protocol. As for urine infection they should be 1-2 week again (either large dose for 1week or smaller dose for 2weeks). this should be written and agreed 1 with chest consultant 2 there should be a regime how they would want to follow.

Normally at the chest clinic you will be expected to do a lung function test(normally this is done before on each clinic appointment) to see the capacity of your lung to see how much damage is there with each infection until you are stable with no infection. then they will discharge you to GP care this is when instructions have to be precise and correct between consultant to GP. I hope this chest infection is a one off for you and you will not get a reoccurring one again that will need to be referred to the chest Clinic. will be thinking and praying of you.