After managing to avoid COVID until now (and I work in a department store!) I tested positive last Saturday. After I registered my positive test with NHS I then called 111 (no phone service at my GP as Easter Sunday) regarding my eligibility for the antiviral drugs. Within an hour I got a call from a Dr at a local hospital followed by their pharmacist and later in the day pleased to say the drugs were delivered to my home 🙂 what great service from our NHS! 💙
I’ve just taken my last dosage but still feeling very tired & have a sore throat, though definately better than I was. Has anyone here taken Paxlovid & what was your experience of side effects, recovery etc. The only obvious side effect from the antiviral has been a horrid taste in my mouth. Is the sore throat/tiredness from covid or the drug? 🤔
I have RA & am on Benepali & my Rheumy nurse advised me to skip this week’s injection.
As yesterday was 5 days, I did a test which was negative, need another this eve in order to return to work.
Thanks
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HethB
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Well done. Im so glad the system worked for you. I was away from home when i tested positive and following 4 different calls to 111 and a wrongly advised by 111 dr call to 119 i eventually had to ring my gp yesterday and return to London to hopefully get another call, like you had, from my local hospital covid medicine distribution centre. Hoping to get the antivirals today (day 4). I had oximetre monitoring organised by the nhs local to where we were but they couldn’t find a way to get me the paxlovid.
I had similar excellent service from NHS and obtained Paxlovid very soon after positive test. Also had the awful taste in my mouth and wasn't sure if it was COVID or the medication. My sore throat eased quite quickly and didn't really get any cough, just the fatigue which did continue after the drugs finished. I am pleased to say fatigue back to normal levels and I recovered much more quickly than my husband and I had less symptoms than he did too. Hope you are back to normal soon. By the way have had a flare of RA and consultant says that it is due to COVID and my break in my normal medication, but 🤞 that seems to be easing too now
I didn’t flare after having covid but my daughter did. She often flares after any infection, I seem to do the opposite, if my immune system is busy doing it’s proper job it leaves my joints alone.
That’s good you recovered quite quickly, hope your Husband on the mend now too. We were very lucky getting the Paxlovid so promptly, not so lucky with the awful taste in the mouth tho I’m pleased to say that, 24 hours after my last dose, it seems to have subsided. I went back to work today but now lying down with back pain 😩 Always something eh!
I too received Paxlovid very quickly over a weekend when I tested positive. I had a really sore throat before taking Paxlovid (it was my first symptom). The only side effect I had from Paxlovid was a horrible, metallic taste, thankfully it completely disappeared within 24 hours of my last dose. Hope yours goes quickly too.
My initial symptom of covid was the sore throat & today (a week later) it finally seems easier and the horrible taste has subsided too tho very tired still.
My stomach was very “tender” afterwards and I was recommended kefir to settle it and it helped. The other issues you mentioned all resolved a week or so after finishing the antivirals, the fatigue took additional couple of weeks to resolve. I also had to miss my weekly injection of abatacept for two weeks, so I think this also impacts on the time it takes ra patients to recover. Now almost back to normal 6 weeks post covid, a lot of my issue is loss of stamina and muscle tone. Take it easy when you need to and don’t be too tough on yourself you will get there in the end 🙂
Thank you, I’ll take it as easy as I can tho went back to work today & did feel tired & came home with back pain. I guess that could be partly to do with me missing my Benepali this week. Talking to a colleague today whose Daughter couldn’t get the antivirals and took 11 days to test negative, I do feel fortunate to have had them so quickly.
Hi, I tested positive Easter Sunday but had to make a lot of calls to get the Paxaloid. My doctors were useless. However, I would recommend 111 they were so helpful and referred me to get the medication. I am on day 3 and it does leave a horrible taste in your mouth but I am feeling much better. I am on Etanercept and Methatrexate but was told to stop until I am negative again. So hopefully will be back to normal soon.
Sorry you had the runaround with your GP but glad you got there in the end through 111. I went straight to 111 as my GP’s phone lines weren’t working as it was Easter Sunday. As I tested negative on Day 5 & 6 I went back to work today, however am still quite tired. I’m sure that will ease in time.
Hi, yes same here it really knocked me out and going to bed at 7:00 every night (rock and roll) which is not me I am a night owl normally. I would recommend 111 if anyone does not get a call from NHS most of us are eligible for the Paxaloid but may not realise it. Apparently it’s a bit of a lottery if your picked up or not so make that call. I am so glad your better now I am still positive after 7 days. Need to get back on my meds soon I hope and so it helps to hear other peoples experiences. x
LFT showed I was positive 2 days ago. Day after I injected Benipali. Will miss it this week. Now waiting for phone call re antiviral meds plus covid virtual clinic who will monitor my oxygen levels.
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