40 plus plus

[WorriesomeDad]

Thread for continuing long-term Coronavirus support

@WorriesomeDad Ah, I thought you had the antibody one.

@WorriesomeDad I think I’ll be too late for a swab on day 47. Holding out for a decent antibody test...although a bit worried I might be waiting some time!

@longshot Yeah I reckon so. My thinking was that with people still testing positive after very long periods I just wanted peace of mind that my body wasn’t still shedding a high viral load. Would be keen for an antibody test also!

@longshot Immunity tests 'developed by UK scientists' in possible 'breakthrough moment' in coronavirus battle - today’s Evening Standard article apple.news/AkkTsDn_UQvOMcwV26uM3QQ

I'm having another panicky heart racing day today

Sorry to hear that, @Crayfishforyou - I think some of us have struggled a little more during our periods. Keep resting

Is there anything linking cycle and Exacerbating cv? Just interested as that seems to chime a bit here

I would not recommend cycling.

I had 3 weeks of feeling absolutely fine after a period of recovery, I was walking 4/5 miles a day everyday with no effect on my lungs at all so thought I was completley over it. Managed some gentle jogging too. Felt like I had plenty of energy and wanted to get my fitness back so did a 5 mile bike ride. The pleurisy came back with a vengeance that night, shortness of breath and dizziness which has now lasted over a week, an effort even to get up the stairs and can't even do housework. I feel really silly for thinking that just because I feel fine my lungs hadn't actually recovered properly and I've set myself back even longer. It's frustrating but I am planning to take it very easy for a lot longer now.

Periods?

Yes, periods, sorry for any confusion (I don't think I'd recommend cycling either, though!) I haven't been able to find anything about this either, @Wingingit15, would be interesting to know if anyone has found any info.

@posterCanIdoItLater

Sorry that's so terrible after making such good progress.

One of the worst things about this retched situation is not knowing when we'll be back to full health and enjoying the things we did before.

It’s day 40 so I’ve graduated
I’m hearing/reading anecdotal evidence that CV and periods are horrible. On a basic level, given that periods are a massive upheaval for your body/hormones etc and can drain you at the best of times, I guess it’s no wonder a weakened body fighting CV finds the two things hard going.
Am watching for pneumonia and bronchitis symptoms, as I have developed laryngitis and assume that it is due to GERD rather than bacterial.

It's reassuring to hear it's not just me!

The doctors had no advice for me on discharge from hospital (just finish the antibiotics and take painkillers) because they don't yet know very much about this virus or the long term recovery from it.

I phoned 111 last night because of the pleurisy chest pains and shortness of breath returning last week and getting worse (I'm on Day 61 since first symptoms and felt completely recovered and full of energy on Day 33).

A doctor from the Covid ward phoned me back. She was very thorough with asking me questions, not rushed at all and took my concerns very seriously. She said it's a tough one but concluded that I had over done it and need to let my lung recover. I had been worried it was a pulmonary embolism as I had a positive D-Dimmer in hospital but CT scan was clear. She did not think that was what I had and that I just need to rest and call them back if my breathing gets worse. I'm keeping an eye on my blood sats with my oximeter but feel more reassured that a lot of you have had similar issues on recovery.

I plan to take it very easy for a couple of months.

I've noticed alot of us still here are very fit and active in our previous lives. You would think we would have shaken it off quicker 🤔

@Kitcat122 for myself I wonder whether I was “supposed” to get a severe case (I am in the extremely vulnerable group due to rubbish lungs) but that my physical fitness (around 5 hours a week of hard-core exercise pre-covid) plus all the anti-inflammatories I take “saved” me so I only got it moderately. Who knows though.

Re cycling - I am now finding gentle (static) cycling ok. Press-ups give me terrible pleurisy pain though

@LetsBeSensible I think we are similar. Been trying to work out my sore throat as ibuprofen wasn't working either and tried some rennies earlier which really helped, so I think it is probably Gerd laryngitis. Day 43 for me and other than a few aches around the chest and back, the sore/swollen throat for 4 weeks has been my main concern. The good news is that today I managed an hour walk in the sun and then did 30 mins of weeding without feeling rubbish. Going to take it easy now, but hopefully the antacids and reducing acidic food will help and I'll let you know how it goes. I'll speak to the gp tomorrow to get his views and let you all know. Take care all and hope that everyone has a good night.

@CanIdoItLater thanks for your post. I am sorry You are unwell again. This virus seems to flare up with exertion, in the early stages that might just mean walking upstairs (!) but weeks later when you think you’re ‘safe’ it seems to be able to come back. Take it easy and as you say rest up and phase back in very very gently...

@CanIdoItLater do you mind me asking how unwell you were in the first 33 days? Were you at home or in hospital? I’m guessing you fully rested and then from then until the big bike ride felt gradually better and better?

@Gunner30 @LetsBeSensible What is your sore throat like? I haven’t been linking mine to GERD as haven’t really had that before. I have a sore throat and this phlegmy feeling where I’m trying to clear it or cough it out but nothing there. It’s like my windpipe is a bit irritated.

@longshot

That's interesting. My sense is my GP dismissed heart problems out of hand because I'm otherwise healthy, but didn't seem to seriously consider that corona virus might have caused some kind of heart issue. I'm feeling very tired today so decided to dial back the activity for a bit, though my legs feel awful from lack of movement! Do let us know how your consultation goes, will be very interesting to hear. And here's to continued recovery, even if it is slow.

@mumlurker and I think tats a real problem. GPs do not seem well read on the possible other issues associated with COVID beyond the 'obvious'

@godhelpusall

Definitely. I've found everything is put down to 'anxiety' in the first instance. Not saying I haven't been anxious but...it's aggravating to essentially be told that you're imagining your symptoms. I wonder if it's a gendered thing?

I've noticed alot of us still here are very fit and active in our previous lives. You would think we would have shaken it off quicker

Well I'm guessing that's one of two things then. 1. We initially got a high viral load and should have been more ill than we were but the fitness protected us. Or 2. We should have been completely better by now but pushed too hard on recovery to get back to normal and set ourselves back.

Reading some of the post about relapses weeks after feeling better I'm starting to think that I need to drastically revise my approach to my return to my previous fitness. I'll keep up my walks and my leg stretches but stick with just that for quite a while longer. And mentally I think I need another project. Plotting my return to skating is probably neither mentally nor physically in my best interests. I need some sort of completely different, non-physical project.

Has anyone ever wanted to write a novel? Or want to write another one? I did nanowrimo once and it was really fun even if my book wasn't the best. Maybe I'll set up an online group for people to support each other in writing a novel to distract themselves from a need to get back to exercise while they recover from Covid. That just rolls of the tongue, eh!

I wish there was a clear answer. I went for a short walk today, 5000 steps or so. I now have palpitations and just generally feel rough again. Slight sore throat, back pain.
Period is also due for me in a day or so, so I could put it down to that. It’s hard to know whether I’ve got anxiety/it’s all in my head or whether it actually is residual covid issues. Either way I’m not the healthy gym going person I was at the start of the year.