40 plus plus

[WorriesomeDad]

Thread for continuing long-term Coronavirus support

Hi @Moodgie, I think we have the same issue. My sore throat started after the pneumonia and felt like razors in the throat, then after a few days it calmed down to just irritation of the windpipe, like something was blocking it. For 4 weeks my whole throat and sides/back of my neck have been really swollen. The back of the throat has blisters and there are white spots above my tonsils, that won't clear with any medication. Gp thought it was viral tonsollitis, but I've also been struggling to swallow and trying to cough up phelgm to clear my throat, but nothing is really there. Also any spicy food is much more sensitive, so GERD would actually make more sense. Hope this helps. :-)

Thank you @Gunner30. Mine started last week with a scratchy throat, then the phlegmy feeling followed which is up and down and then for a couple of days the sore throat - when swallowing - has joined.

Day 39
Today I have gone backwards.
Very painful lung area and chesty.
The weather is quite humid which I don't think is helping.
I'm going to phone the GP tomorrow as I want all these symptoms documented on my notes. I'm also going to ask about the palpitations,quick heartbeat and the shaky/tremor thing.

It feels as though I'm on a rollercoaster. Fed up is an understatement.

@longshot - Sorry if it’s really long but here’s my rough timeline...

Day 1 - 5: aching eyes, headache, feel fluey

Day 6 - 12: sore throat, high temp, fever, flu like (sofa bound)

Day 13 - 16: fever, fatigue, sore throat (bed bound but could read and watch Netflix)

Day 17 - 20: breathing difficulties, dry cough, struggling to sleep and eat (bed bound, DH starting to really worry, couldn’t get through to 111)

Day 21: cough and breathing difficulties ease slightly, felt I was over the worst but still in bed

Day 22: woke up calmly feeling like I might die, severe chest pains when breathing, fever returned, tingly limbs, disorientated, couldn’t even lift my phone (called 111, was told I had a common cold & anxiety but I insisted was not that and was sent to GP, heart rate & blood pressure through the roof so sent straight to hospital)

Day 22 - 25: hospital - breathing difficulties, fever, cough, pleuritic chest pains worsen through to back & shoulder, severe dehydration, drip, vomiting, antibiotics, pain killers, blood thinners (positive D-dimmer), x-rays & CT scan

Day 26 - 33: home - taking it easy, finish antibiotics & painkillers, improving daily

Day 33 - 45: lots of energy, feel completely recovered but not venturing out

Day 45 - 51: back to walking the dog daily, couple of gentle jogs, felt totally fine

Day 52: bike ride, felt unfit but no pain at all

Day 53 - 60: pleuritic pain returns, funny turns (vertigo?), dizzy, shortness of breath, slight fever

Day 61: pleuritic pain worsened, shortness of breath, very dizzy but no fatigue and no fever, called 111 & doctor advised me to take painkillers, take it easy and call back if shortness of breath worsens

Day 62+ : slobbing on the sofa 😆

Wow @CanIDoItLater that’s a rough ride sorry
Can I just ask - when people have flare ups does their sleep go to pot again? I can’t decide if it’s anxiety or physiolog chest issues and starting to doubt myself

I'm sleeping fine but having the weirdest dreams

Was it mentioned here, or maybe a friend told me... that some Dr or possibly a research group had found a trend in active people developing nasty cases of the virus.

running and cycling is my passion and I'm dreading how and when to return to it.

Checking in on day 57. Very sad and hopeless today. Kind people keep messaging me and asking how I am and I don't even want to reply. Felt like I've hit rock bottom so many times before but it just keeps getting worse. Sorry this is so pathetic.

One of my main issues is sleep. As others have reported, every time I get near to dropping off I get palpitations and jittery sensations. When I do eventually drop off I jolt awake again feeling dreadful. The most I get is 3-4 hours in a stretch. Then I wake up in the morning feeling terrified as I can't move any parts of my body properly. It's just hideous. And probably a vicious circle as the sleep deprivation is making me more ill.

My heart rate's all over the place throughout the day too. I've been in bed all day unable to move. Don't know how much more I can take. Sorry to vent.

I'll contact my GP again tomorrow but I know he won't understand - the symptoms are just too crazy.

@fedupofbed that sounds like it might be panic attacks. Years ago when I developed a panic disorder I had similar symptoms at night. Your body is so wired you can’t calm down and it erupts when asleep.

@fedupofbed I had a couple of instances like that when dozing off - and I was wondering whether it was anxiety fuelled @starrynightsabove.

