1. < Transplants

Omicron and monoclonal antibodies experience?

Posted by athenalee @athenalee, Jan 17, 2022

Hello fellow transplant recipient Connect friends. I’m here to report that not going anywhere except the office and the food coop, and, being masked 😷 is apparently not enough against Omicron. I’ve been sick since Wednesday. Started with a wicked sore throat and headache, then morphing into the worse sore throat ever, bigger headache, fatigue, muscle ache, a ton of bricks 🧱 on my chest, cough, and did I mention the sore throat?!

Took a PCR test on Thursday and an antigen test. The antigen test was negative. So as I continued to suffer, I got a call this morning that I have Covid. After I had a meltdown, I called my PCP to find out about monoclonal antibodies. I also called my transplant team and informed them. There are three hospitals in S. Vermont which do the monoclonal antibodies, but they are all waiting on more supplies! At least a day or two for delivery.

So, I'm wondering if anyone one has suffered through Omicron, a.k.a. Voldemort. And, if anyone has had monoclonal antibody treatment and can share their experience.

Thanks, Athena

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gphetteplace | @gphetteplace | Jan 18, 2022

Still trying to get over it after 3 weeks. Despite being a liver recipient with CKD neither my PCP nor Transplant would give me MAbs. I’m thankful I didn’t need to be hospitalized. Never had breathing difficulty like so many, but waiting to see if there is any permanent damage to my heart.
The doctors & nurses are completely numb. As soon as you say covid they shut down. I don’t think they are even trying to offer treatment options anymore. I’m praying they all get through this without a mental breakdown.

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2 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 19, 2022
In reply to @gphetteplace "Still trying to get over it after 3 weeks. Despite being a liver recipient with CKD..." + (show)
@gphetteplace

Still trying to get over it after 3 weeks. Despite being a liver recipient with CKD neither my PCP nor Transplant would give me MAbs. I’m thankful I didn’t need to be hospitalized. Never had breathing difficulty like so many, but waiting to see if there is any permanent damage to my heart.
The doctors & nurses are completely numb. As soon as you say covid they shut down. I don’t think they are even trying to offer treatment options anymore. I’m praying they all get through this without a mental breakdown.

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Wow, did your doctors say what persuaded them to not treat you with monoclonal antibodies? And, I tend to agree with you, that so many in the medical community are exhausted from overwork and stress, right now.

Hoping you feel better each day.
Ginger

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athenalee | @athenalee | Jan 19, 2022
In reply to @gphetteplace "Still trying to get over it after 3 weeks. Despite being a liver recipient with CKD..." + (show)
@gphetteplace

Still trying to get over it after 3 weeks. Despite being a liver recipient with CKD neither my PCP nor Transplant would give me MAbs. I’m thankful I didn’t need to be hospitalized. Never had breathing difficulty like so many, but waiting to see if there is any permanent damage to my heart.
The doctors & nurses are completely numb. As soon as you say covid they shut down. I don’t think they are even trying to offer treatment options anymore. I’m praying they all get through this without a mental breakdown.

Jump to this post

I’m very sorry. Have you pressed your doctors for an answer as to why?

I know they are in short supply. I went to a regional hospital that serves rural/small towns in S. Vermont, and border communities in NY and MA. The infusion nurse said that they request 35-40/week, but since manufacturers had to re-engineer the antibodies to fight omicron, they are only getting 5-7 a week. So, they are unfortunately forced to triage them.

My primary called around to get me on lists at three hospitals though. My transplant team said there’s were in short supply and told me to try to get them near where I live, but if I couldn’t to let them know.

I hope you get better soon…and, maybe you can find a more understanding and supportive PCP.

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athenalee | @athenalee | Jan 19, 2022
In reply to @edb1123 "I’m sorry you’re having such bad symptoms from COVID! I hope you improve quickly and you..." + (show)
@edb1123

I’m sorry you’re having such bad symptoms from COVID! I hope you improve quickly and you also don’t have any side effects from the monoclonal antibodies. 🙏

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Thank you. I feel very blessed to have received the monoclonal antibodies. Feeling worse now, but the nurse said that’s normal and I should start improving tomorrow. And, she said they will offer protection for three months!

