covid meds and prednisolne

[JAC1947]

Evening all

I have PMR and currently tapering Pred down, I am on 3 mg per day. However yesterday I tested positive for Covid. Two questions

1. do I need to inform my GP as my immune system is compromised the NHS site is not clear.

2. What meds does anyone suggest for the hacking cough, runny nose and aches. I am taking Paracetamol and drinking lots, lemon honey etc. But any more tips to relieve symptoms. Can I take Lemsip?

Thank you in advance.

Jane

[SnazzyD]

Paracetamol is the only thing really. It isn’t recommended to take Ibuprofen last time I looked. Remember Lemsip contains Paracetamol.

As far as being immunocompromised, if your status is based on Pred dose alone, 3mg isn’t regarded as at a sufficient level to be a concern. Other factors may be considered on individual cases.

How were you doing with adrenal function before it hit.

I’m on day 10 of it, it’s been a beast.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Lemsip would be fine as long as it and your other paracetamol don't take you over the daily maximum dose of 4g. That is very important.

You won't qualify for antiviral medication at that low dose of pred so whether you try to communicate with your GP is up to you really. You might need a bit more pred in line with Sick Day Rules - the details are in FAQs - to help your body cope with the infection and recover better.

As for dealing with the "cold" symptoms - what do you usually use? I can't help there I'm afraid - can't remember ever using anything!

[random901]

Yep, stick with the paracetamol, JAC1947. I'm on 40 mg pred and have just been put on doxycyline for 7 days after developing whooping cough, but apparently this is mainly to make me uninfectious to others, and won't have much personal benefit. Ibuprofen + preds = nasty!

[S4ndy]

I tested positive yesterday. I am waiting on a call back from the Antiviral team. I am on 5mg so probably won't qualify even though I had previously.

I don't have a cough at the moment. I am feverish with sore throat, stuffy nose and headache together with all over body pain.

I am taking paracetamol and I have Vicks sinex in case my nose gets worse. I am monitoring my O2 sats which are around 92% this morning down from 98% yesterday.

I've had a rough night with all the cold/hot sweats but feel a bit cooler now. Going back to my bed to try and get some rest.

So annoying that I've dodged it for so long and now I get it around all the special Christmas functions which I now cannot attend. Oh well, it had to happen sometime!

Hope everyone who has this at the moment makes a good recovery. Be gentle on yourselves xxx

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to S4ndy]

Sorry to hear you’ve succumbed- and timing could certainly be better… Hope you soon improve..🌸

[Cirrostratus in reply to S4ndy]

Hello, hope you feel better soon, in the same boat at the mo , everyone is different but the advice I’ve had this week is to seek medical help if O2 sats drop below 94%. Hope everything improves soon

[JAC1947 in reply to Cirrostratus]

Thank you but is O2?

[Cirrostratus in reply to JAC1947]

Oxygen - you can measure approx levels in the blood at home using gadget called oximeter

[S4ndy in reply to Cirrostratus]

The NHS team offered me antivirals. They have a lot of digestive system side effects and as I have IBS decided against it. Also there are drugs I am on that I would have to stop as they interact with the antivirals. They also offered me an infusion but that requires a trip to a hospital. I refused both as my symptoms aren't too bad. I can, however, change my mind up to day 5 and they have given me a direct line to call. They advised me if my sats dropped below 90% I should call them again. My sats have gone back up to 94% so that's all good.

I hope you and anyone with COVID make a swift recovery.

[Cirrostratus in reply to S4ndy]

Sounds like you have a good medical team there S4ndy, they are keeping an eye on you, so all the best for speedy recovery. I was too late for antivirals, so just sitting it out now!!

[Elvied in reply to S4ndy]

they should give you antibviraks if your o2 sars beliwv94%

[S4ndy in reply to Elvied]

Day 4 and my sats back up to 96% now. Symptoms mild so hopefully on the mend.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to S4ndy]

Good to hear…

[AuthorJ]

hi JAC 1947. I have had Covid twice so far. I contacted my primary care doctor who is thankfully an infectious disease specialist. She prescribed Paxlovid both times. My second bout of Covid included high fever a severe weakness. The Paxlovid helped greatly with both episodes

Do you have that med where you live?

Best wishes to feel better soon

[JAC1947 in reply to AuthorJ]

Not sure, I live in the UK. Where are you? How long did it take to recover?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to JAC1947]

Extremely unlikely you’ll get antiviral drugs being on such a low dose of Pred….so just treat yourself like you would with a normal cold…but just watch the Lemsip and paracetamol combination…. Plenty of TLC though.. 🌸

[PMR_sufferer1]

It would be interesting to know how your PMR is doing while you have COVID. My experience is it went away completely while I had COVID but came back after it went . It was very strange !I am not the expert on COVID medication while under Pred so leave that to others to give advice.

Hope you feel better soon

[Elvied]

my rheumy said to get the anti virals