Paxlovid: You'd have expected more
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Paxlovid: You'd have expected more
1–10 of 88 posts
Re: Paxlovid: You'd have expected more
#2Always enjoy Derek Lowe's writing.
n=1 here, though I've heard others say the same -- but I (fairly healthy 30s male, vaccinated) found Paxlovid massively reduced symptom intensity for me. Within a day my symptoms went from "top 5 fevers I've ever experienced, normal function significantly impaired" to "feels like a cold; can reasonably handle myself around the house and even take a software engineering interview".
I most likely would not have got a severe infection and probably would not have got Long Covid, given my age / health / vaccine status, even if I hadn't taken it; but nonetheless I'm glad I was able to get it. Definitely worth it for the weird taste (hard candy helps).
Re: Paxlovid: You'd have expected more
#3Checking GoodRX, Paxlovid ranges from $1,497 at CVS to $1,696 at Costco. Expensive for something that potentially has little effect.
Re: Paxlovid: You'd have expected more
#4I don't have any insight into hospitalizations, but as someone who was not vaccinated at the time I came down with COVID-19, Paxlovid was the difference between feeling utterly horrible and barely being able to get out of bed to being able to work remotely at full productivity. I took the first dose on the first morning and by the next morning the difference was night and day. I too experienced the bizarre changes in flavors, but that was a very small price to pay for immediately ending my symptoms. I still did the full quarantine duration, but the quality of life was so much better!
Re: Paxlovid: You'd have expected more
#5Always enjoy Derek Lowe's writing. n=1 here, though I've heard others say the same -- but I (fairly healthy 30s male, vaccinated) found Paxlovid massively reduced symptom intensity for me. Within a day my symptoms went from "top 5 fevers I've ever experienced, normal function significantly impaired" to "feels like a cold; can reasonably handle myself around the house and even take a software engineering interview". I…
n=2, same, generally healthy 28yo male, basically identical anecdote.
maybe technically n=3 since I've taken it twice!
Re: Paxlovid: You'd have expected more
#6Always enjoy Derek Lowe's writing. n=1 here, though I've heard others say the same -- but I (fairly healthy 30s male, vaccinated) found Paxlovid massively reduced symptom intensity for me. Within a day my symptoms went from "top 5 fevers I've ever experienced, normal function significantly impaired" to "feels like a cold; can reasonably handle myself around the house and even take a software engineering interview". I…
Both times I had COVID I went from "worst fever ever / my body feels like I've been hit my a bus" to "I have a pretty average cold" in less than 36 hours. Utterly bizarre. (Vaccinated, good health, 40s male)
Edit to clarify: I didn't take anything other than paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Re: Paxlovid: You'd have expected more
#7For most people now, the whole reason to take Paxlovid is the avoid long covid. The hospitalization risk is less of a concern. The article points out at the end that this drug has shown evidence of avoiding long covid.
Re: Paxlovid: You'd have expected more
#8I have quite a bit of anecdata that Paxlovid works very well in helping very sick elderly people stay out of the hospital.
Re: Paxlovid: You'd have expected more
#9Always enjoy Derek Lowe's writing. n=1 here, though I've heard others say the same -- but I (fairly healthy 30s male, vaccinated) found Paxlovid massively reduced symptom intensity for me. Within a day my symptoms went from "top 5 fevers I've ever experienced, normal function significantly impaired" to "feels like a cold; can reasonably handle myself around the house and even take a software engineering interview". I…
Interestingly I had the weird side effect of going from COVID fever to low body temperature by my 2nd-3rd day of Paxlovid. If I remember correctly, it was in 95F-96F range.
My doc advised to stop taking it, but after reading on Reddit that a few others had had similar experience, decided to finish the entire treatment.
Re: Paxlovid: You'd have expected more
#10I don't have any insight into hospitalizations, but as someone who was not vaccinated at the time I came down with COVID-19, Paxlovid was the difference between feeling utterly horrible and barely being able to get out of bed to being able to work remotely at full productivity. I took the first dose on the first morning and by the next morning the difference was night and day. I too experienced the bizarre changes in…
Same. I had one night of fever and incredible chills. Thought for sure I was going to get very sick. Got Paxlovid next day. Felt better the following day. It was like having a cold, and I don't think that would have happened without the Paxlovid.