My Lungs Part 6

[TheDrsWife46]

New thread here let me see if i can link back and forth...

Haven't read any of the threads but had suspected Covid-19 about two or three weeks ago (they all merge into one now). Has anyone else had ongoing respiratory issues once it's passed?

I've had very mild asthma in the past but barely ever needed an inhaler. I've got an ongoing cough (intermittent), occasional breathlessness and occasional chest pain. I feel like there might be some physical changes in my lungs since this (but I might be being a hyperchondriac

@AutumnNymph do you have peak flow meter? That and an oximeter are what I've been using to tell the difference between "feeling I cant breath" and actually not being able to breath properly (I'm asthmatic too). You could also try the Roth test for reassurance.

@Taffyapple8 I'm in the same boat - awful health anxiety which I'm working to improve. I've surprised myself with this illness actually. I realise the more research you do about symptoms the worse it is for your anxiety (even before this pandemic). Now we have to contend with an added variable of media and social media. That only makes us catastrophise about what will happen. Don't listen to all the media and ask friends to not share anything that may trigger your anxiety symptoms.
This group has been a godsend for me.
Wishing you a speedy recovery

Ineedsun I’m nearly 3 weeks down the line and ended up being prescribed an inhaler the other day, suspected pleurisy post covid diagnosed (over the phone by the GP). They’re keeping me monitored and if it worsens I’ll be off to the covid centre for further tests. So definitely ongoing lung issues here!

@porcupineinwaiting - yes I do have a peak flow metre and have been using it - I ordered an oximeter off of Amazon earlier today and it should be here by Sunday - had totally forgotten about Roth test - thanks for reminding me!

I think mild is a misnomer in this and has fooled a lot of people into thinking it won’t be this shit. Some people genuinely have mild symptoms but if anyone tries to call what I’ve been through “mild” they’ll be lucky if I don’t deck them one!
Taffyapple8 I found going to bed with anxiety/ healing mediations very helpful. It’s maybe a bit woo but the mind is very powerful and even if all it does is calm you that’s a big thing. It won’t take away all the feeling shit but it will help you cope. There’s loads on YouTube and through the worst I was doing them in the day too, and praying, and doing EFT tapping (David Abel has recently put some good ones up), just to get me through. You will get over this worst bit - hang in there!

Agree with AnyPecan turn off the news and don’t let yourself look at most of the mumsnet threads either! I had to get really strict with myself. It’s tempting to look for reassurance but usually when I did that it backfired as something would come up I really hadn’t wanted to read. So keep off of it altogether.

@ineedsun yeah still having respiratory issues on week 5, but I think it's more a case of not recovered than anything longer term at this stage although it could obviously go that way. I'm asthmatic anyway but still on double symbicort (and antibiotics but I think they are pointless)

@AutumnNymph the good news for me was that, even at times when I was gasping for breath (v scary) my oxygen saturation never got dangerously low and even when my lungs felt like they were on fire my peak flow was fine. And although I've been sicker than pretty much any time in my life, breathing wise I've actually been better than I was over Christmas when a cold went to my chest.

Hello all- looking for a bit of advice if that’s ok?

I had what I thought was a bad cold 14 days ago; sore throat, felt hot (no temp), muscle aches and pains, chest pain... then DH got it, then the kids had a cough and sore chest and felt sick. We all lost sense of smell and taste about 4 days ago. The kids are recovering and I thought I had recovered but have now become breathless since yesterday morning- no other symptoms except mild lung pain.

No idea if I’m at the beginning or at the end did anyone else start or end the virus by losing smell and taste and becoming breathless? Should I consult a GP about breathlessness or just ride it out if I’m not gasping for breath?

Thanks

Taffy, (and anyone with anxiety) -

• leave the news and social media for the moment. It's not necessary to check more than once a day.

• distraction. Crap TV.

• EFT tapping, try this:

• try and get fresh air and daylight as much as possible in the day. Vitamin D is so important for your immune system, and also helps anxiety. I took D and Vit C daily.

