After three years of boosters, carrying masks, and normal avoidance of something that felt “not secure,” I’ve lastly caught COVID. I am on day three of my Paxlovid prescription. And after what can solely be described as an out-of-character expertise that concerned me raging out, I am left to surprise if the medication prescribed to assist struggle my COVID may very well be the perpetrator behind the offended outburst I simply skilled.

Let me set the scene. I have been up all evening with a metallic style in my mouth and a headache. After lastly dozing off, I get up to the sound of the curtain rod falling in our bed room — it hung by a single screw for a month and was purported to be mounted earlier than guests arrived two weeks in the past. As an alternative, my 4-year-old simply pulled it down on prime of her head. I make it to the kitchen, the place I discover soiled dishes, outdated meals on the stovetop, and normal kitchen mess all over the place. I’ve spent my total journey with COVID to this point nonetheless making the meals and doing all of the clean-up. And, once more, I begin scrubbing dishes — this time in a less-than-quiet rage.

In walks my accomplice, who has been off for the size of my illness regardless of testing detrimental. I whirl round, ask him why he is standing behind me, after which snap at him to go away me alone. What follows is something however fairly. We storm by way of the home, yelling, cursing, and slamming. My poor empathetic 4-year-old, already upset and in a uncommon timeout, is now curled right into a ball in her chair, crying.

I ultimately settle down sufficient to go to our daughter and sit in her chair along with her. We cry and hug, squeezing oh-so-tight. I apologize. I really feel like an terrible, horrible mother. My accomplice, nonetheless seething within the basement, is muttering every kind of accusations about me — all really feel true within the second and could be true… if something like this had ever occurred. It hasn’t, although. Not ever. I am the mother who cries within the bathe or just imagines telling off her unhelpful accomplice whereas driving to Starbucks. I do not rage. I do not lose my sh*t.

So, as I cling to my daughter, I ponder, “What the precise f*ck is mistaken with me?” The quick reply: nothing. I used to be rational to be offended about these issues, however how I reacted was irrational and out of character. The longer reply: It may very well be COVID or the Paxlovid.

Are temper swings amongst Paxlovid’s uncomfortable side effects?

Medical doctors usually prescribe a drugs with a steroid in it to deal with unhealthy colds. Whereas these steroids is probably not within the actual dosages of somebody who makes use of them for figuring out, they’ll nonetheless set off a point of “roid rage.” Nevertheless, Paxlovid is not a steroid; it is an antiviral. Neither medicines that comprise Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir) have steroids in them.

The identified uncomfortable side effects of Paxlovid are:

• Metallic style within the mouth
• Diarrhea
• Normal unwell feeling
• Hypertension

(In the event you’re allergic to Paxlovid, you may have allergic response signs like hives, throat closing, wheezing, and so on.)

“Hypertension,” you say?

I haven’t got hypertension. As a matter of truth, my blood strain has sometimes run so low that it has stored me from attempting medication which may alleviate migraines. However I am not exaggerating after I say that in my outburst, I felt like my coronary heart was pounding out of my physique. Is there one thing there?

“There haven’t been any research clearly linking Paxlovid with acute psychological well being issues or temper swings,” says Dr. Ketan Parmar, a psychiatrist and psychological well being skilled at ClinicSpots. “Nevertheless, there are some research displaying that individuals who take Paxlovid expertise a rise in blood strain which may doubtlessly result in offended outbursts. This connection remains to be being researched, however it will be prudent for individuals taking Paxlovid to watch their blood strain fastidiously and search medical recommendation in the event that they expertise sudden modifications of their moods.”

Can COVID induce temper swings?

There’s truly a a lot greater case for this outburst being brought on not by Paxlovid however by the virus it is working towards, COVID.

“Research performed on people affected by the virus have discovered some proof suggesting that they could expertise acute psychological well being issues similar to melancholy, nervousness, and cognitive difficulties post-infection,” says Parmar. “Some analysis even means that these signs may very well be long-lasting. It’s also doable that folks may expertise sudden modifications in temper because of the sudden onset of signs. Nevertheless, it is very important observe that this proof is just not definitive and additional analysis must be performed to grasp the potential hyperlink between COVID-19 and temper swings.”

Whereas there’s precise science and chemical substances at play that counsel this may be the doable trigger for “mother loses her sh*t,” maybe it is value contemplating that it is one thing extra emotional. Whereas COVID or hypertension may simply have been contributing elements, we will not neglect the very actual situation of COVID fatigue.

Is COVID fatigue the true perpetrator?

“COVID fatigue” has develop into a placeholder for a lot of variations of COVID-related stress or stubbornness. And, I gotta let you know, this additionally looks as if a large contributing issue to my outburst.

Within the almost three years since we began listening to about COVID, our family has been uncovered to however not contracted COVID a number of occasions. It felt like a protecting bubble was round our household filled with medically fragile people for the final three years. All of a sudden, with a few coughs and an evening of fevers, that was ripped away.

“There’s some proof suggesting that the extended nature of the COVID-19 pandemic may very well be resulting in elevated ranges of stress and nervousness, in addition to emotions of anger,” shares Parmar. “This may very well be compounded by thousands and thousands having needed to stay beneath restrictions for nearly a yr. It’s doable that this elevated degree of stress, coupled with different elements similar to a rise in blood strain on account of taking Paxlovid or the sudden onset of signs from a COVID-19 an infection, may result in sudden modifications in temper or offended outbursts.”

There was lots to be offended in regards to the morning I misplaced it. I used to be sick. Our treasured Meme and Pop Pop had been now sick. My accomplice, who pays our mortgage, missed per week of labor. This record goes on. Any of these issues may have lastly pushed me across the bend. Most certainly, although, it was a mixture of all of them.

“In conclusion, there’s nonetheless restricted proof suggesting that both COVID-19 or Paxlovid may trigger temper swings or sudden outbursts of anger,” says Parmar. “Nevertheless, it is very important think about different potential causes, similar to COVID fatigue and the rise in blood strain brought on by taking Paxlovid. It’s also vital to notice that additional analysis must be performed to grasp the complete extent of this phenomenon.”

The most important takeaway?

Speak to your physician should you’re feeling overwhelmed. Earlier than COVID or after, with Paxlovid or after. In the event you’re feeling additional offended or unhappy, verify in with the physician who is aware of your medical historical past finest. The one surefire approach to make sure the medicines we’re taking proceed to work and the viruses we face are tackled appropriately is to ensure we’re reporting any “quirks.”

And at all times be sure you’re speaking your wants together with your accomplice. You may’t do that all by your self, particularly with COVID.