My mother has been battling COVID for about 6 days. She's a strong lady but she just called sobbing. She said everything hurts and pain is a 9.
She has Multiple Sclerosis so we always knew that WHEN she got COVID it would be tough. She is unvaxxed. She has been taking Hydroxychloroquine and zinc... And just took some Ivermectin.
Is there anything else we could/should be doing? IV Fluids? Monoclonal Antibodies?
Thanks.
Does your Mom have any other worsening symptom of MS, for example, weakness on one side, difficulty walking, worsening numbness?
Any systemic infection (such as viral infection) can trigger an MS attack. Or make pre-existing symptoms worse. The pain/ sensory symptoms are the hardest to figure out if they're attacks or worsening of pre-existing symptoms. However increasing numbness especially in most limbs and the trunk suggests a spinal cord attack of MS, as does difficulty walking or weakness of one or more limbs.
If likely an attack, perhaps either OUTPATIENT (not inpatient!) or even HOME infusion of intravenous steroids (such as Solumedrol) may help, as ordered by her neurologist. Im sure she has a neurologist who diagnosed and is treating her MS.
Some protocols for MS attacks use large doses of tablet steroids - but be prepared for her to take large numbers of tables for the first few days.
With steroids proton pump inhibitors or any stomach acid-reducing medication is usually prescribed. Should also increase Calcium + Vitamin D use while on steroids. Some people get a boost of energy with large steroid doses, which is probably not a bad thing if you're feeling poorly from illness.
Someone suggested Ibuprofen in large doses here. Be careful not to go over 800 mg on a single a dose, always take NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen) with food, and never take such large doses more than a few days. Watch for stomach lining irritation (gastritis).
Some of the non-traditional anti seizure medications such as Gabapentin and Levetiracetam are used for increasing pain from MS - these have excellent side effects profiles, usually minimal except for potential drowsiness.
Not medical advice, but I did treat MS.
Very helpful.