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Original poster

Do I need to "do" anything for DH?

83 replies

SnowySheep · 15/12/2020 21:38

This is all getting very distressing.

He's been in major pain for a couple of days, after fixing a leak under the kitchen sink!

He (and I) also has Covid.

This morning he was very distressed with chest pain and telling me he couldn't breathe. I can't take him anywhere because of the covid so I called an ambulance. Whilst I suspected it was muscular we also gave the covid issue and he's a higher risk age group.

They were brilliant, arrived very quickly, checked his heart, lungs, blood pressure and decreed that it's a muscle strain and it's not that he "can't" breathe but that it hurts to breathe, take stronger pain killers.

So, he's since been taking 30mg codeine and paracetamol.

He's still sobbing in pain and panic stricken that he can't breathe.

The man is an ex soldier and not at all prone to over reaction, normally. He's usually, take an aspirin and press on, regardless of the injury.

I'm not concerned for his safety, as he was so thoroughly checked this morning, but can/should I "do" anything for him? Should I be asking "someone" for better pain relief? What he's taking is left over from an op he had earlier in the year and pretty strong, I think? The paramedic said they were good for him to take with paracetamol.

I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
Demitri · 15/12/2020 22:25

Try smothering your feet in vicks and then putting on some thin socks. It’s really good for coughs and also helps to breath easier

DontGoIntoTheLongGrass · 15/12/2020 22:27

Have you tried olbas oil in a diffuser. I found this helps with breathing by putting a few drops in and leaving on overnight. Hope you both feel better.

00100001 · 15/12/2020 22:30

Yes. Fannying about.

Sorry,but I interpreted it "hurts to breathe" "sobbing in pain" "distressed" " saying he can't breathe"

As a serious breathing difficulty issue. And suggested that, based on that, you should have done something.

Not be in MN asking for advice.

Because based on what you said, he needed medical advice, not the advice of random people on an internet forum.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
Pipsqueakpopsqueak · 15/12/2020 22:36

100% get him seen again. My lovely colleague is struggling with what I believe is PTSD caused by a similar situation - called for help, was told to self manage, felt she wasn’t allowed to get further help, felt abandoned, got extremely unwell, nearly died. Thankfully she survived but I think if someone had been well enough to ‘fight her corner’ on her behalf she might have felt a little less traumatised by it all. Not being able to breathe, or believing you can’t is horrendous - well worth further assistance from the NHS. Hope you are both on the mend soon x

OhCormoranAllYeFaithful · 15/12/2020 22:38

I was the one who said deterioration and feeling of doom - my words, the OP said panicking, in pain and worries about breathing, sobbing etc.

I thought that was a significant deterioration, didn’t realise it was the same.

Hope he feels better soon now that he is settled, but seriously, don’t be wary of phoning again if you or he thinks he needs it.

Sweettea1 · 15/12/2020 22:39

I don't think Codeine is very good never worked for me anyway an it does need to be taken with paracetamol aswell for full affect.something like nuproxen ( not sure how spelt) would be better its like ibuprofen but stronger so better for muscle pain muscle pain is awful I stuffer it along from shoulder to chest. Its late now so think 111 would be only opinion if stronger pain killers are needed.

Ericaequites · 15/12/2020 22:44

The Vicks belongs on back and chest under a vest after a nice hot bath or shower. Putting it on your feet seems beside the point.

wildthingsinthenight · 15/12/2020 22:52

Call 111 you need advice

Jjjayfee · 15/12/2020 23:02

Please get more medical advice. His situation could have changed

Oreservoir · 15/12/2020 23:03

He could well have intercostal muscle strain.
He needs hot and cold therapy, rest and painkillers.

It will hurt to breathe.
Obviously if he gets worse or you’re worried then get help.

Sally872 · 15/12/2020 23:08

Glad he has managed to sleep. Must be really scary for you both hope this passes soon. Take care. Flowers

Yummymummy2020 · 15/12/2020 23:11

I agree i would get a second opinion if for nothing else better pain relief and peace of mind, the hospital misdiagnosed me the first time I went (not with Covid this was years ago) went back the next day as I was as bad and worried and it turned out it was a heart issue in the end not pluresy like they originally thought as my breathing was bad and I had chest pain ! Not saying it’s that with him but better safe than sorry! My ecg was normal the first time just my heart beat was a bit fast which they assumed was infection, the next day they caught it on ecg though and cardiology was called and I was looked after then! To this day if I need to go in cardiology just get called straight away and I’m taken care of rather than messing around!

cathcath2 · 15/12/2020 23:31

Hope you start feeling better too OP!