@fedupofbed and @CanIdoItLater you must be thoroughly fed up. Two months of symptoms

@Starrynightsabove yes could be, I do feel like I've lost perspective now. It doesn't really explain the grogginess in the morning though, which kind of came first and has been going on for weeks. My body just feels really heavy all the time.

Anyone on this thread taking amitriptyline? I think @TheDrsWife46 was prescribed it? I was offered it a while back but didn't take it up. Does it help with the sleep? How does it make you feel in the mornings/ day? I need help with the sleep but couldn't bear feeling any heavier or groggier in the day.

@fedupofbed

I have had the same issues with sleep, and after only getting 1 hour max on Friday night I managed to speak to an out of hours dr yesterday who prescribed me amitriptyline to help me sleep. I slept the best last night I have slept in the whole 32 days since this began, and I feel a little better today than yesterday (although we all know that means nothing in the grand scheme of things!) I’m thinking if we don’t get enough sleep we will take even longer to recover so I will try anything!

I believe @TheDrsWife46 was prescribed the same thing- how are you getting on? Xxx

I used to take Amitriptyline for Fibromyalgia. It is amazing for sleep and not too groggy in the morning, especially if I took it early evening.

@fedupofbed

Sorry-I was posting while you were! In answer to your questions- I felt a bit extra weird, lethargic on waking, but once that wore off (2 hours max after waking) I felt ok. I also have the really heavy body feeling, and the strange heart racing thing xxx

Thank you @Countingsheeps and so glad you got a proper sleep. My body really needs a good rest! I also have this irrational fear of being overly sedated though because of how I feel in the mornings.

@fedupofbed

I totally understand that. I was pretty apprehensive about taking it tbh, but it doesn’t make me feel ‘sedated’ just a bit relaxed, which is perfect! It’s a really low dose needed to help sleeping/ calm the tingling, not as much as would be prescribed for depression etc. I happily watched tv last night for a couple of hours after taking the first dose, it didn’t ‘knock me out’ or anything like that xxx

Thank you so much @Countingsheeps and others who have replied. Your kindness and feedback have helped - one of those days today!

I'll ask the GP in the morning.

@CanIdoItLater I'm so sorry to hear it's been so long! And after such an improvement. Slightly gave me the fear as I'm pretty much 'better' but never ruling out the possibility of a relapse. But it must be so disheartening.

@CanIdoItLater I was too busy feeling sorry for myself to read your post properly. Sounds like you've had an absolutely horrendous time. The virus that keeps on giving. Really hope you're back on your feet again soon.

@Countingsheeps and @fedupofbed yes I was prescribed amytriptiline. I havent been on the boards as its working so well for me, im just trying to focus on rest and getting better. I hope one day soon im back here saying im well.

Im about day 35 and in terms of covid i feel fine now but i still have the nerve tremors/twitching/fizzing sensations in my body. I have to say the tablets have taken this RIGHTTT down for me. I can still feel it but its very dulled, if anything its made my limbs heavier and difficult to move in the mornings. This is far far preferable for me than the firey nerve issues. They’ve also sorted my sleep brilliantly. Ive slept 11pm-9pm solidly each night except one where i was particularly anxious. For me, the tablets have enabled me to just sit comfortably or sleep soundly to rest and recover. I havent phoned the GP or 111 since starting them. Although I clearly have nerve sensations im comfortable enough to wait for the doctors to reopen and wait it out a bit for recovery. I’ll keep you posted as im aware that day 35 is still not as far as many who have delayed recovery and im far from better still.

Oh yes i should add that the first night i couldnt get my prescription so took a diazepam. THAT was like an anesthetic affect, i felt drowsy and out of it. Amytriptiline hasnt had that affect, i watch tv and just settle down and relax and drift off to sleep naturally which is what i was desperate for. It makes you drowsy and rousable not sedated and “out if it” x

@godhelpusall Great news! May I ask what have been your most lingering symptoms?

Thank you @TheDrsWife46 I will definitely be asking the GP tomorrow. It sounds like they've done you the world of good, giving you the rest you need to allow your body to recover.

I so know what you mean about being cautious, but it's great to hear that you're on the up, and really hope this continues.

Good to hear you’re feeling better @TheDrsWife46 and others.

I’m waiting for my amytriptiline which was prescribed recently over the phone for chronic nerve pain (non Covid related). But I’m desperate for some good sleep.
I’m finding it so hard to get to sleep at a reasonable time and then I have really disturbing vivid dreams.

Day 40. I’m feeling really rough this evening. Hot flushes, sweaty and nauseous. Constructed breathing again. I’ve had a really sore throat for the past 4 days and I’ve got earache. The exhaustion is still immense. I’m feeling worse now then I did in Week 3.