My Experience With Covid-19 And The Antiviral Drug Paxlovid

Simply over three years after the world heard about Covid, and regardless of getting vaxed and boosted, I lastly acquired hit with the virus. Though it’s doable I had it in January 2020 after I was in southeast Asia since I had all the identical signs , I by no means acquired examined since there have been no exams but. And by the point there was an antibody check obtainable — over 6 months later — any antibodies I’ll have had wouldn’t present up.

So I’m going with the concept that this was my first expertise having Covid. I acquired the illness from good friend who acquired contaminated attending his 4-year outdated granddaughter’s birthday celebration, undoubtedly a brilliant spreader occasion with many children and oldsters round. He and I went out to dinner 3 days after the celebration and the next morning he texted me that he examined constructive! Oh nice, I assumed. I’ll have that to look ahead to in just a few days!

Certain sufficient, 3 days after our dinner I began feeling a bit off and had a really slight cough. The subsequent morning I knew I had Covid and a check confirmed my suspicion. Say what you’ll concerning the reliability of the house exams. They could present a unfavorable outcome while you’re constructive, however they don’t present false positives.

I referred to as my good friend to let him know and to see how he was feeling. He mentioned he had felt fairly unhealthy the day or two earlier than however was beginning to really feel a bit higher. He nonetheless was fatigued and considerably congested, however not almost as intensely as he felt earlier than. He was hopeful that he was beginning to get better.

This was now Saturday afternoon so calling my physician to get the antiviral drug Paxlovid meant reaching the answering service and having them contact her. Since my good friend had already began to get better, I assumed I’d wait to see if my present gentle signs acquired any worse. The subsequent day they did.

So on Sunday I acquired by means of to my physician who ordered a prescription for Paxlovid. By that point the pharmacy was closed however since my signs weren’t terrible and I used to be nonetheless throughout the advisable timeframe, I felt okay ready one other day. On Monday I used to be undoubtedly beginning to really feel somewhat higher however I picked up the Rx anyway. I didn’t begin the routine that afternoon (it’s 3 tablets twice a day for five days) however determined to attend to see how I felt the following morning. I used to be involved about the truth that the drug was nonetheless experimental and among the unintended effects might be robust. Additionally, I had learn that taking a statin for top ldl cholesterol is just not advisable and I had already taken my statin.

Once I awakened the following day the cough was deep in my chest and I acquired involved that it may result in pneumonia. I made a decision that I’d take the drug that morning.

It didn’t take greater than an hour or two after ingesting the three tablets that I began feeling results. The accompanying paperwork talked about 7 unintended effects. The primary was “altered sense of style.” Since I had learn that it will have an effect on style I used to be cautious to not have the tablets contact my tastebuds. It didn’t matter. I started having that terrible metallic style in my mouth very quickly after swallowing. I described it to my spouse who mentioned it reminded her of how she felt when she had chemotherapy years in the past. I additionally observed some new aches and pains I had not had earlier than after which I started having diarrhea, two extra of the doable unintended effects. By the afternoon the style was terrible and nothing actually helped eliminate it. My diarrhea worsened, as did the aches and pains and the “feeling usually unwell” impact. And this was solely after one dose!

I spoke to my good friend who by then was nearly absolutely recovered from his bout with Covid (with out taking the Paxlovid) so I made a decision I actually didn’t assume persevering with the drug routine was a good suggestion. I referred to as my physician once more and defined to the nurse what was happening. She had gone by means of the identical ordeal and was extraordinarily sympathetic. She mentioned her unintended effects didn’t occur immediately and that my results appeared a lot worse far more rapidly. She mentioned she’d discuss with my physician however that I in all probability ought to maintain off taking the second dose. That was an enormous aid. I couldn’t bear the concept of taking the drug once more. My physician acquired again to me and along with her blessing I fortunately stopped taking the drugs.

The subsequent day I started feeling significantly better, with only a slight cough and little congestion. And two days after that, I examined unfavorable for Covid.

The entire ordeal lasted 6 days, starting and ending with a slight cough and congestion, each of which have been simply remedied with over-the-counter medicines.

Was taking Paxlovid a good suggestion? The brief reply is “Sure.” Though I’m not essentially compromised, I’m in my seventies. So regardless of my response to the drug, I believe it was the good — and proper factor to take the drug. There was no method I may know the way unhealthy my response can be, and if the illness acquired worse, I may simply find yourself with pneumonia.

Risking the unintended effects to forestall a critical situation is sensible. Solely a tiny proportion of individuals taking Paxlovid expertise diarrhea (3% in accordance with the producer) and even fewer expertise among the different reported unintended effects. Apparently many extra do have altered sense of style, however that’s a small value to pay to forestall the potential critical problems related to Covid.