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2 replies
leahd | @leahdrose | Jan 20, 2022
In reply to @athenalee "Thank you. I feel very blessed to have received the monoclonal antibodies. Feeling worse now, but..." + (show)
@athenalee

Thank you. I feel very blessed to have received the monoclonal antibodies. Feeling worse now, but the nurse said that’s normal and I should start improving tomorrow. And, she said they will offer protection for three months!

Jump to this post

Sending love and prayers. Get well soon 🙏🏼

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edb1123 | @edb1123 | Jan 20, 2022
In reply to @athenalee "Thank you. I feel very blessed to have received the monoclonal antibodies. Feeling worse now, but..." + (show)
@athenalee

Thank you. I feel very blessed to have received the monoclonal antibodies. Feeling worse now, but the nurse said that’s normal and I should start improving tomorrow. And, she said they will offer protection for three months!

Jump to this post

Please let us know how you’re doing. Hopefully you will feel better soon!

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hello1234 | @hello1234 | Jan 23, 2022

@athenalee When you have a moment please post a quick update so we know you are okay. I am concerned that we haven't heard from you in a few days and your last post was you were feeling "worse" after your infusion.

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1 reply
athenalee | @athenalee | Jan 23, 2022
In reply to @hello1234 "@athenalee When you have a moment please post a quick update so we know you are..." + (show)
@hello1234

@athenalee When you have a moment please post a quick update so we know you are okay. I am concerned that we haven't heard from you in a few days and your last post was you were feeling "worse" after your infusion.

Jump to this post

Hey @hello1234 and Connect friends, thank you all for your support! I am mending…has been a little slower than hoped. Still having a wicked sore throat and fatigue, but other symptoms are diminishing more rapidly.

Definitely having some anxiety around going back to my office though. My N95 masks arrived…which, let me say are definitely not going to be comfortable at all! I also bought a small air purifier. And, guess I’ll keep my door closed. Interesting storing on NPR the other day on Covid-19 trauma. Starts with a kidney transplant recipient. I totally related to the woman, and she didn’t have to go into an office 5 days a week!

Be safe 😷! Athena

REPLY
2 replies
estrada53 | @estrada53 | Jan 23, 2022
In reply to @athenalee "Hey @hello1234 and Connect friends, thank you all for your support! I am mending…has been a..." + (show)
@athenalee

Hey @hello1234 and Connect friends, thank you all for your support! I am mending…has been a little slower than hoped. Still having a wicked sore throat and fatigue, but other symptoms are diminishing more rapidly.

Definitely having some anxiety around going back to my office though. My N95 masks arrived…which, let me say are definitely not going to be comfortable at all! I also bought a small air purifier. And, guess I’ll keep my door closed. Interesting storing on NPR the other day on Covid-19 trauma. Starts with a kidney transplant recipient. I totally related to the woman, and she didn’t have to go into an office 5 days a week!

Be safe 😷! Athena

Jump to this post

Love you! Be careful!

REPLY
hello1234 | @hello1234 | Jan 23, 2022
In reply to @athenalee "Hey @hello1234 and Connect friends, thank you all for your support! I am mending…has been a..." + (show)
@athenalee

Hey @hello1234 and Connect friends, thank you all for your support! I am mending…has been a little slower than hoped. Still having a wicked sore throat and fatigue, but other symptoms are diminishing more rapidly.

Definitely having some anxiety around going back to my office though. My N95 masks arrived…which, let me say are definitely not going to be comfortable at all! I also bought a small air purifier. And, guess I’ll keep my door closed. Interesting storing on NPR the other day on Covid-19 trauma. Starts with a kidney transplant recipient. I totally related to the woman, and she didn’t have to go into an office 5 days a week!

Be safe 😷! Athena

Jump to this post

Oh, thank goodness! I am so happy and relieved to hear from you Athena!!
When do you return to the office. )First you have to get well!) Is there any possible chance you can work remotely?
Is there a link to the NPR Covid Trauma story or do you think I may be able to find it and watch it on YouTube?
Soooo happy to hear from you and know that some of your symptoms are improving and your healing is going in the right direction! 😊

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