Greetings everyone. Having tested positive on Christmas Eve I was unable to go through the surgery to request the antivirals and had to go the 111 route which did not result in anything but a lot of frustration. Eventually someone called back and a doctor was very helpful in referring me to the antiviral team but the unit they worked from was closed until 28th December! However he also asked for a dr at the local hospital to check me out. Thankfully I was ok and today someone from the antiviral team rang and some Molnupiravir was delivered to me. My symptoms are changing but include shivering, sore throat, very irritated throat, coughing and more short of breath.
This was all after having Rituximab on the 20th December. I was just stabilising after the GPA flare up in May. I was negative when I had the Rituximab.
I just wanted to share my experience. To date the symptoms are not as bad as I thought they would be and I am very grateful for that…..
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egre
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Thank you for that advice (119) as the waiting time on NHS 111 has been exceeding 3 hours and without your useful post I am sure many of us would still be sat waiting for the incorrect system to answer.
Blimey egre, your in my thoughts. It’s very worrying when this happens and being one of the forgotten “zombies” that we are unable to lead a normal life but still roaming the earth doesn't help but it’s nice to know there are people out there that are willing to help. I have read your post with a lot of interest and hope you will keep us all updated because it’s inevitable some of us no matter how careful will catch it. I keep hearing stories about the severity so it’ll be useful to hear what you think was the effects of Covid and how effective the Anti Vital is. Hope you recover well and feel ok to post. Nick.
Thank you for your post and firstly I wish you a speedy uneventful recovery from Covid. I believe from other clinically vulnerables that the anti-virals are very much like flicking a light switch when they kick in let’s hope you respond accordingly. The rest of us “forgotten zombies” are forever fearful and concerned what response we get from the respective authorities should we test positive . Some appear to have no issues accessing the anti-virals and others like yourself a battle. Your post raises this issue thank you. It gives chance for people like Nadine to point out the 119 number to help save precious time.
One question provided you feel well enough to respond. Given you were at the edge of your 5 day window from a positive test to treatment. I wondered if your test used was PCR or lateral flow?
Again thank you for sharing at this frightening time and I wish you all the best
HI Boo Boo. A quick reply. The test was a lateral flow - I did 2 tests from 2 different boxes just to make sure I did ring 119 to report the positive test and was told there is no test and trace now but best to avoid others. I asked him about the antivirals and the letter I'd had saying I could be eligible for these. He referred me back to 111. I was stuck in a loop. At one point I was frustrated and very scared and told 111 that if someone didn't sort it out i would turn up at A &E. ( I wouldn't but I was getting nowhere).
Hi investigator 1, Thanks for asking. I'm OK. This will be the 3rd day of the antivirals. I haven't had any problem with them apart from they are big capsules and take 2 x 4 a day. The symptoms are easing somewhat with less coughing. The throat problem has gone, still some wheezing if I move round too quick. I'm grateful to catch the virus now and not at the beginning when I'm sure it was a stronger strain and much worse. Remember the Consultant had told me then when I asked about more Rituximab and he'd said if you have the treatment and get Covid you'll have an 80 percent risk of death!! That was 2 yrs ago. He's happy for me to have it now but I think the 2yr gap without any contributed to the relapse in May. Anyway we have to move forward and get on with things.....
Hang in there Buddy! As a fellow Rituximab patient I am with you at all times, I like you was told in November 2020 as a Rituximab patient I had a 20% chance of survival if I copped a dose of Covid, and like you I did get Covid (June this year) but had Monoclonal Antibody treatment a day after testing positive. I fully agree, if it had been the “Original Flavour” of Covid we could have been in a lot more trouble. But I am really encouraged by you progress and current situation and just hope in the future we get even more protection and avoid dangerous variants. Well done egre, top person.
PS I have posted this morning about how grateful I am for people like you.
Hi Investigator1, thanks for asking. I was going to do an update but you beat me to it.
I tested negative today for the first time in nearly 3 weeks which was a relief as I had a ct scan booked for today and previously had to cancel it.
I thought it would get easier about mixing with people after having had Covid but it doesn't. I continue to wear the facemask and take all the precautions. I still won't want to sit inside a cafe or anywhere else indoors. Incidentally the person doing the scan didn't wear a mask.
I suppose at least I can think that I got through it with no new symptoms, only an exaggeration of existing ones such as the irritated throat, coughing and wheezing. I don't know that the antivirals were effective as I didn't notice any difference after having them but perhaps I got them after the 5 days?
I am trying to do 'normal' activities but for me there will always be Covid in the background.
I now have to brave the Optician tomorrow for an eye test and the dentist in March which I haven't been to since before the pandemic.
I hope you are enjoying your time in Portugal and the weather is warm and sunny.
Hi egre, set my mind at rest there. It’s a funny one really about knowing what effects the Antivirals had, it was the same with me and the Monoclonal Antibody treatment, if only I knew! A part of me hoped I had got through it myself which would allay some fears I guess. I must admit coming out here was a risk, more in transit than anything, but it’s warm and sunny so can go outside all the time, which does at times make me feel normal but then I lay here and feel a little anxious. Never mind eh. Glad your ok and if your Optitian doesent wear a mask just quote “
“Opticians owe a legal duty of care to their patients to protect them from the risk of harm” This relates the Health and Safety at Work act where “it is the duty of employers to ensure the safety of their employees or any third party affected by thier actions and operations.
They generally get the jitters if you quote that because they don’t know it, but it serves them right because if they know they have CEV patients they legally have to protect them, they should know that.
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