Cough and cold

[Harrywogan]

HI all,couldn't answer a question my friend asked me knowing I also have PMR, she asked me if she should use sick day rules for bad cold and cough.she was going to up pred but I wasn't so sure she needed to. Mayb someone else can answer that , x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I think it says in SDR if “you feel so ill you can’t get out of bed” -so maybe she should use that as a guide.

Think paracetamol, cough mixture (but check first it doesn’t contain extra paracetamol) plenty of fluids and TLC are better than upping Pred.

[Harrywogan in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL will pass that on, think she's think any virus she should put it up ,so just left it to her but it's only a bad cold and she out and about not in bed, thanks for your help xx

[Exflex]

As DL said…

I would not take extra Pred for a cough or cold. But about 6W ago I got a really nasty one, and by late afternoon (6pm or so) I was shaking uncontrollably, and having been there before, ending up in hospital, I took an extra 5mg in addition to my (then) daily dose of 1.5mg. Within half an hour I was feeling ‘tons’ better. I reverted to 1.5mg the following day, so it was a one off hit to overcome adrenal issues. It’s surprising isn’t it, even at a low dose of Pred (1.5mg) the adrenal axis is not fully capable.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Exflex]

It takes up to a year to settle down even after being at zero pred

[Exflex in reply to PMRpro]

I’m on 1.25mg, so at my rate it will take another 5 months at least to get to zero. After that I wonder if any wobbles should be overcome by a one off hit of 5mg, or start lower say 1mg then another if necessary. Or should I request a HC injection kit (as I understand things), I think an endocrinologist has to authorise this, which involves assessing adrenal issues. But as we’re discussing, there’s a difference between average daily needs and wobbles now and again that could send you to A&E if not addressed smartly. At present I never leave home without a packet of Pred, just in case.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Exflex]

The injection kit is really for situations where you are verging on adrenal crisis and unable to swallow tablets - so you need someone around to prepare the injection, it isn't usually a pre-loaded syringe I don't think. A 999 call in the UK will also work - paramedics carry the needful so you need some form of warning on you - a bracelet or card in a prominent place.