Should I Continue with Paxlovid?
I am a 37-year-old female weighing 132 lbs from the United States and I have hypothyroidism. Currently, I’m on a regimen that includes Synthroid at a dosage of 125 mcg, a combination birth control pill (Noreth/ethin 1/20), and receive weekly injections of triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/mL) and heparin (10,000 units/mL) into my bladder for a duration of six weeks. On top of that, I was given Benzonatate capsules (200 mg) and Paxlovid tablets (300-100) due to a COVID-19 infection. I received the COVID-related medications just yesterday after starting to feel unwell on Friday, initially mistaking my symptoms for the flu since it's been circulating among my colleagues. I ended up at urgent care because my cough felt notably unusual, accompanied by an unsettling sense of shortness of breath. Last night, I took my first dose of Paxlovid; however, I’m uncertain whether it’s just my anxiety about my health or if I genuinely experienced side effects, as my throat seemed to swell slightly. This morning, it feels as though I’m having trouble swallowing fully. I am anxious about the possibility of my condition worsening and am wondering if it would be appropriate to discontinue Paxlovid at this point. Although I consider myself to be at low risk, I did experience pneumonia 15 years ago, which was quite severe. This marks the first time I have actually tested positive for COVID-19.
Answers (1)
3/19/2025, 1:30:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel anxious about your health, especially with new medications and concerning symptoms. You are currently managing multiple treatments alongside your COVID-19 infection, and it’s important to clarify your next steps regarding Paxlovid.
Key Points: Given your current symptoms of throat swelling and trouble swallowing, it's crucial to evaluate whether to continue Paxlovid. While Paxlovid is effective in reducing the severity of COVID-19, any concerning side effects need to be addressed urgently.
Explanation: Paxlovid is an antiviral medication prescribed to treat COVID-19. While many people tolerate it well, some can experience side effects, including allergic reactions, which may lead to symptoms like swelling of the throat. Since you’re also on other medications, it's essential to be cautious.
Next Steps:
-
Immediate Evaluation of Symptoms: Since you're experiencing throat swelling and difficulty swallowing, I recommend taking this very seriously. If these symptoms worsen, or if you have any trouble breathing, seek medical attention immediately.
-
Temporary Discontinuation Consideration: If your throat swelling feels significant, consider holding off on your next dose of Paxlovid until you can evaluate your symptoms further or speak with a healthcare professional.
-
Monitor Symptoms Closely: Keep track of any changes in your symptoms. If swelling improves and is mild, you might decide to continue Paxlovid later after monitoring for a short period without it.
-
Contact your healthcare provider: If you can, reach out to the healthcare provider who prescribed you Paxlovid for guidance on whether to continue based on your current symptoms.
-
Avoid self-diagnosis: Given you’ve also noted anxiety about your health, consider implementing calming techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or gentle activities that distract you, which can help manage anxiety amidst physical symptoms.
Please prioritize your safety and health by addressing any severe symptoms immediately. Let me know if you need any more information or support.
Related Questions
Privacy in Health Records for Alberta Teens: Navigating Birth Control Access
I am a 15-year-old girl, seeking guidance on how to obtain birth control without involving my parents. I created this new account for privacy reasons since my regular profile includes my personal details. I have some questions regarding the process of acquiring the pill in Alberta. I apologize if I am posting in the wrong forum, but it appears that r/Alberta restricts new users from posting. For a while, I've been considering starting birth control. Thankfully, I haven’t taken the step yet, but being 15 years old, I want to ensure I handle this correctly. My plan was to visit a local clinic after school to obtain a prescription and then fill it at a nearby pharmacy. Now, I’m anxious that if I receive this prescription, it will appear in my Alberta health account, potentially alerting my parents since they could see it just like my other prescriptions. Does anyone have suggestions on how I might discreetly approach this? Alternatively, I'm considering an IUD since it could provide a longer-term solution if I can find a way to get it inserted. Is it possible to order it online or perhaps ask a friend to help me, even if it's not entirely secure? I don’t mean to delve into a political discussion here, but it seems unfair that confidentiality can be compromised so easily!
