We were expecting OH's parents, niece and nephew for Christmas, but the niece has just tested positive for Covid having felt unwell for a few days. When I was on 40mg pred I was at high risk and was added to the NHS list and offered antivirals if I caught covid. (I have never caught it yet! 🤞). However I am now down to 7/6mg alternate days.
We are wondering whether to continue with our Christmas plans. Am I still at high risk? I am 63 and otherwise in good health.
I have to say if it were me I would be waiting until she has tested negative. Whether you are high risk or not, deliberately risking catching it doesn't seem to me to be a good idea as even mild cases can result in long term illness. I too have got this far without catching it - and I really don't want to try it out.
My healthy and very fit daughter has had it twice, the second time caught at work from a patient, The second time she was off work for more than 3 weeks because it really floored her.
Thank you for your reply. UK government guidelines now don't even recommend testing. You are advised to stay at home if possible for 5 days (or wear a mask when out) then you can resume your normal life though it warns that some people still have a temperature or feel unwell after this and that you should stay away from 'at risk' people for 10 days after you tested positive (if you didn't do a test you wait until you no longer feel unwell). That's why I asked this question. It's all a bit hazy. I think some people are assuming they have flu - there are 4 people off work at OH's office, all with 'flu'. His niece's boss was going to insist she came into work until she sent him a copy of her test result!
Difficult a decision as it is, I really think you should put this gathering off until another time of year. If you were able to be outside and have windows wide open, that would decrease the risks although by no means eliminate them, but that isn't feasible in midwinter.
Unfortunately the UK (and Canada and many other countries) have been minimizing the risks from covid, in the interests of keeping the economy going. This is very misguided. During the early part of the pandemic Nova Scotia had one of the strictest health protections in the country - and a relatively booming economy. It was hard on tourism, but film crews literally flocked here because they perceived it as a place where they could be relatively safe. Businesses pivoted to online and takeaway and other modalities, and even the children had online school. The Delta wave barely touched us. Now we are all opened up, I'm not even sure if that ridiculously inadequate suggestion to stay home for 5 days if sick is even a thing any more, and children are flooding the hospitals with a multidemic of respiratory infections. It's been found that covid actually weakens the immune system and makes a person more vulnerable to other infections. Covid deaths are not being counted very accurately but even so there seems to be an ongoing sort of drip of a couple of deaths a day, which has added up in the past year to several times more than died prior to the nearly simultaneous arrival of Omicron and loosening, then abandonment, of protections.
I continue to wear a mask and socialize unmasked only outdoors (often still with my mask on, although others are unmasked) or with my close family - ALL of whom, those who live in our community, have now had covid, ages ranging from 95 (a son's partner's grandmother) to 1 ( same son's baby). I was able to avoid catching covid even when my husband had it in April, but only because he was able to isolate in part of our unit, and we always were masked when I brought him his food, etc. By then we had proper respirators, not just surgical masks, which was probably also helpful.
My husband continues to feel some after effects of covid, although a lot of his complaints can be due to "normal" aging. He's had shortness of breath, and I'm sure he's becoming more deaf although he steadfastly refuses to go get tested. He's always been a champion napper but seems worse, and walks significantly more slowly than before. For a while he had serious difficulty walking and was checked for possible blood clot in leg (nothing showed).
A case of covid can age the body's systems by as much as a decade. You don't want to go instantly from being a relatively healthy 63 year old to a 70+ year old. I can tell you from experience that the 70s are not fun. Personally I feel I can't afford to have covid so remain super careful, but you may feel differently.
Thank you. It's Christmas at Easter again then!
The sad thing is so many of these infections could be avoided if mask-wearing was socially accepted, even desirable.
It tends to be older people (women) who still wear them in the supermarket where I shop. But they do have a habit of only wearing them over their mouths!
