2 questions: Hi all....hope you are doing well... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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2 questions

18 Replies

Hi all....hope you are doing well through this stressful, uncertain times. I have 2 questions:

1. I am currently at I mg Prednisone. Have been ok in general. However, I am having aching in my right shoulder, arm and hand ( my dominant hand). I have been on Prednisone since Jan 2018. How can I know if this is flare or if my body is experiencing some type of arthritis. After all I am two years older than when I began this journey with the accompanying aches of old age.

2. Not related directly to PMR, if one gets this coronavirus, Is that person then immune from the virus? Does anyone know?

Thanks in advance....

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18 Replies
jinasc profile image
jinasc

Luigism

Can you post the second question on the Pinned Post on the right hand side of the page called Covid Chat - with today's date. Each day there will be a new thread.

If you can separate your posts into Covid and Non-Covid, it will be much appreciated. On those threads, there is probably an answer to your question, well worth a read.

It is very important that non-related Covid questions are answered as quickly as possible, that is why we are asking you to separate.

Thank you your co-operation in this busy time for Mods, Admin and Ambassadors

in reply to jinasc

Hi jinasc, I am on my mobile phone and am unable to find the covid page or pinned post.

Sorry

jinasc profile image
jinasc in reply to

OK, you are allowed this time.............but if you post again and you cannot get into the thread because of your mobile...............please put a note on the post - so I have to tell you again.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jinasc

Have replied to luigisim - you can find pinned posts on iPhone

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to

If you scroll down to bottom of page on phone you will find the pinned posts.

Thank you Mrs Nails for responding.

I have used Tylenol (equal I believe to your paracetamol). That has not helped. I was supposed to see my rheumatologist tomorrow but, of course, that was cancelled. Maybe since I am on such a low dose pred, I could take an anti inflammatory. What do you think? I trust your opinions.

jinasc profile image
jinasc in reply to

Have you called your Rhuemy or your GP.............most of them are taking calls - whenever they have the time.

In the meantime, NSAIDs are not a good idea with pred. Remember you were probably told this when first diagnosed.

BTW have you been doing more than normal ie carrying, digging ect and put a bit extra strain on your muscles? Remember the oxygen supply to your muscles is impaired with PMR.

If it was me, I would up the pred to 5mg for a couple of days and see what happens. If it subsides..................then you can just drop back, perhaps a couple of days at a time to your 1mg.

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed

The only way you can really know is if the symptoms worsten and become more like the familiar PMR Pain you were used too , or if you are examined by a Doctor and have the right tests to prove if another type of joint / muscle / bone issue or an Arthritis is the cause and not PMR.

You could ask to speak to your GP or Rheumy in the phone for their advice as well as trying other Pain Medication and some very gentle exercise to help relief the symptoms.

In answer to your question , nobody knows if getting Covid 19 will bring Natural Immunity yet or if you could get it again. You would need to wait for significant results to come from China before anybody will answer this question with certainty.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

In addition to the suggested paracetamol, have you tried a couple of days of a bit more pred - does it help?

As yet it is impossible to know if the body will develop immunity to the Covid19 virus as a result of infection simply because it is such early days that they have not yet got a test to see if there are antibodies. Once they do it will be a major advance because if there are antibodies that should mean key worker can return to working with infected patients with fewer risks to themselves. Then the question becomes how long does that immunity last, how severe an infection is required to generate it or how long it then lasts. As with the seasonal flu, there are already 2 strains, there may well be more in future as successful viruses mutate enough to be ahead of the curve and the development of vaccines. Even when they don't mutate, sometimes immunity wanes relatively quickly - meaning after some time you become at risk again.

in reply to PMRpro

PMR pro.....you r such a wealth of knowledge. I tip my hat to you. Thank you. I will try increasing my Prednisone and see if that helps. I have sent a message to my rheumatologist for some guidance as well. I was also hesitant to contact her as my problem seems trivial in these times and I hate to bother her or any of my health care providers.

Again

Thank you

Constance13 profile image
Constance13 in reply to PMRpro

I'm never sure whether I am on the 'normal' site or the Covid site these days. Not working too well yet is it?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Constance13

There aren't two sites - just a separate thread on which we would like all virus stuff to be taked about. It isn't any different to normal - you wouldn't reply to just any thread would you, just the one you were interested in, And most people don;t come onto the forum every day and, as is blatantly obvious, don't bother having a look existing posts before putting up their own.

Thank you to all who responded to my inquiries. I did up my dose to 5 today. I have a message into my rheumatologist for a telephone visit. She will be contacting me for a time and date. I did also find the pinned link to the covid virus. I guess I am tense and my anxiety level has increased tenfold since this virus thing began. I just wish it was warm enough to work in my garden. That always soothes me

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

Can you not wrap up warmly and get into the garden? I suppose it depends on where you are. Germans say there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes!!

Highlandtiger profile image
Highlandtiger in reply to PMRpro

We Scots say that too! 😉

in reply to PMRpro

Sounds like a great plan however the soil is like mush now,but is drying out. So on with my mush boots and winter jacket. I'm sure I can't least take some of the debris from winter.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

But at least you are outside ;)

Hi dadcue....thank you for your response. I have a telephone visit scheduled tomorrow with my rheumatologist. I believe I will get direction from her tomorrow. As I increased it only one time today, I feel no damage was done if she sends me in a different direction. I trust her completely.

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