My lungs Part 5

[Spacecadetagain]

New thread for us

@TheDrsWife46: just saw your latest. Can't your DH take over with her for a bit?

And of course she doesn't need to do her schoolwork if she's so ill. The distractions and the dog sound like an excellent solution. You are strong enough to cope - you've done it so far.

Hi all.

Lurked on other threads, very similar symptoms to lots, mild and manageable in the main, think I’m on around Day 11, still very tired.

My worry is Ds 11, symptoms started yesterday, today he said problem with breathing (although still able to hold convo with me) but he is a health worrier like me so not sure how to manage his anxiety with ‘real symptoms’
Any advice appreciated

Glad to hear lots of you are doing better and are seeing light at the end of the tunnel

@thedrswife46 I think you can only do what you are doing now, just reassure her that you know she feels really poorly but she'll be on the mend soon, distract her with rubbish tv, iPad or whatever you dont normally let her do. Just keep saying yes it's a really nasty bug but when we feel better let's do X. It's so hard when you feel so poorly yourself but you will both come through this, it just really is an awful virus xx

@TheDrsWife46 Don’t be scared . You are both going to be fine honestly . My nine year old has had a worsening cough for a week now and has said today she feels poorly and has tummy ache . It is so worrying but if she’s poorly school work can wait. Couid she maybe watch a nice fluffy feel good film or something ?

@TheDrsWife46 my DS had a shaky arm earlier.
It’s so worrying isn’t it, I don’t know how best to manage how he’s feeling

@Thedrswife46 I can't imagine having to see dc's go through it just after we have. Have her wiggle her toes. Socks off with a texured blanket over? TV on for distraction, definitely a window open.

How long is it until the people not displaying symptoms are in the clear? 14 days from the first symptom in the house?

Has anyone had bad illness affect their cycle? I'm having another period 2 weeks after I had one. Smear not due. Could be stress, it's been an incredibly hard couple of months.

Yes I have Fairy but the opposite. My period was due about 10 days ago and hasn't shown up thank fuck. But I am 48 so not as regular as I once was.

@Eaudeunaturale: I think the only things you can do, as @tangledyarn says, is reassure him that you understand how bad he feels but that he will get better soon, and provide him with as many distractions as possible. Computer and console games, cartoons, familiar stories, perhaps audio books? Cuddling up on the sofa or in bed to watch a favourite film together? And then all of the physical things to alleviate symptoms that people have tried on the earlier threads - lots of water, warm drinks, hot water bottles, warm showers. Is he cold as well as shaky? When I was most chilled I needed piles of duvets, shawls, jumpers and hot water bottles. I wonder if weighted blankets, or heavy piles of bedding might help with the shakes for your and @TheDrsWife46's DC?

It's so hard when they are ill and I know you feel so powerless.

Anyone got any tips for sleeping when you feel anxious/breathless/nauseous?

Sorry I am not giving much constructive to the conversation but having a bad day of it today!

@mumlurker: These are my best tips after 3 weeks of this:

Have a hot shower with the jet directed at your upper back.

Stay in a while for the steam to help open up your chest.

Prop up with lots of pillows when you first get into bed.

Take a hot mug of herb tea - I like mint - to bed with you.

And have a hot water bottle high up under your back to relax your lungs. Breathe in the steam of your hot drink.

Don't try and sleep straight away - watch something distracting on Netflix - ideally a long series from at least 10 years ago. Something you can binge watch that you've seen before. Nothing apocalyptic!

Or read funny books on kindle. I do either of these on my ipad because it turns itself off when I fall asleep and I don't have to worry about turning the light off.

When you do feel yourself dropping off, boot out most of your pillows and try sleeping on your front - it's more restful for your lungs.

I really hope some of those work for you. Being warm and cosy and as physically relaxed as possible should allow you to drop off. The worries will wait for tomorrow.

@mumlurker I find reading or watching tv (nothing news related) until I literally cannot keep my eyes open is the only thing that works for me. Also accepting that some nights I won't sleep but that's ok cause I can catch up the next day, because worrying about not sleeping makes it 100 times worse.

Interesting about the periods. As was thinking about why men are worse affected.

For any with ear pain i found yawning and lots of water to help.

Similar to other posters im asthmatic and hypothroid.

Like others im concerned my lungs still hurt after 22days...

