Hi @davecpep, lets hope all is okay with everyone going forwards. Please look after yourself and take care. I will update on here when I have more news.
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Hi @Erica and @davecpep just a quick update. My husband has had a faint positive line for the last two days using the lateral flow tests. Now having a home Pcr test but only has mild symptoms. I have a bit of a tight feeling in my throat which is only mild. Showing negative on the lateral flow tests which I have been doing twice a day. Been for a Pcr drive through test this morning hoping that we have all dodged a bullet.
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Oh @Margarett fingers crossed for you both, please let us know.
has anyone else been in contact with someone Covid positive?
Hi @Erica Just my son who has been isolating in our caravan. He tested positive on Tuesday this week. He works for a housing association as a joiner. He has to go into tenanted properties on a daily basis doing repairs. I will let you know how we get on and thank you.
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What on earth is the current position regarding the MHRA’s evaluation of AstraZenica Evusheld?
An article in the Mail on Sunday yesterday now quotes a Professor Liz Lightstone of Imperial College London stating that it is not likely to be rolled out in this country until next year.
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A good question @MANS643 I will copy this to @Alice_BloodCancerUK @BloodCancerUK to see if they have heard any more. Thanks
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Hi @davecpep , thank you for your concern. I am aware how to access help if I need it. As I previously said about my son testing positive and isolating in our caravan things have changed again. Myself and my husband both started with cold symptoms last week. He has tested positive Friday last week with both LFT and PCR tests. I am still testing negative. Hope you and your family are keeping well.
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Fingers crossed you continue to test negative @Margarett . My niece has returned to school having tested negative on consecutive days, though I am still keeping my distance for a few more days.So far so good. Keep in touch - it does help knowing others are experiencing the same sort of anxiety. My wife is amazingly supportive but I think it is hard for someone who isn’t particularly vulnerable themselves to totally “get it”. Take care
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Hi @davecpep, It it is very hard for family members to totally get it. My husband struggled at first but is more understanding now. At this time I am more scared than when I was diagnosed with blood cancer. But i have been in a covid positive household for about ten days and still testing negative. From information I have received it is a possibility that I might have a killer T cell response from the vaccinations that I have had even though i have not produced detectable antibodies. There are some studies going on to support this. Please take care and I hope that you and your family stay well.
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Hi @Margarett I hope you have stayed Covid free and that your son has recovered. I seem to have escaped this time. My niece came out of isolation on Monday though I have continued to be careful around her. Still no news of Evusheld though, apart from it being available in Egypt now as well! Take care.
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Hi @davecpep, Glad you seem to have escaped getting covid and your niece is well. Shame about the Evusheld not being approved for us yet. My son is now out of isolation and is doing well. I have continued to test negative even though I started with exactly the same symptoms at the same time as my husband who also tested positive. As I had symptoms I was told it was probably too late so to isolate together in our house while my son stayed in our caravan. The reason I was given was for not to double my chances of getting covid with two people testing positive in the house. It has been a very scary time. I had Rituximab which is a monoclonal antibody as part of my treatment for two and a half years. Although I have not got antibodies from my first three vaccines it has been suggested that I possibly have had an excellent T cell response. I only had my fourth vaccine three days before my son tested positive so it would not have worked in that time. I have spoken to Blood Cancer Uk and they have told me that there are studies going on regarding Rituximab patients and T cell responses. It appears that some people are able to kill the virus before they can test positive with lateral flow tests and pcr tests. Unfortunately it is too late for me to join as they are already underway. Hope you and your family stay safe and well.
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Hi @Margarett Glad you also are continuing to test positive and that your son is on the mend. I hope you husband makes a full recovery. I can certainly relate to how scary you’ve experienced this period. I also was treated with Rituximab (and chemo) between March and July last year for Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)/SLL. I have never really made the connection that this is also a monoclonal antibody - it is confusing! My understanding was that Rituximab would essentially take out the lymphocytes (whether cancerous or not). My blood counts have been really slow to recover and are still lagging below the norm, but I have been told not to expect the lymphocytes (which have a big role in producing antibodies apparently) to recover. I’ve never had an antibody test apart from one which would pick up antibodies developed after a covid infection, which wasn’t very helpful. Did you get your test privately? I have ummed and ahhed about getting one because I understand they won’t give a definitive answer. I believe that they don’t really say much about T cells (which as you say are potentially really important) though it is good to know that research is ongoing. Do you feel it’s been helpful to have the antibody test?
