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Have you been able to get Evusheld? Or find where it is offered?
I am an immunocompromised rheumatoid arthritis patient. If you are immunocompromised have you been able to find the drug EVUSHELD. It is used to treat immunocompromised patients as a measure to help prevent COVID and its serious side effects. Major news outlets are reporting supplies at Mayo but no medical professional I have spoken with knows where to get it. It must be acquired with a prescription from a doctor. News media (Kaiser Health News, New York Times) also report that pharmacies and doctors have supplies that are going unused.
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Start inquiring with your primary care person. If no luck, find the contact number for the Mayo infusion unit that gives the antibody infusions given to high risk COVID sufferers. They are the one who will know where to get it.
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1 ReactionI have heard some primary care providers are reluctant to give the Evusheld, no matter the status of a patient's health or immune system status. It might be due to misunderstanding what we really need to get by in these times! This is when it is important to once again, advocate for yourself.
Ginger
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2 ReactionsThanks to all. I have an order for it already that's not my problem. My concern is for any unintended consequences... It's helpful to hear from folks who have had it and their experiences.
Good idea to wear eye protective glasses shields. I have some from a CERT class. Mine are not comfortable though.
Saw no one at UCLA Med center wearing protective eye covering. Everyone I saw wore only the most basic (least protective) surgical masks.
Since learning that covid virus can be received through the eyes I have stopped wearing any kind of eye makeup. Don’t want the possibility of it itching, then feeling tempted to touch my eyes.
Stay well, everyone!
For folks wondering where to get Evusheld, go to:
https://covid-19-therapeutics-locator-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/
Scroll down a bit, and when the map loads, go to the right hand box "therapeutics selector" and click on the box next to Evusheld. Then go to the search icon for the map and enter your zip code. You will see where (and how much) is available locally. You may need to try other towns/cities near you to find a supply.
I received Evusheld last Spring and m about to get my 6 month repeat. With the first round, I had to go to a hospital (new to me) 45 minutes away. To facilitate the process, I went to the hospital website and found information for clincians on how to order it, and got the order form to my PCP to complete and fax in. The hospital then called me to schedule it.
Because clinicians may not know about it and/or how to order it, this helps to get things in motion.
There is a lot on the Smart Patient's Sjogrens pages about Evusheld and lots of people have found the shots helpful with minimal side effects.
I am on rituximab and am very thankful to have this extra protection.
Best wishes!
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2 ReactionsConfirming. I had absolutely no side effects from Evusheld either.
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2 Reactionswhat did you find out regarding the side effects? I've not heard of any.
Actually one of the others here gave me some side effects. But the Doctor did say that’s why they suggested taking it six weeks before my event just incase. But the two side effects I was concerned about about for myself was fatigue and nausea. My fatigue / brain fog from my sjogrens is awful at many parts of my day and also mentioned nausea which I suffer with already and eating difficulties and have an ileostomy so that would be very difficult. The more I have read lately on the drug the less the side effects are mentioned . So I’m wondering if I should of been braver and took it. I needed to take it 6 weeks before my event I was concerned about. Now that’s here so I will just go masking and try to be cautious. I’m not sure what was right to do. I trusted my Doctor and appreciated him offering it. But just wasn’t sure. I think the discussion is still on this forum somewhere. I’m wondering know after reading more if I should of but I have had many side effects to medication.
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2 ReactionsI know. it's a tough situation to be in. I'm trying to weigh getting Eversheld, or just relying on Paxlovid if I get Covid. Personally I am of the belief that assaults, whatever they may be, to the immune system add up over time until there is something that breaks the Camel's back. In my case I'm convinced I developed PMR after the Covid vaccines as the final assault. As a result I won't get the boosters. I don't know what is right....... sigh
Hi Ginger, not sure whose misunderstanding you are referencing?
Yes, agree advocating is so important. Which doesn't always mean doctor is going o agree, but gives me a reasonable medical explanation as to why they may not.