A new anti-viral Covid treatment helped a Cumbernauld dad recover in time to see his daughter score a try in a rugby under-18 final at Murrayfield.
People in Lanarkshire with Covid-19 who have certain medical conditions are being offered new treatments to help manage symptoms and reduce more serious illness.
A number of eligible patients have received letters from the Scottish Government letting them know that because of the conditions they have, they may be eligible to receive one of the new treatments available for Covid-19.
Nearly 1300 people in Lanarkshire have been through the assessment process with over 800 of those receiving treatment since December 2021.
Mike Flynn, a 65-year-old martial arts teacher, originally from a small island Alameda, next to Oakland in the San Francisco Bay area but now residing in Cumbernauld since 2005, was eligible to take advantage of the treatment as he has chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Mike said: “I woke up on the morning of Monday 21 March with some flu-like symptoms including feeling muscle-tired and a sore throat so I went for a Covid-19 test. My daughter had tested positive a few days before.
“I got my positive test result back on the Tuesday morning. I had a letter from the NHS saying that I might be eligible for Covid treatment as I have a compromised immune system so I called the number that morning.
“The person I spoke to couldn’t have been more helpful and put me at ease. They said I would get a call back within a couple of hours from a clinician. By half ten I had a call back from a nurse practitioner who said based on the information I gave her, I would be eligible for this treatment and walked me through the steps.
“By half one, a courier had delivered the medication direct to my house and I took the first dose straight away. By the next morning I still had a sore throat but all my other symptoms had gone and I began feeling a lot better and could feel the benefit of the pills. It was magic.
“From start to finish, the process of getting this new treatment and then quick results of taking that treatment was easy. It was the perfect experience.
“There were two different types of pills that I had to take for five days, three pills in the morning and then three pills in the evening for a five-day course of treatment.
“I took my lateral flow tests on day six and seven and both were negative, so I was able to make it to see my daughter Nicole playing a rugby cup final at Murrayfield and the next day I was back teaching martial arts.
“My daughter Nicole plays rugby for Stirling County under-18 team and the national under-18 team. They were in the under-18 cup final against Edinburgh Harlequins and she scored the first try in a 69-12 win. That was nice to see.
“The following week she came off the bench to score the winning try for Scotland under-18s against Italy.
“It was a lucky break I was able to come out of Covid isolation in time to see my daughter score a try in the final. I think that was down to the treatment too for helping me recover so quickly.”
Mike, whose wife Julie is an advanced nurse practitioner at University Hospital Wishaw, would encourage others to get the treatment if they are eligible.
He added: “I had a great result and the process was so easy. I would encourage others who get the letter and qualify for treatment to take up the opportunity.
“I feel great now, back to doing my normal daily routine. I teach martial arts so I’m back doing that now. I’ve been teaching aikido martial arts in Chryston since 2005 and teaching professionally since 1982.
“I teach in the sports centre in Chryston on a Thursday night and there’s a UFC hall that I’ve been teaching in post lockdown that is a quiet space that has been working out great.”
Dr Lucy Munro, medical director for Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, said:
“I’d like to thank all the staff who have worked tirelessly to deliver this service during challenging times.
“These new treatments can help make Covid symptoms less severe, make complications less likely and are important in protecting people with very weakened immune systems.
“We advise those who have received letters to get tested as soon as possible if they develop symptoms and to contact the dedicated telephone number highlighted on the NHS Inform website. People who think they may be eligible but haven’t received a letter can check the website to find out if they have any of the conditions on the list.
“Most people who have received the Scottish Government letters and want treatment are making contact with us through the dedicated phone line.
“Getting vaccinated remains the most effective step people can take to protect themselves and reduce chances of becoming seriously ill with Covid. For those who still become infected, these treatments will help alleviate their symptoms, help their recovery and reduce the number of hospitalisations as a result of Covid.”
For more information on the additional Covid-19 treatment options, including accessing the treatment and the dedicated telephone number, visit the NHS Inform website.
