Caronavirus and PMR

[Lakesider]

Are PMR patients more at risk from coronavirus than others

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This has been addressed a few times in past few days. Type Coronavirus or Covid-19 in search box - and you’ll get plenty of info.

Pinned post - Corona Virus also.

[Lakesider in reply to DorsetLady]

I don’t know how to access the search box or pinned posts. Can you advise please

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Lakesider]

How are you accessing forum?

If iPad then pinned posts usually in right of screen,

Whether iPad, iPhone or pc there is a search HealthUnlocked facility on righthand side of top blue banner.

[Lakesider in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you I’ll have a look

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Lakesider]

Or just scroll down through posts , there have been a few over last couple of days.

[Seraphina56 in reply to Lakesider]

Hi. I access the forum on a Kindle, and the pinned posts are at the bottom of the page. At the bottom of this page anyway. There is one about Coronavirus from Vasculitis UK.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No-one really knows. It is probably sensible to take all precautions as if we were,

Please scroll down and see the other threads started in the last couple of days. Pinned posts appear at the right hand side of the page as far as I know,

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

On PC they do, on iPad in landscape view also - but on iPad portrait view and iPhone they are shown below normal posts.

[AnnTique]

I am not a Health professional but, I would think that anyone with an immuno-supressant illness, like Diabetes for instance, would not so much be more suseptable to catching it, but could suffer to a greater degree if they do catch it. I don't know if this includes PMR.

Just keep washing your hands and cross your fingers!! Although.....it might be a bit difficult to wash your hands WITH your fingers crossed

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AnnTique]

As far as I know, diabetes is only considered immunosuppressant when it is uncontrolled so that BS levels become very high. Nor is PMR an immunosuppressant disorder although some of the medications sometimes used in PMR are immunosuppressant.

[Rich7 in reply to PMRpro]

Still confused is as to an answer to the original question. Think we got wrapped up in how to use the search box and other nuances to the forum.

As PMR patients are we more susceptible to the corona virus?

Further, does taking pred make us more susceptible?

[Hidden in reply to Rich7]

Probably, can be, maybe, maybe not but how can WE know this when scientists and that work in this area of virology don't really know. Its an impossible question for us here to answer. All we can do here is say wash your hands, be sensible, keep as otherwise healthy as possible. There are some brilliant experts on here about pmr gca pred and some other issues but all anyone can say is follow the advice that is from reputable sources.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rich7]

As I said: no-one knows. It is too new and too soon to have been able to identify what makes people more susceptible - except to say that people with pre-existing lung problems really will struggle. Nor whether pred is a problem - they don't yet know what drugs will help.

That is the primary problem with the new virus and why avoiding it is the best way of protecting yourself.

[Rich7 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the answer. That’s sort of what I figured.

Until we learn more, I guess it’s wash hands frequently, stay out of crowds, and don’t shake hands with anyone. (Fist bumps are gaining popularity.)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rich7]

Foot bumps looked an even safer bet ...

[Rich7 in reply to PMRpro]

Foot bumps are dangerous. A gentleman could receive a face-slap for a poorly considered foot bump.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rich7]

Knee bumps would be riskier ...

[AnnTique]

I had a feeling there was some sort of a link. So now I know - it’s some of the drugs. Thanks for that. Always willing to learn.🤔