Preds and Covid-19: I am looking for some... - PMRGCAuk

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Preds and Covid-19

Verwood profile image
5 Replies

I am looking for some information on the affected of the Preds and working.

When I was diagnosed back in June, my doctor said that if I went back to work, in the present situation I would need to take precautions due to the effect of the Preds on the immune system, i.e. were face mask, glass and gloves and separate by 2 meters. I could work in workshop or office with these precautions. As I travel to factories in different countries, I would need to be below 8 mg a day before he would recommend travel in an airline.

What I would like to find out is if my Doctor was being cautious or is there any official guidelines.

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Verwood profile image
Verwood
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5 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Hi,

This was info published early days of C-19 regarding Rheumatology patients and relationship to virus. Have a look at Tables 1-3 for illness covered and doses taken.... at that time the majority of patients were in the shielded category, obviously things have changed since then.

england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

Not sure what the latest info is, but your immune system is compromised so you are at higher risk - your GP is not being over cautious just sensible - and he may have more up to date information.

Verwood profile image
Verwood in reply toDorsetLady

Thank you for your quick reply, and as normal good information.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toVerwood

Unfortunately steroids are a bit like taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut - they don’t just work on the rogue cells PMR and GCA create, but completely wipe out your immune system (temporarily) so your own body’s normal defences don’t work against any virus or minor infection going.

That's why you see patients on here getting the same infections again and again, particularly early days on higher doses. .... and why you need to protect yourself as much as you against any virus, never mind C-19.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Apart from anything else - at present is the travel realistic anyway? What with quarantine restrictions in all directions! I won't be travelling by air any time soon ...

GOOD_GRIEF profile image
GOOD_GRIEF

If it matters to you, those are the guidelines for anyone just walking around here in New York, with face masks mandated. Our current infection rate is holding steady at 1% after being the highest anywhere in the world a few months ago.

We've stopped using public transportation entirely, and if we can't walk or drive and park our own car, we don't go. Travelers from other countries and high infection rate areas of the US have to quarantine for 2 weeks (though enforcement is questionable) under penalty of $10,000 per person.

We've been almost nowhere since late February except to the town's private beach (which is restricted to homeowners only) and to trusted shops where we call in an order and pick it up curbside or at the back door. Everything else is delivered.

We put some socially distant lawn furniture out front so neighbors can stop by for a bottle of water or a beer, and they take their empties with them. The pod kids down the street come and play with The Lucky Dog in the backyard, and she gets a bath before she comes in the house.

We won't be flying for the foreseeable future. Or cruising. We miss it, and as careful as we are, we're not risking giving or getting the virus.

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