Covid? Adrenals? When to take Pred if possible vomiting

[Scaredofpred]

hello everyone. I feel awful. Started with sore throat yesterday, been up most of night with nausea but haven’t brought much up. Very dry. If it’s Covid I can manage but just a bit worried as have been under lots of stress,husband has had major stroke a week ago, 2 trips to hospital daily.

Have been happily following dear Dorset lady’s tapering, got to week 5 of drop 9 to 8. Had planned to go back to 9 as was feeling a bit wobbly. Question is, can I take Pred if I may not keep it down?

Would adrenals / stress be part of this? Many thank, sorry it’s long.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sorry to hear you are feeling unwell.

Try and take pred, with just water if that’s all you can manage at the moment, and provided you are okay for an hour or so it should get into your system.Maybe consider some sports drinks if possible and sip, rather than drink too much at a time.

No tapering, in fact sounds as if you may need a bit extra, especially with the stress over your husband. Probably as much that as adrenals, although might be both.

Hope you soon feel better.🌸

[Scaredofpred in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank uou

[SnazzyD]

Whilst covid can give quite severe gastrointestinal symptoms I would be wary of adrenal crisis because a) you are quite unwell and b) you have compromised steroid absorption. I got into trouble a while back because my GI symptoms masked a slide into a crisis. Personally I would call your GP/111 now for advice at this early stage so you have a plan of action. Ditto DL’s advice.

[Scaredofpred in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you. Seeing rheumatologist on Monday. Fortunately pre planned!

[piglette]

Covid seems to be rife at the moment. My sister was really ill this week with a “cold”. I told her to test for Covid and she was positive. Now her husband is also positive. I think a lot of people do not bother to test any more.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As long as the pred stays down for a good hour, you should have absorbed it. That is providing your gut is working normally and like Snazzy, I would encourage you to speak to your GP, 111 if necessary over the weekend. You are going through a massive upheaval, mental and physical with hospital visiting and I know from first hand experience what that can do to you. Using the Sick Day Rules may not be a bad idea to try and avoid an adrenal crisis.

I'm assuming you have some support? How is he doing? But even more important is how YOU are doing.

[Scaredofpred in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for this, was worried I was making a fuss!

We are 9 days post stroke now and outcome is still unclear.

Fortunately have 2 very supportive daughters. Negative Covid test but throat worse so watching carefully. Have used rest time and Pred and will stay where I am for several weeks now. See rheumatologist on Monday.

You are all so lovely and reassuring. Thank you is inadequate!

[Pixix in reply to Scaredofpred]

If you’re visiting in hospital a lot I’d advise wearing a mask (my hubby in hospital 3 times this year…even with mask, I caught C.Diff in hospital & there were quite a lot of C I’d patients in there. They admitted that they didn’t have enough isolation wards & are nursing them in general wards now. Hope things get better for you, take care, S x