immune system compromised

[Washingup]

I am currently taking 10 mg of prednisolone, but I am getting stressed about catching any virus that may be circulating, including Covid which is the virus that triggered this condition in the first place since April this year. Wondering how ill I would be,

[Koalajane]

Hi, you don’t say if you are fully vaccinated. I caught Covid a month ago and it seemed just like a mild cold that lasted 2 days. I have had my 5 vaccinations. We are all different though? I have had PMR for 5 years and now on 7mg

[Seacat30 in reply to Koalajane]

I think that the months after the last jab matter too?

[Washingup in reply to Seacat30]

Thank you for your comment. My lady vaccine was last October and still waiting for another booster.

[Washingup in reply to Koalajane]

Thank you for your comment. I have had 3 vaccines in total the last one was last October, still waiting to have my fourth.

[Seacat30 in reply to Washingup]

Think vaccine efficiency is meant to be low after 6 months.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Seacat30]

Not lost but reduced - and I think the t-cell memory remains which is an important part of the protection if you get it.

[Seacat30 in reply to PMRpro]

Typo now corrected. I meant low.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have been on above 10mg of pred for years - and I have had fewer infections than before.

As far as Covid is concerned I think it is fair to say since you can catch it very easily even when healthy and not on pred, that being on pred probably doesn't make much differences, especially if you have had three jabs. In my own family, the healthy blokes who have never been on pred felt pretty rough, the women who hadn't been on pred had mixed experiences from nothing (in her 70s) to a pretty long and rough 2 weeks but has recovered OK now - all had had all their jabs, My girls both work front line in the NHS and didn't catch it at work - both from social events. Me? On 15mg pred for the last 3 years, Covid rampant and I haven't yet knowingly caught it.

[Washingup in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. You have reassured me that hopefully I won't react any worse than before. 😊

[MrsNails]

Hi - Try not to get Stressed if you can - there’s a lot of on here who take a larger dose plus DMARDS or Biologicals which both suppress the immune further.

No one can predict how any of us will react - you’ve had Covid before but have you had any of the Vaccines or Boosters which should all help in the protection against catching it again or lessening the severity of it if you should catch it…..

Try not to worry too much….

MrsN

[Washingup in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you for your comment. Feeling more reassured now.

[SheffieldJane]

I would think the worst has happened in that a potent new virus triggered an autoimmune disease. Well vaccinated with priority for antivirals is about as safe as it gets. Life has to go on with sensible precautions obviously. Try to put it out of your mind. We have lots of free flying anxiety that loves to latch on to things. 🌼

[Washingup in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you for your comment. 😊

[MrsNails]

We may sound a bit more blaze but we’ve lived with it from the beginning & believe me we all had the same concerns as you have now. I’ve added a piece on the Autumn Boosters - l’ll copy that over to you.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

Keep Well

MrsN

[Washingup in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you.

[MrsNails in reply to Washingup]

I’ve added it to my reply above ⬆️

[Washingup in reply to MrsNails]

👍😊

[Elispeth]

Hi Washingup. I am on 7mg of prednisolone and have had PMR for 5yrs. I was just getting over a nasty respiratory virus when I tested positive for covid three days ago. Like yourself I felt very frightened especially as I just woke up in the night feeling unwell. I was totally unprepared for it. It came as a huge shock.

I followed the covid sick day rules and took 10mg morning and night and I couldn't believe the difference in how I felt within a 12hr period. It was a remarkable difference. I have rested in bed and taken painkillers (co-codamol) which have eased my headache. I am still hot and sweaty (sorry for that image ) but am feeling reasonably well. I wouldn't attempt anything strenuous like doing housework etc at the moment but everything is okay - really!

I have just had a bit of a wobble this morning wondering about reducing my steroids once again at the end of all this but I have just received excellent help on this site almost immediately after asking. Please try not to worry about this nasty devious little virus (sorry I couldn't help myself then). There is so much knowledge out there to help now and the vaccinations have been invaluable. Take good care of yourself x

[Washingup in reply to Elispeth]

Sorry to hear you've been unwell. Didn't know about the sick days rule with taking Prednisolone, thank you, will keep this info in case I ever need it. I have just started taking co-codamol this morning to help until the Pred kicks in in the afternoon but gosh, I do feel so sleepy.....

[Elispeth in reply to Washingup]

Yes that is the good thing about co-codamol they do make you sleepy but that helps with the rest. I do try to limit my taking them to once a day when I need them as they can be addictive but I have taken them for pain on and off or over 40yrs due to a back operation many years ago. They are very safe as long as you follow your doctor's advice. Sweet dreams 😴 x

[Washingup in reply to Elispeth]

👍😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Washingup]

Watch out for becoming constipated - best to take avoiding action before it happens! And the sleepiness comes with Covid too

[Washingup in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. 👍

[piglette]

If you get Covid again you may be offered antiviral drugs to help as you are on steroids.

[Washingup in reply to piglette]

Thanks. 👍

[piglette in reply to Washingup]

You may have to ask for them on the other hand!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

And you may not get them depending on the way the wind is blowing at the time and who you speak to!

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

You mean the NHS might have run out of money or even be closed down!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

It already seems to be a bit of a lottery!

[MiloCollie]

I rang my gp surgery at 8am yesterday to inform them I have tested positive for covid. They did an urgent referral to the covid medicines unit for some anti viral tablets for me. Still no phone call. Maybe it has shut down?😂

[Washingup in reply to MiloCollie]

Will be interested to know if you manage to get the anti viral medication. 🤞

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MiloCollie]

They are all queuing in Kent for a ferry ...

[MiloCollie in reply to PMRpro]

😂 just got that!!

[MiloCollie]

I don’t think I actually want them now. I’m taking enough stuff.

[Washingup in reply to MiloCollie]

😊👍