Immunosuppressed???

[gemmalaura]

What is the latest assessment on whether we are immunosuppressed as my GP states anyone on 7.5mg prednisolone and above. Based on that assessment I will not be eligible for the spring booster as I am presently on 4.5mg.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If you scroll down through this link to Conditions 11-15 you find info on long tern pred use -

digital.nhs.uk/dashboards/g...

..and at 4.5mg its looks as if you wouldn't be included.

[gemmalaura in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for that Dorset Lady

[Kendrew in reply to DorsetLady]

I've just read through it. Thankyou DL. At 3.5mgs daily, I definitely won't be included, but I think I see that as a good thing, as it suggests that although I am probably still immuno-supressed, it's not likely to be at a level that could result in severe illness should I contract covid. Therefore would it seem reasonable to assume my immune system is becoming stronger?

Am I right to draw this assumption...or being a bit naive & stupid to??

This question always baffles me.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Kendrew]

My interpretation would be similar to yours….the less Pred in your system, the stronger your own immune system becomes, but how quickly or to what percentage I have no idea, or maybe that is just too simplistic . But I think we both know someone who will know the answer.

But I would say, you still be need to be cautious for some time, as often said it does take the body time to return to normal - I would go for the same advice we give on adrenals - ie 6-12 months.

[Kendrew in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes, indeed. 😊 Thanks DL. 👍

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

I think it is a bit simplistic - I would say my immune system hasn't really suffered that much. But we know that people who had allergies find them appearing again as the pred dose goes down and the dose isn't suppressing that activity as much. So it will be getting on with life probably sooner than the adrenals might but I suspect everyone is different.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Thinking back don’t think that mine suffered that much either, apart from first couple of months when I got thrush infection [mouth] that took a bit of clearing up. Can’t recall anything else after that.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

I've not yet had thrush due to pred - did have UTIs, maybe, but I had a problem with them long before pred.

[Pr0jection in reply to PMRpro]

That's interesting, PMRpro, because for the past year I've had recurring UTI's. No pain, no blood, just slightly wiffy. I've had tests each time and been put on antibiotics and it seems to go for about 4 weeks, then gets wiffy again.

[MrsNails in reply to Pr0jection]

l’ve had a lot of UTI’s - it’s been ongoing since 2019 & l had AntiB’s pretty much every month during that year.

I had a Cystoscopy & a CT but nothing to show - l them had two six month courses of AntiB’s

I never have any Urinary Tract Symptoms as such but always, always the Loin Pain, so we check the Urine, send for cultures & it’s always an infection!

I have abnormal Creatinine Levels too & am currently being reviewed by Urology & awaiting a CT with Contrast.

During Lockdown my GP referred me to Gastroenterology as the Bowel is the only other organ where l get the pain.

That was all done over the telephone but l found it useful & he recommended l take Laxido regularly as many of my Meds cause cause slowing of the action of the bowel so could be causing a chronic constipation?…….

Eventually my Urology Appointment came through - it was on a Saturday & they had 4Consultants in Clinic - l’m just awaiting my ‘Urgent’ CT but who knows how long that will be?……

[Pr0jection in reply to MrsNails]

Many thanks for your reply, much appreciated. Good luck with your appointments....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pr0jection]

And the repeated abx - which I assume are always the same - are adding to it. At the least you need a LONGER course of abx, possibly a LONG course (weeks and weeks), what is happening at present is the majority of the bugs are dealt with but there are always some left which take about a month to increase to be enough to cause the problem again and they have developed a taste for the abx used so the next time is less effective.

Another factor may be not emptying the bladder fully - try double voiding

lhsc.on.ca/women-s-health/t....

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

That is my main problem - I have had cystoscopies and urethral stretches because the urethra is a bit narrow and contributes to the bladder never fully emptying. The old urine makes infections worse.

[Plains]

hello, are you talking about the covid booster? I have been above this for all my boosters and did not have any problems. Not everyone is the same but this has been my experience. My doctor only advised me not to get the shingles shots.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Plains]

The Shingrix one is okay, not sure if you can get that easily in US... factors may be age or how immunosuppressed you are?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Shingrix is the ONLY shingles jab available in the USA. Zostavax has been discontinued.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Ta…wasn’t sure about that, so no age restrictions like in UK then…

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

I don;t think so - and the demand was immense when it was launched which is why the rest of us have had to wait, They hadn't got enough stock to supply all the European state-funded healthcare schemes at the same time

[Griggser in reply to Plains]

as someone who has unfortunately had shingles in my eye, the most pain I’ve ever experienced) I would advise anyone who is eligible to get the Shingrix jab. I have now had the two Shingrix jabs with no adverse effects. I’ve also had six covid jabs with no more than as sore arm for a couple of days.

[Plains in reply to Griggser]

I get it, it depends on the person health history. For my doctor to tell me no, based on my conditions, I am listening to him. I just was expressing what I was told, maybe I should have said all this at first. Best