My lungs feel like they are on fire - part 3

[Casino218]

@longshot started a new thread as the other filled up and I thought you were poorly and people would be wanting to find out how you were doing.

@KinderWild and @lilsimbax Thanks xx

We have a pulse oximeter at home which I have found to give some reassurance.

We got it after DS got pneumonia at 12 months. I took him into urgent care as I thought his breathing was slow (fewer resps/min than expected) and his oxygen saturation was 92%. He ended up having to be admitted for IV antibiotics. V scary.

@stayathomegardener thank you. Just curious as it says the worst is between day 7-10. God, I'm 23 years old and this has had me bed ridden. Cant wait until it's all over, horrific. Hope everyone is feeling okay somewhat - the brain fog is strange

@Moonbaby321 oh god, I haven’t had the s**ts yet, but I’m sure it’s on the cards lol. Amazingly, my partner hasn’t got it yet despite being around me the entire time. He never gets colds or viruses, ever, even when I’ve had my worst viruses he always escapes.

@cathyandclare no problem. I started documenting my symptoms and advice from doctors on threads one and two. I also wrote a long post about how I got through the worst of the virus and the feeling of suffocating. It's in thread two. I am much better now and your daughter will be as well, it's just a nasty thing to go through. I hope those tips help if your daughter experiences the same xx

Tweeted by a doc

Yeah thanks

@Littleninja1 I think I'm on Day 14. Started with a sore throat the week before but I'm ignoring that for now. Day 1 I got chest tightness, like there was something sitting on my chest and felt like I needed to take deep breaths to get enough oxygen. Next day DH had the same - he had had loss of taste week before but had forgotten about it. We both had chest tightness for a few days and headaches on and off. Then I started feeling tired and achey, headaches got worse and chest tightness got a loss worse in the evenings. My temperature is generally very low, hovering around 36.5 or lower, and I had temperatures of up to 37.5 which is high for me. I've also had light headedness and a bit dizzy a few times. Also nauseous sometimes.

My main symptom is the chest pain. It's very strange and I've never felt anything like it. Also odd that DH has the exact same. If this is a different virus it seems very coincidental to have a respiratory illness like this that DH and I have never experienced before while corona is everywhere.

I really hope the negative test result was wrong!

Very slightly better again today, managed a v short walk round the estate and also a video call with family.
Back lying on the sofa now, hopefully I’m properly on the mend.
DH has been cooking a roast and I can smell it too, all good signs.

@TheWooisStrong what day are you?

I felt loads better yesterday (day 6) before massive dip today. Terrible headaches, even less energy and new symptom of loss of appetite/nausea.

The one thing I’ve found that helps (apart from drinking a lot of water/hot drinks and using essential oils) is distracting myself. I try not to look at news - or even at this thread too much! - and just insulate myself in a bubble of a book or tv programme or podcast or whatever. I still feel really ill but the anxiety isn’t there as much, which was definitely making my breathing worse. Hope this might be helpful to someone - basically had a panic attack this morning and have changed my ways now :)

@Casino218 my chest still hurts too, more so if I do anything. It is better than it was though and the bit in the middle feels less on fire today.

Today is the first day in about 10 I’ve not slept during no the day, I’ve rested lots but not fallen asleep. I also managed a 10 min very gentle walk up the street. Felt a bit wobbly but ok. And done some washing and playing. That is all.

Now In bed ready waiting to eat a Sunday roast which I am looking forward to.

@Joeaj23 how are you today? I was a bit worried yesterday and I don’t think you’ve been on here today but I may have missed it.

@longshot I’m feeling better today thanks. Still exhausted and confined to my bed but a definite improvement on yesterday.

I just spoke with a friend of a friend who is a GP and she said that it may take some time to shake this off completely, so I can expect to not be fully recovered until another week or so

@longshot yes I think I got carried away this am and now paying the price. Just everyone this comes on I get this feeling of dread. In some ways though I think it's linked to a higher pulse rate and jitteriness.

I haven't gone back through all the threads, so apologies if this has been covered before:
Has anyone had pins and needles or tingling in their face? And has anyone noticed any spikes in blood pressure?

Hi has anybody noticed any side effects of drinking coffee? Desperate for a cup as haven't had one for like 2 weeks now. Worried about increased acid reflux / heart rate etc due to caffeine. Or could just choose the decaf option?

