My experience with Paxlovid

[orangemax]

So my darling OH came home with Covid, and I knew right then I was doomed. Quite sure it 's the Omicron variety. It's going around in our 55+ community like a wildfire. Two home tests came up negative, but I had the symptoms. So I went to the urgent care, and there I came up positive. Because I was "at risk" of hospitalization or long covid, the doctor prescribed Paxlovid. After the post on this site, I was really hesitant. I checked when I read that, and Paxlovid interferes with 2 of my BP meds and my statin drug. So the doctor agreed to discuss it with the pharmacist when he ordered it, and if the pharmacist was hesitant, they would change the medication. When I got home I called my Primary Care doctor (internist) and she wanted me to go with the Paxlovid. So anyway, that's how it went down. I also had concerns about side effects. So, now I'm at the end of my 2nd day on Paxlovid, , and I'm feeling really pretty good right now, and no ill effects so far. Further, my PCP recommended I get on Zinc and magnesium, and purchase a finger pulse oxymeter, to keep an eye on my oxygen level. Ordered all on line and had them the next day. If nothing else, when the numbers look good it gives you a positive feeling about the experience. Also keeping an eye on my bp. Doing fine!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Excellent - get well soon!

[piglette]

I got an oxymeter before the tests for Covid were around as I thought it was a good way if testing in 2020. Everyone copied me so my friends and family all have one! Hope you recover quickly.

[singingloud]

I did fine overall on Paxlovid this past week. The extra fatigue hung on for several days. Now I believe my husband has it. Runny nose, scratchy throat and now congestion. Here we go again. Hope my mum who is 88 doesn’t get it too. Glad you are doing well.

[orangemax]

Thank you all for your well wishes. To make a point - 123 made a comment a while back that "Knowledge is power." So true! I had the knowledge about Paxlovid from our Texas poster, and was able to discuss the possibilities intelligently with the doctor and then knew what I needed to do to protect myself from any adverse reaction. I LOVE this forum!!

[Manihiki]

Glad all has gone well for you. I had paxlovid and had to stop Lipitor, amtripline, amlodepine my blood pressure medication and lefludomide. All worked well and just left with a lingering cough.

[orangemax]

Thank you for your reply Manihiki. Yes, I am also on amitriptyline, amlodepine, a statin, and propanalol (to name a few). But my PCP absolutlely did not want me to get off any of my drugs, as my blood pressure had recently spiked due to the prednisone. So basically, I'm just taking my chances on how things work. But it seems, so far so good.

[artfingers]

My OH got COVID after my son just had it who lives with us (for another month, sigh). He checked with his GP and cardiologist and GI doctor, all said Paxlovid should be fine though urgent care doctor refused to prescribe it so GP did. OH has taken it the full 5 days, no issues and without changing his meds. Got better rapidly with the Paxlovid. I'm glad it is available now! I'm isolating away from son and OH up at my cottage for now.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to artfingers]

Is the sigh because he is there or because he is going?

[artfingers in reply to PMRpro]

Going. My son who lives with us and his twin brother bought a house about a half hour away (ages 26) so he will move out in about a month. I will really miss him but it is the best thing for him! When my husband was very ill recently, my son took care of him nights and I did the day shift, so he is a very caring, loving young man. I shall miss our daily breakfasts and dinners. His brother left home 6 years ago. I'll get over it, just makes me terribly sad.

[orangemax in reply to artfingers]

These are weird times we are living thru. Wishing you the best.

[Skier321]

I got Covid 3 weeks ago when on 8.5 mg of prednisone. Spoke with my docs and was put on Paxlovid and went to 20 mg of prednisone for sick day rule for 4 days. All went fine and after 7 days tested negative and no symptoms. 5 days later I had Covid again. Apparently 2% of people who take Paxlovid get what is called Paxlovid/Covid Rebound. Lucky me I went back into insulation and today I feel symptom free again I will test lasted today. Here in BC Canada if you are 5 days into Covid and symptom free to are good to go back to normal. I got omnicron variant. Second bout was not as bad as the first, I only had a runny nose and congestion. First bout I had all the symptoms and felt like crap.

[orangemax in reply to Skier321]

Are you kidding me?!?! I've never heard about the rebound affect!! That's just NOT FAIR!!Well, I guess I'll just have to hold my breath and keep praying!! I'm on day four.

[Skier321 in reply to orangemax]

There is a lot of info about it on USA Pfizer site and FDA site FDA recommends not to take Paxlovid for the rebound just goggle this. I still have symptoms and still positive but getting better in another 2 days BC CDC days I am good to go out again as normal as not infectious

[orangemax in reply to Skier321]

Thank you. I'm going to check it out. Just in case!!

[Bcol]

Sounds like all is/has gone well, hope you are fully well soon.

[orangemax in reply to Bcol]

Thank you Bcol. It could have been a lot worse! Thank goodness it's not!

[Bcol in reply to orangemax]

That's good. Take care