My lungs Part 5

[Spacecadetagain]

New thread for us

@mumlurker Yeah definitely no faffing. Am desperate for a faff though I've walked less than 500 steps a day most days for the last 2 weeks which is totally ridiculous!

Oh sorry, @Spacecadetagain it looks like I’ve cross posted. I’m so sorry that the fever has recurred, this pattern of illness seems to be affecting several of us. I too had felt a little less poorly for a couple of days but definitely gone backwards today. Feel a bit helpless really.

@musicposy

yes it's such a distinctive illness - hard to explain to those who haven't experienced it.

I'm stuck on my own at the moment due to the timing of when I got ill and the feeling of being alone with (what feels like) nowhere to get help is one of the hardest things. This thread has been an absolute lifeline for me. Although the illness feels horrible, it's comforting to see that other people are reporting the same sorts of symptoms/trajectories, and that I'm not going totally mad!

@Sambucus .. it seems the bizarre temperature thing is part and parcel of it .. sorry you are feeling so rotten again

I’ve been following these threads, hope it’s ok to share my experience. I’ve name changed to avoid being too identifiable. :)

I was with someone who tested positive for COVID19 and developed a temperature of a around 38C approx 10 days later. I had relatively mild symptoms; complete loss of smell, raised temperature and mild dry cough but otherwise, I was fully functioning for nearly 2 weeks.

Overnight, I deteriorated. I felt my chest was burning inside. Even burping or clearing my throat made me breathless and increased the burning feeling. I couldn’t even walk a few steps without gasping for breath. I was taken to hospital by ambulance and given oxygen straight away. I was in A&E overnight and I stabilised so I was sent home. My hospital are not testing unless admitted to a ward which is a bit worrying given how long people are waiting in A&E to get to a ward (1-2 days) and people like me were being treated.
I have pneumonia and despite no testing, the doctor said he was confident it’s COVID19.
I’m home now. Can’t shower, can’t walk downstairs and can’t do anything for myself without gasping for breath. Been like this a few days.

I was advised to monitor my oxygen level and call 999 as I’d need to be admitted if they fall below 90%. I’m bouncing around 89-91% so think I’m safe for now as I’m mainly around 90. Still got a mild fever.

I think I’d have to be in hospital if I lived alone. I can only just about make the 10 steps to the toilet.

to everyone. This is bloody scary.

@user34254356

I'm actually feeling pretty good at the moment. I'm managing some work and teaching the DC at home, doing some cooking etc. Managing to get a daily isolated walk in our local area. Slightly breathless on stairs or hills, but I could just have lost fitness. I'd say I am back to normal except for the nightly mild temp and shivers, and the tachycardia, but neither are bothering me too much. Might notice more if doing my usual school runs and exercise I suppose.

Ok so am getting my days wrong. Am day 24 today. Can someone talk me off the ledge please? As a previous poster mentioned. I have now developed this fear that I have pneumonia but don’t know about it. And I only say that as I annoyingly read that you can sometimes have no symptoms early on.
My breathlessness cams back about 3/4 days ago. And my chest still feels a bit heavy when lying down. Oximeter readings are fine though.

@JackJackIncredible
Wow, very sorry to hear that you suddenly became so unwell. I am also incredibly surprised they have sent you home with this oxygen levels. Just shows that it’s right that they really don’t want to admit anyone unless they are really bad.
Do you feel reassured after having been in hospital? Do you have an oximeter to keep checking your levels?

@findingschools4myboys

I was surprised too. They really are sending people home when unwell. I can’t imagine being sent home like this if there wasn’t a pandemic! I have underlying respiratory issues and have been admitted for less. I’m pleased to be home though, of course.

I do have an oximeter, not sure what I would have done otherwise as it’s hard to figure out how one is feeling.

The fact that I saw other unwell people being sent home makes me wonder how mild this illness really is for the 80% who don’t “need” hospital. Also worried about people who live alone, have no support or just aren’t good at recognising when they’re deteriorating. :(

@jackjackincredible
Im sorry to hear how suddenly you declined, please phone 999 if your oxygen levels drop below 90, no messing.
Its scary to think you had mild symptoms for 2 weeks before you became seriously ill , hope you are better soon, hang in there

@JackJackIncredible
I am glad you have someone who can help you at home. And yes agree with Runner, call help if you need to.
Did the docs say they considered your symptoms mild? I would definitely call that more moderate!
Although I feel that mild covid symptoms are probably more like moderate/severe cold symptoms. So mild still means you get quite unwell.
Not sure what to call those who just get loss of taste and smell for example. That’s practically asymptomatic.

