15 replies to this topic

[Dorian Grey]

With omicron sweeping the globe, I expect many of us will have some experiences to relate.  Wife & I just wrapping up our omicron adventure, so I'll get started.  

 

Background: We're both 65, not overweight, no comorbidities.  Wife was fully vaxed & boosted (in October) with Pfizer; I got J&J in April & November.  

 

Wife had a major workplace 6 hour exposure on Dec 27, in operating room where she works.  Everyone wearing new masks, properly fitted.  Air exchange in the OR is 50% outside air, with 50% HEPA filtered recirculated.  Surgical tech was working sick with minor symptoms of head cold.  They had minimal close contact, with tech at surgical field, & wife at computer terminal with minimal interaction to do counts.  

 

Wife was notified Dec 29th the tech had tested positive the day after the case.  Took 12mg ivermectin when she got home.  I had been on low dose hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis of one or two 200mg tabs per week + zinc, Zelenko/McCullough protocol.  

 

Wife started getting some minor post nasal drip around New Years, & went in for a test.  Positive result came January 4th.  

 

She started on 200mg/day HCQ + 50mg/zinc sulfate.  I bumped up to 400mg HCQ/day + 50 of zinc sulfate.  We had been on 5000 IU Vitamin-D/day, & bumped this up to 10K/day.  We really didn't do a whole lot more, other than routine Vitamins B-Complex, C & E; though I did have some zinc acetate lozenges that we tried to do a couple of times a day.  

 

Wife's symptoms were so mild, it was hard to get serious with the betadine nasal flushes, though we did try this once.  I was prepared for the inflammation stage with NAC, NAD, Curcumin & Quercetin, & we did start to phase these in around day 5.  

 

Wife couldn't believe this was really COVID, so we did a lateral flow rapid-test, which came back positive.  We didn't have a test for me, and the lines were so long at the public testing sites, I just hung tough and waited for my own symptoms to arrive.  They never did!  

 

Wife's symptoms largely resolved around day 7, though the post nasal drip had irritated her glottis, & she had a minor cough & was clearing her throat often.  I never did experience anything at all.  We did not attempt to isolate, as by the time she had tested positive, we had been together full time, with her symptomatic for several days.  

 

She was feeling so good by this weekend, she wanted to get out of the house.  Did another rapid-test, which came back positive again.  Finally tested negative today.  

 

We will be celebrating our new life, with both vaccine and natural immunity tomorrow.  Omicron was the biggest nothing-burger ever.  Not nearly as bad as a head cold.  We're both still on anti-inflammaitories and blood thinners (Vitamin-E and aspirin), weary of clotting issues. 

 

Was it the vaccines?  Boosters?  HCQ + Zinc?  Don't know, but we're both astonished at how mild omicron really was.  

 

Dread-nought the omicron.  The killer coronavirus seems to have morphed back into a common cold!  

 

 

[Daniel Cooper]

I know about 5 people that got the omicron variant in the last two weeks. Symptoms have been very mild (mainly a sore throat) and they have returned to work at about the 1 week mark.

 

I'm pretty certain that we will all get omicron or a successor variant at some point. Fortunately, it is in the nature of all viral pandemics for the virus to evolve naturally to a more transmissible and less lethal form. And in the past that generally happened over about a 2-3 year time span.

 

I'm hopeful we are now in the end stage of this pandemic.

 

Congratulations on your natural immunity.

[Mind]

Your case sounds like the majority of COVID cases, no matter the variant. It is only a small subset of people with co-morbidities that have severe cases.

 

Now you have comprehensive strong natural immunity. Me too.

 

 

[Daniel Cooper]

I'm going to disagree slightly and say that the severity of omicron is noticeably less.

 

I knew guys that were young (30s) with no co-mobilities that had the early variants of covid. They were never in danger of dying or even hospitalization, but they were very sick for a couple of weeks. All of the people that I know of with omicron have gotten better in a week or less with very mild symptoms. And some of those were older with less robust health.

 

This pandemic has been hyped. It's not the seasonal flu, but neither is it the 1918 pandemic or the bubonic plague. Hopefully we will now see things start to wind down now.

