UPDATEAutoimmune and just got Covid

[Greytree]

COVID TEST NEGATIVE. Symptoms coming from a med I just started. No fever. Sore throat subsided today. Headache and extreme fatigue left. My apologies for false alarm! I appreciate all the calming words and suggestions. (Original post here: Please tell me how to get through this! I was fully exposed a few days ago and now my throat is hurting and I don’t want to end up in a hospital or with long covid. It is middle of the night on a weekend and might be difficult to get my doctor. Am in the US. Thanks for any suggestions. )

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

The advice in UK will be different, so you need to wait until US wakes up.

In UK we can contact helpline and maybe get anti- viral drugs depending on dose of Pred taking.

This link contains advice on Covid [but it was published in the early days] so you probably do require medical input if you feel really rough

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

Other than that, plenty of rest, plenty to drink to keep hydrated

[Greytree in reply to DorsetLady]

Sounds good - and doable. Thanks!

[SnazzyD]

Bad luck. I was reading the other day about how sewage testing is showing high levels of Covid in every state. You may easily not get autoimmune reaction. I’ve had it a number of times and there is no telling what it’ll do I find. I’ve never had a flare as a result, though long Covid is not fun if it happens.

Are you still on low dose Pred? How are you on your current dose in terms of autoimmune disease symptoms and adrenal function?

I don’t know what the US’s policy on antivirals is but you might get them if it is early enough.

What Covid smooths do you have other than the sore throat? All you can do really is rest, Tylenol and fluids, especially fluids.

[Greytree in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks so much! I am off Pred completely for a couple of months. I get monthly Actemra infusions that my doc wants to wean me from. So far a sore throat that started over night. My friend - we are in a trio - who I got it from - started this was too. I should be able to get Paxlovid though I hear there can be a rebound with that. You make me feel like I am not necessarily going to end up in hospital with tube down my throat. Thank you! My friend moved from sore throat to aches and fever, but I will take Tylenol with that if/when it hits. Can rest a-plenty, fortunately.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Greytree]

When is your next infusion due? That should be delayed until you are recovered.

[Greytree in reply to PMRpro]

Not for 3.5 more weeks.

[SnazzyD in reply to Greytree]

Covid variants tend not to attack the chest as a matter of course these days like the old variants. Not saying it won’t but it is less likely. However, one can feel utterly wretched with the classic combo of high fever, aches and sore throat and still be not hospital material. Hopefully you’ll get the vaguely unwell or at most totally useless for a few days to a week. The recuperation might be a week to weeks or months depending on how it takes you and I have found this to be unpredictable. For now concentrate on today and one day at a time. We all should be masters in that art with PMR/GCA!

[Greytree in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks. SnazzyD

[Grammy80]

Since I am reading the second post....💓I gave it a big like. I'm in Indiana and just checking email....so glad it was negative. If you've not read this from me before...a dear friend in NH who recently passed at 90....had GCA since the 80s and coasted in remission on 1 mg for over 20 years ! My best..💞

[Greytree in reply to Grammy80]

So glad to hear from you. I am sorry your friend has moved on, but am glad to hear about her remarkable success with 1 mg for a couple of decades + ! So interesting as a possible option. Thanks for telling me about it. Cheers!

[Grammy80 in reply to Greytree]

A little ps....she was an RN and her husband, an orthodontist, came from a family of 12. Of the 12, five were MDs, plus two dentists and an one sister an RN. So, she kept trying to get off pred, then one day they decided quality of life was more important.💞

[Greytree in reply to Grammy80]

What an incredibly large and multi-degreed family! Love that they opted for quality of life.

[Comben]

Sending you a big hug as I think that you need one.u🤗