Does anyone else have long term effects?

[feelingfragile]

I started with symptoms on the 13th March. Wasn't admitted so no test to confirm but was pretty poorly, I can't really remember it now, just that it was a big blur. About ten days after I felt better I had the paramedics out as I couldn't breathe properly and kept coughing. I had a nebuliser and was started on asthma treatment.

I still have a constant cough and breathlessness I struggle to talk without coughing. My chest hurts again tonight and I'm bloody sick of it.

I started couch to 5k and have slowly built up to 20-25 minute runs (if you can call it that, because it's so slow) but I cough like mad afterwards and am no where near previous fitness levels.

I'm knackered pretty well all the time (but I do have a ridiculously busy job, 2 quite demanding kids and a husband who works long shifts so I tend to do all the housework so I guess it could be that.

I'm so hot all the time (might be my age?)

Is anyone else having long term effects? It's mainly the breathing that gets me down.

[Kitcat122]

Yes I got ill on 14th March and still have chest pains and shortness of breath. Also feel tired but same as you I work full time and have 4 children. There is a thread on here, Lungs 8 wks plus plus, with lots of us. Sorry I don't know how to link. I used to be very fit and exercise alot but now can only walk slowly or I am breathless and my chest burns.

[feelingfragile]

I'll see if I can find it, I cried for about two hours this morning. I'm so fed up and totally exhausted. I'm not a crier

[Kitcat122]

It's call Covid lungs 8 weeks plus plus. I know its very depressing and frightening. Have you had any tests?

[feelingfragile]

No, they weren't testing when I was ill unless you were in hospital.

Although I went in the other thread and it sounds like people are being tested

[mindutopia]

I've not had COVID (as far as I know), but I wanted to add in that a few years ago I had pneumonia. I was really quite ill (in hospital for a few days) and needed a nebuliser. I didn't feel right for about 6 months. I was exhausted and still had shortness of breath. So what you're experiencing can be normal after a serious respiratory infection. I did eventually feel back to normal and I started running after that and ran a half marathon the following year. I would just take it easy and as much as possible go to bed and rest when you can. I remember literally being in bed by 8 every night for a few months (obviously that was easier pre-dc though!).

[feelingfragile]

That's interesting and reassuring, thank you.

[Serialcatmum]

I had a really bad cough started 18th March.. felt rubbish but was just like a bad cough. Felt a bit better 4 days later... 4 days after that (8 days after initial cough) I was really breathless and knackered suddenly. About 6 weeks after that I went to the doctors as I still felt wheezy. She said she couldn’t hear it but was concerned I was describing symptoms of asthma.
I’ve got an inhaler now and take it before I run. I can just about do 3km (cough really bad afterwards) a week before I got my cough I ran 10km. Exercising makes me really cough/ wheeze. The inhaler really helps.
Still don’t know if I had the covid!!! Considering paying for an anti body test but I’d be SO gutted if I don’t have any antibodies!!!!

[Runningshorts]

Yes me too. Became ill on 13 March and still feeling the effects. My breathing is much better but I also need an inhaler sometimes, usually before my period. I get hot flushes too but I had these before I got ill. The main thing for me now is insane tiredness. Exhausted all the time and any chance for a sleep in the daytime (around dealing with work, small children, home schooling etc..). I feel like my lungs have improved a lot over time so I'm hopeful this will continue to improve.

[thecatneuterer]

I got it in the middle of March. It dragged on for about a month, but the only long term effect now is my sense of smell. I would say it's about 75 per cent of what it was before. But then I never had any breathing problems with it, so I can imagine that would take longer to recover from.

[UndertheCedartree]

I came down with Covid at the beginning of April and was acutely unwell for 6 weeks. I was admitted to hospital 2.5 weeks in for 3 days. I had a secondary infection which was treated with antibiotics and helped me turn a corner. Since recovery I am still very fatigued. I sleep for 12 hours a night and have a nap sometimes too. I also get out of breath much quicker which makes exercise harder. No idea how long this will go on?

[Iclaud]

Don’t worry you are in good company!! Thousands of people out there are struggling with illness 100 days plus after. Some getting better others not.

Check out the community on Body Politic via Slack. Really great support group and advice there.

I’m on day 103 here. It’s no fun and no help from NHS but good to know you’re not alone!

[feelingfragile]

It really is good to know you're not alone (sorry everyone who's feeling rubbish), I hope everyone starts feeling better soon

[feelingfragile]

Just had a letter to say that I now have to shield 🙄 Just gets better