Understanding Bilateral Adrenalectomy
Hello! I’m a 30-year-old female who has recently been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease after a thorough evaluation. My diagnosis followed a series of tests, including morning cortisol levels, ACTH testing, late-night saliva tests, a 24-hour urine analysis, IPSS, and a desmopressin stimulation assessment, all conducted by my endocrinologist. Despite undergoing two surgeries on my pituitary gland, my cortisol levels continue to be elevated. Unfortunately, due to other underlying health conditions, I cannot take medication, which leaves me with the option of a bilateral adrenalectomy. I have an appointment with a surgeon coming up soon. What should I anticipate regarding the procedure? Are there specific questions I should pose to my surgeon or ways to prepare myself? I am feeling quite anxious about this surgery, but I realize that I cannot continue to endure this situation. I feel exhausted, and Cushing's disease has severely impacted my overall well-being. I appreciate any insights you may offer.
Examining the Safe Use of Narcan in Healthy Individuals
As someone with red hair, I’ve come across studies suggesting that individuals with this hair color may have a higher tolerance for pain. I recently stumbled upon research discussing how an eccentric scientist administered naltrexone to some red mice, resulting in a reduction of their pain threshold to what is considered typical. This seemed to correlate with a gene that influences the body's opioid receptors. I'm curious about trying Narcan to determine if it has any noticeable effects—I'm not concerned about the placebo effect—but I'm uncertain if it would have adverse effects on me since I don’t have any opioid dependency. To give you an overview of my health profile: I’m a 27-year-old male, weigh 160 pounds, stand 6 feet tall, and I’m currently not on any medication nor do I have any history of medical issues. I appreciate any insights!
Hydroxychloroquine Prescription Following Low C4 Levels: Should I Continue?
Demographic Information: 19 years old, Assigned Female at Birth. Medical History: Diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), reactive gastropathy of unknown origin, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). Some of my healthcare professionals suspect mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), though I have not been formally diagnosed. Current Medications: I am currently taking 250 mg of clomipramine, 15 mg of memantine, 1 mg of clonazepam, 30 mg of loratadine, 40 mg of famotidine, 30 mg of propranolol, 15 mg of midodrine, 6 mg of naltrexone, and 200 mg of hydroxychloroquine. Additionally, I use iron and vitamin C supplements to address low ferritin levels and take 3 mg of melatonin as needed for sleep. Several months back, I consulted a rheumatologist upon recommendation due to unexplained rashes, joint swelling, and discomfort that couldn't be attributed to my current conditions (I initially believed they were linked to ME/CFS, but my ME specialist had doubts). Despite blood work showing no indicators of autoimmune disorders—such as normal levels for ESR, CRP, ANA, and RF—I was still referred to rheumatology. The rheumatologist conducted further extensive blood testing and subsequently prescribed hydroxychloroquine. He suggested I may have undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) but did not formally diagnose me. While I value his expertise, I want to ensure that I am only taking necessary medications. My apprehension stems from the fact that, among 18 blood tests performed, complement C4 was the only abnormality, which was recorded as slightly low. The battery of tests included assessments such as creatine kinase, a myomarker panel, HLA association panel (including celiac screening), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), complete blood count (CBC), ESR, CRP, anti-CCP, ANA, anti-dsDNA antibodies, anti-RNP antibodies, anti-Scl70 antibodies, anti-centromere antibodies, anti-Sm antibodies, anti-Ro antibodies, anti-La antibodies, and complement C3, alongside C4. I have been on hydroxychloroquine for three months and have noticed some improvements: although my fatigue persists, the rashes on my hands and wrists appear less severe, my fingers look slimmer, and joint pain has diminished. This does lend some reassurance about continuing the medication; however, I am concerned that these benefits could be attributed to either a placebo effect or the low-dose naltrexone rather than the hydroxychloroquine itself. My primary worry is the potential adverse effects of using hydroxychloroquine if it is not warranted for my condition. Are there specific signs I should monitor or indications suggesting that this medication might not be necessary? Should I alleviate my concerns, or is there reason to be cautious? Any insights would be immensely helpful, thank you!
Seeking Guidance on Hormonal Treatment as a Trans Man
I am a 21-year-old transgender man (FTM). About a year ago, I began receiving testosterone injections using a product called Testoviron, administered at a dosage of 125mg biweekly. During my most recent appointment with my endocrinologist, we chose to switch to an alternative injection called Nebido, which is a 250mg dose given every 12 weeks. My concern is whether extending the interval between these injections will slow my overall progress. Additionally, I've heard it may be necessary to have a second shot six weeks after the initial one to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. After reading some online, I noticed that this advice is common; however, I feel uncertain as my endocrinologist appears to have limited experience working with transgender patients. This has left me anxious about the potential effects of the hormonal therapy. I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice on this matter.