@mumlurker
The 111 doctor sounds awful. He should be reassuring not patronising, can you phone your own GP for telephone appointment? After all 111 have told you its not covid19 so they should see you.
I had telephone appt with my GP on Tuesday, she said my symptoms, chest heaviness, breathlessness, dizziness, headache were consistent with a virus but my cough which is mild, coughing once an hour , wasn't classed as a persistent cough so probably not covid as I haven't had a temperature. I have read different information online, seems theres no consistency of advice

I wonder if anybody can help. Did anybody follow this pattern in the early days (as my family think I've got tonsillitis).

Day 1: (Weds)
Sore throat
Wiped out
Temperature of 37.8

Day 2 (Thus)
Extremely sore throat and swollen glands
Temperature of 38 degrees after Paracetomol
Tiredness

Day 3 (today)
Temperature 37
Extremely sore throat and swollen glands
Persistent cough

I don't think it is tonsillitis. My sore throat and ulcers always happen when I am run down and my immunity low. Something is attacking my immune system.

My one DS was skiing in Italy at half term. He had a high fever/sickness for 2 days 2 weeks ago. We've SI since so.I haven't been out.

I gave myself a cough 3-4 weeks ago through ingesting chemicals but my cough now is more persistent. This is muddying the waters though.

@jackjackincredible
Sorry you've been so poorly, glad you are home at the moment, much easy to recover there. I was given the same advice about O2..to call if it stayed in the 80s for any length of time, but it only bobbed in and out fortunately. Hope you can get some sleep x

Cleaning chemicals. I was obsessed with bleaching everything and it went to my chest.

Is it okay if I join? I started with cough and mild temperature over a week ago and self isolated. Last three days the pain in my lungs at the back has become quite burny and uncomfortable. I can still take a big deep breath is and not gasping for air. It's just sore in my lungs (also I am completely fatigued). Anyone else have the lung pain?

Day 17. Breathing harder than it was yesterday but easier than it was 2 days ago. I'm wondering if there is a point where too much rest can make it harder on the lungs to get back to full health? Unused muscles are harder to oxygenate and that puts extra pressure on the lungs. So I'm giving some thought to trying lung exercises. I've found videos on youtube of exercises aimed at people with COPD, lung cancer, other breathing issues and am very tempted to try them out.

I will admit that I'm someone who is finding it very hard to fucking deal with not being able to exercise at all and the thought of even sitting on a chair, doing some gentle stretches and calling it a workout is tempting as all hell. I know how important rest is to healing up from this crappy virus. Physical activity keeps making me feel worse. But I think I need to find out if specifically target physical exercise aimed at improving lung health might help.

@notcool1984 Yeah I think most people here have lung pain to a greater or lesser degree.

@Spacecadetagain
The paramedics would be normally more careful to isolate themselves at the slightest pretext.

@findingschoolsformyboys
I know its scary and frustrating, particularly when you think you are feeling better then start to get worse again. I have found this thread supportive, so reassuring to know its not just me and to reach out to others.
I have found not listening to the news is the most helpful thing i can do as it sends my imagination into overdrive!
No medical knowledge but remember vast majority of people make a full recovery.
Lots of rest, fluid, paracetamol and tlc will help. I found listening to audio books helps as its soothing and i don't have to keep my eyes open.
If you get worse phone 111.

@middleager I have recurring tonsillitis and thought it might be that so am on antibiotics. I’ve never been breathless before though so I definitely think covid plus or minus tonsillitis. I have had the cough too and the chest/lung pain.

alittleprivacy I’m finding that a hard judgement call too. I’ve been ill so long and I can tell I’m getting weaker and losing condition. But every time I start doing stuff I deteriorate again.

After all the run around a GP from our own surgery phoned me, was lovely, said it sounds a lot like secondary bacterial infection. Who knows - with what I’m reading on here it could just be the normal progression of this disease. He said it won’t hurt to take them anyway.

He said he doesn’t want me collecting them (as if I could!) but my lovely sister is doing it for me and will leave them on the doorstep.

Thanks Ellicam I'll give it a week and see if the throat subsides. If not I'll call GP.

I would be interested to hear if other people's immune 'weaknesses' have been targeted.

So people who get cold sores when run down, boils, sinuses etc? My weak spot is always throat and ulcers.

Not quite keeping up with the thread, will come back later and have a proper read.

@onlinelinda I had left side chest twinges from around day 28 was very worried it was my heart. Spoke to doc, he checked my medical records and he said it was unlikely. It did briefly move to my right side and is now back to my left side.

@Notcool1984 I also have just started experiencing more of a burn / cold air sensation and soreness / tightness in my upper back where I imagine my lungs are. Before it was only heartburn sensations in the front but it’s now shifted in 24 hours to this. I’m over 2 weeks though into the virus so potentially a bit later stage? Has anyone developed this later on in their progression and did it lessen over time? I still have light headedness and some breathlessness with it too when moving around.