Covid and antiviral medication : Hi, I have Covid... - LUPUS UK

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Covid and antiviral medication

Jolevans profile image
15 Replies

Hi, I have Covid and I have been offered the antiviral medication. I just feel like I’ve had a bout of flu and am now I’m on the mend so not sure whether to go ahead with it knowing that if there is a side effect I will probably get it. Not to mention I have to have it intravenously.

I was just wonder what other people thought about it.

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Jolevans profile image
Jolevans
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15 Replies
FlowerdownAnnC profile image
FlowerdownAnnC

I had covid earlier in the year & had the antiviral infusion on day 4. The infusion itself was an easy process & I was in and out of the department within half a day. I continued to improve but there’s no way of knowing if it was due to the infusion or if I’d have improved regardless. Having had several friends who now suffer long covid I’d personally always go with the antivirals if offered. Good luck with your decision

Jolevans profile image
Jolevans in reply to FlowerdownAnnC

Thank you for your reply I am beginning to think I ought to have it just in case of long Covid.

Suvi8901 profile image
Suvi8901

Flu is not covid! They are different viruses.👆☝️

Jolevans profile image
Jolevans in reply to Suvi8901

Hi, I do realise that. But I’m not sure what your point is?

Suvi8901 profile image
Suvi8901 in reply to Jolevans

They are different viral diseases with very similar symptoms. Flu can be serious and life threatening but hopefully one fully recovers! Covid on the other hand can linger and lead to Long Covid which is long term and debilitating?

One has to consider the risks and benefits of all these treatments. They have side effects! One has also got to consider the state of one’s current immune system in fighting these viruses. Many lupus sufferers here have clearly said they seem to be immune to coughs, colds and flu but??

Jolevans profile image
Jolevans in reply to Suvi8901

Hi, I do usually end up in hospital with a severe chest infection with flu. So didn’t really know what to expect with Covid. But I have now had the antiviral infusion my saturates and heart rate are now back to normal. Wasn’t expecting to feel better so quickly.

svfarmer profile image
svfarmer

sorry that you have covid at the moment - I had it couple of months ago and didn’t have the antivirals as someone I knew had them and had really bad reaction and ended up in hospital, I recovered after about 10 days and have not been left with long covid but it’s a choice only you can make xx

Hamptons profile image
Hamptons

Like many questions on here the answer is that you know your body and how you feel best. If you have been vaccinated then the risk of Long Covid is reduced. If you feel that you are on the mend and that your Covid symptoms have been made worse by flu then the anti virals maybe an after thought. My sister who was on chemotherapy medications had the anti virals and they did ease the extreme symptoms but she did still then take a while to fully recover. Long Covid mirrors autoimmune diseases so for me, it has not been a totally new range of symptoms to manage, just chest issues as an add on to my Lupus.

Only you know what is best for you. I sympathise with the fear of side effects as for me they are often worse than the thing providing a need for medication. I hope the decision you makes works and you feel better soon.

Khakha12 profile image
Khakha12 in reply to Hamptons

Its pot luck, I am not vaxxed and survived both Original and Omnicron, but I almost lost my partner ( who was my carer)after adverse reaction from v... and his life/health has never been the same since.

Polaris profile image
Polaris

I’m v. old but chose not to be vaccinated after thorough research into family genetic issues. I have, however, been taking high dose vitamin D + K2 for some time now. I contracted very mild Omicron last year but shook it off easily - had worse colds and the mildest virus I’ve ever had.

Over 200 professors, scientists, doctors, including Prof Michael Holick and top researcher, Gareth Davies, PhD, (30,000 iu a day), signed a statement at the beginning of the pandemic recommending taking high dose vitamin D.

solo99 profile image
solo99

If it's been recommended and is available to you then take it. I did. The only person I know who was offered it and declined hasn't stopped wishing they hadn't missed their chance.

We can never be sure, but it's an option so few of us get in this world, it's an option we're fortunate to have, so as with all treatment I've ever been offered I accepted.

No it doesn't always help, sometimes no difference, sometimes it can be a negative difference, but we have to try. Remember someone had to try the first paracetamol and the first penicillin.

Everyone of us has doubts about treatment at some point, actually we probably all have lots of doubts and question and overthink many things on our journey with ill-health, so do what you are comfortable with at this moment in time.

I hope you find the confidence to trust yourself to make the right decision for you.

Sara_A profile image
Sara_A

How come u have to have it IV? I had mine as a course of tablets. I have extremely mild covid literally only had a bitter taste in my mouth that came on and off but as it was offered to me I took it this was back in March now. I took it anyway just in case, I have now had 6 vaccines. I would probably have the treatment well I did and u sound like u are more symptomatic than I was, its personal choice so only u can decide in the end.

Jolevans profile image
Jolevans in reply to Sara_A

Thank you for you reply, they said I needed to have it as an infusion due to being on warfarin and letrozole which is for cancer.

Now that I have decided to go ahead I’m not able to get hold of anyone to get it booked in and it has to be done Monday. Tried 111 as they suggested but after being on hold for nearly 2 hours they couldn’t help. So looks like I won’t be having after all.

Sara_A profile image
Sara_A in reply to Jolevans

Ahh I see, oh no that's just typical!!! Well maybe they will contact you tomorrow morning 🤞🤞

Marley profile image
Marley

I got covid whilst in Australia so could get the antivirals. I did get long covid though. About 7 months in now and just seeing the light at te end of the tunnel. If I’s had the chance I would have taken the antivirals.

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