Covid Treatment – Antibody Infusion
During today’s televisit, the Dr suggested that I consider antibody infusion therapy. Her reasoning was that she had seen a number of patients, even those with mild cases like mine, take a turn for the worse about Day 8. My risk factors made her think that 1: It was important to consider therapy and 2: I would very likely qualify for some of a limited supply.
The infusion itself was 20 minutes. Getting settled into the recliner with pillows and getting the minor stick for the IV took less than 10 minutes and when the infusion finished, the nurse set a timer for 59 minutes so they could monitor for reactions.
Should I be concerned about this sudden pain?
I didn’t notice any side effects after the infusion, but I did have a scare in the middle. It lasted maybe 30 seconds and then it was gone. First I felt a sharp pain in my left shoulder, then it crossed my chest and hit the right shoulder. Very quick, but intense.
I thought it might be a cardiac event and briefly wondered if I should call the nurse who was sitting right outside the door. I decided I better say something while I could and said almost too quietly – “Hey”.
She responded instantly – “did you call me?”
“Yes”
And in between the 2 sentences of that conversation, the pain hit both hips at the same time, making me feel like a butterfly pinned to the recliner. I told her what was happening and she unplugged the O2 cord, grabbed the pillow fort around me and asked if I could stand. I could. And just like that the pains were gone.
The infusion was half finished and since I didn’t seem any worse for wear – all the vitals showing on the machine had not changed at all, I tucked back in and finished up.
Infusion results
I can’t say that the infusion suddenly made me feel better because I really didn’t feel too bad before. I’m glad for the prevention it might have provided and I appreciate that I might have some extra immunity now until I can get boosted. BTW – with this infusion I have to wait 90 days for a booster.