My Luck Just Ran Out: I am 23+ years post... - Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease

11,154 members4,813 posts

My Luck Just Ran Out

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador
36 Replies

I am 23+ years post-transplant and have just been told that I have COVID. I have had every COVID vaccine, boosters and 2 dose of Evershed- and I still just got COVID. They usually give Paxlovid now to treat...but not for transplant recipients due to our meds and their. So I am Stuck! My clinic suggested I take Vitamin C along with Zinc. When I look it up to see what is an appropriate dose - there have been several studies that say it does not make symptoms less severe and does not shorten the illness. The study also said that taking it daily does not prevent COVID.

I feel like I have the worst cold ever! My fever has been 101-102. I have a horrible cough and my eyes and nose are running constantly no matter what I take.

So it all started on Friday with aches and chills. Saturday thru Monday (3 days) have had the horrible head cold symptoms. Today, Tuesday, I have not had a fever but still have cold symptoms and still test Positive. So glad I had the vaccines, etc. I can't imagine this could or would be worse.

Please get your COVID booster! It will make the symptoms so much less .

Blessings to all! Take Care!!!!

Written by
WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnne
NKF Ambassador
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...

The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.

36 Replies
Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador

Hi Anne,

Just to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

You have done everything that you can to protect yourself. Although you have the nastier symptoms; rest, follow your doctors orders and try to remain as positive as you can; keep telling yourself that this will pass.

Please feel free to reach out at any time, as I'm always here for you. Let me know what you need.

Stay strong!

Bet xo

Bananas2007 profile image
Bananas2007

Your symptoms sound similar to all 3 times I've had covid. I only got a fever the first time though.

RonZone profile image
RonZone in reply to Bananas2007

3 times. Yikes!

Bananas2007 profile image
Bananas2007 in reply to RonZone

I know. It's is terrible. I am, unfortunately, overexposed at work. I work in a building with 900 to 1000 people crammed in. I did everything I could. Washed hands, wore 2 masks with a faceshield on top, put my clothes in the dryer on high heat after work and took two showers per day.

I've just come to terms that I will continue to catch it. Thankfully, it's been mild so far. Just feels like a bad cold.

RonZone profile image
RonZone in reply to Bananas2007

Oh wow, yeah, that would be tough to avoid being exposed. Glad it's not worse, symptoms wise, but still scary even at that.

S_dillow profile image
S_dillow

wow wWYOAnne im sorry you got it but you ll beat it.i know it was a bear when i had it

orangecity41 profile image
orangecity41NKF Ambassador

Sorry to hear of your Covid. Keep us posted. Prayers are with you.

Bassetmommer profile image
BassetmommerNKF Ambassador

My husband and I both had the vaccine, and he had the 3rd one. We both got COVID in October. We were given molnupiravir. Awful med, but it helped. We both said it was like having a wicked cold. But the fatigue was overwhelming. And that lasted for several months. My taste also changed, but that is back to normal. Hope you feel better soon.

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador in reply to Bassetmommer

The problem for me is that all the meds that are suppose to help get over COVID symptoms I can't take. Their are interactions with my immunosuppressants.

Bassetmommer profile image
BassetmommerNKF Ambassador in reply to WYOAnne

hmmm, I am on a immunsuppressant also... This drug is supposed to be ok for low CKD and autoimmune diseases. Just glad I got through it and I hope you will too and SOON.

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador in reply to Bassetmommer

Thank you. I am already doing better today.

Very interesting! My wife tested positive on Jan 23 and I followed shortly behind her testing positive on Jan 27. Our last booster was in Sept 2021 so it's almost 1.5 years since any vaccine. Our symptoms were exactly as you described. The first few days were terrible with severe headache and fever then turned into what you describe as a bad head cold. She didn't want the Paxlovid buy I did. I took it for two days and I think that helped me break the fever and maybe shortened the number of bad days by one. The drug puts a nasty taste in your mouth and has several undesirable side effects. There's also the rebound effect that has been tied to Paxlovid. We tested again on Feb 6 and my wife was negative but I was still positive so it took about 2 weeks for her to test negative and hopefully I will do the same in a few days. Good luck to you!

