sick day rules advice please

[Scallyanna]

My first post since joining this amazing forum, which I read daily as I can usually get my questions answered but feel I need advice please this time. I’m currently on 5.5 mg . Last 9 days I have had cold which I am consistently coughing and chesty, my ears are really buzzing with major hearing loss at the moment, and my voice is practically non existent. I just can’t shake this off, when I get up I am really shaky and wobbly ..I have also been sick twice on different days., and raised temperature on one of the daysThis not like me to take to my bed but each day I’m not feeling better. Should I apply SDR , would it help, if so how much and for how long. Thank you for reading and replies…my bio is up to date if it helps.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This link gives advice on SDR - and yes I think it would be sensible to apply them.

Have you contacted GP - a course of antibiotics might help as well. Hope you soon improve…

endocrinology.org/media/416...

[Scallyanna in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much for quick reply, looking at SDR it seems to suggest 5 mg twice daily, but is that on top of my morning 5.5 …so 10.5 am ….plus 5 mg pm…? Or 5 mg am and 5 mg pm…. Sorry if I’m being bit dense here , but just wanted to check, I don’t want to get it wrong, after this I can then go straight back to 5.5. Or would I need to perhaps go just above that amount as in flare protocol .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Scallyanna]

My reading is add a total of 10mg per day [in 2 doses of 5mg each] - and ten you should be able to drop back down to current dose, although just above it might be better - so 6mg rather than 5.5mg.. having just seen you reply to PMRpro re next week... just be careful...

[Scallyanna in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much, will start that tomorrow., and also thank you also for all your generous time given to this site, it’s my daily paper and I hav learnt so much, but there’s always something more to learn x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Recent advice we have seen does suggest that SDRs are advisable even for minor ailments - and I agree with DL, you may need some medical advice.

[Scallyanna in reply to PMRpro]

Thank so much, will try that, I have a family funeral to go to 220 miles away week today, so desperately hoping to be well enough to go to that.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Scallyanna]

Sorry to hear that... but don't attempt it if you don't feel a lot better..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Scallyanna]

Oh dear - so sorry, But as DL says, make sure you really are well enough to go. Are you driving?

[Scallyanna in reply to PMRpro]

Well yes 😏 , supposed to be driving as Hubby does not, we have booked to stay overnight as too far in one go, but in desperation we could squeeze in with my daughter and partner in their car..that would be 5 of us so bit of tight squeeze all that way, but tbh if I’m not up to driving, I’m probably not up to going anyway. Doesn’t bear thinking about but I will start worrying about that next week and keep my fingers crossed. Thank you for all your time generous time given to this site, I have learnt so much x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Scallyanna]

That's probably right - though you might be up to going to a funeral round the corner, a proper trip like that is another matter altogether.

[AncientAunt]

I agree with Dorset Lady about antibiotics. I have only had a slight cough for the past week but my G.P. hasn’t hesitated to issue me with a course of Amoxicillin. I have PMR and am on Pred.

Hope you feel better soon x

[Scallyanna in reply to AncientAunt]

Thank you. For your reply, you have a good concerned Dr…my temperature spiked again so called 111 and saw hospital Dr at 8am today. Thankfully now have antibiotics, amoxicillin 500 mg, although they give reluctantly. he said probably best to wait another day see if I feel better tomorrow without taking them 😳 He wasn’t sure if it was viral or bacterial infection., so I think he’s erred on the side of caution. After 10 days of constant cold, coughing, green phlegm, raised temp and concerningly high heart rate, (due to me fighting off infection) and blocked ears I started them immediately. Am also following sick day rules.

[AncientAunt in reply to Scallyanna]

It sounds like you’re being taken care of now. Do let me know how you get on. I’ll be thinking of you x

[Scallyanna in reply to AncientAunt]

Thank you so much, out of interest did the antibiotics help your cough, I’m still coughing furiously, but it’s early days

[AncientAunt in reply to Scallyanna]

It’s early days for me, too. I always find breathing in hot steam with a dash of Olbas Oil helps ease symptoms. You’ll know when the bacterial infection has gone when your phlegm turns clear (sorry about the graphics) but the cough may continue for a while.

[Scallyanna]

Thank you, yes dealing with the phlegm ( def not clear ) and congestion is dreadful, especially as it has really affected my hearing. A cough I can deal with but everything else on top has driven me mad. I was advised against decongestants as they raise heart rate and mine has been raised with this..it’s normally very good. Going to try the steam again later. Thank you for further advice x

[proactive]

I would think perhaps you should skip the funeral as you may be contagious to others there.....or to those in the same vehicle as yourself....