Has anyone taken an antiviral for the flu? I tested positive for Flu A and have only had symptoms for 24 hours so I’m eligible. Not sure I want to go through the hassle but was curious if anyone found one effective or if there was any blood sugar effect from the antiviral (though possibly hard to disentangle from the effect of the flu itself) Thanks
9 Likes
Have not, but in general “diabetes affects everything and everything affects diabetes.”
Many medications can cause glucose levels to rise. For me it’s steroids. They cause my glucose to rise to insane levels.
4 Likes
I have not taken antivirals but I was really sick with the flu going around and wish I HAD remembered to ask for Tamiflu!!
5 Likes
Huh. I didn’t realize that there were flu antivirals. I do get an annual vaccine and can’t actually remember the last time that I had the flu. I would be curious to try it, but it’s probably not on my government health plan so I doubt that I would spend the money.
Did you go for it? How are you feeling now?
1 Like
I ended up not seeking an antiviral and my flu turned out to be mild. No fever. Runny nose for several days. Extreme fatigue for maybe one day and that was about it. Would not have known it was flu if I hadn’t taken a home antigen test. High glucose but not super high. I had gotten the flu vaccine around Halloween.
I’ll try to remember to ask my primary care doctor about when an antiviral is warranted at my next appointment. I took Paxlovid a couple times when I had Covid as a precaution. Not sure to what degree Paxlovid is still recommended. It’s been a couple years.
I remember a doctor saying something like wait and see if it’s bad and then take Paxlovid if you need to which seemed absurd to me as I believe all these antivirals are best taken early.
1 Like
Glad to hear your flu was mild. Again, I have learned something: I did not know that you could do a home antigen test. I have been blessed with no flu and no Covid so remain ignorant.
I agree with you about not waiting. Best to be proactive.
2 Likes
T1D for 35 years here — When I had the H1N1 flu in 2009, I made it to my primary care doctor in time to be given a prescription for Relenza. I went from feeling like death with a 103 fever, to feeling pretty OK in maybe 3 days max. Whereas everyone else I knew, who had the same flu at the same time, was much sicker for much longer.
I don’t recall whether the Relenza affected my blood sugar, to be honest. But even if it had, I’d still say it was 100% worth taking, considering how quickly I recovered!
4 Likes