chest infection

[granelliheywood]

for over 2 weeks I have had this chest infection coughing most of the night and getting very little sleep I am taking 5mg of pred over a long period of time and until this infection my pmr was in check but now I am having the usual pmr feeling of weakness pain depression etc just wondering would it help if I upped my pred to 10 mg until the chest infection hopefully goes away.

[SnazzyD]

Oh dear, the lack of sleep is the last straw isn't it? Just that is enough to cause the depression, weakness and muscle pain from coughing. First of all, has anyone medical listened to your chest? Two weeks is a reasonable amount of time if there is no sign of improvement. Viral coughs can last weeks and bacterial infections need attention especially if you are on Pred. Is the cough actually coming from the chest or airway or is it one of those tickly coughs in the throat which are usually worse at night? It may also be a virally triggered night time asthma. So, your life may be made easier without upping Pred, but you do need to know what you're dealing with. Some may well say up it anyway, because your body's under stress.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not sure I'd go straight to 10mg from 5mg - try a halfway house first. But I'm not surprised you feel like that after 2 weeks of coughing and a viral infection.

[SheffieldJane]

That sounds truly rotten, no wonder you feel depressed. I'd get the doctor to examine you, but I know they don't tend to give you anything these days. I wonder if old fashioned remedies of honey and lemon with or without whiskey in hot water might help before bed time.

I would be tempted to up my Pred dose by a couple of mgs, if all else fails.

Get well soon. 🍇

[granelliheywood]

Thanks Jane

[karools16]

I feel for you. I have just recovered from a chest infection. I asked my dr if I could increase Pred to 40mg for 5 days. He agreed, and it worked. I am now back to 4 mg Pred. I also took honey and lemon at night.I stayed away from people and rested a lot. Get better soon.

[Hidden in reply to karools16]

Interesting reply Karools. Question, did you go back to 5mg immediately after the 5 days or did you have to taper down again slowly. I am interested as I too have had this virul cough for last two weeks and Doctor checked and said my chest was clear! and although a lot better now it is still there. I have been tapering down and on 7mg at present. Thanks

[karools16 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I went straight back to 4mg Pred, with no problems.Its wreched to have an ongoing cough.Ask your dr if you can do 40mg for 5 days.

[Hidden in reply to karools16]

Thank you for your reply Karools. I was a bit loathe to increase my Preds as we are always being told not to decrease so severely but taper SLOWLY which is what I am doing at present I am due a review re the ongoing urinary problem which I have been going through as well but fingers crossed I think this may be resolved. I will certainly ask re the increase in Preds which may solve all problems. Many thanks. D

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Tapering is one thing - raising the dose briefly to deal with another problem is another. It'll be fine.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Dot: You can raise the pred dose for up to a week and still go straight back to the old dose without real problems.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for that reassurance PMRpro. I am going to try it but only from current 7mg to say 10mg for a week then, perhaps (hey ho) I may be back to "normal". Good night. D