Re Paxlovid as a treatment for Covid (Scientific American 2023)

[Pluvious]

Last edited Fri Sep 13, 2024, 07:36 PM - Edit history (1)

As one who took this treatment for my 2nd infection (ugh), and now am in my 8th week still recovering, I found this short article very helpful.

( I also just had a visit with my PCP, who had prescribed it; she has also cared for MANY Covid victims to date )

This is one nasty bug; I have been reading that a 2nd infection's severity will often be proportional to your first infection's, which is consistent with my experience (bad genes?).

I strongly suspect the symptoms I'm dealing with now would have been way worse if I had not used Paxlovid...

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-rebound-can-happen-even-without-paxlovid/

Edit to add:

Link to tweet

[utopian]

1. I had the same experience

The meds had me back on my feet in less than a week. And yes, a nasty bug.

[AwakeAtLast]

2. I demanded Paxlovid this time

Didn't make it through three days of school before getting Covid. I wasn't going to take no for an answer!

[Tumbulu]

3. thanks for sharing this- I too took Paxlovid, and am still struggling

with brain fog and weariness- 6 weeks into it now. The first 3 1/2 weeks I was mainly bedridden, though.
Saw my amazing primary care physician yesterday who shared that patients who experienced Covid, as I did, are taking a good three months to get back to normal. And to be patient. Which helped me accept the exhaustion a bit more. She ordered a few tests, which I hope will alleviate more worries.

I am grateful that I had the Paxlovid to take. But the pharmacies in my area were out of it, once I tested positive and got the prescription. I began taking it on day 4..... sort of at the end of the effective range. But it really helped. I began to be able to get up and felt a return of a tiny amount of energy. But then the Rebound knocked me back again.

At week 6 I am mainly up and about, for more than 14 hours a day- and walking almost normally. Big victories, for sure, compared to where I was with this! And am more or less functioning. But I sure am not thinking clearly!!!!!! And suffer still from balance issues.

I can only wonder how bad it would have been had I not been fully vaccinated and had Paxlovid not been available at all.

Good luck with your recovery!!!!!

[Pluvious]

7. Follow up...

Be prepared for setbacks, I felt 95% recovered, then wham - see the second article in my post 6

I too took it late (5th day), wish I had been sooner

I too had one day of dizziness, the next morning I had coconut water and have every morning since with no recurrence

Please see my post 6

Good luck, friend

[Tumbulu]

8. Thank you- and the same for you!

[central scrutinizer]

4. I tested positive in July 2022, started Paxlovid

That afternoon. Symptoms gone in 36 hours. Worked well for me.

I’d had five covid jabs by that point. I’ve had four more since.

[leftieNanner]

5. I started taking paxlovid last night

We'll see how it goes. Problem is, my husband had shoulder surgery on Tuesday, so I am his caretaker. We are a fun household. I just hope he doesn't catch COVID from me.

[Pluvious]

6. FWIW...

My SO was very mindful of catching it from me

Her first time was not as severe as mine, this time she didn't catch it
Wore an N95 mask a lot, slept in different rooms, etc

Crew some gum to help with the after taste - especially if it wakes you up in middle of the night

HYDRATE - get your electrolytes too (coconut water ftw)

Good luck with the treatment, here's another helpful write up (in case you have to deal with it too) :

https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-long-does-fatigue-last-after-covid-19/