Antivirals and Sick day rules

[Jigsawlass]

I'm Covid positive and after a call to 111 , my antivirals were delivered this evening.....best Deliveroo ever ! I am following the Sick Day rules, so 10mg Pred morning and evening. It says to contact GP to talk about stepping down dosage after 5-7 days or when you feel better . If my GP can't advise what would you suggest ? Anyone been in the same situation? Im normally on 8mg

[SheffieldJane]

I have had Covid for 8 days now. They phoned me about anti viral medication but told me that as I was on 6 mgs of Pred and therefore under 10 mgs, I did not qualify for them. I increased my dose by 5 mgs for the worst 3 days and then returned to 6 mgs. I really was quite poorly. I am now left with residual cold symptoms and the usual fatigue. I think I did feel the symptoms of an Adrenaline struggle at one point, a sort of deathly dizziness and nausea. It was when this resolved that I stopped the extra 5 mgs. Basically, I made my own decision having been told previously what to do by my Endocrinologist. I don’t think that anti virals would have shortened my illness much but who knows. Get well soon! It’s not very nice is it?

[Jigsawlass in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for your reply . I told them I was on 8mg and no quibbling at all. My headache has lessened but not much voice and zero energy. ...v unsteady on my pins today !

[SheffieldJane in reply to Jigsawlass]

In my experience the dizziness and balance issues passed thankfully, but not before I had fallen into the bath on the way to the loo in the early hours. Nothing broken, except my husband’s sleep.

[Jigsawlass in reply to SheffieldJane]

Ouch ! Glad you were ok. The antivirals leave a vile taste in my mouth but if they help, I'll put up with it !

[SheffieldJane in reply to Jigsawlass]

That might be a Covid symptom, I have it too.

[Jigsawlass in reply to SheffieldJane]

It's a common side effect of the antivirals, I was warned about it !

[SheffieldJane in reply to Jigsawlass]

I am left full of catarrh, nauseated with occipital headaches and a taste like I’ve been sucking pennies. I am considering a semi fast for my flight on Saturday. Definitely worse for food.

[Jigsawlass in reply to SheffieldJane]

Lots of steam inhalations with olbas oil may help with your congestion before your flight . I just have a headache, voice not great and v tired . Hope you feel better for your flight . Are you still testing ?

[SheffieldJane in reply to Jigsawlass]

I intend to take a final Covid test today. Dry mouth is a big issue which is apparently a Covid symptom, coupled with a rough tongue. I need to make the best decision about flying. Thanks for being there. 💞

[Pixix in reply to SheffieldJane]

oh, no…I didn’t realise you travel so soon, that’s tough…but if you’re testing positive still perhaps an easier decision, then an insurance claim? I nearly flew to Thailand when sick one year, but cancelled 2 days before, & was so glad…& much better when we travelled two months later. If you go, have a lovely time…if you don’t, it will still be there when you’re better! Take care, S xx

[SheffieldJane in reply to Pixix]

It’s the school holidays, my 4 grandchildren will be waiting. The Singapore airline blurb says if you feel unwell, tell us, we are trained to look after you. OK!

My worry is being sick - this happened at the onset of PMR with Korean Air, they were so lovely. I now always have a spare outfit in my carry on bag. Better go to sleep, got to be up at 6 am.

[Pixix in reply to SheffieldJane]

sympathy…& hope all goes welll, that’s not easy…enjoy when you get there, thank goodness you’re now Covid negative! S x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

SA staff are brilliant -please don’t worry…

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

OTOH - air travel affects your sense of taste, maybe it will help that too?

[Pixix]

Sorry you both have Covid, & hope you’re better soon…do you know where you are likely to have caught it, please? Eg shops without mask, family gathering, travel? We are starting to ‘go places’, & would dearly love to travel overseas in October, but hesitant as not worth risking Covid!! It’s nearly 3 years without a supermarket, pub, restaurant, travel etc, & my hubby is getting fedup (not surprising!) (had Covid boosters, modified Moderna, this week, think he sees it as a passport to freedom!!) your info would help me, if poss, please? Take care & get well soon, hugs, S x

[SheffieldJane in reply to Pixix]

Ironically it was whilst waiting for bloods to be taken in a confined space, crowded with people in a Leeds Cottage hospital. Everyone was masked but it was my major exposure. I don’t take risks. A walk in the Autumn countryside will revive you and expose you to minimum risk. Take a flask and a sandwich. We are lucky living on the edge of the Peak District. Scenes of Balmoral made me long to go there.

