Help

[YuliK]

Good morning folks

I’m still suffering long Covid and all the pains and other things associated with it.

Until now, I have been taking 1mg of prednisone but during the night I had a very bad flare up of PMR and wonder if I should go up up to 5 mg. Prednisone

I have worked so hard to reduce to 1mg that I feel I’ve been thrown under the bus, as the saying goes.

What advice do you give ?

I’m taking amoxicillin 875mg twice a day. Urine infection..

I have always been so active and now I can’t get up out of the chair. 😪

Thanks

YuliK 🌷

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sorry to hear this, you probably do need an increase in Pred if you are sure it’s your PMR. Are you?

You have 2 options really, either a smaller increase to say 2.5 or 3mg for a few days hoping that has an impact, then up to 5mg if it doesn’t….or go for the 5mg right from the beginning.

Sometimes at such low doses and if you catch it quickly, a smaller increase may be enough….and as you say you’ve worked hard to get to 1mg you don’t want to take more than is absolutely necessary.

If you do decide to go straight for 5mg, then when things are back under control, reduce in 2 steps…not straight back down to 1mg.

Hope you soon feel better.🌸

[YuliK in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL

Yes I’m sure it’s the PMR

I will go for the 3mg. Appreciate very much your assistance.

Since getting long Covid I have spoken with a lot of people who have suffered the same symptoms.

I believe that there are a few different variants of omicron. Some more powerful than the other.

I’m going to take the 3 mg.

Keep well.

YuliK. 🌷🌷🌷🌷

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to YuliK]

Fingers crossed it works..take care. 🌸

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It isn't really Long Covid as defined by the medics until after 8 weeks - but Covid is a severe viral illness, especially in older age groups, and will take more than a few days to recover. My daughter at 40-ish and pretty healthy was +ve for a couple of weeks - and so was my cousin. They were both pretty unwell for a few weeks but have eventaully shaken it off.

You obviously had a severe and protracted attack of Covid and it has made you really unwell but after only 5 weeks I think you are expecting a bit much to be recovered yet. And I think more pred in line with Sick Day Rules might well be helpful.

[piglette]

Like DorsetLady I increase 5mg for a week or so to really knock the PMR on the head. Then drop down quite quickly, usually in two steps to ensure everything is still OK.