Covid

[Belfastman]

Hi I’ve just tested positive for Covid . I’m on 5 mg of prednisone and 15 mg methotrexate. Is there any advice about how to manage meds while having Covid. I feel very achy and it feels like I’m having a flare.

Thanjs in advance for any advice.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This advice - Sick Day Rules - was produced early days of covid - not sure it’s still applicable now there are anti viral drugs. So you need to discuss with your GP and/or the Covid helpline - not sure the number for NI….

medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/...

From recent posts, there to be differing advice re upping steroids if you get the anti viral drugs…

But if you do flare this is usual advice - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Hope you soon feel better

[Oxfordboy2]

Ring your GP this morning and see if your eligible for covid meds.I have GCA and are eligible.

[Belfastman in reply to Oxfordboy2]

Thank you- I called my GP this morning . They said they don’t handle any Covid issues. Recommended I call 119, which was of no use. I have both PMR and GCA .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Belfastman]

Why was 119 no use? They should have given you another contact number for test and subsequent consideration for anti viral medication...

[Belfastman in reply to DorsetLady]

Unfortunately 119 only gives recordings of information. I’ve decided to ride the storm out . Last time I had Covid- 2 years ago. I was told to keep track of my oxygen levels. Which I can do at home. I wasn’t given an anti viral then either. I will get in touch with my rheumatologist . Sometimes ( I’m told) with the anti viral there a ‘kick’ back. It reduces symptoms but they can return after a couple of weeks.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Belfastman]

Okay… not very helpful then .. I did have a quick look at NI health pages but didn’t glean much there either…🤦🏻‍♀️

[Belfastman in reply to DorsetLady]

Very frustrating, but I’m resting, staying hydrating and isolating . Hopefully I won’t have a major flare

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Belfastman]

Certainly hope not, not a given… but you do have info should it happen… 😊

[Oxfordboy2 in reply to Belfastman]

Sorry this didn’t work for you.My last letter from NHS on June 27 explained the new rules regarding our group.It states we will no longer be contacted by nhs about treatments for covid.Instead it states contact your GP nhs 111 who are hopeless or your hospital specialist. ASAP after testing positive so they can consider referring you for an assessment for treatment.

Try nhs.uk/CoronavirusTreatments

[SnazzyD]

DL has replied but bear in mind that covid can give you whacking muscle pain. My family had it recently and low back and shoulder pain was a big feature to the extent they couldn’t sleep.

[Belfastman in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you for getting back so quickly. I think there is a combination of Covid pain and an impending flare .

[HeronNS]

Not sure if this was addressed and I've no personal experience, but isn't it usually recommended that mtx be discontinued when fighting an infection because it has such a dampening effect on the immune system?

Important to keep up your Vitamin D and Vitamin C intake, and I've also read that there are a number of other important micronutrients, like Vitamin K2 (not K1), Zinc and something called Quercitin which may help. I've passed this info on to my family members when they've had covid, having received it from a friend when my husband was sick.

Rest, rest, rest. Keep up your fluids. Rest some more. Good luck!

[Belfastman in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you so much- yes the rheumatology nurse said to stop the methotrexate . I take Vitamin D but will have my partner pick up the others.