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Woken up with bad cold and cough. Do I need antibiotics from the GP?

Posted , 5 users are following.

jane0118
jane0118

So end of last week had hip pain. I rested and woke up with sore throat on Saturday, now have sore ears, runny nose, cough and ache all over. Hips are stiff for the first time since I started pred 3 weeks ago. 

Should I just take some paracetamol and rest, or see GP to get some antibiotics as chest feeling tight. Do not need this as have busy week.

Any ideas, Eileen and the gang?

Thanks 

Jane

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH jane0118

    Posted

    Would you have asked this pre-PMR or would you have assumed it was a cold? Antibiotics don't do anything in viral infections (which colds and flu are) and it is the excess use of abx in such a situation that has led to the number of bacteria that are now resistant to them. The vast majority of infections like this, even brochitis, are viral in origin.

    Yes, you should rest and treat this like any cold you have had in the past. If you develop a high temperature or shortness of breath then go to the doctor but with a normal cold there is no point - nothing much to be done about viral infections except TLC. In fact - if it is only 3 weeks since you were started on pred you could do with a bit of rest and not be forcing yourself to cope with "a busy week ahead"!

    If you have an infection then the PMR will tend to be more noticeable, any form of stress will do that, but after 3 weeks you are presumably still on 15mg so upping the dose to help cope with it isn't necessary - that may be the case once you get below 10mg or so.

    I'll lay odds that in the last 3 weeks you have been trying to catch up with what you didn't do before you were given pred - and that alone may have caused the hip pain! You are NOT back to "normal" or "full health" just because you are on pred: it is managing the symptoms, it has no effect on the actual illness you have, you still have that and you need to learn to pace yourself and no overdo it. 

    • constance.de
      constance.de EileenH

      Posted

      Hallo Eileen.  You are gradually becoming our on-line doctor!  If only you could charge you'd be able to afford that much loved ski pass!!  

      Many, many thanks - from all of us, I'm sure.

    • EileenH
      EileenH constance.de

      Posted

      No - not a doctor but I imagine it is the same advice you would get from a practice nurse if you could get to see one. Or on a telephone "consultation" - I see why they triage like that but it is an insult to those who are really ill and they can oh so easily miss something!
    • erika59785
      erika59785 EileenH

      Posted

      Eileen, I wonder if a cold can have an impact on PMR.  Ever since I had a headache and a sore throat, I noticed my right hip pain starting up and not feeling well.  My cold seems to have gone, but the right hip pain is still there which makes walking difficult.  You recommended a cortisone shot into the inflamed muscle/tendon area which I should have had done last week.  I think I am going to call my GP to see if he can give me one today.  If....all of this does not work.....physical therapy should be my 3rd step.  I am already on 25 mg of prednisone for another 2 days...and then taper down slowly by 2 1/2 for a week ? ---- or what would you recommend until I reach 15 mg?

      THANK YOU for your advise.

  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey jane0118

    Posted

    Jane, I echo everything Eileen has said.  At the first sign of a sore throat or cold these days, I crush up a clove of garlic and add it to some buttered toast.  I have fresh crushed garlic most days anyway.  It seems to work to keep the germs away.....probably everyone else as well!  However, I do tend to have it with my evening meal....when I'm not going out.  I also do this if I know I've just been in contact with someone with a cold.  It seems to have worked so far.

    I also have a teaspoonful of good quality Manuka honey daily ('UMF' should be printed on the jar which guarantees the quality).  This can help to boost our immune systems and has a whole host of other benefits.

    If you chest gets any tighter then you might be wise to get the GP to check that out - meanwhile have plenty of lemon, glycerine and honey drinks - the glycerine will help loosen anything on the chest.   AND rest, rest, rest, and I hope you feel better soon.

    • erika59785
      erika59785 MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      I would agree that Manuka honey UMF has many health benefits.  I have given it to my granddaughter for a sore throat and tummy ache.
    • EileenH
      EileenH MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      Drool :-)  !!! Crisp toasted bread and use it like a grater for the garlic - oh yum!

      Or in the Pfalz (towards the French border in southern Germany) they make a spread of pork (or goose) dripping and several cloves of garlic finely crushed. Brought to the table in a small dish together with the bread  to keep you happy unti dinner arrives! Not advisable to go for coffee and cake too late in the afternoon if that's on the menu later...

    • erika59785
      erika59785 EileenH

      Posted

      Schweineschmalz oder Gansschmalz with salt on top on toasted bread--- a fine appetizer spread.  I do remember!
    • EileenH
      EileenH erika59785

      Posted

      It's so nice to have someone else who knows what I'm on about! It was a lovely prelude to Saumagen and sauerkraut! With a nice glass of Pfalzer wine!

      Funny how the locals eat this sort of stuff and still live to be 80+ isn't it ;-)

  • blodwyn
    blodwyn jane0118

    Posted

    Hi Jane,Why are you considering taking antbiotics for a cold?

    Not a good idea and one of the reasons they are becoming ineffective.

    I'm sorry to be so strict with you, but this is one of my bugbears.

    How are we going to treat serious infections in the future if antibiotics stop working through overuse?

    • jane0118
      jane0118 blodwyn

      Posted

      Ok you were all right. I have rested and eaten some garlic and rillette (potted ham with dripping) from Normandy on granary toast AND I feel lots better. Did not need the antibiotics - I just panicked as I was on   Steriods and had been told that I was was at risk of picking up infections. 

      Thanks again saved me a trip to the GP. 

      Jane

    • EileenH
      EileenH jane0118

      Posted

      Yes - we may pick up infections more easily (I never have whilst on pred mind you) but the infections caused by viruses don't respond to antibiotics. What they mean is we need to be more watchful about infections and not just ignore them. Rest and TLC first - but if it gets worse rather than better go and ask a professional rather than let it get really bad.

      Garlic and rillettes would be enoiugh to make me feel better...

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