COVID!

[jonathan7176]

After a couple of days feeling under the weather, I (finally) tested positive for COVID this morning. I have a headache, and stuffy nose, nothing else. My wife, from whom I probably caught it has symptoms so mild that she didn't even think to test until I came up positive. They sent her home from work until she tests negative. It is a bit frustrating as I only had my XBB shot on Monday - that's a jab wasted!

I've been on the hotline to haematology and they've passed on a referral for antivirals. I should hear back today or tomorrow. I've also been advised to stop acalabrutinib until I feel better. I'm not happy about that, obviously, but seem to recall from other discussions that it is normal for COVID and not problematic if only for a few days? Also, I wonder should I take antivirals if I'm not really ill?

.....

Update. Dr promptly phoned from hospital. I am eligible for anti-virals and will check back with them in the morning. If I'm not feeling better, I'll go in for an infusion to avoid coming off acalabrutinib for 8 days.

[mrsjsmith]

Jonathan,

Your post reminded me of a conversation I had with a fellow patient who was wondering whether to pursue getting antivirals because he felt fine. I persuaded him to get them because I said he might feel worse the following day, which he did. Sorry to say but better be safe than sorry.

Colette

[jonathan7176 in reply to mrsjsmith]

Good advice. If I’m not feeling better tomorrow am I’ll go for the infusion - less time off acalabrutinib.

[SofiaDeo in reply to jonathan7176]

Those of us recommended to get the infusions, are done based on our overall risk for severe disease, not by "How ill we happen to feel". Would you not take an antibiotic a doctor recommended, if you "didn't feel bad?" I do agree you want to weigh your risk against coming off your CLL med for 8 days. Especially if you've had to interrupt treatment before & had nodes rebound/swell. But if not, the risk of any CLL drug resistance developing in 8 days overall is less than the risk of potential long Covid IMO. It's concerning to me to read about how Covid is causing changes in people with even mild Covid. I would think minimizing any potential for long Covid effects would be worth the annoyance of having to get the anti virals.

[bachplayer13 in reply to SofiaDeo]

so agree with you here about long covid! plus the longer one is on a btk the less likely rebound is to occur....i have had rebound occur when i've had to stop for surgery but other times not. i've also relapsed during a pause as well so you never know i suppose. but there were other factors involved such as being on a proton pump inhibitor and 1/2 dose calquence. i progressed under these conditions but i di dnot have a mutation against btk so brukinsa works great for me

[Muddywater]

I wasn’t advised to stop Acala when I caught the dreaded COVID last March. Did your doc explain why? I was also on anti virals (Molnupiravir). Hope you are feeling better soon.

[bachplayer13 in reply to Muddywater]

there are interactions between btk and paxlovid i don't think molnupiravir has the same interactions but not sure

[jonathan7176]

Update. I've finally got a referral for sotrovimab. Better late than never. I missed my acalabrutinib dose this morning in anticipation. Does sotrov interact in the same way as paxlovid?

I'm fine otherwise - still just head cold symptoms. A tad better than Fri/Sat.