COVID positive

[PUMC]

I tested positive for COVID yesterday on a home test kit. I feel a little achy and weak, have cold symptoms, but no fever. I’m currently taking 7.5 mg prednisone/ day. Should I increase for a few days? Coincidentally, I had similar COVID (PCR test confirmed) last January. I was on 7 mg prednisone at the time. My PMR flared, and my doctor put me on 10 mg for 3 weeks; then began a very slow taper. Thanks for your opinions.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The Sick Day Rules are in the FAQs and it is something to speak to your GP about really (yes, I know!). But if you flares last time, a bit more seems a reasonable action.

[MrsNails in reply to PMRpro]

l’ve had Covid fairly recently & applied the Sick Rules in conjunction with my GP on the first day, l went to 10mg am & pm

I was also prescribed Antiviral’s the next day due to being on MTX & my dose of Pred was 12.5mg

My understanding is that the Antivirals are prescribed more readily in the USA?

Hope it’s not too bad for you & Get Well Soon 🍀

[PUMC in reply to PMRpro]

thank you.

[Mijmijkey74]

Just about fever. I didn't get that immediately after testing positive. Temperature spiking intermittently up and down. Feverishness at night. Tested positive 20th of September this year lol and still not fully recovered yet. Chest tightness, wheezing, breathlessness and horrible cough. Now on amoxicillin and starting to feel better but it is slowly. The aching at first was horrendous on top of issues I already have. Hope you feel much better very soon. I can't comment about prednison/prednisone (steroid) as wasn't prescribed them. Doctors try to steer me clear of them despite me being a severe asthmatic. Was so thankful I had my inhalers available and painkillers. Good 🤞.

[HalleysComet]

currently suffering ( Day 2 ) with Covid. Hard to tell whether the aches & pains are Covid or PMR. Feel like I have flu. If I can get away with it, I will stick to my normal dose of pred(3.5) and stay in bed most of the time.

[PUMC in reply to HalleysComet]

hope you’re better soon.

[Matua]

Yes I am in the same boat...positive for Covid this morning..currently on 6 mgs Prednisone...just wondering about the impact of the anti viral ( Molnupiravir) which I also started this morning?? Covid is similar to Flu so far...not too bad...just tired.

[AshPen9]

I tested positive last month and didn't up my dose. I wasn't all that ill, but I did have a bit of a flare of my auto-immune condition, which I assume was down to Covid. My GP said the other day that I could have upped the dose if I'd wanted to. Sounds like it makes sense for you to take a little extra, bearing in mind your previous flare. Hope that you're back to normal very soon!

[PUMC in reply to AshPen9]

So far (day 3) this is just like a cold - not even a bad one. I did “up” my prednisone by 5mg, and will for a couple more days. I’m very concerned about steroid induced diabetes (as I’ve been labeled pre-diabetic), so I’m being cautious. So far, I feel pretty good. I’ve had both COVID vaccines and 2 boosters. Unfortunately, now I have to wait 3 months for the bivalent booster. I have a very accommodating GP; I’m sure she’d support me in any manner I wish to treat this. I’m lucky.

[AshPen9 in reply to PUMC]

You are lucky! Mine isn't too bad actually. Hope that the couple of days extra does the trick.

[Predsharer]

I tested Positive on 3rd October. I didn’t think to take more Pred. I was taken to hospital with breathing problems, but came home after blood tests and X-ray. I told the doctor in the hospital that I was taking steroids but she didn’t suggest ‘sick day rules’. I had covid quite badly and am now really suffering with a PMR flare and don’t know whether to adopt ‘sick day rules’ now, or whether I can. So my advice would be definitely to do so now.

[PUMC in reply to Predsharer]

So far (day 3) this is just like a cold - not even a bad one. I did “up” my prednisone by 5mg, and will for a couple more days. I’m very concerned about steroid induced diabetes (as I’ve been labeled pre-diabetic), so I’m being cautious. So far, I feel pretty good. I’ve had both COVID vaccines and 2 boosters. Unfortunately, now I have to wait 3 months for tge bivalent booster. I’m sorry about your flare. There are good recommendations on this site for how to deal with them.

[Predsharer]

Like you, I really don’t want to up my regular dose of Pred as I am down to 2.5 mg. I have had quite a struggle getting here and have yo yo’d a bit over the past year, but was feeling OK on this low dose before Covid. My resting heart rate has always been at least 20 beats per minute more than it used to be, since taking Pred. I will be so pleased when I am not taking it anymore as this rapid heart rate makes me feel continually anxious and I find it hard to sleep. I think very few of us get away with no side effects on Pred and one has to balance the effects with the benefits. It is a constant dilemma. I hope your Covid continues to be mild.

[PUMC in reply to Predsharer]

thanks for your insight.