Am at the end of 2 months traveling in Europe from Australia. Have GCA / PMR since 2020 and was on 5 mgs. Caught Covid in week 2 but recovered well the crashed about week 4 with dizziness and exhaustion. Went to 6 mg and was OK. Going home to Aus tomorrow with a break of 10 hour airport hotel bed in Dubai
But have a terrible cold and been in bed last three days. Read the Sick Day Rules which say to contact doctor but can’t do that. Tried here in Stockholm but no luck. Do I take 10mgs?? Or 7 three times before reaching home Friday morning Aus time ??
Really don’t know what to do. Am afraid of see sawing doses which Rheumy says I must not do. But actually don’t really trust this Rheumy since moved cities.
Really appreciate your advice.
Written by
CathyMeg
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In your position and with no other options - I would take 10mg until I got home plus a couple of days. That is still less than the flare protocol and should help.
The nasal steroids won't be contributing very much. He is right about not see-sawing the dose - we say yoyoing. But you are unwell, been in bed - and that could qualify for Sick Day Rules which would be doubling the dose, so 10 or 12mg depending on what you considered your current dose - near enough the same.
Rubbish timing! What is the issue you have getting to see a doctor? Are you in a hotel? Tourists get ill all the time. Their version of ED?
Failing that - It’s quite possible you have Covid again. So were you on 6mg before you got sick again? If so, how did you feel on it? If it was fine, then I’d see how I go but I would be very ready to pop a mg or two if I started to feel like I wasn’t winning adrenally, just to get home. Then I would seek medical help as soon so possible. There are times when a decent whack of steroids are needed but that is a medical decision. I hear what your doctor said but these are extraordinary circumstances so I would like to know what their advice would be for it! I’m sure they didn’t mean this as an every day scenario. Make sure you stay really well hydrated in that flight.
Am in an AirBnB. Friend here in Stockholm suggested I call their 1177 number - sort of doctor / nurse on call advice.
Waited 40 minutes. Told the whole story to someone. They advertise it in English too. Woman then said where in Sweden am I ? Apparently in the wrong area so she will put me through to Stockholm area. Waited and got a whole pile of talk in Swedish which I think was asking me to press numbers for options. Waited 10 minutes and gave up.
Went to a pharmacy. Just got nasal spray.
Will definitely see doctor when I get back but wish i had my doctors in Melbourne. Might have to drive back. Wish I could advertise who is a doctor who understands GCA in Geelong !!
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