Just when you think it’s safe to go out, here comes Covid, once again. Al wasn’t feeling well last week, but we both thought it was a cold settling in.
Not so. By Friday, he was exhausted and slept all afternoon. And by evening, he asked me to give him a Covid test. Usually I’m the one who insists that I test him.
And, of course, it was positive. This led to calls to our PCP for a Paxlovid prescription and a frantic search online for a voucher to bring the price down. List price, even with a Good Rx coupon, was over $1500. Fortunately, he qualified for Pfizer’s PAXCESS® program, which brings the price to zero.
A good thing for me, too, because I tested positive on Sunday. In my case, the pharmacy price of Paxlovid was $366, but the voucher again zeroed it out. Not sure I understand the price differential. It’s outrageous, in any case.
Two doses later, I’m already feeling better, thankfully. On Sunday I was feeling achey, with chills and a dry cough. As I write on late Monday afternoon, my head is mostly clear, and I can breathe normally. No aches or chills. Just tired. Pretty good for 24 hours. The only downside of Paxlovid is the metallic taste in your mouth. But I’ll take that over Covid symptoms.
Moral of the story: stock up on Covid tests, be careful out there, and be sure to get the voucher if you need Paxlovid. Here’s the link.
Evelyn Herwitz blogs weekly about living fully with chronic disease, the inside of baseballs, turtles and frogs, J.S. Bach, the meaning of life and whatever else she happens to be thinking about at livingwithscleroderma.com. Please view Privacy Policy here.
Image: A.C.
I was stunned by the drug prices and really appreciate the heads-up about the vouchers. I’m so sorry to hear that you both are ill and I hope the recovery is speedy.