Has anyone had Covid or the flu along with PMR?

@naples3
Tell us more……that’s a very fast taper compared to most of us.

Yes it is, and it’s not working. I need to get ahold of my dr tomorrow. I got my flu vaccine about 5-6 weeks ahead of getting my Covid vaccine, so that is how I know it was the Covid vaccine that gave me the flare.

@naples3 That is a remarkably fast taper and could be contributing to your flare. Is this what your rheumatologist recommended? I was put on 10mg until my PMR symptoms went away and I felt decades younger. Then I tapered one mg a month until I reached 5 mg. Then a half mg the rest of the way, trying to adhere to a 10% drop a month as many have recommended on this site. I never had a flare but I have felt decades older since I went totally off the prednisone. I have had every covid and flu vaccine that has come out and had no problems. My partner does not have PMR but does feel sick for 24 after getting the covid vaccine. I did get covid once while still tapering, but with Paxlovid it only lasted a couple of days, like the flu.

@reets70 I have a question regarding chest colds/virus post. I was diagnosed in December 2024 and started on 20mg of prednisone. After tapering too quickly at beginning and going back and forth I am now on 5mg and hoping to be off completely in 2/3 months. My question is what you took for your colds etc. I have been fortunate to have had only two real noticeable colds which this last turned into a severe sore throat and slight (100.4) fever. My GP prescribed a ZPak and within a few days sore throat was gone but was left with wheezing cough. I chose to go on an over the counter expectorant that seems to be helping, but I guess what I am also looking for is information from others of what they may have used for colds or flus while on prednisone. As this disease seems NOT to be a one size fits all, any and all information is welcome.

@boo3 instead of cough syrup (they tend to raise your blood pressure) ask your doctor for a prescription for BENZONATATE, a drug that reduces the cough significantly. It still lasted a few weeks, but this med worked well at night so I could at least sleep. I also took the Zpack for five days to kill the infection. I believe this is all due to a weakened immune system.

Thanks Reets70. Does the Benzonate look like small pearls? My cough seems to be worse in morning when phlegm and drainage (sorry for the clarity😁 in description) is heavier. Actually have been using the nasal cleansing system and gargling with warm salt water. Didn’t follow those steps early in the morning ”cold/sinus” issue and believe I paid for it. Always just waited out a cold but with immune system being compromised at the moment now need to get a head of it. Did you use any over the counter cold medicines to maintain or stop progression?

@boo3 When I had a respiratory virus, I went to my primary. She tested for covid, flu, and strep. All were negative. She prescribed a Z-pack and suggested the following OTC meds:
Nasacort
Mucinex
Delsym

They eased my symptoms, but it still took almost a month to get well.

@ropnrose Thanks for info …. I’ve used all before PMR so good to know. Thanks again