 

The interesting thing to see is, if this is the end stage of the pandemic, how many people will be willing to let go and return to normal. Most of us long for normality. But I've noticed a subset of people that really don't seem to want to see the end of the pandemic, though they would probably never admit it. But they are unwilling to hear any good news about an improving situation. I think wearing the masks and doing all the other covid rituals gave them some sort of purpose and sense of belonging. I think if this thing does wind down you're going to see a small percentage of people that keep wearing the masks, even alone in their cars or when walking in the park. It's going to be interesting to watch.

 

 

[Mind]

 

 

I knew guys that were young (30s) with no co-mobilities that had the early variants of covid. They were never in danger of dying or even hospitalization, but they were very sick for a couple of weeks. All of the people that I know of with omicron have gotten better in a week or less with very mild symptoms. And some of those were older with less robust health.

 

From what I have seen in my circle of acquaintances is that the variants are fairly similar. Since many of them recently did not get a test of which variant (quite common), it makes it difficult to say which is more severe. According to initial data, the omicron variant is milder, however, there are still a lot of people in the hospital (way more than last year), so the final assessment is not in yet.

 

With regards to young healthy people getting bad cases of COVID, I have to try hard to not be influenced by the hysteria over the last 2 years.

 

When I was younger, did I get bad cases of respiratory illnesses? Yes. About once per decade.

 

Am I aware of young people getting bad cases of respiratory illnesses from past years/decades? Yes

 

We know from the literature that younger cohorts have died (every year) from flu-like illnesses. Are the numbers higher in the last two years? Initial data says yes, but it is not like it has never happened before.

 

In regards to the overall mortality rate from this illness, I have to keep reminding myself that the obesity (and overall poor health) epidemic has grown almost out of control in the U.S. in recent years, meaning the population has gotten more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses.

[geo12the]

I don't think I have shared my own potential COVID experience here.  I am not 100% sure but I think my spouse and I got COVID in January of 2020 before anyone knew anything about it. We got a nasty virus, spouse got it much worse than me with high fever,  that we thought was the flu but many of the symptoms were COVID symptoms (I got COVID toes). Many acquaintances and friends I've told this to say the same thing happened to them.  

[Daniel Cooper]

I don't think I have shared my own potential COVID experience here.  I am not 100% sure but I think my spouse and I got COVID in January of 2020 before anyone knew anything about it. We got a nasty virus, spouse got it much worse than me with high fever,  that we thought was the flu but many of the symptoms were COVID symptoms (I got COVID toes). Many acquaintances and friends I've told this to say the same thing happened to them.  

 

I had a very similar thing happen to me in early/mid Feburary.

 

We had a co-worker come back from a week long company event in California. Shortly after arriving back he got very sick. In short order, somewhere between a third and half of our site were out sick. It was a very bad respiratory infection and one guy was bad enough he thought about but ultimately did not go to the hospital. Some guys took nearly a month to get more or less back to normal. One person had a lingering cough for a several months.

 

I was very sick for several days. Sicker than I can remember going back some time. Severe respiratory infection. Fever. Chills. etc. But, I was mostly well after maybe a week and a half.  It was a notably bad viral infection.  And we did have one coworker that got "covid toes" as well, but my recollection is that he was not severely sick otherwise.

 

But, that said - I donated blood late that same year. The Red Cross was screening for covid antibodies since they were using that blood for convalescent plasma to treat severe covid patients. My blood did not show covid antibodies. This was at the very end of the year, so 10 months after I was ill.

 

I had wondered whether we had been infected with covid. I'm certain the virus was in California about the time frame our coworker was there. And it was a very severe respiratory infection and very contagious. I don't recall seeing something like that run through an office setting so rapidly before. But, no antibodies shown in a test 10 months later, so who knows. I haven't looked into how accurate those tests are versus time from infection.

Edited by Daniel Cooper, 19 January 2022 - 05:52 PM.

[Mind]

I had a very similar thing happen to me in early/mid Feburary.

