Now negative for Covid, is it okay to go back to last Prep dose immediately (7 days Sick Day Rule of 10mg extra)and when to restart taper?

[Preposterous]

I had Covid last week so followed Sick Day Rule of upping my 10mg Pred dose to 20mg (took 2nd 10mg in evening for 7 days). Tested negative today and feel much better, just a little bit coldy still. It wasn't a severe attack by any means (I'd actually had my Covid spring booster jab in late May so was a bit surprised to get Covid, but maybe that's why it was quite mild). It came on suddenly and started receding after a few days. I took a couple of Paracetemol a day last week. Other symptoms were feeling quite feeble - as each day wore on becoming a bit wobbly/tight-headed (hard to describe as it's not really dizziness, and not severe, just a bit unsettling), but hopefully this won't show itself today. On the first day I started to feel unwell I was literally on the point of starting a taper down from 10mg to 9mg.

Had a couple of questions: should I go back to 10mg today (i.e. not take the evening extra dose) and then is it okay to start the slow 5-week taper process again or is it best to leave it a few days before starting?

Thanks, as ever!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Yes you could go back - but I wouldn't resume the taper until you feel REALLY better, at least 3 or 4 weeks.

[Preposterous in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, I thought that would probably be the best thing to do.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Agree with PMrpro -and no rush with tapering … Covid can leave a lot of longer term issues.

[marionofnorwich]

Yes I agree, take no chances. I had COVID in 2022 when I had just dropped from 5 to 4mg. I didn't know about Sick Day Rules and although the COVID was mild, a couple of weeks later I flared massively and my system went very odd. I eventually increased to 8mg but have had lots of problems since and only got back down to 4mg where I have been stuck. Treat the longer term effects of COVID with caution

[Preposterous in reply to marionofnorwich]

Thank you - this is first morning of dropping the extra 10mg and I’m keeping a very close eye on what my body is doing … hopefully it will behave!