Pmr flare after covid

[Gaycreasey]

Hi everyone of you lovely people. I have been laid low with covid ( caught from my 6 year old granddaughter). I have been free of COVID for two days but yesterday I started to feel the pmr pains in my back, neck and shoulders with the accompanying dizziness and stomach issues. I recovered later in the day and was ready for my Pilates class this morning. I walked to the bus stop and the pmr symptoms started again. Fortunately I was with my husband and he got me back home. I have taken some extra pred now but might have to go and have a lie down. I am currently reducing from 3.5 to 3 mgs of pred but might have to go up for a couple of days.

[SheffieldJane]

Commiserations, I am glad you got through alright!First of all I would stop reducing. In my experience it is more effective to take 5 mgs extra for a week or 10 days then return to your tapering dose and only resume tapering if you feel relatively normal for you. The odd increase in a day just seems to confuse the body. You need to damp down this reactive inflammation once and for all. That was a costly cuddle, but lovely I bet.

[Gaycreasey in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks Sheffieldjane. Yes, costly but lovely. Can’t resist!! I’m still dizzy after lying down for an hour or so. Won’t be doing anything energetic today, although if I’m up to it I might go and view a house with my daughter who is trying to ‘get on the ladder’. So expensive in this area.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Please remember that you have had what is potentially a serious viral infection - and your body probably isn't ready for normal physical activity yet. If you had had a really good dose of ordinary flu would you have expected to walk to the bus and do Pilates? There is also the spectre of Long Covid, even having had all your vaccines. I think you probably need at least another week of TLC to recover, maybe more.

[Gaycreasey in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks pmrpro. It’s hard to guage these things. I was so relieved to feel better and no longer testing positive. I should have known that pmr would be affected by covid.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gaycreasey]

It isn't just the PMR - it is all your muscles and could be coincidence it looks the same.

[MamaBeagle]

I had Covid at New Year. Double jabbed and Boosted. I had it very mildly, thankfully. But I didn't realise until this week, 3 weeks after testing negative, and woke up feeling energised that for the last 3 weeks I'd been on a very lethargic autopilot! So take it easy for a while would be my advice. Your body will tell you when you can move up a gear.

[Gaycreasey]

Thank you for all your sound advice. I haven’t had a pmr flare for a long time and had forgotten how quickly it can come on. I think I was so relieved that covid had gone that I could restart life again. I also sometimes forget that I am an old codger at 75 and my body doesn’t just bounce back. I have a routine that seems to keep me in reasonable fitness, Pilates on a Monday, singing on a Thursday and tabletennis on a Friday. Also, walking on the seafront. When I’m out of my routine I start to feel my age!!! It is so heartwarming to have this place to go to for information and advice and to be able to talk about our complex and sometimes unfathomable condition. Thankyou so much for being there.

[whitefishbay]

Covid is not over til it's over. It takes awhile to really leave the body (I found). Fatigue can follow you around for a bit.

[Gaycreasey in reply to whitefishbay]

I think you’re right. Feeling shaky today but fortunately not having to do much. House sitting for my daughter as she is having a washing machine delivered!

[whitefishbay in reply to Gaycreasey]

Give yourself a lazy day. Netflix and feet up.

[Gaycreasey in reply to whitefishbay]

Will do!