Should I take paxlovid?

[Anonymous]

I was on it within six hours of my positive test - went from feeling pretty crappy and running a 101 fever to feeling just a little poorly in 12 hours. The metallic taste disappeared after three days and, in reality, was no worse than what I sometimes had while taking biaxin or a similar antibiotic. I had no rebound and , after the first ten days, tested every other day for the next two weeks as I wanted to visit elderly family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the first time I got COVID in May 2021 I took Paxlovid and got a terrible rebound. It was worse than the initial infection. I don't know if it was the COVID or the Paxlovid but even after I was feeling better I had terrible stomach trouble and loss of appetite that took almost two months to resolve. I got COVID in May 2023 and it was a much milder infection, I did not take Paxlovid and was better within a week or two. I think it really is a gamble but given my experience with Paxlovid I will not take it again unless there is more evidence to show it prevents long covid or they fix this terrible rebound situation. I am 44 with two kids and live a very busy life. The whole experience in May 2021 really F'd up my entire summer. On the plus side I lost 10 pounds but that is the only positive. I probably had no business taking paxlovid in the first place. It doesn't sound like they have a whole lot of scientific proof that Paxlovid helps low risk people at all.

Paxlovid wasn't available in May 2021. But that was a really cool story anyway.

[Anonymous]

I had this debate with my doctor the other day, tested + Monday. I have some minor risk factors, but ended up opting against it. I had a horrible, lasting cough from a non-Covid illness a few months ago, and am really prone to horrible bronchitis. The cough from Covid was driving me insane within hours. Doc prescribed tussionex for me to help with the cough. If I had taken the Paxlovid I could not take the tussionex. So far I’m not regretting it. Cough is under control, and even loosening up. Congestion is pretty bad on and off but improving. Terrible earache on and off. Fever never above 101, no aches.

[Anonymous]

Your doctor recommended it. I’d do it. It lowered the viral load. How can that be bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the first time I got COVID in May 2021 I took Paxlovid and got a terrible rebound. It was worse than the initial infection. I don't know if it was the COVID or the Paxlovid but even after I was feeling better I had terrible stomach trouble and loss of appetite that took almost two months to resolve. I got COVID in May 2023 and it was a much milder infection, I did not take Paxlovid and was better within a week or two. I think it really is a gamble but given my experience with Paxlovid I will not take it again unless there is more evidence to show it prevents long covid or they fix this terrible rebound situation. I am 44 with two kids and live a very busy life. The whole experience in May 2021 really F'd up my entire summer. On the plus side I lost 10 pounds but that is the only positive. I probably had no business taking paxlovid in the first place. It doesn't sound like they have a whole lot of scientific proof that Paxlovid helps low risk people at all.

Paxlovid wasn't available in May 2021. But that was a really cool story anyway.

Wow you people on here are terrible. Sorry whoever this is...I made a mistake. It was May 2022. Very interesting you assume I am just telling a "story" rather than putting the wrong date. You are a piece of work.

[Anonymous]

Had covid for the first time in September 2022 and didn't take paxlovid. Never had a fever and felt exhausted but otherwise OK for about six days. Probably won't get paxlovid next time I get covid, either; I'd have to stop some cholesterol medicine I'm on, and I've had enough vaccine doses plus the prior infection that I wouldn't expect to be SICKER the second time than I was the first. The pax side effects sound, to me, like they'd be worse than my covid symptoms were.