Effect of a bad cold?

[papadapadoo]

I was comfortably working my way down via DSNS from 8.5 to 8 when I caught a nasty cold (negative for covid). The morning pain in my shoulders became very unpleasant, though not to the level of what I would call a flare, which I have experienced before. The pain subsided but never really left all day. I have two questions: 1. is it common for an illness to cause PMR to spike? and 2. should I temporarily increase my dose, or just fight through the increased morning pain until the cold is gone?

[SnazzyD]

How long ago did this happen?

Just a note re Covid. Having just got back from holiday with all 3 other members of the family with Covid , I can say that a feature has been quite severe shoulder pain, along with, oddly, jaw joint pain in 2 of them. One took 7 days to become positive, the other 5 days and one never did.

[Kendrew in reply to SnazzyD]

My husband had covid and during the first 8dys he assumed it was just a very bad cold as each daily LF test was negative.

On day nine he was feeling significantly better but his LF test was positive... and remained positive for the next 6dys!..... when he was feeling fine again!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

For some another infection worsens PMR symptoms, for other it can improve them.

But a negative Covid test is frequently a false negative. Don't rely on them. The LFTs are increasingly inaccurate. My daughter tested for 4 days, all negative, Then she got another pack out - positive, while the test from the first pack was still negative.

[SheffieldJane]

Illness definitely causes flares, I would increase for 5 days by a couple of mgs to stop the inflammation spreading. If your cold symptoms are morphing into something worse, do the whole flare procedure as outlined in FAQs. I have done this to good effect. Get well soon. The change in temperature has definitely wobbled me.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Answers 1.. yes, 2. yes..

.. and probably follow advice for flare, so it doesn't get any worse....

[papadapadoo]

Thanks, everyone. The symptoms from the "new" covid are like those of a bad cold. I'll consult my PCP. And I'll up my dose for a couple of days. I feel better already!