Covid and GCA

I have GCA. My prednisolone has reduced to 3mg daily and methotrexate 15mg weekly. I am now having a relapse and am awaiting a PET scan. I now have covid.

The NHS pharmacist phoned me and told me I wasnt eligible for the pill to stop it getting worse as you have to be on 10mg or more prednisolone and methotrexate has to be taken for a lung complaint, as I am not severely immunosuppressed.

My question is: I thought I was immunosuppressed, which is why I was taking the pills. Is this the case? Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

"I thought I was immunosuppressed, which is why I was taking the pills"

Other way round - the pills suppress your immune system. I would say the pharmacist has got their lines tangled but who am I to express an opinion! I was under the impression the history of the pred dosing was also significant.

What you DO need to consider is the Sick Day Rules for adrenal iinsufficiency which you almost certainly do have at that dose of pred after the time you have been on it and the high starting dose for GCA. You should also probably stop the MTX for a bit.

Have you got a rheumatology helpline? I think you need a more specialist opinion. Mind you - here I don't qualify at upper teens dosing of pred - I did ask.

[MrsNails]

This is the Info re Patients on Steroids but if you are on MTX you qualify for the Antiviral’s as far as l know…..

“People on corticosteroids (equivalent to greater than 10mg per day of prednisolone) for at least 28 days prior to positive PCR

There is a lot of information on BSR Website pertaining to other Medications but l thought the 10mg per day was important for us with PMR/GCA anyone on DMARDS or Biologicals will be aware of this.”

I’ll double check & send you the link

MrsN

The link is huge - have you tried 119 to see what the advice is there?

[jessiem in reply to MrsNails]

I’m on MXT but when I had Covid was assessed as not needing it. I think the government’s messaging on this is a bit rubbish to be honest.

[piglette]

Looking at the Government website for England it says “people who are on corticosteroids (equivalent to greater than 10mg per day of prednisolone) for at least the 28 days prior to positive PCR” gov.uk/government/publicati...