Pte82 profile image
Pte82

WYOAnne, to make zinc more bioavailable use quercetin to transport it across the cell membrane that by itself has show anti Covid activity. Quercetin is a flavinoid that has a low absorption rate however look for a enhanced absorption forms. In addition to vitamin C that is better as whole food C complex,, include vitamin D3 with magnesium to assist in it's activation. Eliminate sugar from your diet and minimize carbs to allow your immune system to better engage the virus

RonZone profile image
RonZone

Hey, thanks a bunch for posting this so those of us who are yet to get Covid know that being vaccinated IS very beneficial and to know what to expect from it when it comes. I got a feeling EVERYBODY will get this at some point. Some more than once (as Bananas noted). I pray that you recover quickly and fully, with no "long haul" effects.

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador in reply to RonZone

Thanks RonZone! So today is the 5th day of the "head cold" symptoms, and feel like I am on the mend now. My eyes and nose stopped running constantly, so that is a BIG positive for me.

You are right...I think we will all have had it at some point. With all of the variants out there now, it is inevitable. However, I am not deathly ill, don't need to go to the hospital - so I am sure being vaccinated has helped immensely.

Take care!

RonZone profile image
RonZone in reply to WYOAnne

I've not heard when the next booster will be available. Have you?

Marvin8 profile image
Marvin8

Totally sucks to hear of your situation. I was fully vaccinated and boosted as well and got Covid at the beginning of last year. I had two days that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Fever plus it felt like I had a sunburn in my lungs and sinuses. No moisture whatsoever. PAIN. If it wasn't for Paxlovid, I'd have been in the hospital for sure. It sucks that you can't take it. Heal quickly.

kellyscats1 profile image
kellyscats1 in reply to Marvin8

Like all the resr I had the frst 2 shots and then 3 booster. 2 weeks bfore xmas I finally got it.. for me no fever.. 3 days of terribe cough and then horrible dirrhea..and the ftigue.. while trying to decorate for xmas .. Did not take Paxlovid as it needed to be a reduced dose and the other consern was the recurrance rate with paxlovid and i wanted to be out of quaranteen when my son came out.. He ha diabetes and works at the hosptal in Ca..I just wanted to lay on the couch and watch soaps...

Marvin8 profile image
Marvin8 in reply to kellyscats1

I was concerned about taking Paxlovid for fear of kidney damage, but my doctor said that Paxlovid wouldn't damage my kidneys and that the reduced dosage was simply to protect against increased side effects due to the kidney's inability to filter it all out. I started out on the reduced dosage, then increased to full dosage. Worked like a charm. Didn't hurt my kidney function at all. Also, Paxlovid-covid rebound is far rarer than the fear mongers would have you believe.

jodaer profile image
jodaer

Sending lots of healing energy your way.

Frankie24 profile image
Frankie24

I am a dialysis patient. Are you still wearing a mask ? I have bee vaccinated and fully boosted for Covid and have had it twice. I have gone back to wearing a mask and washing or desanitizing my hands. We are required to wear masks at dialysis since Covid. I hope you feel better soon.

Denise-80 profile image
Denise-80

Hi WYOAnne - I’m sorry you had to go through this. I saw that you are on the mend now…that’s good to hear. I’m post-tx and vaccinated. My nephrologist told me if I get covid, to call their office first as there is a medicine they can give me. Do you know if this is the Paxlovid or is there something else out there? I didn’t know it was contraindicated due to tx meds, so I really appreciate you posting this.

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador in reply to Denise-80

Evidently Paxlovid has interactions with my Mycophenolate and Cyclosporine and Atorvastatin. My doctor said they could hold the Atorvastatin but of course not my immunosuppressants.

OKShakespeare profile image
OKShakespeare

After reading your story and most of the comments I am wondering why no one has stated that there may be a relationship between getting the vaccine and getting Covid-not despite getting the shot but because of getting it.

No one has any way of knowing whether their symptoms were less because they received the vaccine and boosters.

Maybe you would not have gotten Covid at all if you had not been vaccinated.

I have not been vaccinated. I have an autoimmune disease as well as Lyme and CKD. I had Covid 2X and it was not as bad as you describe yours are. My symptoms were different too. After the first infection I was tested and I had my own antibodies which probably were at full strength for about a year and a half. The second infection was milder than the first.

