Covid and paxlovid

[Moina-vdh]

Hi all,

I just wanted to share my experience with Paxlovid Covid medication. Having PV and low white cell count, I have been really careful ever since Covid started; however, my luck didn’t last any longer, but I eventually got Covid. I asked my GP whether we can still get Covid medicine, and was provided with a Covid help centre number. After a quick assessment, I got prescribed Paxlovid. The medicine gives you an awful taste in your mouth, but it worked. I finished my 5 day course yesterday, and today tested negative for Covid. My symptoms never got really bad, as I was early with the medicine. I would really recommend taking it, if you have low white cell count and are immune compromised. The bad taste is definitely better than potentially being hospitalised or worse.

If you get Covid and are at all worried, it’s worth checking if you qualify for the medication.

[AndyT]

I had Covid for the first time a year ago and took Paxlovid.

Nasty bitter taste in my mouth, as you’ve mentioned, but my Covid symptoms stayed mild and I recovered quickly so I’d definitely use Paxlovid again.

[Exeter21 in reply to AndyT]

Thanks. Yes I had it but hospital assessment at my local hospital declined it. It was the first day of testing positive. They were cautious about using it. So I had 4 days wiped out in bed. Probably my blood record readings despite ET were not too bad . Julia 👌

[Moina-vdh in reply to Exeter21]

It’s hard to know what they base their decision on. I know I have had very low white cell count, and that may be why they decided I qualified. It’s a shame they didn’t give it to you in the first place.

[Hydrox]

How low does your white cell count have to be?

[Moina-vdh in reply to Hydrox]

I don’t know what they look at when they assess you. The doctor on phone clearly checked my medical history, and decided it was a good idea to get the medicine. It’s worth finding out if you are worried.

[Hydrox in reply to Moina-vdh]

Ok, thank you.

[gset]

that’s good you got it, my hospital refused it for me because I had a blood cancer. They have me a monoclonal antibody infusion instead and it helped but took two weeks to help me feel any better