I know, that's odd isn't it? Why bother wearing a mask if they aren't wearing it properly? I'm so used to wearing one I sometimes forget to take it off when I get home. Not so much these days because of the winter fogging, but all summer! 😷😇
I don't understand why people have problems - it keeps your nose warm when it is minus heaven-knows-how-many ... I just sat in the GP waiting room with a family and their coughing infant. Strangely no-one else had a mask, last week everyone did.
everyone has to war a mask in our surgery and social distancing. Makes sense
I love the fact that my masks keep me warm at this time of year. Am still looked on as slightly odd/OTT but who cares!
I still wear a mask in shops and any busy areas including doctors surgeries
Me too.
In Scotland we still have to wear masks in healthcare settings - even our dentist and opticians insist on it here.
"was checked for possible blood clot in leg (nothing showed)"
Apparently the Covid microclots aren't very obvious ...
Because our s-i-l had clots in lungs show up after a scan when x-ray had shown nothing (she's a cancer patient so they were more diligent with investigations) hubby insisted that he needed more than a x-ray and actually got a scan within a couple of days. Also, apparently, showing nothing, which is a relief. I think some sort of scan was done of his leg at the time, not just an x-ray. He doesn't remember what kind of scan it was. This is why I was interested when, not that much later, the Queen had "mobility issues" after covid.
This is an absolutely great response. Thank you for taking the time to write such a comprehensive and well thought out reply. You expressed my sentiments exactly. (My post is in response to your long post above-14 hours ago).
Same here. Such thoughtful posts from HeronNS.
And I caught it for the 1st time this past September 1 week after having stopped taking Pred, then my wife caught it from me. Took 10 days (4 at-home Ag tests) before testing negative. Also have had the 2 set Moderna vaccine and 2 boosters, 3rd scheduled in January 2023. I nor my wife would risk it!
The truth is we are all at risk. A friend who has had seven vaccinations has just caught it. In fact the only person I know who has not had it is my anti-vaxxer friend!
That's interesting. I also have a antivaxer friend who has not yet had it, neither have her adult sons who have also not been vaccinated. Yet my OH had all the symptoms of covid from his last jab; he was really ill for 10 days. (He tested negative though)
Strange isn't it. Don’t let them know though or they will be saying ‘told you so!”
I had a feeling by my third Pfizer that I was approaching limits of the law of diminishing returns, so my second booster, and some months later Fall dose, were both Moderna. If there's going to be an annual shot I'm contemplating trying to get Novavax or whatever non-mRNA is recommended by next year. And, Broseley , is it possible your husband actually had something, like flu, coincidentally, just after he had his covid vaccine?
Yes I guess it is possible. He had his flu jab a month before, though. No reaction to that!
That's interesting. We've just had lunch out and the lovely waitress, who we've know for a good few years, is an antivaxer, mixes with customers all day long and has never caught it.....
Perhaps we have thought up another controversy theory!!
Hi Broseley. My husband and I succumbed to covid in July after avoiding it for 2yrs. I am 62yrs of age and in relatively good health. My husband is classed as being vulnerable. I have to say that we were both really unwell with it. Both myself and my husband were in bed for 5 days with very high temperatures. We were helping each other down the stairs to get our daily water supplies and we only ate cornflakes once a day after that time. I had to upt my steroid dose from 7mg daily (which I had fought to get down to) to 10mg in the morning and 10mg in the evening. Only after 10 days did I return to 8mg (All the above advised by PMRpro and the wonderful people on this website at that time).
I tested positive for 10 days and then suffered with back pain and breathlessness for months afterwards - diagnosed by a doctor as being covid related. It affected my ability to exercise. Only now, five months later, am I back down to 7mg and back exercising as normal without experiencing pain and breathlessness.
It is my understanding that everyone reacts differently to the covid virus but if someone told me that they had the virus then I wouldn't be able to accept them into my home - based on my own past experiences!
I hope that the above is helpful to you in making your decision. Covid is a nasty devious horrible virus!
Thank you, your experience must have been so awful. My OH had it in March, and he was really unwell (though not as bad as his reaction to the latest Pfizer jab!). I was in the house with him and though we kept apart and were careful it was difficult to completely avoid touching door handles etc. But I didn't catch it. I look forward to Christmas so much, and we had to cancel last year and the year before due to covid. This year I have already been shopping - so plenty of food for us both! Turkey fricassee, turkey curry, turkey salad, etc etc!!
