It finally got me…

[Pink75928]

So I’ve caught Covid - from my 21 year old daughter (student nurse). Currently waiting for a call back from the GP about antivirals. It’s 24 hours nearly since I reported a positive test and I haven’t heard anything about antiviral treatment yet. Has anyone had any experience with getting this successfully? Thank you in advance xxx

[AgedCrone]

Have you checked the NHS site to see if you are still eligible…apparently there was a change recently…& the way things are…we have to do the chasing they don’t inform you. You could try 119 if you don’t hear back soon from your GP….especially as today is Friday.

[Madmusiclover]

No but in your position I’d be ringing 111 and rheumy helpline. If that was out of hours I’d call rheumy reception.

[Clare-NRAS Partner NRAS]

We are aware that there are some major delays with some of the CMDUs ( covid medicine dispensing units) with getting the anti-virals out to people. We and other charities have been making Public Health England and NHS England aware of this and we have a meeting next week with the COVID vaccine minister. I say this to manage your expectations in case you dont' get your anti-virals as quickly as you should but hopefully you will get them over the weekend.

[Pink75928 in reply to Clare-NRAS]

Thanks Clare. It’s been a nightmare if I’m honest. Just recently got a text from my GP asking for details for an urgent referral. Struggling to keep my temperature down this evening. If it gets any worse I’ll just get my daughter to take me to A&E

[Madmusiclover in reply to Pink75928]

Yes. You have to do what you have to do. I hope you don’t get too poorly. Text from GP? I wish….

[bpeal1 in reply to Clare-NRAS]

I have to say everything worked very smoothly when I got Covid 4 weeks ago. I took my first dose of Paxlovid less than 24 hours after testing positive. I called 111 as it was 5pm on Saturday. Had a phone call back 20 minutes later and a referral was made to my local CMDU. They called back the next morning and my husband collected them from the hospital pharmacy. They offered to deliver them if nobody could collect them but as it was Sunday they said it might take a little while.

[Mmrr]

I don't have experience of antivirals, I just wanted to send some support, I hope you get the antivirals soon.

[Mermaid11]

Hi,

I tested covid positive 3 weeks ago. After 24 hours still heard nothing and was feeling so ill I ended up calling 111, after a few phone calls I eventually was booked in for the antiviral infusion on day 3 of positive result. I dont think i'd have been contacted if i hadnt have chased it mysef but im glad i did as i was so ill i couldn't open my eyes as any light was unbearable and couldn't keep fluids down. I had both children at home positive too and couldn't do anything for them.

Once it was booked it was very organised and I felt a little better a few days after. I hope by the time you read this you have had some news x

[Madmusiclover in reply to Mermaid11]

Exactly. Everyone has to rattle the cage themselves for themselves. No reflection on NHS. Just crazy crazy situation we are in.

[annjoy in reply to Madmusiclover]

I sent positive test off , had heard nothing after three days, contacted my surgery quoting letter from rheumatology department which said I would likely have to have the antiviral, which was copied to them, they denied ever having had the copy, told me to ring rheumatology, eventually got through twice, then cut off twice, rang 111 who contacted my surgery, GP rang, he found the letter (!), said he would email anti viral service and told me to take it up with 119. I did this, was told my positive test had been received, told me to ring surgery as it was down to GP to arrange antiviral medication , eventually got through to the surgery, spoke to receptionist who said GP would send another email to antiviral people who would then contact me via test or email. 9 days have passed, I've heard nothing, but thankfully am beginning to feel better!

[GinnyE in reply to annjoy]

Truly shocking. Makes me so cross. Glad you’re feeling better.

[Mermaid11 in reply to Madmusiclover]

I have to say after chasing for antivirals the NHS was fantastic, they even sent an ambulance to collect me but the only hospital to have a covid unit near us was an hour away so that might be why. Once there the room was ready and the staff were amazing, putting themselves at risk to help others. I was coughing everywhere and kept apologising but the nurses were so lovely.

I sent an email a few days after thanking them and to the ambulance driver. We are quick to speak up when something is poor but not when we have a good experience.

I do hope Pink gets it sorted ASAP

[SuriL]

I too have no idea of antivirals -when I had covid in October I wasn’t aware of it. I hope u feel better soon abd also u get the support medically that u clearly need! X

[bpeal1 in reply to SuriL]

Antivirals weren’t available in October. The first ones were made available end December/ early January. Information about the available treatments can be found here. nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...

Eligibility criteria is in Apendix 1 of this document. england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

[RAexperiences]

Ah rotten news. Please get well soon. Are most immunocompromised folk expected to take antivirals if positive? I’m unaware of this in Canada. I’m going to look it up!

[Hidden]

Hello ,I tested positive yesterday , reported it in the afternoon , and this morning I’ve had a text message and an email about test trails for antiviral drugs , I had a look at the site and apparently they’ve got enough people for this week and if you’re still experiencing Covid symptoms on Monday then try again .

How are you ? For me the worst part is the very sore throat and the cough .

Wishing you a speedy recovery .

