Covid 19 and Rituximab

[sorefeetsoldier]

Hi all I hope you are all keeping well,I am writing today to see I anyone has any answers or info on my Situation.I have had covid 19 which I caught the last day I was in hospital, that was 21 days ago and still positive.

I have had Rituximab at beginning of the year, the covid symptoms I have mostly are coughing up light green phlegm maybe once a day. I contacted my GP and others in the begining but not one reply from them which I find shocking.

Anyway many thanks for reading about my situation.

Take care

SfS

[Grizzly-bear]

Sorry to hear your covid isn’t shifting. Can you go to whoever organised your rituximab? Assuming this was a consultant and not a GP. Totally shameful you never got a response from anyone, rituximab makes you amongst the most eligible for treatment but they might not give you antivirals now because you’re 21 days in, unless the rules have changed.

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to Grizzly-bear]

Hi Grizzly - bear,Yes it was my consultant Rheumatologist that organised it,

Told GP receptionist, and Respiratory consultant too.

Anyhow stay safe and thanks for your reply

SFS

[weathervane in reply to sorefeetsoldier]

im on rituximab as well . I had covid last year with a productive cough that lingered, the gp said i had a chest infection on top of covid and prescribed antibiotics, it took a while but it did clear up. I hope you feel better soon.

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to weathervane]

Hi weathervane,How long did you show positive for COVID?

Thanks for your reply

Sfs

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to weathervane]

What antibiotic did you get?

[weathervane in reply to sorefeetsoldier]

oooh gosh , I can’t remember now , but idid need a second antibiotic to totally clear it .

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to weathervane]

Ok many thanks,Stay safe

Sfs

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to Grizzly-bear]

Weheyyyy did test this morning came up Negative 😃

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to Grizzly-bear]

Did test this morning and was Negative 😃

[RichardGPA65yrs]

It sounds like you can’t clear the virus from your body because you can’t make antibodies to it. You are eligible for treatments for COVID being on Rituximab. However, they should be given early (within 5-7 days) to be effective. Treatments would be either antibodies (sotrovimab) or oral antiviral drugs (Paxlovid).

Its good that you don’t report being ill but I would have thought that a doctor would want to treat you anyway as you don’t seem to be clearing it.

Paxlovid may be best as oral tablets as an outpatient but it is a prescription only drug. The problem is that doctors and nurses are told to prescribe it within 7 days of symptoms starting. Also you may need to stop other medications as they can interact. A real computer says Noo situation.

The consultant rheumatologist may prescribe it still as they will understand (and have responsibility for) the effects of Rituximab in preventing you making antibodies. Maybe phone the Rheumatology consultant’s secretary and leave a message explaining your situation.

Good luck

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to RichardGPA65yrs]

Hi thanks for your reply, I notified my GP and Rheumatologist and my Respiratory consultants secretary's and heard nothing back I have phoned about 3 times now and got response from rhumy secretary and said too late for any meds!!

Got reply from GP the next day but just a short confirmation.

I don't feel too bad actually slight cough now and then.

Il just have to ride it out.

Thanks again

SfS

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to RichardGPA65yrs]

Did test this morning and was Negative 😃

[yogarita1955]

hi you should ring rheumatology at the hospital

thay should help doctors don't usually understand !

you may need antibiotics it could be hay fever at the moment I have developed this

if I get any virus I need antibiotics because I get bronchitis now seems to go to the lungs

I have GPA and retixamab and have had covid ring rheumatology your best bet antihistamine if you think hay fever hope this helps x

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to yogarita1955]

Hi,

I did the other day and his secretery called back and said it was too late for any medication.

So just have to ride it out on my own , wish I never took Retuximab.

Thanks for replying.

Cheers

SfS

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to yogarita1955]

Hi got a negative test this morning 😃

[Galaxy2]

Hi SfS

I can’t help with your question as I haven’t had covid, yet, but I know it could happen any time.

However just wanted to say it’s so frustrating and worrying for you not to hear back especially over something so serious. I think the NHS is just under such strain at the moment, I’m not hearing back over concerns I’ve got about various problems and like you keep phoning and then I feel like a nuisance. However we have got serious conditions and should be listened to.

Rituximab is such a wonderful drug in some ways but has it downsides too

Hope you’re feeling much better very soon!

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to Galaxy2]

Hi,

I hope you never get covid or anything else for that matter, yes well I'm not too bad just the 23 days today of testing positive is depressing.

Personally I wish I didn't have the Retuximab iv been putting it off for a while.

Thanks take care.

SfS

[sorefeetsoldier in reply to Galaxy2]

Hi did test this morning and came up Negative😃

[Galaxy2 in reply to sorefeetsoldier]

Great! Bet that’s a relief for you

[sorefeetsoldier]

AHH but it came back pos the next day, however I'm clear now 1 week neg test result now. That was total of 32 days positive. Anyway how are you?