40+

[MilesJuppIsMyBitch]

A thread for people with CV19 symptoms that have lasted for more than a couple of weeks.

First thread here

(Called 40+ to keep a rough tab on when the first symptoms started being reported on MN).

Thanks for starting the new thread @MilesJuppIsMyBitch. Day 33 for me and the aches and pains are now only every now and then. Breathing and stomach issues seem much better now, but my throat is really sore again. Hopefully it's just the end of the throat infection, as I've had that symptom for 11 days. @longshot @Pinkpather40 and @fuggyfish glad you're both starting to feel better. @thedrswife46 my gp has been really helpful, so worth calling for reassurance if anything. Overall I'm still feeling much better, but I'll keep you all posted on progress with the throat. Take care

www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/muscle-relaxation-for-stress-insomnia

Morning all. My GP phoned me out of the blue to check on my progress, isn't the NHS amazing? She's going to discuss with a colleague and get back to me, I think she might be considering a blood test to rule out anaemia. Or maybe wants to see me in person to check my oxygen levels etc.. It's put me a bit on edge, knowing that she's worried about me. I suppose breathlessness is potentially very serious, though so they have to be cautious.

Hi everyone, day 30 here. Can anyone help with a work issue, please? I was off work for 13 days, now back on a phased return, and have only managed to get the basic NHS111 isolation note for the first 7 days. My employer is asking for a retrospective sick note, but my GP surgery won't do this as they feel it is unreasonable for employers to ask for this. They mentioned something about another note from 111 to certify that I was 'personally affected' / unwell for longer than 7 days - does such a thing exist? If so, is there a link as I can't find it? TIA

Hi, I hope you don’t mind me chiming in this late in the thread. I have been reading since the beginning but haven’t posted-largely because on my worst days I aren’t had the strength and on my better days I have been stupidly scared of my own mortality to the point I’ve been avoiding any self acknowledgement of how poorly I’ve been in case I cursed myself and made myself nosedive again (if that makes any sense).

Anyway, I am on day 34 today of a journey that has taken me to hell and back several times over the last 5 weeks and has had me truly convinced I was going to die on 3 different occasions. I recognise myself in everything I have read, and have taken more strength from this thread than I can ever thank any of you enough for.

I had 111 send the paramedics out to me on day 7 for squeezing bra band pain and shortness of breath, but they never took me in as my vitals (other than temperature) were okay. I had a relapse (largely fever and gastric, agonising waves of nausea from my toes to my shoulders- which peaked into a wave similar to going over the top of a rollercoaster every 15/20 cms) on day 14 (sadly my 40th birthday which I spent in bed). A family member gave me some antibiotics as I had no luck getting Gp/111 to decide who was my port of call, as I thought the fever indicated a secondary infection/ with hindsight and the knowledge gained on here, o think it wasn’t - it was a second wave and I went to early with antibiotics.

After this relapse I improved after a couple of days and had 4/5 pretty okay days (chest always remained tight-starting with the bra band pain, moving on at this point to weight on breast bone area and burning under my ribs at the back)

On around Monday 6th (day 25) I started to notice that all my airways felt bone dry from the back of my nose, down my trachea and across my chest and I felt really congested. Steam baths and bowls would ease the sensation and bring a lot of thick stretchy clear mucus up and a little green coloured thicker stuff, the sensation got worse by the Saturday (day 30) and I started antibiotics again (the initial set had been 10 days and I’d taken 7). By Sunday morning (day 31) I was coughing up lots of green and brown flecked phlegm sometimes independently and much more successfully after lung exercises/bath. Every day since then I have improved. I spoke to my Gp on Monday (day 31) and he prescribed another 5 days of co-amoxiclav, he said even if not bacterial, antibiotics can have an antibiotics inflammatory effect -although wouldn’t normally prescribe them for this)

Yesterday (day 33) I went food shopping (walking for around 45 minutes) aNd pulled a trolly and carried 2 bags home. For the last 2/3 days the only sign I’ve been so unwell is my lungs occasionally (and randomly e.g if I reach up to a cupboard) feel like I’ve ran cross country in the cold, it doesn’t last long and doesn’t scare me like the rest of the symptoms have done- as it’s a familiar sensation.
Like you all I’m aware this disease includes relapses, so I Will not count my chickens and tempt fate. I will just say, that the good days now are at 95%+ pre-covid levels for
Me now, and Hope this offers someone some comfort, like you have all done for
Me.

