Covid, Paxlovid and Tocilizumab

[Frenchduck]

I am two months away from tapering my fortnightly injections of Tocilizumab for GCA, diagnosed in April 2020. I have been taking it for nearly two years. The only other regular meds I take are Levothyroxine, daily vitamin D and paracetamol when needed.

Yesterday (Friday 10 June) I tested positive for covid for the first time. I had my first booster vaccination in October and was debating when to have my next (4th) one.

The noticeable symptoms began on Thursday which were discomfort in the throat and upper respiratory tract and the start of a cough. Today these are all worse and the throat is very sore on one side. Sleeping was very difficult last night.

I started a 5 day course of Paxlovid yesterday and wondered if anyone else on the forum has taken this and if so did it help? I'm hoping it is going to stop the virus spreading and that I'll feel better soon. I find the smell and taste of the tablets horrible and this remains in the mouth and back of the throat all day. If anyone knows of a way to cope with this I would be grateful to know. I took them with toast and honey this morning and I'm not sure yet if it has helped.

My injection of Tocilizumab should have been yesterday but my doctor told me to delay it for 10 days. Has anyone else experienced delaying this injection due to having covid? It seems like a wise thing to do but how likely is a GCA flare?

Other than that I'm taking paracetamol regularly to keep the temperature down and to help with the sore throat. I am also using a prescribed nasal spray called Tixocortol. I have decided not to take the cough medicine (Dextromethorphan) after reading the leaflet. There seems to be a high risk of dizziness and I really don't want that.

If this is as bad as it gets I think I can manage it but I'm not sure how I would cope if it gets worse. Any help or advice from you wonderful people would be most appreciated. Thank you.

[DeepThought2]

Dear Frenchduck- sorry to hear that you have Covid, I hope you get better soon. I also delayed my TCZ injections when I had Covid in February. I injected regularly every 10 day then and extended the period once to 17 days without any problems. Best wishes A.

[Frenchduck in reply to DeepThought2]

Thank you.

[marantha]

I too was prescribed Paxlovid. Stopped Tocilizumab. Horrible taste in the mouth and quick dashes to the toilet. Kept telling myself it was only for 5 days and sure enough everything went back to normal as soon as I had finished the course. So grateful for the medication as Covid symptoms were mild. Hope it’s the same for you.

[Frenchduck in reply to marantha]

Thank you. I'm hoping to feel better after 5 days too. I wouldn't say mild but I'm managing. The cough has made my throat and trachea raw so swallowing is painful. Worse during the night. I sip cold water during the day and it helps. I wouldn't like it to get worse though!