Covid Antibody/HF Research

[Alison_L]

Afternoon All. I've just had an antibody test and it's come back positive - I had all the then "minor" symptoms (including loss of taste & smell) back in March, but didn't get the main test done then as I didn't have a fever or cough.

I'm just wondering if there's any research being done on Heart Failure patients who have had Covid? I know the Blood Transfusion Service want plasma from antibody carriers, but you mention a heart problem to them and all the shutters immediately come down. Is anyone aware of anything that I can maybe volunteer for?

[GracieOS]

Sorry I can't answer your question but it is good to know someone with heart failure who has got through Covid OK. It would be good to share your experience to help alleviate fear in others with heart failure and fearing getting covid.

[Alison_L in reply to GracieOS]

Hi Gracie. I obviously got a very minor dose of it, but it's interesting that the antibodies have lasted over 4 months so far.

I got all the then minor symptoms immediately after lockdown in March. The sore throat and muscle ache only lasted 2 or 3 days, the fatigue lasted 3 or 4 weeks, and the shortness of breath and loss of taste and smell lasted a good 7 weeks or so. I was rather concerned the SOB might be heart related, but my Cardiac Rehab team (not the ones I volunteer for - it's complicated!) weren't interested.

[sturon]

Hi Alison. Can I ask did you pay for the antibody test? Like you I had symptoms back in March but couldn't get the C-19 test as I was not admitted to hospital.

[Alison_L in reply to sturon]

Hi Sturon. No, I volunteer at my local hospital ("normally" in Cardiac Rehab as I loved it so much, but currently doing a weekly pharmacy run delivering to shielding patients), so I qualified for staff testing.

At the moment, the NHS say testing is restricted to staff (unless you want to pay), but they will have to open it up at some point, as it will no doubt be helpful to know one way or the other.

[sturon in reply to Alison_L]

Thanks Alison.

See the link below - This letter went to GP's in May, but locally they are ignoring the last paragraph which say patients should be able to request the test if they are having their blood taken for other reasons (like the annual check).

england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

It doesn't really matter because I will not change the way I now live my life - in splendid isolation most of the time.

Take care.

Regards Ron.

[Alison_L in reply to sturon]

Oh that's interesting that elsewhere the NHS are saying it's only for staff. Not that many of us are getting routine GP blood tests at the moment! Thanks, Ron.