My main symptom at this point is an annoying semi productive cough felt in my upper chest. I’m 68 with a BMI of 25 but mild hypertension. Should someone in my situation seek monoclonals at this point or just continue to self treat? I feel like the worst is over and I don’t need medical attention, but my BP is higher than normal since I caught covid, which is concerning, as well as my coughing. What should I be on the lookout for at this point?
I always suggest you seek the care of a physician who knows you.
In general I would seek -mabs because you are still with symptoms at day 9.
I hope you continue to feel better and fo well.
Keep an eye on your O2 saturation level, that will give you a good idea if pneumonia is creepy in. If your level drops to 90% or below, get to the ER. Your local drugstore or Walmart should have oximeters ($20-$40).
I am 10 years younger than you but same BMI, mild hypertension, had the unproductive cough, fever (99-101) and bad sore throat for 2-3 days. I ended up in the ER around day 10-11 with pneumonia in every lobe of both lungs in mid-December. I spent 7 days in the hospital.
My BP actually got very low and they stopped my BP medicine (Lisinopril-HCTZ) after the 2nd day in the hospital. My BP stayed below 140/90 for almost 2 weeks until it starting going up. I am back to taking my original dose and it is keeping it under control. The 10-12 pounds I lost during the sickness may have contributed to the lower BP, put about 10 lbs back on.
My heart rate during and after is a bit concerning. It has varied from 60’s to 120 but it seams to be stabilizing between 80-100, lately. I am finally getting back to normal as far as physical activity. Might even fire the chainsaw up later today and cut some wood for exercise.
On the 1st day in the hospital I was put on a 10 day course of a steroid (7 day IV and 3 day pill at home).
“Should someone in my situation seek monoclonals”
This is confusing. It was my understanding monoclonals were only for early treatment (1-4 days in). I had one good doctor for days 2-3 of my stay. He told me on day 2 I was too late for early treatment options; I was almost 2 weeks out from 1st symptom (fever). Then on day 3 he said my supplemental O2 requirement was increasing making me suitable for a clinical trial treatment, which turns out to be what this article describes.
I was giving one IV bag of Sarilumab, which is basically the same as what the article describes. I wasn’t aware this is considered a monoclonal and still not sure. The doctor told me I was the 3rd or 4th patient that he had used this on and all had good results, I agreed to take it. It is crazy expensive.
I can’t stress enough to keep an eye on your O2 saturation level. If you don’t have a finger meter get one now and regularly check yourself, especially if your level is declining. It can drop very fast into the danger zone (less than 88%).
I suspect you might be lucky and have the omicron variant which is not as likely to end up in pneumonia. Good luck and may God be on your side.