I think I’m on day 6, I think. Having heart palpitations tonight which is making sleep difficult. I’m breathing ok but chest feels heavy/burning still. I realised it reminds me of having Vicks on my back - that wet, cold burning sensation.

My pulse oximeter should arrive tomorrow. Hoping that will reassure me a bit.

I’m definitely better in the mornings, evenings are when I get the most bouts of breathlessness.

Another one here up and not able to sleep for coughing. Just had a hot drink in a hot bath which eased it slightly but because I can’t lay back without lung pain it wasn’t particularly relaxing!
I’m thinking of going to play a computer game or something, I’ll feel more productive if I do something even if it’s just progress in a game. No book/film/tv can keep my attention right now!
@TheDrsWife46 I’m so sorry you have a sick child at the same time! It’s hard enough remaining positive for yourself, let alone your child. You’re doing great!

Thankyou everyone. She’s still awake and frightened but my step sister facetimed her from America to just distract her a bit, as shes 5hrs behind. Hung up now and gonna see if I can get her to settle. Shes still fretting over school. Told her that Im in charge not school! Ive said she can sleep on the sofa opposite mine.

Dh went to bed bless him because he is isolated from me and he is having to work/cook/run the home etc. Its all a bloody mess. The only saving grace thank god is that today is the most stable ive been.

The last three nights ive had to take sleeping pills to sleep and i darent do that now with her under my care. Ive bundled her up on the other sofa with the tv on low in the dark and hopefully she’ll go off.

@TheDrsWife46 I’m returning the handhold from earlier. I hope you’ve both managed to get some sleep.

@Porcupineinwaiting my period was later than it has ever been too, around 11 days late and it showed up on the day symptoms started. I thought I’d just been very unlucky until I saw your post. There must be something in it.

Hopefully you've all managed some sleep.
I did sleep earlier but the kids woke me up. Trying to drop off again.

Feeling alright except for my chest. Feels like I'm wearing a bra but I'm not.

@TheDrsWife46 how is your DD today? And you?

Just checking in to new thread - Day 9 for me and I slept from 10pm to 6am for the first time in nearly 2 weeks- woo hoo! Woke up a bit shivery and shaky and have a weird feeling in the centre of my chest but breathing a bit better so far! Really hope I am on the up 🤞🏻🙏🏻

Sending love to everyone here xx

Hi @Spacecadetagain I just wanted to get that disclaimer out there to deter potential trolls. I'm 100% sure we've had it.

@TheDrsWife46 that's so tough re your daughter. I second distraction, letting your DH take over and possibly a placebo. Chewable vitamin c tablets?

@littleblackdress04 sounds like when I turned a corner, try to do even less now you are a little improved to avoid setbacks.

theDrswife my DD filled in the self-isolation note and sent it to her form teacher - it gives an option to tick you have symptoms of covid. It is quite simple to do, you fill in your details and it generates a pdf which you can download and send.
I told my DD that she should allow at least two weeks to recover and to leave schoolwork alone. She is a bright and conscientious person and usually very busy, so I think even just being ill and unable to move very far is a shock. DD is on day 10 now, she was more ill up to day 6 and then a bit better and dipped again at day 8. She perked up a bit last night, and was well enough to play Monopoly with her brother. It has ups and downs.

I am making sure she also takes her vitamins and she is drinking hot water with lemon, which I have also been drinking non-stop for nearly two weeks now. Hot water bottles also helped her.

@stayathomegardener how are you now? Which day are you on? It’s a long old haul isn’t it? Xx

I spent the night shivering and sweating, I think this is ramping up. Lungs are on fire again.
My dd (7) says her legs are wobbly and she's dizzy. DH had a bad night too.
I'm worried about us being too ill to care for dd, especially as she has it too.

Day 21 for me. Still running a fever here. Does anyone know if continued fever means the virus is still active?

Those of you with sick children. I would phone the GP for advice about what to do. It may be different for children. It must be very stressful.

@Crayfish you will be able to care for her between you, and hopefully she'll only be ill for a day or two. Can you get her settled with you in a well-ventilated room and you and dh take it in turns to fetch everyone food and drinks ? Do you have friends/neighbours that will being you food if you need it?

And, if necessary, one of the criteria for hospital admissions is not being able to manage at home. That's not just about the severity of symptoms but about the support available. You wont just be left.