COVID, Paxlovid, and me.

I noticed what turned out to be the first symptoms shortly after waking up June 18 (happy anniversary, Vickie!). My ears were scratchy, and as the day went on, I felt unnaturally tired and started to cough. We canceled our anniversary plans and I went to bed early, Vickie wisely sleeping in another room. Home COVID test was negative. My temperature registered 99.6.

After sleeping over nine hours, I woke up feeling worse on Sunday. Instead of relying on a home test, I drove to a drive up testing center out by the mall around 11:00 a.m. An hour later I had my positive result. I isolated as best I could, staying either in the bedroom or the backyard, masking when going between. Felt much worse, with painfully sore throat, hacking cough, and rising temp (>100.0). I mailed the office that I wouldn’t be working Monday, probably not Tuesday. Went to bed early, slept fitfully between freezing, sweating and coughing.

Felt the same or worse Monday when I woke. I set up a telemedicine appointment with out internist, saying I wanted Paxlovid. Had the appointment in the afternoon. She agreed to prescribe Paxlovid. She said that policy was to make sure that Paxlovid went first to those over 65 and those with other conditions, none of which apply to me. Still, since there was plenty to go around, she said it was OK to give me a prescription. That lined up with what I had read of both FDA policy and the under-use of Paxlovid (link goes to a long article, scroll down). She warned me that likely side effects included metallic taste in my mouth and diarrhea.

I continued to feel worse as the day went on. I took my first dose as soon as Vickie picked up the prescription on Monday, at about 6 PM. I went to bed by eight with a fever of 101.9 and generally worse symptoms overall, including goo in my throat that made the gagging coughing worse and a throat so sore that drinking water was difficult.

When I woke at 11:30 p.m., I felt no better. Then I woke again an hour later with the metallic taste the internist described - but also with a much less sore throat and without the goo. I could easily drink water again, and I slept much more soundly afterward.

 

Improvement continued rapidly. I was able to work a half day at home Wednesday and nearly 8-hour days Thursday and Friday, interrupted by mighty naps. 

 

Here on Saturday afternoon I have finished my 10-dose regimen. The only remaining symptoms are occasional mild cough and less than full energy. Sore throat, goo, hacking cough and fever are gone. 

 

Still have the metallic taste, but no diarrhea or other side effects noted. And while I taste metal, I still don't have a taste for metal. 

 

So I am pleased with Paxlovid. I am aware that a sample size of one means nothing clinically. Still, I am convinced that it made a big difference for me. I hope it is never an issue for you, but if it ever is, bug your doctor about Paxlovid. I think the Zvi guy is right when he says it is literally "a cure" for COVID infection.

FWIW, I went into this fully vaccinated and boosted. I probably contracted it at a business meeting in Denver last week, or on my way to or from it. I know a number of others at the meeting also came down with COVID. Fortunately, I am the only one of eight attendees at the Denver meeting from my office who got it.

Back to my usual content of pictures of my gardening exploits and birthdays next time.