 

We had a co-worker come back from a week long company event in California. Shortly after arriving back he got very sick. In short order, somewhere between a third and half of our site were out sick. It was a very bad respiratory infection and one guy was bad enough he thought about but ultimately did not go to the hospital. Some guys took nearly a month to get more or less back to normal. One person had a lingering cough for a several months.

 

I was very sick for several days. Sicker than I can remember going back some time. Severe respiratory infection. Fever. Chills. etc. But, I was mostly well after maybe a week and a half.  It was a notably bad viral infection.  And we did have one coworker that got "covid toes" as well, but my recollection is that he was not severely sick otherwise.

 

But, that said - I donated blood late that same year. The Red Cross was screening for covid antibodies since they were using that blood for convalescent plasma to treat severe covid patients. My blood did not show covid antibodies. This was at the very end of the year, so 10 months after I was ill.

 

I had wondered whether we had been infected with covid. I'm certain the virus was in California about the time frame our coworker was there. And it was a very severe respiratory infection and very contagious. I don't recall seeing something like that run through an office setting so rapidly before. But, no antibodies shown in a test 10 months later, so who knows. I haven't looked into how accurate those tests are versus time from infection.

 

Same with me. Same time frame. Developed after I traveled to Florida and mingled with many people from around the world. The illness in February of 2020 was much worse than the COVID I experienced.

[Dorian Grey]

An interesting postscript. 

I went off HCQ ten days after my exposure.  30 hours later, I got a sinus headache.  Restarted HCQ & it vanished. 

Don’t believe this was a virus flare, but inflammatory response from left over viral debris.

I recommend staying on what ever anti-inflammatory therapeutic you choose for a full 30 days after exposure. 

 

Post COVID inflammatory syndrome is real (ask Bob Saget).

[sensei]

Your case sounds like the majority of COVID cases, no matter the variant. It is only a small subset of people with co-morbidities that have severe cases.

Now you have comprehensive strong natural immunity. Me too.

I had the Delta strain in Sep 2021.

49yo, 5'10, 200lbs at the time, no comorbidities. Only possible tie in to severe symptoms is I have MS. I suspect I have a chronically activated NLRP3 inflammasome.

24 Days of hell.

Water diarrhea, not watery, water. Fever got up to 104.6 with bloody cough & COVID PNEUMONIA, however, the hospital was so full of critical patients I was sent home and told to come back if worse.

Studies indicate the more severe infection, the greater IGM antibody levels.

Here is a link that states infection more protective than vaccine.

https://www.reuters....-us-2022-01-19/


I believe it. Since infection and recovery, I have been exposed at least 4 times that I know of, with no resulting symptoms.

[Dorian Grey]

COVID 2, the sequel!  

 

Got a scratchy throat Sunday, & thought nothing of it.  Had been running the AC, & thought that might have dried me out as I slept.  Woke up Monday with a very scratchy throat and fever of 100.2.  Did a rapid-flow test and pulled a positive.  Time to try out the quinine I got from overseas pharmacy (300mg Ipca Labs). 

 

I wanted to switch from HCQ to quinine for several reasons; one being the much shorter half-life of 12 hours, as opposed to 30 days for HCQ.  Quinine is also organic form Chloroquine, which may be a superior zinc ionophore compared to HCQ.  

 

https://www.longecit...inc-ionophores/

 

The landmark 2005 study: "Chloroquine is a potent inhibitor of SARS coronavirus infection and spread" was also done with chloroquine, not HCQ.  Quinine has also been looked at as a potential treatment for COVID, so we're not in totally uncharted waters: 

 

https://pubmed.ncbi....h.gov/34908881/

 

Potential of Quinine Sulfate for COVID-19 Treatment and Its Safety Profile: Review

 

First thing I noticed when starting on the quinine was tinnitus, which is expected.  I also felt a bit tippy (balance) which is also a known side effect.  I was taking 300mg twice a day, with 50mg zinc sulfate.  

 

Long story short...  After two unpleasant days of fever, anorexia, & scratchy throat (my only symptoms) I woke up on Wednesday feeling frisky & fine, with my temp down to normal.  I was going to be good and continue to isolate for the rest of the week, but wound up going to a drive-through for lunch & coffee.