Mrbob · 15/12/2020 23:48

An ECG doesn’t rule out a heart attack. A paramedic cannot rule out a blood clot in the lungs. Both of which are more common in COvID patients. They cannot definitely say he hasn’t got a pneumothorax (although less likely)

VodrangeLime · 15/12/2020 23:48

@Mrbob

I think he needs to see a doctor. Chest pain should not be diagnosed as muscular and left at home by paramedics 😮
Paramedics will do an ECG, blood pressure, oxygen Sat's etc. and other tests before just 'left at home'? They take chest pain very SERIOUSLY.
Unicant · 15/12/2020 23:56

Call 111 for advice. They won't be cross you called them again.. and you can tell them he's been seen by paramedics already.
If things get worse you can go to A&E they have separate areas and wards for people with covid. All the hospitals have that. Just follow the signs and go in the entrance for people with covid.
It sounds like he's just panicking if he's better now the pain meds have kicked in... im the same with chest pain of any type it really sets off my anxiety. Make sure you are keeping on top of his pain medication and perhaps try again with the calming breathing exercises. Try some pain management videos on YouTube?
But please don't be afraid to call 111 back or even take him to A&E if you feel you need to and he really isn't getting any better.

Motorina · 15/12/2020 23:56

I am not a doctor. Even if I were, he is not my patient. I don't even play one on the telly. So take this about as seriously as you would getting fashion advice from The Archers...

But, once serious things like his heart have been excluded by clinicians who have actually seen him, I would suggest having a quiet google of 'costochondritis'. It's inflammation of the joints between the ribs and the breastbone, is bloody painful, and makes it feel like you can't breathe because it hurts. And one of the triggers can be coughing.

(Whilst you're googling, you might also type in 'backpod'. Because, if it doesn't resolve on it's own, that gives you a possible way forward to treat it.)

Again, not a doctor. Not medical advice. But I have one (slightly chewed, because dogs) and the impact it's had on my pain has been life-changing.

anneyc · 16/12/2020 00:05

If he's been struggling to breathe all day it could be having an effect on his blood gases. Whatever is causing his pain needs treating so that he can breathe properly.
Dial 111.

Spaghettibetty345 · 16/12/2020 00:12

If advise you to call 999 back. I wouldn’t say to ring 111 as they are likely to send an ambulance if he is having severe chest pain. So you might as well call 999 to save time. I don’t know whether you can call the a&e dept and ask them if he can be taken in. They should have a separate area for those with COVID. Anyone presenting with chest pain gets seem fairly quickly at a&e so that might be a better option?

PickAChew · 16/12/2020 00:17

Of he can tell you, he can call and tell someone himself. I don't reckon covid 19 is immune from a bit of man flu. Would he calm if you were as uncomfortable?

ConquestEmpireHungerPlague · 16/12/2020 00:32

Take it carefully with 30/500 cocodamol, OP. It's very addictive. And everyone is different but personally I don't drive if I'm ever taking it. Hope your DH is more comfortable tomorrow.

Notthe9oclocknewsathon · 16/12/2020 00:41

I had very inflamed lymph nodes in my chest with COVID, which were really painful when breathing. The breathless feeling also stayed for weeks even when my o2 levels had mostly returned to normal. So it could be COVID related.

OhCormoranAllYeFaithful · 16/12/2020 08:04

How’s your husband this morning OP?

Original poster
SnowySheep · 16/12/2020 08:09

He slept in the chair and he's taken more painkillers but he seems "OK".

I'll/he'll talk to GP today and see if we can get some non opiate painkillers. I think he got into a state yesterday because he's reluctant to take them, so left it too late.

OP posts:
SinkGirl · 16/12/2020 08:23

Hopefully you can speak to a GP today - I would think a strong anti inflammatory like naproxen would be the best bet if it is muscular pain or inflammation although I’m not sure whether there’s any issue with taking these with COVID so definitely medical advice needed. If it takes a while to get to speak to them and you can get to a pharmacy in the meantime, voltarol gel may help and can be used alongside the existing painkillers, but it is important with pain relief not to wait until pain is unbeatable.