60mg Pred and outbreak of Herpes Simplex

[Umufu]

Herpes simplex break out on buttocks after starting 60mg pred for GCA

I have had PMR or over a year but wanted to do it ‘my way’. Ibuprofen 200mg twice daily. In March 2019 had 4 episodes of Curtain drawn across one eye for a few minutes. That converted me to the followers of pred. Most amazing experience ever: no more pain .... Got my old life back with ability to MOVE again. But see above. I am on second course of aciclovir 400mg 5x daily. How long could this last? Until I am off pred? Presently on 40mg...Thank you for any info.

P.S. will be 80 years of age in August....and not giving up.

[Blearyeyed]

Glad to hear that you are still strong in mind if not in body just now , Well Done You!

Not suffered from HS myself , so not able to give you experienced advice on that particular infection / illness , but there are some things that you do discover about clearing infections when on steroids or with AI / Inflammatory diseases.

I was interested to know a little more in relation to your dose of Pred.

Are you on 40 mg of Pred and if so was it this high as you tapered down from your initial dose for GCA or PMR or did the GP increase it to that level because you have HS?

In broad terms , people like us on steroids, or with certain chronic conditions , do have weaker immunity .

Your immune system can be weakened because of the overall effect of both the inflammation ( it's always fighting and is slow to respond to new attacks) . It is also weakened by the effect of steroids on production of cells for defence. Finally , because you are always depleting the nutrients in your system in order to fight inflammation, or keep your body ticking over with disease/ chronic illness , you don't have the reserves of the

" healthy" to help your body work harder to cope with new attacks.

All of these things acting together mean that we are more susceptible to illnesses that others don't catch.

We need to keep away from our friends and family with more simple infections because we are likely to catch them , have it more severely , and it can cause a flare in our PMR symptoms too.

When we do get an infection or illness , like HS , UTIs , even simple colds , it takes longer to recover from and often takes more courses of medication , for longer periods , or we need to step up to the stronger drugs if it doesn't clear, usually reserved for those with immunosuppression issues.

I know Aciclovir is the standard issue for Herpes related illness. It should clear but will take more time to do it , or you can work with your GP knowing the immunity system issues with your PMR to find a more suitable second or third line medication if the HS doesn't respond to the Aciclovir.

Dependent on the way HS is you certainly shouldn't be stuck with it for the whole length of PMR recovery ( unless it is like PMR and an illness that is not cured but just subdued until it goes in a self limiting way ) . It may , however , be one of those things that can reoccur once in your system , so maintaining your immunity after you recover with diet and lifestyle techniques will help keep it at bay.

Keep an eye on your progress now , and work with the GP after this present drug course , if it is still present find something else.

If they haven't checked since the HS , have blood tests to check your iron , calcium , folic acid and B and D vitamin levels .

If they are deficient because your body has been working too hard they need improving with supplements from the GP because nutrient deficiency also reduces your immunity and ability to recover .

Tips to speed things along now.

Keep hydrated ( mineral water and green tea are good to prevent you flushing the minerals you need from the system) , as dehydration in your system can happen with infection and inflammation even if you don't feel thirsty , hydrated bodies can fight harder.

Increase the amount of vitamins and minerals in your diet with your supplements . A good supplement including especially , magnesium , potassium , zinc , iodine , calcium, Vits D, C , A, E and K .

They really boost the production in your immune system.

Try and keep as relaxed and rested as possible , avoiding triggers or stress , as these will flare up your PMR as well as your HS when you are "under the weather".

Keep mobile , even with Fatigue , just some pottering around and very gentle rotating of the joints and stretching for the muscles help too , you need to keep your circulation moving so the blood can keep racing around for the fight.

Hope this long winded effort is of some help to you , and please keep us posted about how you get on , take care x

[Umufu in reply to Blearyeyed]

Hello Blearyeyes, thank you for your detailed message. Crafted a long reply, went away to look up some spelling,came back, it was gone..... Have to start all over again... Please watch this space...

[Blearyeyed in reply to Umufu]

Don't worry about a big message , we all get hit by brain fog , and the tech lets us down , and you are feeling under the weather.

If there are any questions or just mini queries you wanted to ask about just send them through , otherwise , glad it helped and you concentrate your energy on getting on the mend.

Take care , Bee xx

[Hidden]

I think the hsv takes about 2 to 3 weeks to clear. But it'll probably hurt and interfere less as the doses of aciclovir start to kick in. However it will probably take a longer than usual max time given the pred dose you are on. If your positive attitude is anything to go by, the virus better watch its own backside. Hope you feel better soon and there's not too much itching during healing.🌻

[Umufu in reply to Hidden]

Hi Poopadoop, just lost my reply to your message. Not over the hill yet, can still to yoga and gardening but this medium is not for the faint hearted....so will have a go again later ... Please have patience... Umufu

[Hidden in reply to Umufu]

It is good you can still get out and about. 🌻