Oh I completely understand! It isn't going to be an easy decision for you. It has been a horrible time for everyone and this has happened particularly when you are so looking forward to spending time with your family again. There has been so much suffering throughout the world with so many lives being lost. Nobody can make that decision for you. Good luck with whatever you decide to do x
Thank you. I did lose a friend to covid in the early days before the vaccination was available. She had a pre-existing chest condition but had to carry on working in a school during the first wave before they decided to close them. So sad.
My grand-daughter now rung, very upset.....Her Grandma is in a care home with Dementia, many in there have "flu" they have told DIL that her mother can't be with the family Christmas day.......grand-daughter is upset because she dosen't think her Grandma will know everyone or about Christmas next year.....so difficult.....and can't understand it because Grandma dosemn't have flu!
Oh that is so sad. Can they not put her in a separate room to receive visitors? If they already have flu in there surely they can't be worried that you'll bring it in?
I agree it doesn’t make sense, the lady has always loved Xmas., granddaughter loves all the family together at Xmas and has missed it these last covid years.
Life can be so cruel.
Unfortunately it is to do with trying to keep any other infections that visitors could bring into the community rather than just the risk of you passing on something to your loved one. They aren't set up anymore to make it easy to isolate a particular client and the families off in a way that they can keep out of public spaces in the other part of the home when they enter. They understandably want to reduce the risk of anything being passed to the grandmother and then her having contact with other patients and passing that to them while they are still recovering with flu. It is so desperately sad though in those circumstances when the chances of the Dementia not affecting the ability to take part wholeheartedly in Christmas is growing shorter.
Hopefully the chance of still being able to celebrate with other family members will make it a happy Christmas despite this change. It's far more important to keep Grandma safe than anything else. Take care , Bee
Yes you are right, like you say it’s because of the dementia that makes it so sad, granddaughter is so upset because of that.
It's hard when are plans change on xmas.Our family can't get together due to weather all weekend.We get all hyped shopping for gifts for months to have to be snowed in Two of my kids live an hr away.Guess we just have to make the best of it💖
Yes, so hard when we all look forward to a lovely get together at long last for it all to go wrong.
Perhaps you can zoom or something like that. Hope you enjoy whatever you do.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas as well.Some things we can't control but I wouldn't want to risk getting covid.Its not worth it to be sick and who knows how bad.
Are you in the US or Canada? We've heard here about the snow bomb. Hope you're OK.
Iam in Canada.I don't know bout where you are but here they never get the weather right.lol So it's very uncertain at the moment.Two of my kids live an hr. away so we don't know whether to have a dinner with the family we have here.Xmas should be at Easter.lol
We are both in Canada, and if I'm correct we are both on the East coast so likely to get mostly rain, but extremely high winds. In fact I can hear it howlling around our place now, very like it sounded during Hurricane Fiona. My daughter in Ontario is likely to have much more difficult weather from this same storm as they also get "lake effect snow" from Lake Ontario.
I have a friend and ex colleague who moved out to somewhere near Toronto. I'm waiting to hear from him. Hoping everyone is OK.
When my husband was in a rehab/nursing home at the height of a Covid outbreak, I was able to take a folding chair and sit right outside his window of his private room outside the window to visit with him. That was all I was allowed to do until finally we moved him out of there soon thereafter.
Just heard no-one in or out of the home for several days, applying covid rules. Those with flu in their rooms, others as normal but no visitors. I wonder what it was like years ago in care homes when flu was about?
Years before covid I was in the UK to see my aunt, and only saw her once before her longterm living home was off limits for visitors because of outbreak of some sort of flu, or possibly norovirus. She couldn't leave and I couldn't go in.
