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Original poster

Self isolation support thread

408 replies

JustUrggghhhh · 13/03/2020 08:09

Apologies if a thread on this has already been started. Had a look but cant see anything glaringly obvious.

Thought I would start a self isolation support thread to stop those in isolation from going stir crazy.

I am on day 1 of self isolation. I have had mild manageable symptoms of various things slowly creeping up on me all week. But last night my temp reached high numbers and I'm now coughing have consulted work and I must stay away for 7 days. Kids wont be at school either as they have told me to keep them home. They both have mild coughs and I was struggling to get my head around the logistics of getting them to school.

I have found the whole week very strange. Not knowing when I need to panic. I suffer with chest infections when I get run down anyway so the symptoms are all similar. Have also had full blown flu a few times and again the symptoms are similar. Everything feels too vague, no one knows anything for sure and I feel like it's such a weird time to be living in.

Please post here if you are self isolating to keep me company. I'm really gonna miss work as I work with the the most fantastic people! No doubt the kids are gonna drive me crackers too as whilst they are pleased they get a week off school they have realised they will be missing all their extra clubs etc.

OP posts:
wonkylegs · 20/03/2020 15:31

Half way through 14day isolation here
3yo coughing but otherwise absolutely fine, his temperature has gone
DH has cough and is knackered but otherwise fine
I have cough, am knackered and am getting out of breath doing everything (I have underlying health condition so was always going to be the one to watch)
11yo absolutely fine
We had a lovely delivery of bread, milk, eggs & fruit left on doorstep from friends down the road and they'd also popped in a bottle of wine and some sweets for the kids which almost made me cry it was so lovely and unexpected
We are both trying to work around illness, kids etc , DH is dr on hospital response planning committee so is phone conferencing from the dining room & I'm doing an hour of work with gaps between to keep going even if it's a bit less - own business with lots of active projects so I need to keep going as much as I can.
11yo is being pretty good and has had some FaceTime lessons with ex teacher grandparents, 3yo is bouncing off the walls so I send him outside as much as I can, thankfully we have a good garden.
It's going to be a weird year.

Piggywaspushed · 20/03/2020 15:41

Confirmed must mean they are really ill then since we don't buggering test anyone. Hope they will be OK. At least in isolation you won't be anywhere near them just.

Original poster
JustUrggghhhh · 20/03/2020 16:31

Shes in hospital, been tested and confirmed. Is doing well apparently not ventilated so that's a good sign. Her family all self isolated and we hadn't had contact prior to her hospital admission. It's just freaked me out again though!

OP posts:
Jux · 20/03/2020 16:46

Can I ask here, as I'm a little confused now.

A week ago today dd spent some time at Uni with someone who's just been confirmed to having CV. She has ME so is vulnerable. I have MS and a coronary problem and am in my 60s now; dh is in his 60s and is still recovering from a major op he had just before Xmas.

DD has no symptoms, nor do any of us. We have been practising social distancing and have not really been mixing with people anyway.

While no one has any symptoms, are we still able to go out or are we supposed to isolate? Also, DH is meant to be rehearsing with a fellow musician this afternoon and we don't know whether to put him off or have it go ahead. I would be in our house but he can get in and up to dh's studio without coming within 2m of either dd or I.

everythingisginandroses · 20/03/2020 17:05

Day 4. Hot all day. Tired. Been coughing a bit more but still not massively. Reading in bed. Apprehensive, as DH tells me that I'm likely to get more poorly before I get better, but really WTF knows? Confused

DH & DS showing early signs of it Sad

We are still paying our martial arts teacher, who is now effectively unemployed, glad we can do that much at least.

OP, just wanted to tell you I do understand the feelings of frustration and resentment around work ATM. My employer is decent, but I still feel this. When I am feeling better I will be WFH for an undetermined length of time. I have decided that I will not go back to the office after this - the hours and commuting were getting too much for me, so if after 13.5 years' service they won't let me stay WFH I will resign. Some would say you shouldn't make big decisions when you are feverish, but I know it's the right one!

Piggywaspushed · 20/03/2020 17:20

It's freaky times, that's for sure.

jux, I think you are meant to. Look on 111 website. They will call you back. Could take hours but it's not urgent anyway, happily.

Jux · 20/03/2020 17:30

Thanks, Piggy. I wanted to avoid bothering anyone like gp, 111 etc as they must be rushed off their feet. I didn't think of looking on 111 site Blush, and the government site has just got me confused.

Piggywaspushed · 20/03/2020 17:33

Oh it is hopelessly confusing. Hence I don't know when to leave my own bedroom!!

Theodoreb · 20/03/2020 20:30

DS is a bit gutted it just dawned on him that we probably won't be able to go to his first concert in May to see Guns N' Roses hopefully it will just be delayed but if the only thing I lose in this is £220 I will be very fortunate.

everythingisginandroses · 20/03/2020 20:44

If they cancel, I would expect you to get a refund, Theodoreb - I have been promised one for Insomnia gaming convention which DS was due to attend. I do agree the money isn't the important thing, of course. Glad to hear you got your meds ok Smile

musicposy · 20/03/2020 20:51

How is everyone today? Day 10 here, feeling better than the awfulness that was yesterday though I’d say cough is a little more persistent. Am trying not to freak myself out with stories of people getting temporarily better then really very unwell - must step away from the Internet diaries etc! I’ve improved twice already and gone downhill again after so really, really hope this lasts. I’m still fragile, no appetite, but temperature is down. Chest pain has moved a bit, more from all round my chest and at the bottom to higher up as well, nearer my throat, which is weird.

