Immune system down

[Caulkhead63]

Am I right from what I've read PMA can affect your immune system? Are you more likely to catch things? I'll explain why I'm asking later as I need advice Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If you have PMR or GCA or any illness that requires steroids (Pred), then it's the medication that suppresses your immune system.

It's required to control the substances [cytokines] which regulate inflammation - which when you have an illness like ours don't control themselves as they should. Shortened explanation, [won't bore you with full one].

So in answer to your question, you may be more susceptible to viruses etc as your natural immune system cannot react as it would if you weren't on Pred...

Some patients seem to have more problems than others..

[SheffieldJane]

Prednisalone acts on your immune system to suppress it, so that it stops attacking itself. I have noticed over an 8 year period that I get more relatively minor things such as colds, Blepharitis, UTIs, nasal infections, sinus infections, possibly long Covid in spite of all the vaccines. So I have nose drops, eye drops, Mannose-D , Cranberry Juice. My age will be a factor and the length of time I have had PMR and then GCA LVV. It has become part of my self care. So being careful is now second nature. What is worrying you? Some things need medical attention and prescriptions.

[Caulkhead63 in reply to SheffieldJane]

I have had PMA since 2022 I've lived at my rented property for 10 years. My bedroom and bathroom is damp despite opening windows. only a small window in bathroom and as there are lots of tiles I live it open. But in the slanted roof space outside bathroom there are pedgions. I'm breathlessness ' sore throat ' coughing ' fatigue. Could this be down to those bloody things? I've not been so breathless etc before I had PMA. Heart problems have been ruled out

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Caulkhead63]

Breathless is often felt by those on Pred… and fatigue could be adrenals [what dose of Pred are you on] - but I would be blaming the damp - especially if you have mould on walls etc… rather than pigeons.

You need to see GP re sore throat/coughing and ask if it could be from the mould spores - and you also need to contact your landlord to get it sorted out [however difficult that may be] especially if it’s affecting your health.

[Caulkhead63 in reply to DorsetLady]

I'm on prednisolone. I have a phone appointment with my doctor on Tuesday can't get face to face. My landlord knows the place is damp! I live in a HMO and about half are damp! And we had a check up for the council a couple of weeks ago a requirement so he can keep his licence. Unless the women was blind there's no way she could have missed the damp in the house! And there is always a slight smell of course especially as at the time we had a lot of rain!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Caulkhead63]

Sounds as if you are in same situation as many - unfortunately...

[SheffieldJane in reply to Caulkhead63]

As you describe, this is not a healthy way to live especially when you are ill. You could try citizens advice or Google tenants rights to see where you stand legally. Hopefully your landlord will be obliged to remedy this situation. There has been a lot of bad publicity about this sort of thing, for landlords, in the press lately. It might be the right moment. I agree, your symptoms are more likely to be because of your home rather than Pred.

[Caulkhead63 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you as I said I'm speaking to the doctor on Tuesday and see what she thinks then go on from there. At least then it will be on my health records

[PMRpro Ambassador]

PMR or GCA is due to a malfunction of the immune system - part of it is overactive. It shouldn't affect your immune response to infections. What MIGHT suppress your response to illnesses is the pred that is used to manage the symptoms but that seems to vary from person to person. I have been on pred for many years, almost all of it at above 10mg, and I can't say I have any more infections than I did pre-pred. I haven't even knowingly had Covid yet.

[Koalajane in reply to PMRpro]

I am the same as you. My husband has more coughs and colds than I do!

[Bramble2000]

what is PMA?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Bramble2000]

Thinks it’s a typo- and should read PMR looking at profile…

[AtopicGuy in reply to DorsetLady]

Hopefully! PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) is sometimes treated with anabolic steroids, not corticosteroids like prednisolone.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to AtopicGuy]

As I said, looking at profile it certainly seems to be PMR…

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AtopicGuy]

Some body with PMA is unlikely to be on this forum. And did you check the profile? It is why we ask for them to be completed.

[AtopicGuy in reply to PMRpro]

I not only checked the profile, I skimmed every post (but not all the replies). If I recall, there was only one reference to "PMR" and none to prednisolone/prednisone, only "steroids". I saw little about symptoms.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AtopicGuy]

In the early posts the poster refers to PMR and GCA a few times. And most people say steroids meaning corticosteroids.

[AtopicGuy in reply to PMRpro]

Good. If PMA didn't show up as treatable with (anabolic) steroids, I wouldn't have been concerned.

[WhatNoCarbs]

I realise you’re in a difficult situation and what I’m about to suggest is an extra financial burden. However, a dehumidifier (various prices available) in the worst room, and bleach of course to reduce the spore level down may help.

[Drawyahmahtram in reply to WhatNoCarbs]

Just a warning on buying a dehumifier .. get advice from someone you trust .. Best a local shop you know...