Sharing my Covid experience

[666s]

I tested positive on February 1st by LFT and sent off my priority PCR. I have GPA plus Mycobacterium Avium complex so my lungs are not in the best shape. I take Azathioprine and 15 mg of Prednisolone. My Covid symptoms have been like a bad cold; sneezing, runny nose, headache, sore throat, lower back pain and more latterly, a cough. I have been able to get out of bed and watch TV, although not much energy. Today, day 5, I had an infusion of antivirals so I’m optimistic of a speedy recovery. The process has been well organised and I even received my next priority PCR in the post today. So I hope my post is reassuring to everyone who is anxious about catching Covid. I don’t know how long recovery will take or how long immunity will last but for now I am optimistic. Take care all

[Grizzly-bear]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope the antivirals work and you can make a full recovery from covid soon

[Main1234]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Wishing you a speedy recovery

[ludo]

Thank you for sharing 666s it is most reassuring.Hope your recovering well from Covid.

Best wishes

[Mooka]

Thank you for your post. I hope you have a good and speedy recovery.

[gilders]

Thank you for sharing your experience.Mine has been extremely frustrating. I received my "red box" priority testing kit at the end of December 2020. It was incomplete, so I phoned the number given in the booklet (119).

Every time I try and order one I get nowhere. The call centre staff are not trained to deal with anything slightly out of the ordinary. I end up with the reply that PCR can only be ordered if you have symptoms. Sometimes I progress on to being able to order a PCR, but when I check it's a Priority one they say they can't order them.

They sometimes tell me to phone my GP, but they also say I need to phone 119.

I explain that the booklet, the email and letters I received and my GP all state 119 is the only way to order the kit, but I have been unsuccessful.

The only item missing is the security seal. I did receive a regular "white box" PCR kit, so I hope I can use that security seal with my incomplete "red box" kit.

[Main1234 in reply to gilders]

Think if it’s only the security seal I would not worry to much. I forgot to put one on my fathers and it didn’t seem to be a problem. Good idea using another one from the “white box “

[citygirl1234 in reply to gilders]

That’s really annoying. I wouldn’t worry too much though, as the security seal with my “red box” kit looks exactly the same as the “normal” postal PCR I’ve done before.

I had Covid just before Christmas before my “red box” kit had turned up, and because of Christmas post issues I ended up just booking a “normal” PCR test at a test centre, and they still managed to identify me and get in touch to assess me for treatment. (I had the IV / infusion treatment). Just make sure you put your NHS number in when booking the test as this is being used to flag you as “priority” in the system.

The only differences I can see between normal / priority PCR postal kit are:

- priority PCR has a red box

- priority PCR has a different leaflet

- priority PCR has instructions on how to arrange to get it picked up from the house so you don’t have to find a priority post box

Otherwise, the kit looks exactly the same to a normal one to me. (I’ve done postal PCRs when exposed in the past as I don’t live nearby to a test centre). Hopefully this is somewhat reassuring