Feeling quite upset about backlash to Covid test

[catsatonmymat]

I have a really bad pain coming from my breast bone on the right hand side going round to my lungs. It is making me a bit breathless when i walk or move about - ie up the stairs. I was up all night and eventually after an hour got through to 111. They asked if i had any Covid symptoms and i told them that i had a bit of a scratchy throat and lung pain. The Dr. said i could see my GP tomorrow but I might as well get a Covid test because the GP would probably advise me to get it anyway. Everyone is shouting at me saying I don't need a test. My son and his girlfriend were going out for lunch with her family and aren't going any more. I have been told I shouldn't have told them. My boss will go mental. My DH is also going crazy at me. I don't see what I've done wrong but apparently I have.

Btw
YANBU for feeling upset and angry at their reaction. It's crap, regsardless of how hard they are finding it (like most of us tbh).

They could have decided to not stay at home, ignore the advice etc... whilst supporting you to do the test and get the help you need. At the very least.

Don’t you have to test before seeing your gp.

I don’t think we would do anything if every time we had to do a test everyone went into a melt down and started cancelling plans.
We have to have them for work so might get 4 or 5 in a week.

They’re annoyed because they (incorrectly) think they will be inconvenienced by you taking a test. What horrible horrible people. I’m so sorry OP. Nobody deserves to be made to feel like that.

Nobody needs to isolate unless you return a positive PCR test, so they’re being very silly.

Where I live anyone can get a PCR, with or without symptoms. For example- I took my DS for one this morning. He’s asthmatic/hayfeverish and has exacerbations pretty much weekly atm. I would have no way of knowing whether he’s coughing because of COVID-19 because he coughs ALL the time anyway, so I take him (and myself) for a PCR test fairly regularly- today we went as we have a busy week next week with appointments and his CEV father is here to visit, and I want to be 100000% sure his regular cough isn’t masking anything else.

I’m not isolating us or notifying any of our contacts in advance of the result JUST because we’re awaiting a PCR result- that would be entirely unnecessary- just as it is for you, OP.

for you. I hope you get sorted. You sound like you need some care and attention- medical and familial.

@VaguelyInteresting
In the current level of restrictions, if someone in the household has symptoms, all members of the household must isolate while that person gets tested. The isolation ends the next day if the results of that person's test come back negative.

But in this situation, yes, it would mean the son and gf, it they live with the OP, must cancel their plans.

However there is a large percentage of the population who either doesn't know that these are "the rules" or who don't care.

I did a PCR test with cold symptoms and I was glad i did. It came back negative but I felt really ill and was coughing up and blowing all sorts of disgusting gunk out of my nose. My doctor heard my symptoms and straight away asked if I had had a test. If not I would have had to have one and get the result before he would prescribe antibiotics. That would have delayed my treatment by at least three days with a weekend. He said get a test if you have anything that could be linked to a Covid symptom.

@Iamnotthe1

But the OP doesn’t have one of the three symptoms?! Legally there is no requirement.
Individuals may feel morally obligated (particularly given the symptoms of the delta variant no longer match those reqd for PCR testing)- but that’s up to them, and in no way an imperative imposed by the OPs decision to take a test..

Sounds like they have compassion fatigue. Hope you get to see the GP soon and your Covid test is clear.

Compassion fatigue after telling the OP to stop winging for a back fracture?

That’s an unusual situation for compassion fatigue tbh….

[quote VaguelyInteresting]@Iamnotthe1

But the OP doesn’t have one of the three symptoms?! Legally there is no requirement.
Individuals may feel morally obligated (particularly given the symptoms of the delta variant no longer match those reqd for PCR testing)- but that’s up to them, and in no way an imperative imposed by the OPs decision to take a test..[/quote]
The information from the Government doesn't state that you should only isolate in the case of one of those three symptoms. It says that those three are the main symptoms but that there are others and, if concerned, you should seek medical advice.

The OP's sought medical advice and was directed to have a Covid test. Therefore isolation for the household starts.

I suspect this isn’t the first time these people have been twats so it isprobably just a continuation of there’re twattery. Unlike your family, I sadly am qualified in diagnosing twattery.

@Iamnotthe1

Can you link to this guidance please?

