40 plus plus

[WorriesomeDad]

Thread for continuing long-term Coronavirus support

@Moodgie well I had a version that involved feeling dizzy sick etc rather than very breathless. I had phlegmy chest rather than cough but every day at 4pm I'd feel awful, chills etc. That stopped at about week 5 and I'm pretty much better. I have some sternum pain and reflux type symptoms so think the gastritis may have caused that. I still wake up sweaty but I'm not sure if that's hormonal or hot covers etc. But generally I'm doing well (not sure I'll ever fully trust it though!)

@fedupofbed, Diazepam can help to break the no sleep pattern and it wears off after a couple of hours. The sleep meditations/insomnia music can be good too. There are lots on You Tube - with and without speaking. Try the 'Honest Guys'.

@godhelpusall Thank you, and so glad you are better!

@DandyPeguin I'm sorry you have another relapse.

@sleepwhenidie yes to the face flushing and night sweats without a temperature. I thought it was menopause but now I'm beginning to think this virus has messed with my temperature regulation system.

@changeofnametohidetgeshame I've had exactly that acid burning for weeks, about to try slippery elm powder to see if that helps

@Babdoc Good to hear your update, I'm not surprised re the flashbacks, I get those too. Thanks for your candour.

@WorriesomeDad Not disappeared but avoiding most sources of scary information which Mumsnet can be at times.

I'm day 45 and very similar situation to many on here, chest pains return if I exert my self at all. I still have fatigue, sweating and broken sleep.

I think having ME for years helps with pacing post recovery.

Finding it all a bit much now.

@DandyPeguin you were there to support me when I was first in a panic, i’m really sorry that you’re still along this far struggling too. Truly hope the amytriptiline works for you for sleep, I was really ashamed in accepting it as I felt almost stigmatised for agreeing to have an anti depressant. But ignoring all the ways its “desensitised” my nerves it really has given me some real respite in sleep and just that alone has helped me cope far better overall.

This week i have felt better; I darent jinx myself but

• ive slept each night (except 1). So im rested.
• the amityrptiline has calmed my firing nerves so im more comfortable at rest.
• ive taken liposomal vitamin c and multivitamins in a bid to give my immunity a leg up.

Tomorrow will be day 42/46 for me, and I have really improved. Remaining symptoms are a very slight sore throat, and minor pain in centre of chest. I'm not really exerting myself much just in case, but definitely looking and feeling more normal.

Hang in there everyone, you will get there.

@tootsey Yay, great news!

Good to hear you're feeling better @tootsey

Thanks @stayathomegardener

yes to the face flushing and night sweats without a temperature. I thought it was menopause but now I'm beginning to think this virus has messed with my temperature regulation system.

Big yes to this from me too.

Glad you're feeling better and thanks @TheDrsWife46
I don't get my prescription for amytriptiline for at least a week unfortunately. As I said, I wasn't prescribed it for Covid or for anxiety but for chronic nerve pain, so It's coming from the hospital and the consultant's letter has to be typed up and sent to my GP for them to prescribe. Annoying seeing as it works for Covid! I may speak to my GP and see if they can prescribe it quicker taking it on trust that the consultant has prescribed it.

For me I'll be on long term, not short-term during Covid, so it's good to hear that it doesn't create too much drowsiness.

Like others I'm feeling really down with it all right now. And feeling really quite nauseous and unwell. I don't think I'm drinking enough though - or rather, I know I'm not. Anyone else?

I was already on low dose amitriptyline for CFS and migraine prevention, I wouldn’t be without it. My dose is too low to be antidepressant. It does not make me drowsy but if I take it too late, I will wake up late!
@Gunner30 @Moodgie I’ve just assumed GERD is the most likely reason my throat is sore and voice is gone as have not been smoking, drinking or near other people to catch anything! And GERD can lead to pneumonia. My tonsils are not swollen, my glands are sore but not “up” I have this a lot with CFS. Nothing comes of it, you just feel like you might have tonsillitis but tonsillitis never comes.
I don’t have the phlegm throat feeling, I heard post-nasal drip can cause that?

@LetsBeSensible I don’t think mine is GERD related as I haven’t had it. For me it is either still the virus or post-viral. Post-nasal drip can cause that but I think you’d have to have nasal congestion for it? It is all guesswork!

@tootsey I’m at pretty much the same stage (42 days since first fever tomorrow) and also have a sore throat and the sternum pain remaining. Had a more active day today doing outdoor jobs and sternum pain worse this evening but it doesn’t seem breathing related - is this likely pleurisy does anyone know?

I’m reassured that my persistent high temp has dwindled to more normal levels the past few days too.

Keeping fingers crossed there won’t be another relapse though (but mentally preparing in case!).

Great to hear others improving.

