Symptoms getting worse - anyone else?

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

I’ve been dry coughing for a few days now, not really felt like I have a temperature, just decided to ride it out and look after myself. This morning I have started coughing up gunk, my chest is even tighter and I get out of breath really quickly. I don’t want to be a burden on 111, and my own GP is closed. I am still ok to ride it out and look after myself aren’t I? I’m young and healthy usually and I don’t want to take up any resources for those who need it.

[Woodlandtrain]

I would continue to manage at home for now but if your breathing gets worse then call 111. That's the main thing they'll be checking I think that you're still breathing well enough to cope at home. Do you feel like if this is as bad as it gets you'll manage ok? Hopefully this is the worst of the illness for you and you'll feel better after a few days rest.

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

Yes if this is as bad as it gets I can manage at home fine. I have to stop after walking up the stairs (usually I run up them fine) and half way through a sentence. It’s a bit painful in my lungs but I can manage as long as it doesn’t get worse!

[MyDcAreMarvel]

111 online has a symptom checker that tells you when you need to do more. Take care of yourself

[Lovemusic33]

I have been similar, had a cough for a few days, woke up coughing in the night (dry cough) and I seem to be getting out of breath easily, I don’t feel really ill though, slight temp occasionally but no aches of flue like symptoms. Not sure if it’s just a cold plus I get hey fever so that could effect my breathing. I’m just staying home (isolating) and hoping this is as bad as it gets.

[ComtesseDeSpair]

Keep drinking fluids and rest. NHS 111 won’t give you any other advice except to monitor your symptoms and call back if you get worse or are struggling to breathe at all. Save their capacity if you can continue treating yourself.

[Charlottejade89]

Sorry to jump on this thread, me and my partner both abit confused about the cough. Our daughter was coughing for a while after we put her to bed last night, and then again abit this morning. Since then nothing, so we arent sure if this is classed as a persistent cough and we should self isolate or not? we are all staying home except for work but we are both key workers so we do t want to stay off if it's nothing but similarly dont want risk infecting people! thank you

[Lovemusic33]

Charlotte I think as long as she isn’t coughing now and has not had a temperature than it’s not likely to be CV (or so they are telling us). She may have just had something in her throat last night making her cough.

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

The 111 online symptom checker told me to ring 999, that would be a massive overreaction! I would have thought they would have toned it down a bit to relieve the pressure, might be one reason so many are still calling!

[ifonly4]

OP, I've had pneumonia twice. I felt awful for a few days, only had a bath on the fourth day as I had to see the doctor last time. On both occasions it got to the stage I couldn't take in a full breath and was painful. Hopefully you won't get to that stage, but if you do you must ask for help.

[goose1964]

Moo that sounds like what I have, except my legs ache and I've no energy

[Sicktiredanddown]

I’ve felt tight chested and a bit run down, rang GP to get an inhailer and was told tree pollen is particularly bad at the moment and that can cause asthma type symptoms.

[Didntwanttochangemyname]

OP I was there a few days ago. Try to sleep upright/in a sitting position, take it really easy, don't do anything physically demanding, take paracetamol and drink plenty of water. If you feel yourself worsen and are worried then call 111, but if you are youngish, healthy and robust hopefully you'll come out the other side soon too.
Get lots of rest and don't let anyone near you!

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

Thanks @Didntwanttochangemyname that‘s reassuring. I feel pretty sure I can kick this on my own, time will tell.
I will definitely seek out help if I think I need it.

[HarrietThePi]

Stay in bed, rest as much as possible and keep an eye on it I think. If it gets worse then you'll need attention but for now it sounds manageable. Horrible though. I hope you are better soon. Definitely get help if you need it.

[Zzzexhaustedzzz]

I have had tight chest since Wednesday last week. I started to use an inhaler (something I’ve not done for a few years). Now I’m on steroid pills I got today. 5 days worth.

[Woodlandtrain]

How are you doing today?

[Zzzexhaustedzzz]

I’m going to start my own thread but would just like to say that if like me you get asthma (mine hadn’t been an issue for 3 years) steroids might be prescribed. These suppress your Immune system. So having realised this (doctor prescribed me some yesterday after a phone appointment) I’m now concerned. Breathing is better and I hope to God I get through this. But I think that he treated me as if I had asthma symptoms when actually I’ve had all the signs of viral pneumonia probably caused by the virus. No tests available through them...?!? I’m so scared.

[Didntwanttochangemyname]

How are you today OP?

I'd be very interested to hear if you lose your sense of smell and taste in the next few days, mine has completely gone, and I've read it can be another symptom.

I hope you've managed to get some sleep.

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

I can still taste and smell. Felt worse when I woke up but kept busy all day, while not moving too much, and feel about the same now. Coughing, breathless, hot at times, dizzy if I walk and get more out of breath, and so very tired! Some stabbing pains through my lungs but they’re infrequent and quick. I can definitely fight this off myself, it’s not getting much worse.

[Didntwanttochangemyname]

Try not to do too much, you sound like you have very similar symptoms to me. I don't know for sure if it was C19, but whatever it is it's horrible.
Keep doing what you are doing and hopefully you'll be right as rain in no time!

[Zzzexhaustedzzz]

OK I’ve calmed down a bit. Im going through the same as you. Can’t sleep. Been told by a doc that its just going to take time. Good job I’m already isolating. This is misery! But I appreciate I’m (hopefully) going to be luckier than others.

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

It is misery isn’t it! It’s the worry more than anything, so I’m trying to keep positive. I’ve got a dull ache across my upper back now, definitely my lungs hurting, and coughing up some gunk. I’ve spoken to my GP who wants to test the gross stuff I cough up to see if it’s infected and will then give me antibiotics. Never felt so much pressure to have a productive cough before, not sure what I do if I can’t get enough gunk to come up!

[TheGlaikitRambler]

Try postural drainage www.healthline.com/health/postural-drainage#methods

[Zzzexhaustedzzz]

Wow, that could be useful. Thanks. Feeling better after a sunny sit in the garden. But dread the night. I actually rang 111 last night so afraid about the steroid pills I’m taking being wrong. Compromised immunity seems to have started me with a sore throat too (white flecks?) so maybe that’s why anti biotics sometimes are also needed? Moxysomething? But it’s all new so who knows. It’ll take me a long time to feel like I’m out of the danger zone.

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

I’m super sad today, I really thought it would start to get better but every day is worse and it’s now day 6. I can’t walk up the stairs without running out of breath, I can’t move far or pick up my daughter and I’ve had enough now!