NHS email about Immunosuppressed and new drug

[CatAlice]

Sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody.
I've just had an email from the NHS telling me I would be eligable for one of the new drugs. I believ it has to be taken within 5 days of infection.
Apparently they are sending me a PCR test to have at home ready.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59721240

I've now spoken to someone. She's sending my information to my nearest hospital and they should contact me within 24 hours.

It's so slow.

We spoke to the prescribing service again this morning. They said the prescription they should have made on Friday wasn't made and they would do it this morning. Best way to guarantee getting them today is for us to collect in person which we can only do as luckily today is my first day out of covid isolation...but my partner is also now beyond the 5-day window for starting the drugs. It's been shambolic. I've made a complaint in the hope they will improve the service for others.

Did you get the medication @givemeanother? Hope so!

@PastMyBestBeforeDate thanks for asking. Yes we got it yesterday, it's after the 5 day period for starting it and didn't look like he was going to need any hospital support anyway. But be interesting to see if it helps take away the lingering aches/fatigue etc.

Ah that's good news that he's doing well. As you say, hopefully it will support a better recovery :)

I got the email too. NHS phoned me but unfortunately I had finished isolating 15 days before so they apologised and said they would have given me the medication.

@BeyondShrinks

Fao the welsh immunosuppressed...

Waiting for a PCR result and doing some googling, I have found this - gov.wales/covid-19-treatments - which talks about antivirals for us lot (only within the first five days though, and given the faff with tests atm I'm not holding my breath...) and this - gov.wales/written-statement-statement-deployment-covid-therapies-wales - which says a letter is on its way. At Christmas. 🙄

@BeyondShrinks did you ever get a letter? We’ve heard nothing but, given that the vaccine centre know nothing about a 4th dose, I’m not surprised Wales are still so far behind on the antiviral info.

Hello, I'm eligible for this but also pregnant. I can't find any information on whether it's safe. I have Covid now, but of a temperature and coughing but not struggling to breathe. What do you think? Should I get it? I have RA and am in a biologic

@theotherfossilsister - did you get the letter?

If not, then the best thing is probably to get on to your consultant for a referral to a CMDU (covid medication delivery unit) and see what if anything can still be done.

How long since the first day of symptoms? I think the cut off for prescribing is 5 days

Hi, I got the letter, yes, but they didn't know about.tje pregnancy when they sent it. I'm on day five today and actually feel loads better. I'm just scared the Covid might hurt the baby. Sitting up.in bed drinking lucozade and my partner has promised ramen for dinner which I think I can eat so maybe I don't need it afterall? I know one person who had it and recovered quickly but they were struggling to breathe.

I'm still scared that might happen to me on the turning day, seven or eight, but I have had three doses and feel better not worse

@theotherfossilsister if it's Molnupiravir you can't have it whilst pregnant you have to sign a form saying you will not get pregnant whilst using it and for 28 days afterwards. They won't give it you if you're pregnant

Thank you for this thread @CatAlice .

After reading through I rang 119 and eventually spoke to someone. They agreed my H is clinically extremely vulnerable and should have been sent the letter and are now sending a PCR test to keep at hand in case he gets Covid. Then they will send him the new antiviral meds if he tests positive.

So a big thank you as it seems he had been missed.