After feeling like I had a bad cold & sore throat from Tuesday (I put it down to the excessive 40C heat & constant use of fans, AC etc) on Friday am I tested positive for covid again. I last had it at Easter, so only around 3 months ago and I took Paxlovid antiviral drug which 100% speeded up my recovery. After some thought, I once again contacted my GP who advised that I qualified for the antivirals and he referred me to Chelsea & Westminster hospital. Yesterday morning a Dr there called me back to do a screening call & by evening my Paxlovid prescription was delivered. I did ask the Doctor if there was any issue taking antivirals a second time and she assured me it was fine. My concern is if this is something that is likely to keep happening with all these new covid variants and my compromised immune system? I work full time in beauty/retail & enjoy my job but aware that I’m always in contact with other people. Feeling frustrated!
Antivirals again!!: After feeling like I had a bad cold... - NRAS
Antivirals again!!
Afraid it's more infectious with the latest strain. I've had antivirals and was glad of them . Even wearing a masks and being careful I still caught it. I went to a packed theatre and buses yesterday so 🤞
I think you’re right, the current variants are more infectious & however careful we are still likely to get it. I keep myself very busy, working full time & go to music concerts, the theatre, as well as the gym & swimming pool which is so important for my joints so know there’s always the risk. I certainly couldn’t become a hermit! 😅
In a twist of fate I think those of us who are immune-compromised on immunosuppressants are lucky. Why? We get antivirals almost immediately covid’s diagnosed and within a few days are mostly over it whereas the ‘normal’ souls among us are sometimes very ill for weeks and have no help. Just now and again being on very potent drugs does have its advantages. I’ve now had antivirals twice despite not being out and about in crowds, have been well again in four days and no ill effects. As Jackie 1947 says, the covid strains are now more infectious so I guess we’ll all be having antivirals as a matter of course in future and being very glad they’ve been invented!
We most certainly are the lucky ones to have access to the antivirals 🙂 It’s the least we could have given what we suffer with with our flare-ups, potent drugs for life etc! I guess just frustrating that we have to press pause every so often when covid gets us. I was due to be working on my company’s stand at a lovely show in Old Billingsgate today, gutted I couldn’t go but at least the antivirals will speed up my recovery & I will be well enough to attend my Daughter’s graduation 😘
Yes it’s fine I guess if people get easy and timely access to them. But not everyone is finding this easy unfortunately - there’s a postcode lottery about this which causes much stress for some. This would be mitigated if we could all get Evusheld which would prevent those of us who qualify for anti virals from getting Covid.
Definitely seems to be a post code lottery with getting the antivirals. I agree, getting Evusheld would definitely help, although when I raised the subject on here a little while ago it was dismissed quite quickly as not needed due to access to antivirals??
Well a friend of mine with MCTD has just had Paxlovid which she got same day as testing positive. She had horrible side effects - cauliflower taste and severe nausea and diarrhoea - but finished the course. She tested negative after 6-7 days and now - 11 days on - is second day of testing positive again - rebound Covid - feeling rubbish. She’s just submitted a yellow card in hope it will help. This may be very atypical. But, personally speaking, I’d rather have an IM shot of something preventative than an anti viral - after the horse has bolted so to speak.
In my case it’s a source of stress I don’t need. So I’m trying to keep away from Covid full stop but it does impact on mental wellbeing - especially as it’s not going to be straightforward to access where i live due to my straddling postcodes
Yes, I’m with you on that. As they say prevention is better than cure. I definitely would rather not risk getting it rather than taking a chance on antivirals. My nephew tested positive on Sunday, he qualifies for the antivirals but despite chasing up as still not heard anything yet.
Hi this was our last update on our website nras.org.uk/2022/06/21/an-u... I will see if we have any further updates on Evusheld so do keep an eye on our COVID-19 and RA section of our website nras.org.uk/information-sup...
Antivirals sound wonderful - but access to them was impossible where I live. Day 1 tested positive and registered my result.
Day 2 of catching Covid my throat was in bits and I could hardly talk, but realised I needed help fast.
My GP receptionist had never heard of antivirals and asked me why I thought I was entitled. She went away to get advice - rang me back to say a GP would ring me that afternoon sometime.
By that time my blood oxygen levels were too low so I rang 111 for antivirals. They told me not to concern myself with the antiviral drugs and ordered an ambulance.
Four hours later - no ambulance and I just wanted to sleep.
Rang 111 to cancel the ambulance - I was told I needed to ring 999 to do that. Rang 999 - after being on hold for 12 minutes I managed to cancel the ambulance.
Went to sleep, absolutely exhausted - missed the GP ringing me at 17.00!
They didn't ring back.
Day 3 I didn't have any energy or voice left to ring anyone for help.
Felt awful for a whole week - just slept and sweated it out.
Still not recovered - now day 15!
It's like the NHS doesn't operate in my area - should I move to get the help I need?
Gosh, what a different experience you’ve had. Am so sorry to hear you didn’t manage to get the antivirals. I think because the first time I had covid was Easter Sunday & my GP was closed I called 111 straight away, they asked me a load of questions & referred me to my local covid centre (or whatever they referred to it as!) and about an hour or so later I received a call from a doctor who screened me for my eligibility for the antivirals. This time round I did call my GP first but receptionist said that as there were no phone appts available would be best to call 111 which I did. In the event my GP did call me back as well so a “two pronged attack” was probably the best approach.
From what I’ve read, I think there are huge variances from area to area just as there seems to be with Rheumatology depts. What area do you live in?
I hope you recover soon 🙏🏻
Hi Heti - u poor thing! I too thought I had covid last week as I’m coughing like mad. Negative test. Got sent to district nurse but said chest clear. I had a temp and chills so I know all not right. I had coughing fits until I couldn’t breathe. Hoping G P will call me back by tmrw. We must be close as C&W is my local too!
Hope u continue to heal well 😻😻
Oh poor you! 😰 My advice would to be to keep testing, I was feeling unwell, sore throat, a cold & very lethargic from last Tuesday but wasn’t until Friday am that I tested positive. Makes you wonder how accurate these LFT’s are! I was very lucky that my GP called me back (despite receptionist saying there were no telephone appts) as well as 111 so approaching from all angles seems to be key. I also found C&W to be very efficient, they called me 11.30am Sat & the drugs were delivered early eve same day 🙂
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