Can't breathe properly

[LondonHenrietta]

I've had a bit of a sore throat for around a week but nothing major. No temp. This morning I've woken up unable to breathe properly, well obviously I am breathing but it feels as though I'm not getting enough air in, if that makes sense?
I am struggling to relax with it, could this be coronavirus?
And if so, is this the "mild" symptoms that they're saying stay at home with? I'm struggling to understand at what point to ask for help.

I think you’re supposed to seek medical attention when you’re struggling to breathe surely?

I had breathlessness for over a week. I was told that if I struggled to breath at rest or couldn’t finish a sentence then I should call 111.
There were days I had to lean over and breath just from walking from bedroom to bathroom.
I found breathing air from the window and just lying in bed helped.

I had this a week ago. I woke up with a cough and was exhausted. Day 2-6 I also felt like I wasn't getting enough air in. I was self isolating. I struggled to walk up the stairs. I was floored but my temp was fine. By day 7 is started to subside. If I had it, it was mild coronavirus.

Glad to hear I'm not alone, did it just go away by itself with plenty of rest in the end? It's a worrying feeling but I don't feel unwell in any other way

Yes mine just disappeared one day ( I had lots of other symptoms too) but then was replaced with severe vertigo which stayed with me for another week.

You can call your GP. I’ve heard some are sending out inhalers. I’m asthmatic so already have them and the difficulty breathing was like bad asthma for me. If you are breathless and panting at rest this is more worrying and you may be best calling 111. I’ve seen people here and videos online of people really struggling but not enough to take to hospital. Sadly people will be home and very sick when in the past they’d be examined or taken in.

My colleague has / had the exact same symptoms you describe. He was taken to hospital as he’s a high risk group; they tested for Corona and it was negative - as the vast majority of those tested are coming back as. There’s another nasty virus also doing the rounds, probably still the same one which many people seem to have had between November - February which has led some to speculate that Corona was in the UK sooner than we knew.

A lot of people on here have had similar symptoms, including me, and we are having to presume it's CV19. Other than getting advice from 111 and what @findingschools4myboys said, maybe see if you can count to 30 briskly in your head before taking a breath. Hope you feel better soon.

Lying prone opens up a bit more of your lungs apparently.

Try exhaling fully, basically forcing all remaining air from your lungs before you draw your next breath. It works for me to get a 'deep' breath. I've had exactly this problem for over a month now, no idea why (I'm assuming it isn't covid in my case since it started so long ago) but that's the only thing I've found that helps.

Has anyone found that inhaling steam helps? Head over a saucepan with towel style?

Steam helps me Diana

I had that some years ago. Very disconcerting. Doctors eventually discovered I had/have very impaired lung function and put me on an inhaler. In my case the feeling came and went with no rhyme or reason. I discovered that if I kept calm and did not overly try to fill my lungs that I was getting quite enough air to function. I even did a water aerobics class through it once. Controlling the panic is the hardest thing, but the panic makes it worse.

All that said, yes, I guess it could be due to Corona.

@Spodge how did you manage to get a diagnosis may I ask? I saw my GP about mine weeks ago who assumed it was anaemia, but my bloods and obs in general came back fine. They brushed me off and told me I'll just have to deal with it which was frustrating. I've just had to learn to control it and not panic over it.

I am on recovery from the symptoms you are describing.

This is what helped:

• inhaling steam. I added cloves to the boiling water.
• vicks vaparub
• paracetamol and antibiotics

I’m able to stand again and on the mend. Day 11.

@eandz13 - well, that was a joke. The doctor first sent me for an x ray, then we tried antihistamines, bloods and all sorts. I kept going back and I am sure he thought I was malingering. Finally he sent me for spirometry. Don't know why he didn't send me there first, or at least take a peak flow reading. Spirometry is what revealed the alarmingly low lung function and triggered hospital tests, consultant visit and ultimately steroid inhaler which has sorted the problem.

I find steaming up the shower and sitting there for 10-15 min every morning and evening has helped me.

Sorry for the lack of replies, been really really tired today.
I am going to try the steam from the shower before bed, hopefully that works as it's becoming really irritating.
It's manageable at home but just a bit uncomfortable, but it's really reassuring that so many have felt this way recently and have recovered fully without any treatment as such.
Of course it could be some other virus or something, but it's something I'd usually seek medical advice about if it wasn't emergency only at the moment.
My GP is still seeing patients but I think for anything to do with breathlessness they would probably not take the risk, and also I know it is a stressful time and would rather not hassle them at the moment.