[HopsAway]

I sincerely hope that you have managed to get the antivirals by now, and that you feel better soon. I tested positive on Monday and rang 111 immediately to get the antivirals. Four further phone attempts, two referrals from 111 and two days later, I managed to speak to my GP who wrote a strongly-worded third referral to the CMDU. On the fourth day I heard from them. All the while, I was getting worse every day.

My husband and I were both ill but we still had to drive over to fetch the antivirals ourselves as there was no delivery service.

Fortunately, the tablets work quickly and I am starting to feel better. So please persevere and keep asking for them. Don’t wait for something to happen. In the words of my GP, ‘You’d think it would be automatic, wouldn’t you?’

[Dave74]

Hi ya I had sotrovimab IV meds last Sunday, tested positive on Friday, had a nightmare as 119 was down, rang 111 they were brilliant, waited all day for a call and it came at 9pm Friday he assessed me and said I was eligible for antiviral treatment! Brilliant you Will get a call Saturday!! Waited around emailed 8 times, nothing happened, luckily I heard the doc before say the ward it was being given on, so I called and got one of the last 2 places for Sunday! Only have 2 rooms and a max of 16 people per day so was lucky as no one called me!Went in at 0745 IV drip in arm, they monitor you quite alot, my BP dropped to 85/60 bit that's cause I'm a wimp with needles!! 😂 Felt fine, kept me in for 45 mins after and I've had nothing more than a heavy head cold, sore sinus and blocked nose etc all week, feel fine now but still testing positive!! I hope it's all worked out for you? 😉

[medway-lady]

Have you had the infusion yet ?

[Pink75928 in reply to medway-lady]

Sadly not. No contact from anyone. I’m feeling better than I was yesterday thank goodness

[medway-lady]

Didn't GP get back to you or the 119 is it ? If you're on CEV list I'd ring 119 again or 111 and speak to MEDOC and did you send off the priority PCR test too ? The antibody infusion is within 5 days so might be still in time tomorrow but I'd follow up. I'm glad your feeling a bit better but please follow up. x

[Garnacha]

I'm currently on holiday in the New forest, from Wales, arrived Monday, Tuesday evening could feel a cold coming on, Wednesday really had it & Thursday thought I'm getting a lateral flow test.

Tested positive, rang 119, 2 hours before anyone answered, explained situation & they said a health professional would ring me Friday but to ring my own gp to update my records showing I was positive. Did that at 8am, rang my gp surgery at 1 & yes my records were updated but I should find a local surgery & register as a temporary patient, did that & that surgery have been wonderful, gp said she'd send the referral off & I should hear something in the next 24 - 48 hours, she also gave me an oxometer & said I'd be contacted by another service to check on my readings.

Today, still haven't heard about antivirals but the oxygen monitoring service rang, said they'd set me up on their system to submit my readings & if they dropped to 94 it was Amber alert but anything lower I was to ring 999. But, she then rang me back to say as I was a temporary patient they couldn't admit me on their virtual ward but I was to still take readings & go to a & e if they dropped.

I'm still waiting for someone to ring me about the antivirals 🙄 x

[GinnyE in reply to Garnacha]

Just a suggestion. Ring Royal Hallamshire County Hospital and ask to be put through to the CDMU (the switchboard should know if they’ve got one). Who knows, they may be able to help? Good luck.

[Dodo1943 in reply to GinnyE]

Do you mean Royal Hampshire County Hospital? If so, think phone number is 01962 863535.

[GinnyE in reply to Dodo1943]

Yes of course (autocorrect!)

[Garnacha in reply to Dodo1943]

Thank you, was told yesterday to go to Southampton a & e & they'd be able to give them, spent 3 hours there & to be honest they were brilliant, had ecg, chest xray, sats, blood pressure & bloods done but, didn't know anything about antivirals! My crp levels they said were high at 90, apparently below 10 is normal & my blood pressure was high 175/75, they said normally they'd admit me but as I'm having regular blood tests they said they were happy to let me go.

An out of hours gp service prescribed me with antibiotics so hoping they'll help kick it in to touch 🙏 we're heading home soon, be nice to be in my own bed tonight 🙂 x

[Dodo1943 in reply to Garnacha]

Brilliant!Very reassuring to know we are served so well locally.

[Flor1rence]

Hello Pink, hope you get some joy very soon, and I keep my fingers crossed for today that you are feeling a bit brighter. I tested positive for covid yesterday, I woke at 4.30am feeling very poorly and packed a bag for hospital, I got back in bed with a hot water bottle and just rested. I must say it the worst I have felt for ages😣😩

[Pink75928]

Thank you all so much for your kind words and advice. Sorry I’ve not been very responsive, but I have spent all weekend resting as much as I possibly can. Annoyingly I didn’t get any joy with getting antivirals. I am considering complaining. I am please to say I am feeling so much better tonight. All I have is very mild cold symptoms thank goodness. Feeling very proud of my battered little immune system. Thank you again, I’d be lost without this community xx

[Green230461]

Sorry to hear your news but love the nails! Get better soon 💐

[Pink75928 in reply to Green230461]

Haha thank you. I sometimes think I’m too old for colours like this x