Firstly I have been around 2 separate people who have come back from Italy since beginning of March.
Here’s my symptoms:
Weird sudden headache, two weeks ago tomorrow.
Feeling generally slightly off.
Touch of a cold that weekend.
During following week a bit of all those and occasional feeling hot. Im peri-meno so whatever. At the weekend I felt unusually wiped out. But I had lots to get on with.
The next Monday I was feeling quite unwell but due to guidelines and it was the sort of thing I normally ride out (feeling hot on and off, and as above) I went to work for the next two days. Wednesday I started with a tight chest. That’s when I was concerned and linked it to the virus. When I had seasonal asthma (not for 3 years!) it was ALWAYS in October that it started. Plus no wheezing really when I think. So Started using inhalers. Then found I needed them more than normally I would have done. Spent 2 nights with not much sleep. Worse lying down and felt that my heart beat was racing. And kind of hallucinating/Half dreamS that were not normal. Also lung ache. Still needing more inhaler than usual and scared. Not much energy the next day. Tired going for walk around the block (2 metre rule followed).
Finally got through to docs yesterday. He sent me to see a locum who only would talk to me whilst I was outside the Building. (Don’t have a car and walked. He seemed to think this meant I was ok, but he hadn’t seen me at night) This guy Sounded stressed and dismissive, telling me to go and self isolate. Then he prescribed me steroids for asthma attacks.
I was able to sleep last night and am breathing ok now. But my friend pointed out that steroids compromise immunity to viruses!! I have 5 days worth and what happens when they run out anyway! Looked up pneumonia symptoms and these can be very similar to asthma with added fun of weird sensations and fast heartbeat.
I would love someone to come on here and convince me that this isn’t a case of COVID 19. But I have never had most of these symptoms before and though some were mild it varies.
Should I be on the phone again to doctors? I think I will try 111 and wait on hold for god knows how long.
And yes I feel incredibly stupid for mingling at work etc.