Grandson has just developed the Chicken Pox rash, plagues of Job. 😖

[SheffieldJane]

My two year old grandson has just developed the rash of Chicken Pox. I look after him on a regular basis. I have not had Chicken Pox even though I nursed my 3 children through it. I am unwell with cold type symptoms and a very irritating dry cough. I am wondering if it is too late to get an anti- viral at the GP tomorrow.

They are going to Australia for the year of my daughter's Maternity Leave to visit her sister and my other two grandchildren. My son in law has obtained work as a GP there.

I cannot believe that this spanner has been thrown into the works of our last week's together. They go on 10 September.

Please confirm that I actually have to stay away from my little love whom I have cared for since he was a baby. Any other advice or experiences are welcome. I cuddle him so much, I am probably doomed already. But I could have natural immunity. I cannot believe this has happened ( silent scream).

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi SJ,

What a b****er for all concerned!

As you say, you've probably succumbed already, most of these things are most contagious before the spots/rashes appear, but might be wise to leave a little distance for today. Do attend surgery tomorrow and see what their advice is - a jab may hold off the worst effects.

What's SIL's advice?

Take care.

[SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady]

My new SiL would probably advocate a glass of champagne. Did you mean sister in law? Thanks doctor Monday!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

No -son in law. Thought you said he had job as GP in Oz!

[SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady]

Of course sorry, that was Pred head. How could I forget him hmmm?

We tend not to consult him too much he tends to tell us too much being a science boffin. 😱

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yep, I find it best not to know too much!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Were you with him in the 24-48 hours BEFORE the spots appeared?And where did HE catch it? Had YOU been there?

I'd ask the doc for antivirals anyway - though they are no use until any symptoms appear, they won't stop it, just make it less bad.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Its a bit of a rollercoaster ride for you at the moment. I can't offer much in the way of advice but wanted to say keeping fingers crossed that you can at least get back to cuddling and stay well.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Poopadoop! I am being pretty needy at the moment, but I guess we all have a turn.

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

He got it from Nursery. I collect him at lunchtime. There is an outbreak there. I was with him all of Friday - he complained of feeling cold and had a runny nose. He was climbing all over grandad while I dealt with the temporary failure of potty training. Will ask for anti virals but I am clearly sick with something already. I am connected to the research computer that measures activity - it will be flat lining - better tell them I am not in fact dead.

[Estellemac in reply to SheffieldJane]

10 Days Incubation period from first contact with infected person to your spots coming out if you get it. You could be a carrier if you nursed your kids through it and didn't succumb? I had when I was 8mth pregnant with my second. Got it at a Christmas Party with the first. What's a few weeks of being ill when they will be thousands of miles away soon?Worth the risk?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Unless you picked it up from nursery a couple of weeks ago you won't have caught it from him, the usual incubation period is 14 to 21 days. I think you have been through the worst day for infectiousness already - so it isn't going to compound the felony now! From here on he becomes steadily less infectious - and it is the uncrusted blisters that hold the virus. Once all are crusted - no problem again.

When do they travel? 10th September - he should be OK by then. But there is a small possibility the baby may get it - how old and is he breast fed?

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

Rafe was brought by C Section on 15 March, 6 weeks early, so I never know what to say when people say how old is he? There is an adjustment they do for developmental milestones. He is a lovely plump placid baby who laughs and smiles constantly. He is breastfed and his mummy is definitely immune.

Nightmare if he gets it too. Their roof has developed a leak in their house that they hope to rent. The fates and I do not want them to go.

Thank you for your advice as always.

Feeling a bit guilty demanding all this goodwill and advice so much.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

I always said x months - but 8 weeks prem. The questioner could work it out! She still walked at 10 months and 3 days - from birth. She got CP at age 3 1/2, Esca was 6 months old (5 weeks early) and breast fed and didn't get it then. She got it when SHE was about 3 I think.

SJ - the amount you put in, you're allowed some demanding

[Elaine-W in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi Sheffieldjane,

Feel a bit guilty...... what are we like? It's sure to be a factor in GCA/PMR that we share personality traits. All used to being do-ers for others and so slightly uncomfortable feeling vulnerable or in need of assistance. Jesse we are used to pushing ourselves above and beyond = GCA/PMR. See what I did there and I thought I was rubbish at maths! Of course you are upset. You want every extra moment you can have before you loved ones head off. Dorset Lady is right as usual it's a b.....r. I hope you are able to snuggle and squidge your babies enough to last until you are able to see them again. Thank you for the heartfelt replies you send to others and sending you a virtual hug xx🌸

[Elaine-W in reply to Elaine-W]

Who is Jesse😃

[SheffieldJane in reply to Elaine-W]

I give in who is Jesse? Scottish vernacular for a wimp. That fits.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Nah - that's a jessie...

