Colds

[Daffodilia]

Have another really bad cough and cold (not COVID) - is this related to the immune system being reduced by pred ? I am on 6 mg after about 5 years

[SheffieldJane]

I expect it’s related to a compromised immunity. Make sure they arrange a chest X-Ray incase a persistent chest infection is the issue. I think many of us share your experience and the changes in the weather are not helping. I was worse on Actemra and still have a permanent runny nose.

[Daffodilia in reply to SheffieldJane]

will try for chest X-ray - thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It may be - did you have the problem at higher doses of pred too? But SJ has a point - if it is recurring, maybe you aren't getting rid of it properly each time.

[Daffodilia in reply to PMRpro]

OK on higher dose - will try for chest X-ray when I have my medication review

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Daffodilia]

And if it were asthma for example - pred would relieve it.

[piglette]

You are on quite a low dose so probably just bad luck. There seem to be quite a few colds around at the moment even though it is summer.

[Polygolfer]

hello there, I’ve also recently had a bad cold, including an infection in the upper airways and yes, the GP and my rheumatologist both said that with Prednisolone you are more vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections as your immune system is partially turned off.

I was treated with a non-steroid inhaler, antibiotics and a six-fold increase of Prednisolone for a week. Did the job, I am back to 5mg and have not looked back.

[PMRCanada]

I suffered with multiple chest infections/colds and coughing this past winter Chalked it up to being on both pred and Methotrexate (compromised immune system), and I was under plenty of stress during that time.

Was prescribed puffers (two types of inhalers) and rest. If there’s a return of symptoms I may be sent for chest X-rays and pulmonary function test.

Lowering pred to 6mg, lowering MTX dose to 15mg, and spring (outdoor weather) seems to have helped, as has avoiding the grandkids when they are ill.

Hope you get some relief soon.

[Karendeena]

Interestingly, I have been on prednisolone since May 2021 and I haven't had a cold since 2019. Fingers crossed 🤞 I don't get one now while tempting fate

[Exflex]

I’ve been on Pred for three and three quarter years and even though I’m now on less than 1mg I’m picking up viral infections more easily prior to PMR and Pred. First Defence seems to hit the infection if acted upon quickly. Might be worth trying in the future. (Has to be taken in the 1st 24 hrs of the nasal signal of a cold appearance, earlier the better. The nasal spray is alkaline and the cold virus doesn’t like it.)