Why am I not getting antivirals?

[anapurna]

Day 4 since going positive. I’m feeling worse. I’ve tried everything. My GP made an urgent referral early this morning as did my haematologist. Carried my phone around all day long. No calls ‘vetting’ me. Now I think there must be a shortage of antivirals as every older person in the land seems to have covid. They’re waiting until day 5 and then they can confirm I can’t be prescribed?

[wroxham-gb]

Don't leave any longer call 111.Your health is important.

Best wishes with getting help.

Sue

[Newdawn Administrator]

I’ve no idea why monoclonal antibodies haven’t been offered in the form of a Sotrovimab infusion. I had one on the 4th day. Anti virals were never mentioned to me as an option. The infusion is done in 30 mins in the CDMU which is usually attached to your local hospital. I attached the link with the locations for you on your previous post.Unfortunately you’re going to have to really pursue this as Sue suggests.

Good luck!

Newdawn

[anapurna in reply to Newdawn]

Thanks New Dawn - so maybe the best thing is just to rock up at the local hospital CMDU uninvited and hope they’ll give me the infusion? I get the feeling they’d like to vet me and hopefully invite me first? How would that happen? Not through 111 as I’ve tried that.Ironic that the drugs were meant to keep us out of hospital!

Just phoned 119 as people said this was the way. After many inappropriate number jabbing I finally got a chap who had never heard of antivirals - so not a goer - then he said he booked covid vaccinations - this would be my 5th - and he assured me that people stopped at 4.

I think I’m living in a parallel universe where no-one is sure what I’m going on about!

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to anapurna]

I wouldn’t simply turn up at the hospital if you’re positive for Covid anapurna. Look at the list of CDMU locations I posted and see where your nearest is. Ring the hospital switchboard and ask to speak to somebody in the unit. I had a right run around too trying to get help and my experience was over Christmas. I watched the Queen’s speech, ate my Christmas pudding and even had a nap whilst being on hold to 111! They were inundated that day.

Hope you manage to get sorted but contact your haematologist again if you can’t get the necessary response. The protocol is you should have been contacted soon after testing positive.

Newdawn

[Tingy]

The only way I managed to get a response myself was through 111. My Specialist nurse, the triage team and my GP had no success so I decided to try 111 myself as like you I was kept waiting with no response! I recently posted ‘Recovering from Covid’ which explains my experience if that is of any help to you. Message me if you have any other questions I could help you with. Good luck and take care. Don’t give up and you’ll get there in the end.

[IanredUK]

I had a similar run around but did eventually get contacted by the Covid Management Service (CMS). I will send you the telephone number in a private message. I am not sure that I should publish the number in this post,

[Walkingtall62]

As a matter of interest did you have a PCR. That should have triggered something. I covered all of this with my specialist nurse, so know which hospital I have to go to, if needs be, but if this isn’t triggered by the result then to call her. Hopefully I don’t catch Covid though. Good luck!

[Pageboy]

Have you the PCR home test that - should - have been sent to you? As already said, this should trigger the antivirals or antibody treatment chain. The list of units now administering them has expanded of late so ring your local hospital too, just in case you can get in this way.

[mitzi123]

Hi. We had to chase via the GP last week , who then referred my husband to CMDU who phoned him the next day, vetted him and then couriered over the antivirals. You didn't need a PCR but you did need to register the positive lateral flow via your NHS number online. They also said they only prescribe if you are ill with covid and not if starting to recover. Can you chase further with the GP? Good luck

[anapurna in reply to mitzi123]

Thanks but I always end up with the same CMDU woman who says I don’t qualify. How can I get passed that?

[bennevisplace in reply to anapurna]

Try calling a different CMDU, per list provided by Newdawn?

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to bennevisplace]

I can’t see that working Ben. Each CMDU is governed by its corresponding CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group). They won’t pay for treatment for patients in other areas.

It’s a frustrating situation but the GP or haematologist must push this.

Newdawn

[bennevisplace in reply to Newdawn]

Fair enough. In this situation I would be more than frustrated - frantic probably.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to bennevisplace]

I’d be tempted to say to ‘the unidentified woman’ at the CMDU that I wanted to know her designation, access to a senior clinician and an explanation for the refusal. I’d also make it known my next contact would be the Press followed by a letter to the Health Secretary. If I was genuinely ill with Covid, I’d have to insist on therapeutics and have one hell of a good reason to have them refused!

Newdawn

[bennevisplace in reply to Newdawn]

Agreed!

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to anapurna]

Ask her for her name, designation (job title), the rationale behind refusing you and make it known you need this to file a formal complaint.

Newdawn

[mitzi123]

Oh i don't know then if you have already spoken to CMDU. I just looked up the info on there blood cancer charity website and they say you can email [e-mail] or even the charity above directly, but not sure how quickly they reply and that was if you have no luck contacting the CMDU i think . If you are feeling worse it might be worth starting the process again via GP ? or you could try the panoramic trial? sorry I don't know any more. good luck again i hope you can get it sorted.