“‘Tis The Season “

[fmkkm]

Flu and cold that is! Woke up with a niggle in my throat today. I’m always interested in people’s strategies for avoiding/and or shortening the duration🤧. Thanks.

[Grants148]

I always dread that niggle in the throat.l usually take paracetamol and keep indoors if possible to keep warm.l hope you feel better soon .

[fmkkm in reply to Grants148]

Dread is right. You know something is coming just not how bad or how long!

[SheffieldJane]

If it becomes a virus then up your Pred a bit, to help fight it.

[HeronNS in reply to SheffieldJane]

How can an immunosuppressant help you fight a virus?

[SheffieldJane in reply to SheffieldJane]

That is a good question for a science boffin, but it is something that I was advised to do. I wonder if it is more that a virus might provoke more PMR inflammation and that is what you are treating. You have already succumbed to infection or the virus.

[fmkkm in reply to SheffieldJane]

Makes sense, last year my virus morphed into a sinus infection on the side my GCA is worse. All those white cells and inflammatory markers lurking in the area did make my GCA symptoms worse and yes I ended up increasing prednisone 😩

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

It isn't to fight the virus - it is to replace the lack of adrenal function which would normally ramp up to fight the effects of the infection on your body. You probably don't need to do it when well above 10mg, say at 15mg, but below 10mg it is more important. The pred will also suppress any inflammation due to the infection - which may be useful in a chest infection for example.

[HeronNS in reply to SheffieldJane]

Ha, I guess you were joking!

I had a really bad day yesterday, not PMR but stress. And I do believe my 2.5 mg pred makes a difference because I forgot to take it until early afternoon and every little thing made me cry. Even sitting in the physiotherapist's office while I waited for my appointment made me cry because it was the first comfortable chair I'd sat in for days!

[SheffieldJane in reply to HeronNS]

Aww! Heron. 😢

[Hidden]

Hibernate for 7-10 days.

[fmkkm in reply to Hidden]

Agreed, and after 3 years of GCA I have the art of hibernation fine tuned!

[Hellyowl]

Handwash, Handwash Handwash, every where you go, and use one of those little bottles of cleanser gel if there isn't a tap. Especially if you have touched anything in a doctor or hospital waiting room. I don't get many colds and I put it down to that.

[stellafmdm]

I'm trying Vit.C not sure if it will help but worth a try I think.