• rate your anxiety on a scale of 1-10

• headspace might be useful - not everyone finds meditation/mindfulness relaxing, but if you do, have a look at some guided meditations.

You will get through this. Especially as you've been reassured by a doc that you have a mild case. If you get too worried, you can always phone 111.

Your body is already fighting this, it's amazing what your body and immune system is capable of!

Wishing everyone a peaceful night.

Thank you x I've not watched the news at all today but I have spent the majority of it on my phone, which never bodes well. There were a couple of WhatsApp groups that were relentlessly pinging last night and even though I'd muted them, they were still there. It was all about corona and I actually found myself leaving the groups. Currently lying here watching vampire diaries with overwhelming waves of nausea x

Oh that’s reassuring! DH is hovering and panicking which is sweet but made me worry more. I have shooed him away and DD and him are watching a movie now,

@ineedsun Sorry should have said I am still breathless (mainly when moving about now although still seem to have a couple of random episodes at rest a day too) have lung pain in front and back of chest and some burning and my gp didnt seem overly concerned at this stage so am just trying (not always successfully!) to remind myself that I might be taking a very long time to get better but I'll get there eventually and theres no need to worry xx

Evening all
Day 12 here and I had a very good day until evening. Started to have congested chest and burning returned after missing for few days (nights). I wonder if we are still contagious at this time, are any of you had family members with the same symptoms?
I have my Mom who is 69, she seems fine, my husband is OK. My 6 year old had a low grade temperature after 5 days since my first symptoms, but he seems recovered after 4 days. Noone else seems affected. Are we safe to socialise normally? (within family).

Sounds like you are in the middle of it @Toomuchsky. What you need now is a way of monitoring your breathing - this virus makes you feel like you can't breathe even when you can - but obviously you need to know if you really can't.

Do you have a pulse oximeter? If not, I suggest you use the Roth test - but dont hesitate to call 111 (or even 999) if you have to.

Managed to drift off only to be woken up by anxiety and feeling awful. Convinced myself that this is the severe downturn they talk about in the second week

You will be ok, I have been there so so so many times myself. Do you have a peak flow or oxometer? Thermometer? At all?

Hi everyone, I was on the previous threads 1-3. Checking back in around day 24. I'm still unwell and unable to do most normal activity. I'm very breathless tonight and aching back and ribs again. I will phone GP tomorrow. Finished antibiotics today but hasn't changed anything.

Happy to answer any questions as I see there are a few new people. Welcome to this shitty club - you'll get through this x

@onlinelinda and @user34254356 the back ache and burning is because your lungs are predominantly towards your back, I have learned! The doctor in the Queen's Hospital video mentions it. This is also why it's easier to breathe lying on your front and why they do this with ICU patients - it relieves the pressure on the lungs.

Hi @littleninja Hope you are doing ok ish. The antibiotics have done nothing for me either on day 32 now. x

Oh I'm sorry to hear that tangled. It would have been nice if they'd reduced at least some of the symptoms wouldn't it. It's probably a good sign though as means we don't have a secondary infection so don't have more to fight.

Are you struggling to sleep as well? X

@littleninja Yeah I think it is all just viral, but we've 'had a bad dose' as my gp put it
Yeah really struggling to sleep, but not sure how much that's to do with the symptoms, a medication I started just before all this started or just that I have bad insomnia anyway! Are you struggling to sleep because of the breathlessness?

Yes... I'm getting progressively frustrated by the lack of awareness in the UK about the recovery time. The news seems to think the only options are 7 days of mild symptoms or ICU for weeks Germany are doing daily monitoring of people at home and have good days coming out saying it can take a month or more. It doesn't help those of us who are in our camp to be so misrepresented here.

Ah I'm a fellow insomniac actually meant to be starting a new routine this week but failing miserably as life is so abnormal and I'm determined to rest when I need to instead of waiting for night time. I think it's the worry about the breathlessness keeping me up as well as my lack of discipline (been on phone and news too much and not let brain settle down). Have you been reading during the day?

*resting not reading