[Pixix in reply to SheffieldJane]

I was trying to ask, but not be rude! I thought you were being very careful. We live in the New Forest & go there at least once a week, usually twice…walk, take a picnic, sit afternoon & watch the animals. But we’ve been doing that for 3 years in November, & would like a change! We’ve been away in our motorhome a lot, taking all food & drink with us. It would be nice to go somewhere hot as my hubby’s lungs are worsening now the temperatures are dripping, his cough is lousy & his asthma poor. We usually take a break in October, then he’s got a good start for the winter…whereas medical advice to me was…go abroad for the whole winter…which idont wish to do…we love where we live! Sorry you caughtcovid as you did…I was naive enough to think the FFP2 masks would stop you getting it, even in your situation in the hospital! Hope you feel better really soon, S xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

FFP2s are much better - about 98% protection which you'd hope might reduce the load enough but they are best when everyone else is wearing them too so infected individuals are pumping out 98% and you then get 98% of the 2%! FFP3s are even better - they fit better on your face.

There is little hope though when I see hospital staff with their mask below their nose ...

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

yes..I worked for a laboratory pharma fine filtration company for over 20 years, & I understand the masks very well! We wear disposables to go to reception to pick up prescriptions…all doors open, takes 30 seconds, but FFP 2 for all medical appointments doctor/hospital & blood tests with nurse. We do have FFP3 in stock & woukd wear those for flights & public travel…but haven’t done any yet! S xx

[Jigsawlass in reply to Pixix]

I felt quite happy going abroad tbf . Seville is fabulous in October !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jigsawlass]

I feel very happy here - though I noted this morning the numbers are going up again.

[Pixix in reply to Jigsawlass]

We were in Seville in October (both our birthdays near the beginning) the year before Covid & loved it, had a brilliant time! The choices from local airports are ibuza, Majorca, Menorca, Algarve, Cyprus, Gran Canaria, Alicante, Marcia & Rhodes, all which are unknown to us & mainly aimed at beach lovers…winter sun time!! S xx

[Jigsawlass in reply to Pixix]

We went to Palma October 19, it was lovely. A quick trip from the airport and a lovely old town to explore as well as a beach . Id recommend it

[Pixix in reply to Jigsawlass]

thanks…all tips gratefully received…coincidentally I looked at that last night…& thought Soller & Valdemossa (? Spelling) looked interesting, too! S x

[Sharitone in reply to Pixix]

If you go to Gran Canaria, Puerto de Mogan is the nicest place. And in Cyprus, if you want to avoid the 'noise', Latsi in the North West, near the Akamas peninsula is lovely, but within driving distance of Pafos.

[Pixix in reply to Sharitone]

thanks very much, I’ve found photos of puerto de Mogan, it looks very pretty! I will look up Latsi next…very helpful! S x

[Jigsawlass in reply to Pixix]

We took the little old train to Soller, it was lovely. Spent the day by the marina and wandering around . 3 nights in Palma , perfect temps

[Pixix in reply to Jigsawlass]

Thanks, & glad to hear it looks like you’re improving! Good to know Soller is lovely, from the photos it looks lovely. Only thing is we want to go away for 10 days, or two weeks…it takes that long for hubby’s lungs, & some of my ‘stuff’ to improve…aren’t we awkward?!?! Day out in our beloved forest today to walk a little, have a picnic, sit a little, enjoy seeing the ponies & be in the sunshine…peace & tranquillity! S xx

[Jigsawlass in reply to Pixix]

