30+

[stayathomegardener]

@Babdoc @baroqueandblue @Casino218 @ChippedPotatoesLloyd @DandyPeguin @EMichel102 @JackJackIncredible @KatySun @kevintheorangecarrot @littleblackdress04 @Littleninja1*@longshot @Lovelesslily* @ofwarren @onlinelinda @Porcupineinwaiting @SchrodingersKitty @ScrimpshawTheSecond @Spacecadetagain @Tangledyarn @TheDrsWife46 @TheDrsWife46 @TheWooisStrong

Welcome to a group none of us want to be in.

Apologies to anyone missing or added that didn't want to be.

Please do add more, don't feel pre day 30 is a barrier.

I’m also type A, negative. Don’t suppose the Rhesus factor matters in this. Porcupineinwaiting coeliac too, like you. Also like you, DH has had the mildest case ever - a cough. It’s gone on 5 weeks now for him but that is it. Don’t know what he is.

I didn’t have the BCG either.

Hello again everyone, day 26ish here (except I reckon a week or two more than that without knowing it was COVID - but the last 26 days have easily been the worst illness I've had as an adult, and I've had some shockers!)

Shout out to anyone who has mentioned me in their posts, I really appreciate it but cannot for the life of me retain much detail or info in my noodle at the moment so will only mention @stayathomegardener by name, and wanted to say how wonderful it was to read about Muriel being out yesterday and spending time with your DD in the garden! I have a lovely image of her wolfing lots of sarnies now that her appetite has improved, what a Trojan! And thank you for your email. More on that another time, but I was very happy to be included in the mail-out

I took a double dose (500mg) of Cephalexin yesterday afternoon, to boost things a bit, and have taken 4 single doses since then. Due another before bed. I felt a huge improvement by this morning - much less pain and breathlessness and a feeling of wellbeing I thought I'd never have again. Unfortunately, the gains haven't lasted throughout the day. The horrid pleuritic pain has returned, although neither that nor the breathlessness are as troubling as they were until yesterday evening. So some progress, but I'm afraid I'll be like many of us and, while the antibiotics may make a dent, expect to be struggling with the virus itself for some time yet. After living with it for this long, I think we just know we know, right?! Still, baby steps towards healing and all that. I've still got at least another 5+ days on the antibiotic so we'll see.

I'm sorry to hear that some of you are also finding it so difficult in the 20days. Feel quite encouraged by the posts from people late 20s and early 30days who are having runs of feeling much better. It obviously improves in the weeks 5-6 stage for most. We'll get there. I agree with those discussing the differences in sensation between costochondritis and pleurisy - I've suffered costochondritis on and off for years and this is definitely different, and more depressing (for me at any rate). It was largely on the right rear- and side-ribcage until a few days ago, and jarringly restricted a lot of movement for me (hence why I worried I'd fragility fractured without realising). But in the last few days it has diffused into both sides of the ribs at the back and is a different sensation again, very unpleasant. Like having rocks in my lungs and across my mid back is how I'd describe it. Shudder

Anyway, I treated myself this afternoon. Went into 'the good room' and watched Joker, which was superb. I hardly ever watch films these days, and rarely thrillers, but it was engrossing, for all its darkness. Nice to have a break from living in my bedroom too!

Sending and socially distant hugs to all. Keep your eyes on that healing

I had the BCG but oddly almost didn’t as I was deemed slightly immune from the immunity test they do but not enough not to have it.

I haven't had the BCG as I'm immune to TB. Interesting, although I don't think I'm an A blood group.

My temperature has been trying to spike again today, and poor dh has had a headache all day.

@hollieberrie Yeah my gp surgery says the same, it was maybe easier as I had some appointments with them but they have done me a sick note although I need another one doing now. I dont know whether you can self cert for a week after the isolation note as am guessing they are different things.

@baroqueandblue

I’m concerned about you taking the cephalexin, especially as you’re still feeling unwell. I’m not going to give specific medical advice on this because I’m not a dr but the dose you’re taking isn’t quite right. Mainly though, you mentioned it was given to you by someone with COPD. People with chronic respiratory diseases will not necessarily be prescribed the same antibiotics as other people. We tend to be more susceptible to different bacteria that don’t affect people with normal lungs. We need different strengths of antibiotics as well as different lengths of courses. I’m concerned you’re giving yourself side effects from the cephalexin and may have an infection that requires a different antibiotic. Please be careful.

@DandyPeguin I had no appetite at all for the first 7 days and since then alternate daily bw not much appetite and being absolutely ravenous. Odd.

I second what @JackJackIncredible says. I have Copd and have just been taken off one of my antibiotics (but not that one).

I'm a bit confused about sick notes too. When I spoke to the GP today, he said to self Certificate for next week even though I've now been off two weeks and next week will be my third week. How do you self Certificate?

Sorry, meant to put that in the Lungs 7 thread but feel free to answer!

I take your point and under normal circumstances wouldn't take such a decision. But as we know, these are not normal times, and needs must. I've taken cephalexin once before (on prescription, for pneumonia) and it's safe for me, whereas amoxycillin and the 'mycin' family are not (the former landed me in resusc on my 50th birthday!)