I had bad covid 4 weeks ago for 10 days. OH didn't catch it! Horrendous sore throat, then cold (hadn't had one for 6 years) terrible dry harsh cough. No fever and good appetite. How strange.Went to 100th birthday party yesterday. He's fit and mobile with all his marbles but he caught covid in the summer and got it very mildly luckily. So far I've got a dry post covid cough, but otherwise I'm back to normal out and about. Only cough night and morning. A paracetamol calms it down 👍but.. don't put yourself at risk.
having just caught Covid I spoke to nhs Dr yesterday- you only get offered antivirals at 10 mg of Pred and above assuming you’re not too I’ll!
Look after yourself. I've heard that risks for long covid are reduced if you allow yourself to recover completely before getting fully back into the swing of things.
The same for me. I went down with Covid (for the first time) on Tuesday (20/12/22) I rang my GP for advice on wether I should have anti viral meds or not as I was led to believe you should have them if you have an autoimmune disease. After an hour of trying to get through (feeling terrible) I was told that nobody was there that could help me. I had to then ring 119 (Covid line) where I was told someone would ring me back within 24hrs. After all that, someone did ring me back and told me that I would only be able to have them IF I was on 10mg + for at least 28 days. I’m currently on a 5mg/4/mg reduction programme so not able to have them. I can’t believe it took that long to get that Information,
It's odd because they seem to assume you're on the same dose all the time. I was started on 40mg but now under 10, and I can still get free lateral flow tests.
I agree! I was on 20mg and got right down to 2mg but had a flare so back up to 10mg and now on the 5/4 regime. I also get free lateral flow tests. They just send me them I don’t ask for them.
Me too and I never asked for them in the first place! Maybe it was something my GP actually did during the lockdown.
sorry I read that wrongly !hope your niece recovers quickly and can’t really advise what’s best to do xx
Hi Broseley,
There are constant changes relating to all aspects of covid such as the advice offered, general guidelines, symptoms to look out for, if & when to isolate, etc, etc.
It could be argued now that most of these guidelines are there to encourage society to 'get back to normal ' thus restoring some degree of financial stability again. They no longer seem to focus on providing adequate protection to avoid catching covid and certainly don't contribute to protecting our physical health and well-being.
Many people naturally want to revert back to 'normal' lifestyle habits, and with advice that now allows us to freely mix and not have to wear masks, these people will choose to throw off these shackles and live their lives in a way that dismisses the idea of covid even being still 'a thing'!
Unfortunately, however much we wish to believe covid is not really a threat anymore, it's still very much out there and no one can predict how individuals will react to it should they catch it.
I know at least a dozen people who have been vaccinated and yet still been very poorly when they caught covid...not hospitalised, but ill enough to be bed ridden for several days and who then experienced persistent 'symptoms/side effects' long after they tested negative again.
I also know of numerous people who have caught covid twice and some who have caught it a third time and been more severely affected with it on the 2nd or 3rd infection.
Obviously, there are also people who've sailed through the illness without any problems...and they have been fortunate to do so.
I feel that we now have to take personal responsibility for our own covid safety though, and despite the updated guidelines I think many people (particularly in our community where we can never be sure how much immunity we have....to anything, regardless of the dose of pred we're taking!) know in their heart of hearts that we can't be too blasé as we reintroduce ourselves back into normal daily life.
I avoid anyone who is covid positive or informs me that they have a bad cold..... My husband was really poorly with a 'bad cold' for 5dys... testing negative each day. On the 6th day, and feeling significantly better, he started to test positive!... and continued to test positive for next 9dys! So, just because someone's testing negative with a cold, doesn't mean it is a cold!!
We have to protect both ourselves and others by making sensible, informed and responsible decisions.
I can't tell you what to do, but I sense you already know what you probably should do.
Take care.
It makes sense that the milder experiences of covid feel like a cold, because a lot of our common colds are caused by other coronaviruses! It's disturbing that it took so long for the positive result to show on the rapid test, however. It really does emphasize the need for caution. Previously I'd only heard something like maximum 4 days for positive result to show up, so I hope that new, more sensitive RATs are in the works somewhere!
Our Christmas has been postponed for a few weeks due to many in the family (not me or my husband) coming down with Covid at the same time. We will have it after everyone tests negative. Figure better late but safer.