How about a few days in Palma for example, then a week by the beach ? Perfect x

[Pixix in reply to Jigsawlass]

yes, great minds think alike…we were mulling it over sitting in the sun (so hot we were burning!) after a lovely fable in the forest (yes, just saw your other message, thanks very much!!) Rambled for an hour, short distance, looking at amazing fungi, taking photos…didn’t meet a single person, just a lot of ponies & donkeys…oh & a very very pregnant pig!! Take care, S x

[Jigsawlass in reply to Pixix]

I love the New Forest , beautiful area

[SheffieldJane in reply to Pixix]

Thank you Pixix. I didn’t think you were being in any way rude. I can empathise with your longing to do something different. We went to Dublin by ferry with our own cabin and car. We then rented a cottage by the sea. It was one of the loveliest holidays we have ever had. Completely designed to avoid exposure to others. We are quiet bookish people, so this period has been easier for us than many. The extroverts in our family were all climbing the walls during lockdown and all caught Covid quite quickly.

[Pixix in reply to SheffieldJane]

oh, no, we are the same, nature & animal lovers, & living inside the national park meant a continuation of our norm, but without trips to Italy &other spots in between! Your hols sounds ideal in Ireland, we fancied taking a horse & gypsy caravan round Ireland once. We have discussed it with our GP & agreed we could fly from southampton or bournemouth, as many less people at either, & find somewhere small the other end…but the flights we fancied are ending end September & now the options are mainly beach hols, & we’ve never taken one…yet!! We are lucky to have the options we do, I’m not moaning, take care, S xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

You'll be able to come here next year - Ryanair is starting a Bournemouth to Venice flight!

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

I saw that on the bournemouth site! And we can fly southampton to Florence (but ends 30 September this year). All good news, thanks for sharing, I only saw that two days ago. Hope you’re doing OK, & improving…S x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

I do a mean taxi service from Treviso! Long time since I did Marco Polo though = forgotten the parking options! The drive from here is lovely - and a good gelateria or five on the way through the Valley of the Icecream Makers!

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

I assumed Treviso…last time we flew into Marco Polo was about 20 years ago! You know how much David & I love a gelato…for breakfast, lunch & evening meal!! Yummmmmmy! S x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

Treviso and MP are not far apart, Who flies to Treviso from you - I thought the new flight was MP.

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

oh, sorry, I thought it was going into Treviso…my cousin went last year, & said she couldn’t find any reasonably priced flight into MP…guess I just assumed, as Ryanair are a budget airline…!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

Might be wrong - no, was right

"New flights to Venice from Bournemouth Airport have been launched today by Europe’s largest airline group, Ryanair.

A twice-weekly service will begin operating from 22 December 2022 and passengers will be able to get away to the Italian city all year-round.

Flights to Marco Polo Airport will leave Bournemouth every Thursday and Sunday and are now available to book at ryanair.com."

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

excellent..that will be very popular, I’m sure!

[SheffieldJane in reply to Pixix]

I have 20 of them but am not even required to wear them on the plane.

[Jigsawlass in reply to Pixix]

I caught it from a relative on a trip to Guernsey to visit her. She thinks she picked it up on a crowded bus and passed it to me. Ironic as I was teaching during the 2nd lockdown and then back to normal once schools reopened . I flew to Ireland at Christmas, Spain in April and Italy in August. All fine and lovely to be back travelling

[Pixix in reply to Jigsawlass]

Italy is a favourite, have had over 20 holidays in many different parts, just love the countryside, people, food, gelato etc etc! Yes, we truly enjoy being in a foreign country, language, food, sights etc etc. Flights I’d like to take…one to Perugia, one to Sicily, are from Heathrow…not so good…I guess! Going to get travel insurance quotes tomorrow, that may knock the travel plans on the head…I’ve picked up 9 other diseases since PMR 2 years ago…just so greedy!! Take care, thanks for your reply, very helpful indeed, & I hope you will recover quickly now. S xx

[Jigsawlass in reply to Pixix]

Check Coverwise for insurance. Hubby and I have a few medical issues between us and they were v reasonable. I found them on Gocompare

