Omicron and monoclonal antibodies experience?
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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Sorry, meant to post it - https://www.npr.org/2022/01/21/1074872912/stress-uncertainty-and-isolation-are-common-pandemic-experiences-but-is-it-traum
Was planning on going in tomorrow, but the guidance about isolation is confusing. It says 5 days, if symptoms improved…that’s rather relative! Yes, my wicked sore throat and symptoms are improved, but not great. Mostly don’t want to risk exposing anyone. So, I’m going to take an antigen test and see. Unfortunately, the mayor, is a fabulous boss, but not in favor of remote work. So, don’t I’m not going to push it.
Thank you for being you and so wonderful! 🤗
@athenalee Perhaps your boss would be open to hearing about what you could accomplish with more remote/less on-site work, for say, a month or six weeks? In these times our employers need to look at all the angles!
Glad you are feeling better, day by day!
Ginger
Ever since my transplant in 2009, I find that it takes me longer to heal from a scrape, bruise, or even a common cold than it did before my transplant. I wonder if 5 days is cutting it too short for you, if that is the return to work guidance at your place of employment. I don't know a solution, I'm just thinking out loud.
Thank you Ginger. I agree…it’s tough though. Since I report to the Mayor, it’s sort of an equity issue amongst city employees.
It’s true, and I’m definitely not over this. So, I will call out tomorrow at least. The state actually reimburses Covid-related sick days, which is good as I need mine for doctor appointments! I appreciate your “thinking out loud!”
I’m glad your symptoms are improving and hope they continue to get better. I just heard that monoclonal antibody treatment may not provide much help for people with compromised immune systems. Also, it has been 24 days since I had any COVID symptoms but I tested positive last Thursday! My transplant doctor said this can happen with transplant patients. Has anyone else heard this?
Best wishes, Athenalee!
I’m glad your symptoms are gone! I was very sick, so happy I received the treatment, as I’m much improved. My transplant team also said that the monoclonal antibodies would over protection against Covid for 3-6 months..
The virus “pieces” can cause a positive PCR reading for three months after symptoms have stoped. CDC recommends an antigen test. I took one yesterday so I could return to work and it was negative. Yet, I still have a sore throat and fatigue.
Thanks for that information. I also learned that today from our state department of health, but I wasn’t told to use an antigen test. Good to know! Best wishes to you for a full recovery!
So sorry to hear that you've had "the plague". What a terrifying experience for us transplants! I'm wondering if the monoclonal antibodies you were given were the AstraZeneca Evusheld or something else. I heard about it on NPR this morning, that it was approved in December and that it provides about 6 months of protection from the virus. News to me! I hope you are feeling better everyday.
Thank you, me too as it continues to linger, on top of being stressed and paranoid of going back to my office tomorrow! The monoclonal antibodies one receives if you have Covid is sotrovimab. These were designed as after Omricon was hit the world, as the previous monoclonal antibodies didn’t work against the new variant. You can’t apparently receive Evusheld if you have Covid. You have to wait at least three months.
Be safe!