Morning all, day 29 here and woke with a temp of 37.9 :-( I think I should stop monitoring it as it’s so depressing as a stark reminder you’re still ill. I could tell anyway as I felt flushed and hot. Started antibiotics yesterday so hoping it’s secondary and that’ll help but somehow I suspect not. I have to keep reminding myself I’m better than 2 weeks ago rather than worse than last week. It’s so great to have this supportive thread though.

@TheDrsWife46 sorry you had a rough night as it seemed like you were feeling a bit better overall yesterday. I totally understand the fear of every symptom though. We have no idea what’s going on and under any other circumstances there would be tests and checks to reassure that everything wasn’t failing! Hugs to all who are anxious today.

@everythingisginandroses that’s rubbish - when are they going to update that this is not a 7 day and you’re done kind of condition for so many of us!

Oh and what has me Completely convinced (I was already >99%) that this is/was covid, is this story i read yesterday

www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/possible-sign-coronavirus-look-out-21862683

My son (14) had these exact marks on his feet within the first few days I fell ill.

@Dimsummummy really nice (although sorry) to read your story. Thank you for posting it. It’s really good to hear from people starting to improve!

Day 36 here for me. I’m a lot better. Still have chest tightness / aches but not bad and I’m not needing paracetamol etc. Otherwise I am ok pottering and not doing much. I can focus on stuff now mentally but other than short ish strolls don’t feel I can do more physical stuff other than hanging out washing etc. In my self I do feel much better and I hope this is recovery now and there won’t be more relapses. I shall be very careful resting still and allowing my body to recover.

It’s also worth mentioning my DD (8) is also still unwell on and off. She’s 4 days behind me but has chest aches and pains still and fatigue from time time time. She is mostly ok in herself but I believe we will take weeks to feel fully recovered. I’ve accepted that now after feeling I might die a few times it feels ok to need more rest and recovery than I had initially hoped reading the ‘2 weeks mild illness’. It’s definitely not been that for me!

@Dimsummummy I have had the bra line pain and not been able to use one for 6 weeks! So weird isn't it! 🤪

@Dimsummummy

I saw this article as it set me off on a panic attack as I had bruises on my legs like that before it broke out and it was a friend who’s mum had been to the hospital with the virus shared and commented on it and i just go so worried and my panics went out of control for worry about my dad.

Has anyone notived worsening symptoms during their period? I am feeling terrible today. Shaky, resting bp 100, clammy hands and feel sick to my stomach. Have rung GP I'm feeling so terrible.

Hi all, had a decent afternoon and evening yesterday. Today really wiped out, breathing still not there, I don’t even know how to describe it but at the moment I suppose it’s as if I just came from a run. I saw a GP yesterday, pulse, oxygen, blood pressure ok, chest clear which I am ecstatic about. Where does this breathlessness come from though? I’m in my sixth week and I think I could handle it way better and not be as scared of it if the breathlessness went away. Anyone else still breathless?

@Pinkpather40 yes mine started like that (maybe first 10 days) and I think that’s why 111 sent an ambulance as it was squeezing pain and they had to rule out a heart attack. I couldn’t wear a bra either! Would love to know what all these sensations relate to in terms of the viruses path.

Rd the chest pain- The paramedics (although caring and professional) told me that my breathlessness was my body being physically anxious as it had learnt to overcompensate and take in too much air when I had had a fever in the days prior and they wouldn’t have it that it was an independent symptom for me (this was before it was widely known as a covid symptom) hence I’m so glad that this thread existed as it relatively quickly reassured me of what I already knew- the anxiety followed the chest tightness and not the other way around ! This peer symptom approval was paramount in the absence of medical knowledge (although I hope people who fall ill now are able to access better information, than was available back then) as the paramedics suggested to me that I needed to use relaxation methods to ease my chest pains (resulting in me drinking wine and having a few cigarettes that evening - I was a smoker up til March 13th and when this virus hit i had stopped instantly due to breathing issues... I would never have smoked/drank mid illness had the information been available to me/had I known how protracted an illness this would be, and it seems foolish and ludicrous to me now with the knowledge I now have that I even considered this !! I did tell the paramedic that my relaxation was drinking wine and smoking and they did not attempt to dissuade me in any way shape or form from this! I know they were working on best advice as known at the time about chest/breathing issues with normalish SATS, so I’m not placing blame I’m just highlighting the danger of floundering with no medical support/advice.

... as an aside I haven’t touched a cigarette since and never will.

I also forgot to mention, my Gp concurred that many in the community and poorly surgery staff members are taking as long as we have/are to recover.

he also suggested that I build my movements up day by day (even pushing through on any bad days now) rather than doing nothing when I’m bad and doing too much when I’m good.

