Covid

[jaycee444]

Have just tested positive for Covid. Has the advice about antivirals changed? Im thinking that they dont feel we need them now we have had so many vaccinations? Have informed NHS so no doubt they will let me know. Am following sick day rules for now.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Not sure about general advice re antivirals, it seems to be more on an individual basis nowadays, based on how affected you are…hopefully someone will get back to you with appropriate advice.

I still get the Covid daily update, and can’t recall any information on change in policy.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The entitlement to antivirals probably remains - but they take a lot more account of what dose of pred you are currently on I think. No doubt they'll say ...

[Sharitone]

If you're eligible for antivirals, you will probably have had emails, letters, etc, telling you so.

There is advice on who is eligible at nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...

but all it says is 'certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease)'

However, if you report a positive covid result from an NHS test, you should get a text or email within 24 hours with advice.

I was given antivirals, but on account of having TCZ and a very low level of neutrophils, not because of steroids. I think a lot depends on the dose you are on/ have been on.

Of course, if you are worried, then you should call 111 (and be prepared for a long wait!)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

Isn't it 119 for Covid questions? If you google it it doesn't say it is no longer active

[Sharitone in reply to PMRpro]

Some overlap, I think. 119 is the dedicated line, but when my neutrophils dropped, I was told to ring 111. Maybe 119 would have been a better choice- some people have had them delivered to their homes, whereas I had a long, unpleasant time in A&E, where they insisted I wait in the waiting room, spreading covid all around.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

111 sees totally overloaded - maybe 119 isn't QUITE as bad!

[jaycee444]

Originally had all the information from NHS telling me I might be eligible for anti virals . Have just had a call from a Dr re my positive result. Because my regular Prednisolone dose is below 10mg and has been for a while they are not thinking I will need anti virals.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jaycee444]

Probably correct in that...

[Bcol]

When they rang me in October they said that as I wasn't on 10mg I didn't need them.

[pmac22]

I tested covid positive last Tuesday 1/10. My dr had me do 3 remdesivir infusions. I am in US near Duke University. I have been feeling pretty bad, the coughing has been unrelenting. Coughing is less today but I am so extremely tired. My pulse ox has been hovering around 93-94. Instructed to call if it goes below 90.

I have GCA, was on 6mg doubled to 12 for sick days. Also taking Actemra weekly and told to hold it for now.

I hope your covid is mild, I have had a pretty awful week, was hoping to wake up feeling better today, maybe tomorrow.

Peggy

[jaycee444]

Strangely enough I was really ill all night on Saturday but it was extreme nausea and pretty heavy pain in my stomach so I didnt associate that with Covid. Still felt rough yesterday but the nausea had subsided. Headache and very painful limbs overnight so tested this morning and - voila!

[Earthangel59]

sorry you’ve caught Covid. It’s miserable! I got it over Christmas. I called my surgery for advice only to be told ‘there’s no one here to help you’!!! Feeling dreadful it took me all day on the phone ringing 111,118 and finally someone called me back from the covid team in an out of area hospital to tell me I could only have antivirals if I was on more than 10mg of Prednisolone and had been for 28 days or more. I’m now on 5mg do I couldn’t have them.

I can’t believe how difficult it was for me to get that information.

Basically I had to just ‘get on with it’ but it took three weeks before I felt better.

I hope you don’t suffer too much.

[jaycee444 in reply to Earthangel59]

Sorry it has taken you so long to feel better. I didnt have a problem getting a response from NHS as I reported positive test online and entered it up in the “ possibly needing anti virals” category - sorry cant remember exact wording. I got a text back from NHS straight away saying a Dr would ring within 24 hrs to assess me which is what happened. . I feel slightly better this morning after a pretty sleepless night (possibly because of the Pred increase - sick day rules). Anyway I can make up the sleep during the day I guess). I just hope it doesn’t last too long. ….

[scottygirl73]

When i tested positive end of last October i called number on my letter,they wanted me to go to hospital for infusion but i said iwould rather not,the tablets were delivered to my door next morning,i had no ill affects.I am nit on steroids only Actemra.Good luck.xx

[oscarandchloe]

I used 119 and was contacted by a doctor but it took so long the gap for antivirals was nearly over. This Covid has been horrible, cough, streaming nose, nausea and upset stomach, still blowing out rubbish 2 weeks later.

[Boss302Fan]

I was prescribed Paxlovid when I contracted Covid this past September as I met the established criteria and no interactions known with the medicines I was taking. Two weeks prior I had just stopped taking Pred.

Prednisone does interact with Ritonavir by increasing the blood levels of Pred. Which I doubt would be that detrimental, probably less likely to have a flare.

On the other side, my wife wasn’t prescribed an antiviral because she has COPD and there were interactions listed for her meds and the doctor felt those meds were more critical to her condition than the antiviral.

As to reduction of length of COVID symptoms, my wife tested positive up to the 12th day, I tested positive up to day 10. As to impact on symptoms I don’t know. For me it was similar to having a mild cold except for some brain fog that I found disconcerting and around day 3, at random times and locations, I’d get a sudden jab of pain in my head (imagine someone quickly jabbing you with an ice pick) enough to make me wince. My symptoms were less severe than Cheryl’s but that is to be expected regardless because of her pre-existing condition.

As soon as testing positive I would contact a doctor or urgent care facility ASAP and make an appointment. Let them decide based on your condition and medications what is the best course of action.

yalemedicine.org/news/13-th...

[cranberryt]

So sorry! My doctor said that although I qualified, they were not recommending it as strongly due to a common rebound effect. They also said if I started improving after 5-7 days and then felt worse again to call right away and get an antibiotic as secondary infections were common with those on immunosuppressants. In fact, that happened to me on day 6 with a second fever that was so bad it had me shivering for hours. The antibiotic worked and I started improving again a couple days later. I am in the US though and things are different here. (They wouldn’t give me sick day dose of prednisone. ) Hope you fight it off quickly. Rest and hydrate and be careful getting around. I was dizzy and winded so easily… for about 4 weeks. I slept for almost a week straight. But in an odd turn of events, once I was better, I was able to reduce my dose from 2mg to 1.5mg without issue despite multiple attempts prior. 😂 Wishing you a quick recovery!

[NewtoGCA]

I’m just recovering post covid, tested positive just before Christmas. 119 acted quickly, I was impressed, they had me in the covid unit within 24 hours. I had Sotrivimab infusions. Said it wouldn’t cure but hopefully prevent it getting serious. I’ve been really poorly for 15 days but I think it probably would have been worse on my chest. They’ve been really supportive checking in with me and I have called them directly for advice. Was pleasantly surprised, they were efficient and kind.

[Pandora2]

Tested positive for Covid before Christmas and rang GP surgery to ask if I needed antivirals, they rang me back eventually to say just take paracetamol, but if I became breathless I should go to A&E. as if they don’t have enough on their hands!