COVID infusion

[JulieAndrea]

I tested positive on Mon 21st on LFT for COVID. I contacted my GP the following day and she said I had to to PCR to access anti virals. I did this and the GP followed up and did an urgent referral. A nurse rang within the hour and I was offered anti viral drugs or the infusion Sotrovimab. As the tablets are only 30% effective (according to the nurse) I opted for the infusion. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to go to my local hospital but had to travel for about an hour and be there by 8am. I found this quite stressful.

In the end the infusion was fine. Inserting the cannula was not straightforward but I had no side effects .

I’m posting this as I think it’s helpful to know how it works for people. I was on no special urgent list with no priority access to PCR tests. I’m on a biologic and contacting my GP was enough.

[KittyJ]

It’s good to hear it all went smoothly for you and you were able to access anti virals . It will reassure a lot of people who haven’t had any contact.

[springcross]

I'm glad it happened quickly for you, shame about the drive but obviously worth the effort and it's good you had no side effects.

[Amnesiac3637]

Hallo. Like you I tested positive at the beginning of the week (Tuesday) and as I’m CEV I rang my GP. She did an urgent referral and within the day a triage nurse and a doctor rang from the local hub. On Wednesday a consultant from the NHS medicines delivery agency rang, checked again what drugs I am taking and prescribed Paxlovid, the antiviral in tablet form. Later that day the hospital pharmacist rang, checked again re my drugs ( very long list of interactions with Paxlovid) and in the late afternoon the drug was delivered by taxi and I took my first dose. Ra ra the NHS! Fantastic response and service and very reassuring to those of us who need all the help we can get. I hope my antiviral is in attack and destroy mode and the end result will be the virus vanishes. Am already feeling much better though still know I’ve got it. Do hope your infusion works and here’s to virus vanquishing by whichever method!

[CagneysMum in reply to Amnesiac3637]

I started paxlovid 2 days ago after phoning 111 and asking for access to antiviral drugs. 3 phone calls and 1 day later they were delivered by the fire service. Great service and they do seem to be helping. Still very congested like a head/sinus cold but not coughing and feeling much better 👍

[rounder]

That's really helpful to know, thanks for sharing your experience. Hope you get good benefit from the meds.

[Gilliancheche]

Thanks for sharing. Useful and reassuring!

[janmary]

Good to hear that things worked well

[mintygreen44]

Thank you for posting that, very reassuring! Hope you feel better very soon x

[Elizabethhampson]

Thank you it’s now very clear

[Runrig01]

Good to hear you received your treatment. Your GP is wrong though re LFTs. NHSE guidance clearly stated LFTs are accepted, it’s on page 3 of this document for those needing to inform their GP. Clearly you have more chance of being in the 5 day window if they accept LFTs as they should. Hope you make a good recovery

england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

[pippin_fort]

Good to hear. I am going for an infusion at 2pm.

[Briefencounter]

Thank you for relating your experience and to those others who added theirs . We've been told what to do in various formats but it's invaluable to hear from people who , unfortunately , have contracted covid but fortunately have had quick responses from their GPs and received help .

[bpeal1]

I’m currently in the process of accessing treatment but so far so good. I had a positive lateral flow test so called 111. Had a return call within 20 minutes. The lady confirmed I was eligible for treatments and said she would send a referral to the CMDU at my local hospital. Waiting for them to call me now but was told it might not be until tomorrow.

[Mmrr]

Thankyou for letting us know, it is reassuring to know that the response was speedy.