None of us are that!

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi, I developed shingles in my mouth and they said this was because of the high dosage of steroids I was on! It was awful and 3 months later I still have it but no. where near as bad. The man infection was dealt with and now it is the posth...neuralgia thingy. What I wanted to say was I had had the jab 20 months earlier! What ever will be will be. Love that grandson and hopefully all will be well. X

Di

[SheffieldJane]

Thanks Estelle. It is probably what I'll do anyway, wild horses etc. then I can go to bed for a year 😴

[Hidden]

As a relative newcomer to this illness I can't offer any advice, but it is good that you've shared this. I found out only this week that chicken pox / shingles can be bad for you. My pharmacist made an off hand comment about my steroid treatment/warning card, to which I replied what card? It seems there's a lot of advice I've never been given, this being part of it.

How all goes well for you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Hi,

You should have been given the card by whoever supplied your first prescription of Pred - either the pharmacy or hospital (in my case).

Carry it with you at all times, if for any reason you need medical treatment, including dental, the practioner must be aware you are on Pred. Keep it updated at all times.

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

I will. Never gave the dentist a thought and I'm due for a check-up soon. Thanks so much.

[Rimmy in reply to DorsetLady]

Interesting in Australia - at least in my part of it - they don't do 'cards' recording steroid treatment - and when I advised my dentist I was taking Pred (& then on quite a high dose) he seemed totally disinterested. I realise I can keep this info in my purse however and that my partner knows exactly where I am on my tapering schedule (just in case).

[HeronNS in reply to Rimmy]

No cards in Canada either. I bought a medical bracelet (Universal medical ID) one time only charge to buy the bracelet, and you get a free online account to keep updated with all pertinent contact and health info, accessible to first responders through a pin on the bracelet.

[Rimmy in reply to HeronNS]

Yes similar here I think - but I have 'different' taste in jewellery ... and who could blame me (LOL)

[HeronNS in reply to Rimmy]

There's a wide variety of styles (various metals, leather, even sports plastic), and mine just looks like a pretty silver chain, I wear it so the medical symbol is on the inside of my wrist. no one knows. But first responders are trained to look for these bracelets, and for necklaces.

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

I am considering ijoining that scheme in uk. But keep forgetting lol.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rimmy]

Well, they should! It's doctors responsibility to make sure you have one if you're going to be on steroids for more than 3 weeks. If you contact charity at [e-mail] they will send you one. If you become a member for £10 sterling per year they send you one each year.

Or maybe search online for Steroid Card - there are some you can print off for free. Of course they'll be paper as apposed to card so maybe not as durable.

I'm a bit fussy about jewellery as well, but I did find 3 fine silver chains which went on the ID plaque. If fact I've ditched the ID bit and have attached the chains to another fastener. So there are more decorative ones out there!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rimmy]

The dentist here wasn't bothered either - it does seem to be a particularly GB thing! Lot of things like that mind...

[altywhite in reply to Hidden]

Hi Maxx57....I got my steroid card last month and I had to ask for it after reading about it!! Only nearly a year and a half late!!! I always carry my rheumatology record book though.

[SheffieldJane]

Join the club Maxx57 that's why we're here for each other.

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

Maybe I'll be as wise and knowledgeable as alll of you one day! I hope so, it's made me realise there are a lot of good people out there.

[Hidden]

I have asked for card 3 times now. At hospital (blank looks in rheum dept)...hospital pharmacy. none th ere. local pharmacy no. have appt with gp so not leaving til I.have one . I do wear sos bracelet and updated it myself intuitively despite not understanding full issue of pred at that time. I.e. 14 months ago

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

The northeast charity designed and sell one for people who can't get the silly little blue thing that seems to have become next to extinct! Look in their shop - under Support Us on the top blue bar

pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk

[Insight329]

I'm in the state of Nebraska, U.S.A. I have checked with 3 different pharmacies for a prescription card without success. The pharmacist in the hospital advised me to write everything on a recipe card and keep it with my driver's license.

[cctraveler in reply to Insight329]

From CA, USA: although the recipe card with ID will work fine, in an emergency, minutes matter. I'm surprised the pharmacist didn't also recommend a medic alert bracelet or necklace from American Medical ID (800-363-5985). First responders are trained to look for these. Mine just has my name and "takes Prednisone." There is also a nice credit-card-sized Emergency ID Card available from IdentifyYourself.com that has room for more extensive info (other meds, allergies, contact info ...).

[Insight329 in reply to cctraveler]

Thank you for this information. I'll go online right now and look at them.