Less than a fortnight ago, my GP asked me to cough into the phone and told me he wouldn't prescribe me antibiotics because I didn't have a chest infection. I wasn't going to be fobbed off again. Also, I absolutely have no-one at the moment who can fetch me a prescription, another factor in my decision. Almost 36 hours after starting the tablets I've definitely seen some improvement and am feeling better in myself. I appreciate your concern, and I'm not advocating anyone reading this do the same as I'm doing, but I also understand why they might.

I'm not sure if I mentioned that I have fibromyalgia, among other chronic conditions. My immune system struggles at the best of times, and at a time like this needs all the help it can get. My usual GP is very good with me, listens and respects my 'body wisdom' after coping with chronic illness for years. Sadly, he's not triaging patients by telephone, other GPs at the practice are presently, and they don't have his understanding of the way things are for me.

@Lightsabre Think you can download a form from online if you need one. Yeah its confusing with the whole SI thing, but think it's being treated separately to sickness.

Omg. This is sooooo stressful. So, Im day 28 today. Breast bone pain/chest pain bad again for 2 days. Previously, and after a week of antibiotics, I felt like I was improving. I just took an ibuprofen (30 mins ago) for the breatbone/rib pain as I thought I'm far away from COVID for it not to be a problem (took 1 last Sun for a migraine, too). Anyway, 10 mins ago I was lying in the sofa, said to DH that I could feel something running down my throat (still can't taste). Then blood runs out of my right nostril. DH could see blood running down my throat/tonsil area.

It seems to has stopped running now. I feel 'bunged up'. Absolutely no reason for it to start.

Don't know if it's connected but my period started today, heavy and full flow. Day 28 of cycle, and normally I'm 41 days with a week or more of spotting. No spotting this time, just full flow.

Not had a nose bleed since I was a kid. Never felt it run down my throat like that, it was so thin and watery.

@DandyPeguin @onlinelinda omg yes to the ravenous appetite! It's been on and off but some days I couldn't eat enough food and had to eat in the middle of the night too. I am always a grazer anyway and struggle to eat big meals at the best of times but this was like a conveyor belt, I just needed more and more. On my sickest day I couldn't eat a thing though so I don't know why that switched.

Managed another walk today and another positive day overall but chest tightness came on suddenly after dinner along with breathlessness. Lying face down in bed again, standard position these days!

@isitorisntit so sorry to hear that, I can imagine how alarmed you must have felt. As you say, good that it has stopped, and who knows what to make of it under the circumstances But it has reminded me that back in February I woke up with an ear bleed! Not something that I've ever experienced before (I'm 53) and had to go to A&E. (It stopped before I even left the house but 111 told me to get checked out.) The nurse I saw told me it was inflamed and likely infected, and that there was some ear wax in there. I was given a spray that was part antibiotic, part steroid, used it for 10 days and it helped. However, I was unwell at the time and looking back I wonder if it really was just down to ear wax?!

Anyway, I hope you're not feeling anxious and can get to the bottom of this over the weekend

@baroqueandblue I'm currently investigating if I have fibromyalgia. Have had a number of symptoms over the last year but not a confirmed diagnosis so don't consider myself to have it necessarily. My main symptoms are sciatic pain and fatigue and brain fog but my GP thinks it could be anxiety. I didn't know if fibromyalgia would be considered a risk factor as it's not an auto immune condition?

Thanks @baroque. I just want to go to bed, get another day over with and survive the night. An ear bleed sounds terrifying.

@Littleninja1 you're right, it's not officially considered a risk factor at present and not considered to be an autoimmune disease because it doesn't technically cause inflammation. On the other hand, it often contributes to a propensity for costochondritis, for example, which is an inflammation of cartilage. And when I have episodes of fibromyalgia I often get rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in my thumb joints and spine! And that is autoimmune. So it's all a bit of a hotch potch. One of the criticisms of a fibromyalgia diagnosis is that it covers a multitude of sins and patients are often seen in a one-stop clinic after initial diagnosis and then find it very difficult to get a review that might identify other conditions.

Are you struggling more with the symptoms you've mentioned as a result of having this virus? Your GP ought to refer you to a rheumatologist to rule out anxiety as a cause, if possible.

Thanks @Storyofcats , I'll look for the form tomorrow- hopefully it'll be on the 111 site.

@isitorisntit wishing you a restful night. I have faith you'll survive it

The ear bleed freaked me out a bit, felt a bit ominous! But the spray was very good and it hasn't happened since, so fingers crossed

Lol. 🤞🤞 Sleep well.

both my husband and I have had the BCG and we are both sick

After a very good day, having a terrible night.

Got the shakes and feel like my heart is racing (but it actually isn't?) Also got a horrible taste in my mouth and feel sick. Tried sleeping but every time I'm nearly dropping off I jerk awake in a panic - again feels like my heart should be racing uncontrollably but it is actually not at all.

Don't know if this could be some kind of reaction to the antibiotics or just still the virus.
Had such a good day today, felt normal for first time in 3 weeks :(