Sounds like a sensible plan.
Sorry, but anyone who is ill, or lives with someone who is ill, should stay home. It really doesn't matter what they have, or what they think they have.
If everyone would stay home when they're sick, many fewer of us would get sick.
I agree. I have just read an article about the flu. There are more people in hospital with flu than covid right now. The government advice is the same as with covid; stay at home for 5 days or until you feel better.
I spoke to my rheumy four days ago and l said l have been isolated three years almost what if l wanted to go out and be among people. His reply. I, meaning himself, was at risk. You , meaning me, are at risk. You also have an illness putting you at further risk. You are also on medication that increases that risk. You also have underlying health conditions putting you at further risk. You are at risk. He said in the early days they thought everyone who got covid would be ill but surprisingly some who they expected to be so were not as ill as they thought they might be, however there were those who were fighting for their life and were very ill. So then l asked what can l do if l want to go out. Mask up, limit the number of people you meet, keep your distance and limit your time with them. Wash hands, but remember you are at risk. If l caught covid he couldn't say how my body would respond. Its a risk.
Sounds like a very sensible bloke!
Then I guess that like with everything we do in life, we have to weigh up the risks and decide if it's worth doing. You have your mental health to consider as well. Thank God for Zoom!!
sadly I have to say that I would definitely want to postpone the arrangements, disappointing as it may be. If you can save yourself from being in a vulnerable position then I would certainly avoid it if it were me.
Lots of families plans will be disrupted by health issues this year as there are so many viruses around, but I wouldn’t want to be near anyone knowing they were positive.
Hope you can soon plan for a postponed get together in the New Year.
Thanks Doraflora. It's difficult because the niece works in a pub and rarely gets time off at the weekend. Hubby works weekdays. Niece has to drive hubby's elderly parents the hundred miles here and back. So opportunities to see them are rare. We drive over there sometimes but hubby has health issues still being looked into and is usually too tired. As I said above, thank God for Zoom!
If anyone tested positive around me. I would not choose to be around them. Even if I were healthy. Even healthy people have died. For myself, just not worth the risk
I’ve had 6 vaccinations and I am recovering from a very bad dose of Covid, as I am now down to 6.5mg of pred ( and I’m on mtx) they wouldn’t give me the anti viral meds. It’s my 2nd week and I’m still very poorly- don’t risk it.
I'm so sorry you are suffering especially at Christmas. I wonder who makes the criteria for anti virals? Get well soon!
Tested positive 10 days ago its horrible....lost sense taste and smell and losing weight rapidly ....don't risk it !!!
We usually are all together as a family at Christmas. So far my daughter-in-law and a granddaughter have tested positive and will not be with us. I sort of won't be too sorry if others things happen and that we have to postpone things - again. Not worth the risk of being close around the table, let alone the hugs (that we all need). The thought of my partner (with dementia) or myself (with PMR) getting it is very, very scary.
A stitch in time!
It's a good job they are the responsible sort and continue to test. A lot of people don't and assume it's a bad cold. I think that's why it's spreading again.I hope you have a lovely Christmas with hubby, and manage to enjoy meeting with family soon.
Simple answer is Yes you are still at risk.The 10mg and over of steroids is the guideline cut off point for giving advice on reduced immunity but if you have been on steroids for some time and your Adrenal function has been effected you are still at risk of catching any infection not just COVID , and having a more serious case of it.
You also have to add in the other factors that would make it more likely that if you caught COVID or any other nasty flu or infection despite vaccinations , like age , general state of health and any other chronic health conditions that you have.
Personally , I wouldn't take the risk , after seeing how badly my OH caught COVID with his Diabetes ( although we did manage to keep him out of hospital) we are even more vigilant. This the first year that I have had my girls to stay since COVID but anyone coming over have done a test to prove they are negative . If they were positive we would be keeping them out no matter how saddening it would be . Not having symptoms or being in recovery wouldn't make a difference to this . Anyone whom had been in close proximity to them would be off the list too.