 

Dorian gives TWO THUMBS-UP to the modified Zelenko protocol, substituting quinine for HCQ.  My second experience with the plague of the century being just 2 rough days of fever & scratchy throat.  

[Dorian Grey]

An interesting side note...  I emailed my GP yesterday morning (day 3 of symptoms) and asked about Paxlovid (must be started within 5 days); not for me, but for my wife, as I'm a bit reticent to give her my experimental forbidden fruit, and I fear she may have already been infected by me.  

 

Today at Noon, he replied back, asking for specific dates; this after I told him about symptom onset Sunday and positive test on Tuesday morning.  He waits over 24 hours, and says he needs the dates for Sunday & Tuesday, so I reply & tell him ahh, that would be September 10th and 12th!  Still haven't heard back from him today, which would be day 4 of symptoms, if I had not already resolved my malaise with quinine & zinc.  

 

They say Paxlovid shows some benefit up to 5 days after symptom onset, but I can't help but think anything after 3 or 4 days would be of little value. We'll see if we can get the Pax on day 5 I guess.  

 

We live in interesting times!   

Edited by Dorian Grey, 13 September 2023 - 09:45 PM.

[Dorian Grey]

OK, went off quinine + zinc the day my fever broke, & have been doing great.  Interesting though I've been having trouble at night with sinus drainage and scratchy throat, that mysteriously resolves by dawn.  I believe the sinuses are a possible reservoir harbor for residual virus for a few days post symptomatic infection.  I recall an ENT doc once told me sinus infections were difficult to treat, as there is minimal blood flow to the membranes lining the sinus.  I recall my wife talking about persistent post-nasal sinus drainage after her COVID in January 2022.  

 

Interestingly, my wife has not been infected, even though we sat across from each other at a very small table for 2 on Sunday, when I had been noticing my scratchy throat all day.  Fever didn't start till Monday.  I'd heard the debate about asymptomatic spread, or lack thereof, & this indicates to me one probably isn't contagious unless feverish?  

 

On the Paxlovid front.  My GP finally came through at 5:06 PM on day 4 with the scrip called in.  I was home for the day, so I'll be picking it up today (day 5).  I called the pharmacy to insure they would bring it out for a curbside pickup, & they fudged at first.  Said if I wore a mask & sanitized my hands before I came in, I could pick up inside the store?  You want me to come inside with COVID?  After a brief consultation, they changed their minds, & said they could run it out to the curb.  Interesting also...  There was no co-pay.  It was free.  Probably because it is worthless I thought!  I shall save this for the wife, when it's her turn, as I'm a bit reticent to offer up my quinine therapy to others at this point.  At least she'll be able to get started on it in a timely manner.  

Edited by Dorian Grey, 14 September 2023 - 03:46 PM.

[Dorian Grey]

It's FRIDAY!!!  Spent my first night without the phantom / midnight sinus & scratchy throat issue.  Finally back to 100%.  

 

I wanted to add, I was using zinc lozenges in addition to my quinine & zinc sulfate.  As this COVID first appeared as a scratchy throat, I feel treating it topically with zinc may have been a substantial factor. 

 

I'm not too keen on gargles (which last only a few seconds), but each zinc lozenge takes 30 minutes to dissolve, and if you don't wash it down with fluid, the taste stays in my mouth for an additional 15 minutes or so.  45 minutes topical several times/day better than a few seconds gargling no?  

 

Apparently the type of zinc is very important, with zinc "acetate" penetrating tissues topically much better than any other form.  Life Extension is one of the few brands available as zinc acetate, & this is what I used: 

 

https://www.lifeexte...d-zinc-lozenges

 

Life Extension also sells zinc lozenges which are NOT zinc acetate, so be sure you get the right one, which is Life Extension "ENHANCED" Zinc Lozenges (Peppermint).  