[Pixix in reply to Jigsawlass]

thanks, I will do! Can’t get the free bank insurance through AXA as we used to..they refused to cover me! Have been with Staysure, but it was getting too dear (annual policy, whole world cover, both in same policy). Thanks for helping me whilst you’re sick, I really appreciate it! S x

[Jigsawlass in reply to Pixix]

I looked at Staysure, like for like cover much cheaper with Coverwise . I seem to be improving, thanks for your good wishes x

[Pixix in reply to Jigsawlass]

lovely to hear your imoroving, don’t run before you walk (& yes, I’ve been addicted to jigsaw since about the age of 9!!) S x

[Maryis80 in reply to Jigsawlass]

look at Avanti, very reasonable and there are sometimes discount coupons in magazines, such as WI and Peoples Friend. Mind you you dont know how good they are until you have to make a claim!

[Pixix in reply to Maryis80]

thanks, I will do! Took a day ‘off’ today, but will be doing insurance tomorrow! S x

[Pixix in reply to Jigsawlass]

just fyi, coverwise only cover age up to 75! Sadly, OH is over! Thanks, though, very helpful!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

This is the company we used here - I don't know if they work in the UK but the page came up with a union flag and in English when I search mondial and UK !

mondialcare.eu/

They are not cheap - insurance here is never cheap but fair as there aren't dirt cheap offers for the healthy while we subsidise them. But the travel agents here told us they had never had a claim turned down. There are a couple of restriction - like hospital admittance in the previous x months and you must be classed fit to travel at time of travel. Worth looking at though,

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

thanks so much…Staysure quote for annual multi trip policy for us both us over £2,000…go anywhere in world! That’s what inflates it, though…multi trip annual to Italy is about £700. On to the next…thanks again! S x

[Jigsawlass in reply to Pixix]

What are Saga like ?

[Pixix in reply to Jigsawlass]

On my list, thanks!

[Jigsawlass in reply to Pixix]

Oh that's a pain !

[Pixix in reply to Jigsawlass]

just wanted to put it here in case other people over the age may read it!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I see no reason why you can't just drop straight back to 8mg - that's what would happen for someone not on pred who was put on a short course for a chest infection. You just have a higher baseline. You can take a higher dose for up to 10-14 days without affecting anything. At 8mg there won't have been a lot of adrenal function anyway.

[Jigsawlass in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I think I will do that . Im going to drop from the covid sick day rules tomorrow to doubling my regular dose as per usual sick day rules and then back to normal once I feel better

[PMRnewbie2017]

I caught Covid on 30th July. My test was very faintly positive but the NHS reporting app detected it and within one hour I had a phone call, triage and was told I qualified for Paxlovid anti-virals. I was taking 3.5mg Prednisolone at the time and my symptoms on testing were mainly abdominal pain, nausea. increased bowel frequency and tiredness. I had thought I was entering AI territory again because I have had episodes in the past. Researching via Dr Google showed 5 main symptom pictures of Omega Covid and mine was one of them which is why I tested myself. I never had a sore throat, nor dry cough. I developed a wet cough and a headache which lasted nearly 2 months plus tiredness and feeling generally unwell. The Paxlovid gave me a terrible taste in my mouth which masked any Covid related loss of taste or smell. As time passed I felt progressively worse even though I was taking the anti-virals. I increased my Pred dose to 10mg but only once daily. Once the Paxlovid course was finished (5 days) I was still feeling grotty but no so ill. I had Covid-brain, poor memory and concentration span, loads of catarrh. I reduced my Pred to 7mg because I had NO PMR ACHES OR PAINS OR ANYTHING??? Over the next 2 weeks I reduced back down to 4.5mg and since then have been back on the slow taper and am now at 4mg/3.5mg.

The oddest thing is that since having Covid I now have no PMR issues at all. That feeling of being inflamed and sore has gone. I have no niggles when I step down in Pred dose either. My energy levels are good and I'm not specially tired. For the first time in nearly 5 years I actually feel normal again.

[Jigsawlass in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

I'm on the same , that taste in the mouth is vile ! I haven't lost my taste or smell but feel v wobbly and headachy.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

Hopefully it reset your immune system - it had to deal with the Covid and has forgotten to go back to attacking you.