But the same is true for anyone whom had recently had the Flu or the other bacterial infections going around at the moment as well. With the possibility of flares in my conditions from an infection and greater chance if severe symptoms from anything it really isn't worth taking the chance. The idea of trying to get the right care , organising the antiviral via the GP or having to go to A and E around Christmas is the stuff of nightmares to me .
But it has to be your decision while considering the risks.
Take care , Bee
Thanks Bee. Yes with the state of our hospitals at the moment, I definitely wouldn't want to end up there!
Hi Broseley, Brilliant post, as usual, from Kendrew. Personal experience. I have had five jabs and got Covid in October, probably from OH who almost certainly picked it up from the school she works in. Anyway, I've been fortunate and sailed through relatively easily, although I not convinced that I'm not suffering from some Long Covid after effects. OH was hit harder with a few days in bed and two weeks off work plus half term. Whilst OH and I tested positive, and indeed before and after, when we felt unwell, we stayed at home and had no contact with anyone else.
Forty minutes ago on BBC
People have been urged to avoid mixing with vulnerable relatives if they feel unwell this Christmas.
BBC News - Flu and Covid: People told to avoid mixing at Christmas if unwellbbc.co.uk/news/uk-64074088
Having had Covid recently, I wouldn’t risk it. Regardless of your dose or health, you just don’t know how your body will react and it’s not worth the risk of a severe reaction, long covid or even death. My daughter’s teacher’s mother just died from covid at age 46, and healthy. Can you celebrate Chroatmas dinner later? Well after they are no longer contagious?
Update: niece has tested negative as have the rest of the family. She went to work last night in the pub so they're all coming over tomorrow. We'll do Christmas day on Boxing day.
Update: My OH's nephew's 6 month old baby who got Covid was rushed to ER last night (we had postponed Xmas as my husband's family all got Covid) and his blood was tested. Poor child is having a rough time as he's had Covid a week now and isn't improving yet. After alot of tests, he was released home to be "monitored." We are all so worried. I hate how everyone seems so lah zay faire (sp) about Covid these days here in Michigan (U.S.). No masks worn anywhere (I do all the time). Sheesh.
Hope baby gets well soon 🙏🏼
Oh what a shame - do hope they are OK.
Laissez-faire - the French I learned at school seems to have stuck!!!!!! Not the way to deal with Covid in my book - but who are we to be worried?
It's all so tricky really! I had the Pfizer shot and 2 boosters. I got Covid and while it wasn't pleasant, I was not hospitalized and did recover after 10 days.... 2 days feeling really stinky, the remainder I had head congestion and headache. When covid first hit a few of us made gowns and masks for healthcare workers and we were instructed to put three cloth layers of material in our masks with the middle material to be fused fabric since the Covid germ is so very small. I would imagine that the only mask that really works is the N95. A week ago I attended an indoor concert with 9,999 other individuals and we all sang together in close proximity. I was with two of my daughters who have also had Covid. None of us ended up with Covid again. I'm beginning to feel that if you are generally healthy and get exercise that Covid is not too big a deal. I agree that those with underlying health conditions need to be more careful.. Especially the very elderly. I think it's something we have to learn to live with. I'm happy your family will be able to get together soon! Oh, I too have a sil who is unvaxxed and has never had Covid and she's been out and about. Crazy stuff!
Trouble is, we're not healthy, on immunosuppresant drugs and limited in how much we can exercise ,,,
Thanks, we had a lovely day! Except OH went to the dentist for a check up on Wednesday and she said he had some food stuck in a tooth. She poked at it and he's had toothache ever since. Today his face has swollen up on one side....
I don't bother with checkups! Same as having the boiler serviced - something always goes wrong afterwards! My husband once went 15 years without going near a dentist when we lived in Germany and until I forced him to one when the NHS dentist thing happened. Nothing to be done!
Covid vaccine get it or not?
Am I right in thinking that some people do not/will not receive the 3rd primary Covid jab?
Covid vaccine or not ?
Adrenal function/Covid risk