I've just found this thread and wanted to drop in and say how much I have appreciated reading these posts.
I'm at 7 weeks now, and struggling to work out which of my remaining symptoms are caused by anxiety (which I am feeling a lot), and which are real. My GP is putting them down to anxiety, but I'm not so sure. My heart is racing very easily. Walking around the house, it's up at 90-110, walking on the flat it hits 130. And it positively pounds inside my chest, seemingly for no reason. My blood pressure is up to around 130/90 (which is high for me - usually 110/70). 02 is now completely normal (thank goodness).
Also, I keep getting a feeling behind my sternum (possibly in my windpipe) which feels like I have swallowed peppermint - my breath feels very pepperminty and at the same time I get a warm, sort of raw feeling. Does that sound familiar to anyone?
Mightily fed up with all this...and would appreciate any insight anyone can give me.

@tootsey @Joeaj23 @stayathomegardener cheers for replying it appreciated. Sounds generally positive which is good to hear. All the best to you, keep us posted.

I think I need peeling off the ceiling this evening day 50 and I am probably reacting to the high pollen my sats keep dropping to 95 while trying to sleep I am congested that's the biggest part of my problem. I am asthmatic I keep coughing. It's scaring the shit out of me tonight as I was out 2 days ago (in asda with a mask on) I've just had a bloody panic attack because my throat feels like it's smaller than it was I need to get a grip. My sats are going up to 99 at points I think I am forgetting to breathe at points and it's setting off my worries. My chest is feeling raw because I am coughing. I have had a cocktail if things to help ease it to help me sleep but my anxiety isn't helping. I've had paracetamol, gavisgon, both my inhalers and piriton. God, can anyone relate at this stage of the game? I am so bloody frustrated.

@Sweetie60 I had the mint thing too. I found something that tied it to reflux/GERD type stuff which I have definitely developed. I think the virus leads to widespread inflammation and for me that has really affected my digestive system. Anyway my mint thing has finally gone (7 weeks in Wednesday) although the reflux persists

@pinkoneblueone I had another bad night last night. Don’t worry it’s normal for o2 to drop at night particularly if asleep/almost asleep. 95 is fine.

Day 37/38 and slightly sore throat but OK otherwise so far. My strength’s building back up very slowly. Going to attempt 2x20 minute static bike rides on the maximum setting. I am very tempted to do a modified Joe Wicks PE session but think that might be pushing it. I tried jogging last night and managed less than a minute.

Sorry to @worriesomedad @pinkoneblueond and everyone who has had a bad night. I hope you managed to get some sleep in the end. @TheDrsWife46 I am glad you are getting some relief from amitriptyline.

@pinkoneblueone have you heard of breathing pattern disorder (it also has other names)? Lots of asthmatics have it and people can also develop it after respiratory infections like Covid. It is when your body has forgotten how to breathe normally and breathes in a weird pattern instead (I have suffered from it in the past and had physio therapy treatment). It causes the carbon dioxide levels in your blood to get out of kilter which in turn can cause all sorts of unpleasant symptoms. I read an interview with a respiratory physiotherapist when she said they were expecting to see masses of this after the Covid outbreak. If you (or anyone) has an element of that it is unpleasant but completely treatable with breathing exercises including diaphragmatic breathing.

@Egghead68 that sounds a lot like what is happening here to be honest. I have ordered this breathing device who's should be arriving soon it has 4 balls in it, my nurse friend sent a link to it for me to help strengthen my lungs so I ordered it. Do you think that would help?

Wow @Egghead68 you’ve just described what im experiencing. I keep describing it as a disconnect in my breathing reflex, like im breathing fast and shallow in my throat rather than down to my diaphragm. It means I can doze or nap because I cant achieve restful breathing patterns.

@TheDrsWife46 @Egghead68 @pinkoneblueone The interruption in unconscious breathing was my very first symptom. It’s still here intermittently. It’s like my body just forgets to breathe in.

I’m (sort of) glad that resonates with some of you. I think loads of people are going to develop it. I know first hand how awful it is (I got it after the pneumonia that gave me severe asthma).

@pinkoneblueone I don’t feel knowledgeable enough to know whether that would help but I would guess so. I know there are some exercises on the internet (sorry - I’m really reluctant to google them as I am worried that even reading/talking about it will trigger me to develop it again. Probably not logical but I am very scared of it).

Ultimately it is 100% treatable but you may need specialist physio therapy input like I did if self-help measures don’t work.

@Egghead68 I can absolutely understand that! I have been trying to teach myself to nose breathe again and I do often change back to mouth breathing if my nose is congested which it was last night and it confuses my brain I think. My asthma was only ever mild before now I am now I have a daily inhaler

I found when I was super heathy and fit I would always use cycling to help my breathing when I felt it was out of sync but I can see clearly from this thread that's a bad idea. I have just said to my hubby who is now frequently taking a big gasp for breath I intermittently to get enough air so we need to fix this. I will call our doctor and see what they suggest. I'll aim to let you know if I get anywhere as it may be useful to you all.

Runny tummy and nausea first thing every morning. Can anyone relate?