Treating Covid with anti virals

[boneytoys]

hi

I have PBC these past 12 years-

I’m 72 years old

I’m on day day 3 of a Covid infection with the usual symptoms. I been perscribed anti virals to get better faster , lesson the effect and with regard to long covid symptoms

I am a bit apprehensive weighing it all up and wondering what my fellow PBC ers think with regard to the effect these anti virals will have on my liver

Advice??

[butterflyEi]

That is so miserable for you. I had a mild case of COVID and was able to recover without anti virals however if your symptoms are bad then it would seem a good idea. On a different group I have read of 3 PBC sufferers using anti virals without any ill effects.

Hope you soon feel better  boneytoys

PS I see you posted 22 hours ago, I wonder if you have already had to make your decision.

[boneytoys in reply to butterflyEi]

hi butterfly

I know you from your many empathetic responses over the years

Yes I made the decision to take them . I Guess I was scared because I have been so fortunate with my PBC regards symptoms and didn’t want to trigger anything. Thanks

[butterflyEi in reply to boneytoys]

hi boneytoys

thank you for your reply. I also recognise your "handle" for all your full and accurate contributions. I will be 72 this year and find recovering from most things takes a bit longer than it used to and if this is the case for you also I hope the anti virals help your recovery. There is some research from NHS Cambridge University Hospital into URSO giving protection against COVID which may prove interesting for the future. Just in case I will put the link so you can have a read of it.

cuh.nhs.uk/news/drug-to-tre...

take care

[Readlots in reply to butterflyEi]

Thank you so much for sharing this research. I was disappointed that Evusheld was never made available but knowing that it looks hopeful that Urso will provide protection gives me hope.

[StopPBC in reply to butterflyEi]

Thank you for sharing this article. I came down with Covid last year. Doctor put me on Paxlovid. Tested negative on day 6. On day 7 had a rebound and tested positive for another 7 days. I have been on URSO for a couple of years now. If anyone hears more about this study, please post to this group. Very interesting. Thanks.

[Readlots in reply to boneytoys]

I would be as conflicted as you about taking the anti virals. I’ve been doing everything I can to avoid catching it. I hope they are working and you’re now on the mend. Fingers crossed your liver won’t suffer any I’ll effects. Let us know how you get on

[sleepytink]

Dont know if its any help but just had my third bout of Covid , antivirals are not available in the UK unless you are hospitalised I road it out and although far from pleasant only had 2 days in bed and back to my normal self by 10 , it does seem to get easier every time as it lessens in strength. Wishing you well x

[exy21 in reply to sleepytink]

My 2nd bout of covid was worse than 1st significantly. Depends on the strain of covid.

[boneytoys]

it’s my third episode and in New Zealand here the anti virals are available to over 65’s. Thanks for your response.appreciated

[Caribatty]

Hi, I have just had Covid (2nd time) and taken antivirals, which I don’t think have helped with the symptoms. I had to get antibiotics, nasal spray and other bits for sinusitis, throat, blocked nose, etc. as Covid has really affected me.

But I believe that the antivirals have reduced the amount of virus in my body and as I am immune suppressed I don’t think my body would have coped or fought very well.

My Covid tests were showing an extremely thick and black Covid line very quickly (showing the amount of virus in your body and how contagious I was) and after 4 days taking the pills, tests were showing negative.

Because of you having PBC, you will not be offered certain kind of antivirals, the most usual ones, as they affect the liver and because of PBC, they would not want to risk upsetting it. I have dormant PBC and as soon as I mentioned it, they took 2 kinds of antivirals from the list straight away.

At the end, it is your decision to take them, depending how you feel your body is copying with Covid.

I hope you feel better soon.

xx

[exy21]

I've had covid twice and taken antivirals both times. The 1st time took major persuading from my specialist/doctor and hospital as I was apprehensive due to the side effects of which there were many. If I hadn't I'm not sure how ill I would have been as I went downhill fast. Antivirals helped significantly. So as soon as I tested 2nd time I was straight on then but was still worse. I'm assuming a different strain. So as everyone says it's your choice but for me they helped and I've had 5 vaccines.

[1978louisa]

I think it depends on which stage you're at with PBC, if you aren't too bad, I don't think it will be too much of a problem.I didn't have anti virals for COVID but I have had them for three cases of shingles in four years. It didn't seem to have any effect on my PBC.

Hope you recover soon. x

[CeeCee101]

After 3 years of dodging it even with travel finally got Covid. I was traveling and fortunately my PCP had given me a prescription of Paxlovid to take with me. Took it but got pretty bad diarrhea which could’ve been from either the virus or the Pax but I felt better on the Covid front right away. Never did feel too bad. Did have to stop Pax early though as had a 9 hour flight and needed to stop the diarrhea. Also the taste in your mouth is nasty. That being said, I know it helped. Asked doc when I got back if next time I could take once per day instead of twice. She said could try (though I am hoping never to get it again) because that’s what they do with kidney patients.

[Stub007]

Ask your primary care person, but I’d be surprised if that should present any problem.

Good luck!

Don