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Hi @davecpep, My husband is doing very well just tired. I had rituximab and chemo between February 2018 and July 2018 for non hodgkins lymphoma. This was followed by two years of maintenance Rituximab by injection every two months. Rituximab will wipe out rogue b cells and lower lymphocytes but hopefully will create a memory in your T cells to wipe out any rogue cells that come along after. I have been told that my lymphocytes may never fully recover. My family have joined an antibody study which is being carried out by University College London in conjunction with the NHS. This is a family study which might still be available. It is free and tells you if you have antibodies from either covid infection or the vaccine. I do feel that it has been helpful having the antibody test. At least you know where you stand. Unfortunately T cell testing is not part of the antibody tests. They will send out testing kits every two months. Here is the link if you would like to get involved. https://ucl-virus-watch.net/ Hope this helps take care and stay safe.
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Ah thanks for taking the time to reply in such detail @Margarett The study sounds really interesting, though I don’t feel it would be fair to pull the rest of the family in at this point, as they have a lot going on. Blood cells and the effects of particular drugs are still something of a mystery to me, though I know more than I used to and you have helped me a little more. I notice there is a new thread on Evusheld so I will be keeping an eye on that. Maybe some good news is just around the corner?! In the meantime I hope you stay safe and well and your family make a good recovery. Take care
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Hi @davecpep, thanks for your reply. Hope all goes well for you and your family. Lets hope we get news regarding Evosheld soon to help all of us feel a bit safer. Take care.
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Hi I’m new .I have CL ,had 4 jabs - no Antibodies .I’m reading that Evusheld could be the solution for us all , 80% effective against catching COVID lasting 12 months .
The government has bought but not approved .it’s already available in US .
Does anyone know how many have been bought ? And when we might receive?
Also why don’t NHS supply us with Pfizer antibody course in advance ( pre COVID ) ? It would provide me with confidence to Know I had a treatment if needed,.Allowing me to start leading my life again.
Thanks
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Welcome Mark62.
Hi I’m new here to, husband has myeloma.
Great question.
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Thank you so much for your question @Mark62 and welcome to the Forum, I am sure you will find the community very supportive.
It is understandable you have questions around the subject of Evusheld. This webpage touches upon the results so far of the PROVENT trial, which studied the efficacy and safety of the antibody combination AZD7442 in preventing Covid - Antibody and antiviral treatments for people with blood cancer | Blood Cancer UK
What we don’t have yet, is confirmation of when and how any monoclonal antibodies, such as those used in PROVENT, can be used as a preventative measure in the UK. We are aware that the US is making progress with this, making us more determined to understand the timelines, challenges and decision-making processes in the UK.
We are also aware that the PROVENT trial has been extended to assess its longevity and the effectiveness of this monoclonal antibody combination against the Omicron variant, so we are currently monitoring the data around this. Please be assured that we are in close conversation with the relevant stakeholders in the Government and the NHS, and we will continue to keep updating our social media and webpages around this as we learn more.
If you would like to discuss this further please do call the Support Services team: Blood cancer information and support by phone and email | Blood Cancer UK Kind regards Gemma
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Hi @Mark62 and @Ted369 a double great big welcome and a very good technical question that I certainly cannot answer.
I seen @GemmaBloodCancerUK has responded to you both.
I really look forward to hearing more about you both. Look after yourselves
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Many thanks Gemma .it’s frustrating Government and NHS are not communicating ,purchases and timeframes for availability . Why ?
I’m reading various reports suggesting 1 million doses of Evusheld have been purchased .
Regarding Paxlovid , why are we not receiving before catching COVID ? This would make a lot of sense and encourage us to get back to living .
Many thanks for your assistance
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