Hi, I tested positive for Covid this morningš«. I got up yesterday with a bit of a sore throat and by yesterday evening had a slight cough and runny nose. I had my flu jab last Saturday I was due to have my Covid booster this coming Saturday but rang the surgery this morning to change it to later in the month until I felt better. As I have some Covid tests I decided to do one and the red line appeared straight away.
I rang my gp back and told them I had tested positive so they cancelled my booster and said I would have to wait 28 days after having a negative result before I could get a booster. Fair enough. I had Covid in July 2022 and at that time was prescribed a half dose of Paxlovid antivirals. It worked initially and I tested negative after 5 days but after 7 days I began to feel ill again and tested positive. My question to the surgery today was ādo I need to take anti virals this timeā as I know you need to start taking them before your 5th day with Covid. The response I got was that gp surgeries are no longer prescribing antivirals and I would have to get them through my pharmacy. I rang my pharmacy and they said in no way could they prescribe antivirals and only a gp could issue a prescription. So I was between a rock and a hard place, feeling rubbish and getting nowhere. As my pharmacy is attached to my GP practice the pharmacist actually walked round to the reception desk to try and sort it out.
Anyway the outcome is that the GP receptionist rang me and said āyou donāt fit the criteria for antivirals so we wonāt be issuing you with a prescription for anyā. Has the criteria changed since July 2022? Why was I eligible then and not now? Iām on 10mg steroids now and was on 8.5 in 2022. Also my type 2 diabetes has got worse and Iām now on Insulin injections.
Has anyone else recently had Covid and had this issue please? As itās early days I donāt know how Covid is going to affect me this time. I was quite ill for 3 weeks last time but I know things might be different this time around. Thank you.
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Tiggy70
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As far as I can see nowadays it is up to our GPs to decide whether anti virrals are needed. Perhaps they have certain criteria, but they donāt seem to tell us what they are any more.
PMR/GCA donāt really; it is our immune system becoming over active and less discriminate. It is the treatment that can render us immunosuppressed and that is dependent on dose. 10mg doesnāt count. You usually need nearer 20mg and above.
I had Covid at the beginning of September and was prescribed Paxlovid. I went through 111 as i couldn't get through to my GP. 111 put me on to my Local Integrated Care Board, who I understand now hold responsibility for assessing eligibility and prescribing antivirals, according to the doctor who called me. I live in Hampshire, this may vary according to health care Trust?
She also explained that because I was on a pred dose above 10mg and my test was within 5 days I was eligible. My husband collected my prescription 20 minutes later from our local Boots.
I took a 5 day course and tested negative at the end of that, with no complications.
Yes, the criteria has changed. I had Covid for first time in June. My GP told me they canāt prescribe antivirals, they refer you to a central agency, who phone you back to discuss, I have a lot of problems other than PMR.I was recommended for my lung issues, not PMR. But I was still turned down by the Dr who rang. I was in bed (never happens) for 5 days, I am still suffering breathlessness months later & looks like Ihave long Covid. You get to speak to somebody who has no idea of your medical history, & just judges you by the rules written by Govt on a piece of paper! Probably another you could be lucky, you may not be lucky!!
I really empathise with you. It was a real challenge getting anti-virals for me with Adrenal Insufficiency, its as if they're reluctant to give them out. My daughter attempted on day one of covid via 111, they said theyd ring back, (she told them to ring her) but they rang me and left a message saying I would have to ring again the following morning to start the process again! It was thanks to support from my Endo nurse I got through that. Passed from GP to pharmacist to special covid secretary (who tried getting me in an ambulance) ... 4 days in all it took to get anti-virals! Covid took 2nd place to the threat of adrenal crisis for us with all the stress! Back in 2020 I was given IV anti-virals immediately. Things are definitely more complicated! Maybe Covid is just another 'flu' now but us with less immunity know otherwise. I wish you all the best and just hope you recover fully š
Hi, thanks for your reply. Iām on day 3/4 now and feeling terrible. Fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, fast heart rate the lot. Another day or so and it will be too late for me to take antivirals not helped by the fact that itās the weekend. The surgery have told me to ring 111 or go to A&E if I get worse. Iām not sure what worse is! I didnāt get to speak to a doctor just the receptionist. The problem is when you feel so unwell itās hard to fight for your corner. I canāt believe they told me to go to A&E with Covid!
I'm sure the ED will be delighted at the receptionist sending you to them to do their job. Sitting in any waiting room with a Covid positive patient isn't MY idea of fair.
Call 111 or even 999 as they also have clinicians at the call centre for advice.
Awful! I had the same symptoms, in fact almost 2 weeks on I still have some! I so feel for you as I needed my daughter to do all the messy phone calls, it seems the norm to 'pass the buck' and before you know it, it's too late! I believe now there's no segregation in A&E so us vulnerable ones don't stand a chance. I know it's probably the last thing you feel like doing but I'd ring 111, or if there's anyone can do it for you? Really hoping you get sorted! š
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