Monica Almeida believes Viagra 'definitely' saved her life
A nurse woke up from a 28-day coma caused by
Covid after medics tried an experimental treatment - Viagra.
Monica Almeida was admitted to Lincoln County Hospital in November and was just 72 hours from having her ventilator turned off when medics had the idea to use the erectile dysfunction drug.
The mother-of-two was placed in a coma on November 16 with her condition so severe, her parents were told to fly from Portugal to England to say their goodbyes.
"The respiratory nurse, from Gainsborough Linconshire, told
The Sun: "I had a little joke with the consultant after I came round because I knew him.
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"He told me it was the Viagra, I laughed and thought he was joking, but he said 'no, really, you've had a large dose of Viagra," Almeida, who was double vaccinated, said.
"It was my little Christmas miracle."
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Almeida, who treated Covid patients while working for NHS Lincolnshire, tested positive for the disease in October.
As a result of the effects of the Viagra, Almeida was able to make it home in time for Christmas eve, with her husband and sons.
The 37-year-old was given the drug on December 14, having earlier agreed to take part in experimental treatments before going into a coma.
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Almeida said it was "definitely the Viagra" that saved her.
"Within 48 hours it opened up my airwaves and my lungs started to respond," she explained.
"If you think how the drug works, it expands your blood vessels. I have asthma and my air sacks needed a little help."
Almeida urged people to take Covid more seriously and to get vaccinated: "I never expected at 37 years of age to get as ill as I did.
"I never thought this would happen to me and I want people to take it more seriously."
