How can I cope with a cold? This is the first I have had for 5 years, the last was the start of RA. I feel rough! Should drugs be altered?

[Grumpyfell]

[helixhelix]

If it's just a cold, then I do try to brave it out. Hot toddies (without the whisky), extra paracetamol, liquids and rest.... But if temperature is up, or any sign of it turning into something on your chest ie a bacterial infection rather than cold virus, then call your rheumy team. My personal rule of thumb is a temperature of over 100 for more than 24 hours... Hope it's just a 24 hour thing. Polly

[cathie]

I've got a cold just now. It seems to be clearing up faster than my partners, but its playing havoc with my sleeping. I just tend to take it easy, rest as much as possible, drink lots of fluid and so on. I've found that my ESR goes up when I have an infection, which is to do with increased levels of inflammation. So I try not to overdo things.

I hope you feel better soon. And Polly's hot toddies sounds great - hot lemon, ginger honey.

[Grumpyfell]

Thanks Helixhelix and Cathie, for sympathy and advice. I had my routine blood test this morning, so I asked the nurse to check my temperature. As it was normal she called in a colleague to give my my flu jab before I escaped.

Last month when I had a blood test I was having a flare and my ESR was up. I was impressed that my GP phoned later that day to discuss the situation. She has not phoned today so presumably all is (reasonably) well.

This is day three and I think I have turned the corner. I slept much of this afternoon and then went out to see to the ponies and chickens; some jobs do not go away!