@Casino218 I am exactly the same. I’ve actually stopped speaking to people on the phone now (find it tiring) and have decided to rest for another week if I can do, no work, no news, no FaceTime (my family are here with me so I’m not alone). I might go for a short walk if I’m up to it but fully intend to sleep each day when I need and go to bed early, take paracetamol etc for one more week. If I’m then not better I will seek more advice but I just feel this has really done me in and I can’t just expect to be normal again as I’m now realising just how bad I have felt.

For some people it does seem to be mild. My DH has a cold at best and we know it’s the same thing as have been isolated for 18 days! He may get worse of course but currently is functioning just fine. It’s the same with some of my friends, ill for a week and now better. That’s not me but I am going to give my body what it needs and hope it will recover in the way it needs to.

My mother suffered from ME / chronic fatigue when I was young and I think witnessing that has made me realise how important it is to allow full recovery rather than trying to do to much. I am my own worst enemy for this but for some reason this time feel it’s different as I have been so scared by whatever this virus is. Who cares if I can’t tidy up for another week or the kids watch a lot of TV. Long term it will be better.

@KingaRoo thanks, that sounds very similar to me. What day of your illness were you swabbed?

Did you have bad chills and shaking? Did you feel extremely unwell?

The a&e doc said no point in swabbing me as they aren't accurate and he was sure with my symptoms I had it. Seems so ridiculous to have a test that can't be trusted anyway!

@KinderWild yes to pins and needles. down my arms and hands but not my face. Blood pressure has been ok generally for me. A bit high one day when I felt terrible Ill.

@Joeaj23 I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better! Don’t do anything except eat, drink and rest!

I feel like the breathlessness comes from my throat.
I get the sharp, swallowed glass feeling and then I feel like I can't breathe properly. So weird.

DrsWife thank you.

When the first paramedic came out (not in ambulance, in response van) she said she couldn't determine if it was "the virus" or cardiac. Said to stay home with paracetamol and call 999 if chest pain worsened. I can't say I was particularly reassured by that tbh. There's a family history of cardiac. She was v reluctant to take me to a&e however I do appreciate she was trying to protect others in case it was CV.

A relative of mine works in ccu and advised me to call 999 when I contacted her saying my pain and breathlessness had worsened. 999 operator said she'd try to get someone asap however there was a delay with ambulances and to take aspirin while waiting. Again, I can understand due to the pandemic however very scary (more so for those who are genuinely having cardiac event). I was given a mask at home while being assessed, and the paramedic in back of ambulance had gloves, apron, mask and face shield.

When I arrived at a&e I was wheeled straight through and the corridor was cleared. Anyone coming behind my curtain needed PPE and had to wash down any equipment they used for me. At this stage I was still being investigated for cardiac cause but because of my temp being borderline they had to take precautions. An awful lot of time and man power was used up by one person checking my obs while another person was outside the curtain writing the measurements on the paperwork (to prevent having to be taken in behind the curtain).

Doctor delivered the news it wasn't me heart (thank goodness!!) bit said it's very likely due to CV. Said I wouldn't be tested as they were kept for those being admitted so they know if precious PPE needs used, and an isolation room. And I completely understand that. I was given a leaflet on CV and told to self isolate myself and family. No further advice was given. I'd been given cocodomal in a&e for pain but not given meds to take home. The doctor was a little brash tbh Corridors cleared again for me leaving and told to wear mask until I got into my home. DH wasn't allowed in to the hospital at all but he came to collect me and waited in car park.

I'm still SOB, pain in left side (heavy, pushing pain) is slightly better but now have a slight burn in right lung.

Longshot I'm 38 with no underlying conditions. I can't imagine what this must feel like for those with respiratory conditions

I have pins and needles in my arms with the fever and today I had it on my face, including my lips. Very strange.

At the moment the fever is in my legs, it seems to travel around my body. I’m taking maximum dose of paracetamol and it doesn’t seem to be doing anything.

So nauseous I just can’t manage anything. Am worried I’m running myself down.

@ofwarren very strange that happens to me too and then seems to go into my left lung and cause stabbing pains and burning before an episode of bad breathlessness. Bizarre.