Also, to add an unusual(?) symptom to the thread that I haven’t see mentioned. My first symptom was my partner telling me my eyes were jaundiced (I fell ill within a few hours afterwards) and a yellowish bowel
Movement. These were one off occurrences and went on that first day.

@Moodgie my breathing is still not right. It’s ok but I know it I try and do anything more than Potter it won’t feel good. This can be caused by amemia too, did you have bloods done yesterday? I am borderline anaemic anyway so hoping GP will do mine this week.

I think we can get enough air in but my body isn’t turning it into oxygen as effectively as it would have done perhaps. I think that makes me feel dizzy and heart races etc. Not sure there’s a cure other than rest and recover!

@Dimsummummy thanks for sharing. Always so reassuring to read positive stories of people who’ve had it long term.

@longshot so glad you’re still on an upward curve.

@TheDrsWife46 really hope your symptoms have eased off. @Dorual same for you and hope the GP can give you some reassurance.

Day 34 here and currently back in bed. Woke up with a really constricted feeling in my chest, just like 29 days ago. Similar to asthma but inhaler made no difference. Really bad cough but still not really productive and lungs feel irritated and inflamed. Back of throat up behind tonsils still sore as has been throughout.

This is so frustrating, I feel a bit better in myself in terms of energy and not short of breath unless I do something. Crazy buzzing long gone, heart rate more settled and slept better but still can’t shake this bloody thing off!

Sorry to moan. Just feel pretty worn down by everything at the mo. Sure my wife is nearly as sick of it as me and friends have stopped asking if I feel better. Fingers (and toes) crossed this thing buggers off soon!

@longshot No, I didn’t have my bloods done. Is your breathing fine when you’re resting? I just feel like mine is off whether I am doing something or not.
How is yours today @WorriesomeDad?

Sorry @WorriesomeDad, I have just seen your post. Feel free to moan, I know the feeling. What I’d give to feel normal!

@Moodgie can you describe the chest pain now? Mine is a sort of general ache around all ribs and upper back feels right. If I take a deep breath the top of my spine sort of aches / burns. Had wondered if I could have heartburn but I’ve never had it so not sure!! Can’t get through to my GP today so will try again tomorrow / later.

@longshot
I haven’t got chest pain as such. I had chest pain in second week really, like pressure. I think the third week it was getting better and then it felt tight. And it still felt constricted afterwards, I’d feel it when I was getting up for example. To be honest it is all a blur. The last 3.5 weeks my main thing has been the on and off breathing issues, not enough air in the room, breathing through cotton wool, scratchy-like windpipe, not being able to take a breath deep enough. I am hoping this is not as bad as it was - at the moment it feels like more laboured breathing? I have an oximeter and sats are fine but I feel like I would just like to take deep full breaths without forcing it. It is so hard to describe the way you feel!

@Dorual

Yes- at the beginning of my period I felt awful- shaky and dizzy and my bp was around 100 too- normally a little bit higher than this. I really freaked out when I was feeling like this at night time. After day 2 it settled down though. Fingers crossed it will for you too.

@Dimsummummy thank you for the positive story!

Hi All - found you again! Just checking in really, on day 35 (I think). I've been feeling reasonably well, but with an intermittent chesty cough, occasionally coughing up gunk, but mostly only clear or pale yellow. I'm more or less back on track with running my online lectures and classes, but still finding I get exhausted if I do too much (either mentally or physically). We are shielding because of DH's cancer situation, so haven't had a walk for weeks, but not sure I feel up to it yet anyway. I probably should at some point though.

(For those following my DH news - he is doing well on the steroids, but we haven't yet heard back from consultants about results or further treatment plan, as everything much delayed by bank holiday. We're surprisingly ok living in limbo).

@Dorual I am due mine any day now and have the tell tale migraine and sore throat that I get before it. My heart rate is up because of my inhaler. I feel dreadful because I have a sinus infection atm too.

Thanks @Countingsheeps

And @pinkoneblueone yes I feel pre-migrainey. Dizzy and clammy and like my nerves are on end. Plus high HR. I don't know if it's a relapse or the hormones making everything feel worse.

@Moodgie I am still very much breathless at times and stills have intermittent chest pains. My GP yesterday said I should expect this for possibly another month (that would take me to just over 8 weeks). She really didn't seem concerned. She told me to listen to my body and take high vitamin D.

Day 32.

Waves to everyone.

I've had a good few days other than a few small chest pains on walking uphill (both times I went out for a walk) plus the odd half hour of feeling extremely chilled. I'm having one of those chills periods right now, for the last hour, so I hope it will be short lived.