I have no intention of ever taking the shot or the boosters.

userotc profile image
userotc in reply to OKShakespeare

Yes I'd agree that the record of comments here indicates the anecdotal evidence that you suggest (and which I've seen on numerous fora). Also this is supported by real-world evidence reported by the UK Govt's UKHSA which indicates that the risk of covid per 100k people is up to 3.5x higher with vaccination.

I can supply relevant links eg UKHSA and risk-benefit analysis, if required.

Lucido profile image
Lucido in reply to userotc

Can you provide a link or give information on the UK report so that I can read it myself? Both my husband and I have been vaccinated and double boosted and have had the senior Flu shot. Neither of us has had covid or the flu for that matter. We also still mask up in public. He was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. Any illess can interfere with treatment so all this is of great concern to me.

userotc profile image
userotc in reply to Lucido

Please see 1st link below for Table 13 of that UKHSA report. The 1st 2 columns compare covid cases for vaccinated and unvaccinated with most ages indicating the former ~3.5 x the latter.

Re my point that an individual risk-benefit analysis is needed, Ive also linked a very recent video from Dr J Campbell which undertakes such an analysis.

assets.publishing.service.g...

youtube.com/watch?v=fbFayD_...

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador in reply to userotc

Of course everyone has to make up their own mind regarding the COVID vaccine. However, there have been studies from Johns Hopkins that shows the vaccinated have less severe symptoms . I felt like I had a bad head cold. 3 days of fever and then better ...

My doctor said that eventually everyone will have had COVID. There are so any variants out there now, I guess that is expected.

He said that "cause and effect" with the vaccine isn't correct because it is not a "live" vaccine. Just one more opinion

I have a friend, who like you, did not want the vaccine. She was 18 years post-transplant. She came down with COVID, and wound up in the hospital for 3 weeks. COVID attacked her transplant and she is now back on the waiting list & dialysis!

My neighbor got COVID, no vaccination , and was in the hospital for 2 weeks.

Many transplant centers will not give you a kidney unless you are vaccinated.

Everyone has to make up their own mind.

userotc profile image
userotc

There's plenty of impressive scientific evidence using appropriate-dose vitamin D for treatment (and prevention) of covid.

Herkidney profile image
Herkidney

Hi Anne. Hope you feel better soon!

Beachvibe profile image
Beachvibe

hi there I currently am in the same situation I was taken off cell crept and told to up my prednisone to 10 mg a day now instead of 5. On my 6th day of this Covid and still very fatigued. I am forcing myself to get up shower and get moving around in my home of course with breaks in between now going through the nightly coughing phase I think I may be at the tail end at least I am praying I am-Good luck and I wish you a speedy recovery

I am so sorry.

Green306 profile image
Green306

Refreshing to see others not choosing vaccine. I discussed with my nephrologist and decided against vaccine. I could continue with information but most won’t listen.

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador in reply to Green306

As far as the vaccine goes I think it depends too on whether you have CKD or if you have had a transplant and are immunosuppressed.

chicablue profile image
chicablue

Now that Dr Fauci is retired and not paid to hype it up, he now admits the vaccine is no good. Two countries are suing Pfizer, I just read today, saying that the vaccine is a bio-weapon, not a vaccine. Switzerland and Thailand both!

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador

For those interested, I rely on info from Johns Hopkins. Here is a link

hopkinsmedicine.org/coronav...

The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.

You may also like...

Just now learning my GFR's were low for 5 years.

now 64. I'm Freaked. My beloved sister had 3 kidney transplants and it was hard to lose her and my...

Bad luck ! Newly Diagnosed

out that I have multiple cysts on my both kidneys. I am 38 year old. As of now I dont have any...

Just Found Out I have To Start Dialysis.

So I had an appointment yesterday and was told Creatinine is now 5.3 and EGFR is 9. I wasn’t...

Just got my diagnosis 3aCKD

was told I have dangerously high potassium levels and clogged arteries. no other symptoms like...

Keeping up with vaccinations.

stage I can only have one of two shots of this vaccine. Transplant people can't have it at all - so...