Long term effects of Pred on immune system

[AngelRain]

I have previously been a member of this community under another user name, but can no longer get into the account I have held since 2009!

In summary, I was diagnosed with GCA after ultrasound in December 2019. The hospital were shockingly bad and I was still heavily symptomatic when I had a follow up appointment in February 2020. I was then told that I did not have GCA because my inflammatory markers were not raised, and all my symptoms would need to be looked at separately. This has never really happened, partly because of the pandemic, and I still have the same symptoms of sore scalp, temporal pain etc that I had over three years ago.

I have been off Prednisolone since March 2021, so two years all but a couple of weeks. On the surface I am well, but any respiratory illness knocks me sideways. I picked up a cold from our grandson at the beginning of December and was unwell until mid January, narrowly missing hospital admission. I have now had another cold for the last ten days, that OH shrugged off in two.

Is this simply bad luck, or does long term use of Prednisolone lead to long term effects on the immune system?

Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Once you are off pred your immune system should recover fairly quickly from its effects but many of us don't find we have any problems even on pred. I think it is probably bad luck on your part. My cousin has the opposite experience, she recovers like a shot from things that lay her husband low for a couple of weeks - and neither of them have ever been on pred!

[SnazzyD]

I suspect it’s impossible to say once you’re off Pred what is affecting your immune system. Have you had Covid? There are some studies that suggest it affects T cell numbers for example. Also, you still have symptoms of three years ago which suggests all is not quite right somewhere. Did you have be bleating on about the sternokleidomastoid muscle tension last time?

[AngelRain in reply to SnazzyD]

I’ve had Covid twice, in March 2020 and May 2022. Lost my sense of smell in the first bout and never got it back. Otherwise fine.

[MrsNails]

Angel, there have been a lot of bad chests, coughs & chest infections around this winter. I’ve been subject to three separate ‘doses’ one after another with each cough being different from the previous one.

The GP & l are considering ‘Asthma’ as the first one left me wheezing & l had to have a Ventolin inhaler but the other two coughs were very different & no wheezing……

I had Covid in September & wonder if that has had some impact on me? I’ve been off my Methotrexate since before Christmas but am returning to it tomorrow 🙏🏼 all being well!……

[PMRfacebook]

I think it's unlikely to be the long term effects of steroids- as you've been off steroids for over 2 years , your body should be recovered - they say it takes a good year to start feeling your old self again. However if youyou got symptoms and pain , it's worth going back to your GP I would suggest

[Abbeynan82]

AngelRain, I have had lots of Prednisolone but cannot answer your question! My immune system has been fine and I am still on 15mg after 3 years. I hear that this is the worst year ever for viruses. Staying away from crowds probably my best advice. Trains busses and planes, theatres, restaurants and bars!