COVID on Steroids

The photo show two tablets of Prednisone 20 mg ( a steroid) and 40 mg tablet of Atorvastatin ( an antibiotic) that may be prescribed to help recovering COVID-19 patients mitigate interstitial lung disease.

Recent research has shown the steroid use reduces the lung inflammation caused by Covid-19 in some patients. The antibiotic is simultaneously prescribed to help the patient better manage one potential side effect of increased susceptibility to infections. In my case I take the pills once a day and will do so for 30 days At that time I will be re-evaluated.

I will have another lung scan and function test in 30 days. As with many meds they are to be taken with food and a liberal dose of water or suitable liquid. I have now been on the medication path for about a week. I have not yet experienced any of the other possible side effects of the steroid which can include insomnia, weight loss or gain, restlessness, nausea, increased hair growth, water retention, edema, blurred vision, or increased irritability.

I probably need to check in with my spouse who is my home caregiver about the last one. But, it does seem like I am feeling better and have better oxygen exchange. But that may also be just wishful thinking. Some patients taking these steroids have thought the same and so they doubled the prescribed dose. This ultimately impacted their recovery. I have long learned that COVID-19 recovery moves in small steps with small gains as the lungs slowly heal.

The other part of this prescription is patience. I have looked at the published science on the use of steroids in mitigating interstitial lung disease. Not a lot has been published as the science is still evolving and more case histories are being added. But the few studies out there suggest a low steroid dose over a 30 day period increased lung function on average by 30 plus percent in the patients who were part of the studies. So, that provides some optimism.

Depending on the outcome of the steroids, the dose is gradually reduced to balance benefits with the potential long term consequences of steroid use. While hospitalized I received a 15 day regime of Dexamethaxone via an IV. This has become the standard for many severely ill hospitalized Covid-19 patients. While on this steroid I experienced edema and water retention but benefits out weighed the side effects.

So the recovery continues !