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

The three 'main' symptoms straight away trigger household isolation but, as it says:
"There are several other symptoms linked with COVID-19. These other symptoms may have another cause and are not on their own a reason to have a COVID-19 test. If you are concerned about your symptoms, seek medical advice."

So the OP didn't need to have a test done herself however she sought medical advice. If you've done that and been directed to take a test by a medical professional then they have decided your symptoms are test-worthy (despite not being the main three) and so are isolation-worthy too.

Not saying that the family are right to be annoyed (they aren't and sound like dicks) but the son and gf were right to cancel their plans.

But as I said before, most people aren't bothering. We've had siblings of kids off with symptoms in class the whole time and parents out and about as normal while they await a result.

Alternista T12 and T11 compression factor the day after boxing day. Told by various medics it was soft tissue and did not receive an xray until 10 weeks later. By that time the fractures had healed but left with residual pain which is continuing. I have had at least 9 telephone consultations with medics and only one face to face. They sent me for an xray and then A and E but haven't done anything else. I continued to work through from my bed with my laptop because i also dampaged my upper lungs and coccys. Was in agony but carried on often work 9 hours a day. Eventually had a complete melt down and couldn't stop crying. My boss and my whole family discourged me from getting the xray as they said it would show nothing up. Feel as if the delay has made everything worse - can't walk too far without getting out of breath and sitting for too long is also uncomfortable. Really at my wits end.

@Abraxan no you just need one. I had a PCR test the other day as had a cough and had to collect son from nursery.

OP - Covid aside, what's being done to reduce your chance of sustaining further fractures? Since they were initially misdiagnosed, I assume you didn't fall out of an upstairs window.

DahliaMacNamara I had a rather hefty fall down some very narrow old steps but I'm 55 and thought i would get a bone density test - as did the doctor at ER, however, the virtal fracture clinic who phoned next day said that no other action would be taken. Pain, suffering, several mental breakdowns later and I'm no further forward with the medical field.

Why is your boss so heavily involved in your medical decisions?

Where I am it’s expected you will get a negative covid test if you have any symptoms at all before you get a in person Gp appointment.

Get the test, rule it out then see your GP.

Go back to your gp and ask to be referred for a dxa scan. You fit the criteria. Are you taking calcium and vitamin d supplements? You should have your vitamin d levels checked. Your gp should do that too.
I have had osteoporotic fractures and the pain is horrendous.
Contact the National Osteoporosis Society, they are very helpful.
Your family sound absolutely horrible. I hope you can get some help with your physical health then maybe you can address the domestic situation.

IME the fracture clinic do not make any referrals. You have to ask your gp.

@carsatonmymat Passing GP- the symptoms you have described could be a pulmonary embolism (clot on the lung) and can be very serious. I would advise going to A and E asap. There may be other causes for the symptoms but I think this needs to be ruled out first. Hope you feel better soon.

Your family sound horrible. You had a nasty fall and they told you not to get an X-ray. If my dh did fell, I’d be insisting on X-rays. As for the test, please just go and get one done. Listen to your body.

Do they want you not to have anything wrong because you’re the one, who does everything around the home etc? Sounds like they’re treating you like a broken appliance.

Umm if you have symptoms, members of your household need to isolate while you wait for your results.
However, they should be concerned for you, not stressing about their cancelled plans.
Results comeback really quickly.

Iamnotthe1 the guidance for Wales states that you only have to isolate pending test results of someone in your household if they have one of the 3 main symptoms.
The letter we have received from school says they would now like us to test for cold symptoms but ‘you are not required to self isolate in these circumstances’

@supercatlady

Umm if you have symptoms, members of your household need to isolate while you wait for your results. However, they should be concerned for you, not stressing about their cancelled plans. Results comeback really quickly.

The op doesn't have one of the three main symptoms though. So technically they don't need to isolate unless a positive result is returned.

She is having a test due to medical adviice (111) to enable her to get further treatment. Therefore her family members don't have to,isolate.

There are a number of reasons when a pcr is being done but other contacts in the house don't have to isolate straight away - Zoe app tests (they advice for a range of symptoms, not just the main 3), school and other close contacts now advise pcr, before medical treatment in hospital, etc.