Still pretty scared but posting on here helps.

ShrimpyTheGnome · 21/03/2020 09:45

Morning!

So today I'm hella stuffy, but the tightness seems to have gone! Can I hope?

Smilethoyourheartisbreaking · 21/03/2020 09:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
JustUrggghhhh · 21/03/2020 09:58

@Theodoreb most bands are rearranging gigs for a later date. We were due to go and see Craig David in a few weeks. He has pushed all his dates back to april 2021. If they cancel out right tou will get your money back. What an awesome band to go see though, I bloody love Guns N Rose's, hope they reschedule so you can still go at an later date. We have another concert booked in July so will just wait and see what they decide to do.

@shrimpythegnome I'm glad you are feeling better and hopeful! My morning headache is here again but not as vicious today so theres hope here too!

OP posts:
Original poster
JustUrggghhhh · 21/03/2020 10:03

@everythingisginandroses I think current times will make a lot of people sit back and reassess lifestyle. I'm hoping that we all come through this with a sense of wanting calm and a much simpler life. I hope your work accomodate your requests, I think all if this will open doors for more people to work from home. If not then you have made your decision and I hope whatever the outcome you are happy going forward. I'm still in the dark as to what I will need to work and will be until I contact them with regards returning. I think I will feel better/less resentment once I know. From what I have hear though it's a reasonable measure and an sensible approach. Good luck to you!

OP posts:
adaline · 21/03/2020 10:07

I'm day six and feeling much better than I was a couple of days ago.

However I am coughing a fair bit and feeling short of breath very easily - I could't even strip and re-make the bed this morning without sitting down to catch my breath!

Original poster
JustUrggghhhh · 21/03/2020 10:38

I hung some washing on airers last night and was grateful I was going to bed straight after. It felt like a full blown workout Blush

OP posts:
Theodoreb · 21/03/2020 10:45

@JustUrggghhhh that gives me hope would rather it's rescheduled than cancelled.

everythingisginandroses · 21/03/2020 11:43

Day 5. Been up for a few hours, washed hair and dressed. Feeling a little bit short of breath, so going to rest for a while now. @JustUrggghhh, thank you. I hope everything is clarified and settled for you work-wise soon.

adaline · 21/03/2020 11:50

I hung some washing on airers last night and was grateful I was going to bed straight after. It felt like a full blown workout

So glad it's not just me feeling like that!

I'm starting to get restless. I feel pretty normal when I'm sitting down so I want to get up and do stuff, but I can't because it makes my chest burn and then I start coughing and feel sick Sad

Baaaahhhhh · 21/03/2020 12:07

DD came home from London on Tuesday (yes, I know), but she is only 22 and her flat mates had already gone home, and she was scared and lonely. She developed symptoms on Wednesday evening. Slight, 37.2 temp, feels awful, headache, aches and pains. Wasn't coughing to begin with, this morning I can hear her slightly coughing.

So, she has been in her room, and pretty much staying there, and I am leaving food/drink on her desk, which is a good 3 meters from her bed. She comes down for dinner, but sits at the end of the table, and we eat in the lounge. I am anti-bacing the bathroom after she has been in, and the kitchen table, and any other doors/lights twice a day. She is anti-bacing her hands before she comes out of her room, and showering every day. She hasn't lost her appetite at all.

Are we doing enough?? I am kind of, well she was with us all last weekend anyway, before going back to London for only two days, so what the hell, we are probably already exposed.....

The rest of us are all staying in our own spaces, and in the garden this morning, as it is lovely out. Is there more we should be doing??

everythingisginandroses · 21/03/2020 13:53

@adaline I know from your other posts that you are a housework champion, so I guessed the inactivity would be difficult for you. Hope you feel stronger soon. DH has gone to bed now, succumbing to the exhaustion.

Our friends have just left us some beer and posh coke for DS.
We won't be drinking for a bit, obvs, but lovely of them Smile

@Baaaahhhhh - your DD's symptoms sound like ours, hope she feels better soon Flowers Sounds like you are doing a good job to me, but I not the person to ask really, as I am rubbish at SI (smallish house, unsure of tasks I shouldn't be doing, etc).

GenuineKlatchianPottery · 21/03/2020 15:29

Day 5 now and my chest is getting tighter as the day goes on. My own fault as I did some more laundry and a bit of housework. I just can’t get a deep enough breath. I’m going to try and get a bath and see if the steam will help.

adaline · 21/03/2020 17:30

@everythingisginandroses

Thank you! It's hard. I don't like sitting and doing nothing but I physically can't go and do anything else without really struggling Sad

everythingisginandroses · 21/03/2020 18:14

Today (day 5) is the first day I have felt a bit short of breath, with a sporadic burning sensation in my back (I guess at the top of my lungs). It's freaking me out a bit, tbh Sad

Hand-hold, anyone?

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