 

Chris Masterjohn talks about the importance of zinc acetate in his How to Kill a Cold with Zinc video here: 

 

https://youtu.be/-ZA...V_Zteg5Hu6dmJ9u

 

Here's a summary of my latest COVID adventure:  

 

Sunday 9/10: Scratchy throat all day, but feeling fine.  Went out to dinner Sunday night & sat across a very small table with wife for an hour while we had dinner (indoors) and talked.  Note, the wife still hasn't come down with COVID, so transmission unlikely until fever appears, even with minor symptoms occurring.  

 

Monday 9/11: Woke up with very scratchy throat and fever 100.2.  Started immediately on Quinine 300mg twice/day, zinc sulfate 50mg/day, and zinc acetate lozenges (morning afternoon & night)

 

Tested Positive Tuesday morning

 

Tuesday 9/12: Fever up to 101.6.  Continued protocol till Wednesday morning when I woke up with normal temp of 98.4, where I discontinued quinine & oral zinc.  

 

NOTE: I only took a grand total of 4 of my 300mg quinine tabs over the 2 days I was acutely ill, but apparently, if you start early enough, you can nip this bug in the bud.  I don't think I would have been so lucky if I had waited another day.  

 

Wednesday & Thursday 9/13-14: I had sinus drainage which irritated my throat that occurred only in the middle of the night.  Strangely enough, both days I woke up feeling fine.  

 

Friday 9/15: First day back to 100%.  Life is Good again!  Grand Total: 2 bad days, and 3 days with minor symptoms.  

 

I really can't imagine what this COVID might have been like if I had gone with my GP, who couldn't seem to get me some Paxlovid until day 4 after symptoms began.  Hitting it Hard & early is what got me back in fighting shape for the weekend. 

 

Special thanks to Dr Zelenko, for all his good work spreading the word about early treatment.  We need a statue of him at a future COVID memorial site.  

Edited by Dorian Grey, 15 September 2023 - 04:19 PM.

[joesixpack]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I have had 2 similar bouts in the past month. It started with the scratchy sore throat both times. I had a very slight fever, almost not noticeable, and felt light headed.

 

I used the FLCCC protocol both times, and most symptoms gone by day three of the 5 day protocol. I read a recent article that indicated the current variant has different symptoms that now include sore throat and fever, but no cough or loss of sense of smell.

 

And, I don't think I was contagious, as my wife did not catch it from me either time.

[Dorian Grey]

Thanks for the input JoeSix.  Good to hear you shook off the plague in just 3 days.  I had been wondering if all our research, supplements & scrounging for gray market therapeutics really made a difference, or if perhaps omicron was simply such a wimpy variant, we might have done just as well with chicken soup, & Tylenol, or perhaps Paxlovid.  

 

Came across this on MedScape today.   The latest research results on therapeutics for omicron, & their relative effectiveness.  

 

https://www.medscape...warticle/996580

 

Paxlovid and Lagevrio Benefit COVID Outpatients in Omicron Era

 

On Page 2, I found: 

Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was associated with a reduction in hospitalization caused by COVID-19 of 0.7% versus 1.2% (moderate certainty of evidence [COE]) and a reduction in all-cause mortality of less than 0.1% versus 0.2% (moderate COE).

 

Molnupiravir led to a higher recovery rate of 31.8% versus 22.6% (moderate COE) and a reduced time to recovery of 9 versus 15 median days (moderate COE). It had no effect, however, on all-cause mortality: 0.02% versus 0.04% (moderate COE). Nor did it affect the incidence of serious adverse events: 0.4% versus 0.3% (moderate COE).

--------------------------

Wait...  What???  Time to recovery reduced from median of 15 days to 9???   Who the heck is sick with omicron for 2 weeks?  And 9 days of symptoms with their medicine???  YIKES!  

Interesting they didn't mention reduction in days of illness with Paxlovid.  Could it be because rebound infections stretched the symptomatic days closer to a month rather than a week, or in our case 2-3 rough days?  

Incredible to believe they are bragging about how well the new patent medicines are working.  I'd be crushed if I was going into my second week sick with omicron, rather than heading out to lunch, which is what I'll be doing in about 5 minutes.