Colds on Prednisolone

[Rabbit090]

so, I’m on my second week of oral prednisolone (40mg down from 60mg last week) and feel vaguely like I’m catching a cold. It’s hard to tell since obviously any sinus swelling probably isn’t going to happen? I basically feel a little fuzzy, a little phlegm in my throat but very minor - it’s just that feeling you get when coming down with something

Next week I start my first course of cyclophosphamide which I’m dreading so I’ll mention this to my consultant but I wonder what others experience with colds when on Pred?

Any chance it will clear in a week? I know it’s a piece of string!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I've never been at such a high dose but I have actually had far fewer infections than I did before and there are others who say the same,

If you DO have a cold, it is possible they will want to wait until you feel really well before the cyclophosphamide - I don't think there are many on here who are on it though.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Unfortunately when on Pred, particularly higher dose you can be more susceptible to colds, viruses etc.. not everyone by all means, but many are.

Good luck with cyclophosphamide... 🌸

But do discuss before you embark on another drug.

Just to add to PMRpro's comments - I only suffered one bout of oral thrush when on high doses [60mg] - but never anything else after that...

[Rabbit090 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks both. My weird “spectrum” situation makes it challenging to find folks with similar circumstances but I always appreciate your help. There doesn’t seem to be much elsewhere!

I’m not yet convinced it’s a cold. It’s more of a concept of a cold at this stage!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rabbit090]

Been at son’s this weekend.. we’re DIL and grandson have colds… I shall be crisis if I get on, having been half way round the world over the last 8nweeks in various planes, coaches etc and not succumbed. But heigh ho!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rabbit090]

Hopefully it will stay that way!!!

[PMRnewbie2017]

The virus which is doing the rounds in Northants seems to be affecting throat and sinuses accompanied by a horrendous tickly cough. Initially my symptoms were like yours and I thought I had got away with it but over 3 days it quickly worsened. My infection lasted two and a half weeks and required two courses of anti-biotics. I would definitely tell your consultant asap as they like you to be "fully fit" before commencing and even want you to stop if you become sick with a virus. The treatment which most patients are receiving is antibiotics for the secondary bacterial sinusitis with post-nasal drip and Pred for five days.

I managed to avoid colds for years even when my dose was 30mg, but in the last year I seem to catch everything despite being fully topped up with vaccinations.

[Rabbit090 in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

Uh oh. That sounds worrying

At the moment, I’m not feeling what I was yesterday but I did see the signs at Addenbrooke’s about respiratory illness and norovirus. I wonder if there’s a test of some sort?