Covid Lungs 40 plus plus plus

[SimpleKindofLife]

New thread for those having longer symptoms of Covid.

Day 45
Today started well, until DD had a shower. I could hear water dripping in the kitchen, the seal had gone in the bath. Our new bathroom was going to be put in in April but that was postponed due to lockdown.
So I spent a couple of hours getting the old sealent off. I have now put the dehumidifier in there to dry it out.
Then will reseal tomorrow.
I am now knackered and I feel really dizzy and shaky and everything hurts.
I think I did too much. I'm my own worst enemy.

I am usually an in-patient in a psychiatric hospital (became unwell on leave so not been able to go back yet) - they have anti-body tests there. My psychiatrist says I have to have 7 days free of acute symptoms then I can go back. They will do a swab to see if I'm still positive for Covid and will do an antibody test too.

I rang the lab I sent it to and they are going to get back to me. Fingers crossed!

@Moodgie my chest still doesn’t feel “normal”. If I do too much it can definitely feel a bit tight and I sometimes still have a bit of pain when I breathe deeply. I’ve kind of resigned myself to the fact it might feel like that for a while, but I am able to function (mostly) despite that. What I find is that if I have a day where I decide I’m doing nothing I don’t actually feel any better in fact I sometimes feel worse as I stiffen up if I stay in bed. I’m taking painkillers much more now than I did at the start and they do help.

@Bornlazy Thank you for letting me know.

Is it that our body has been hit by this unknown monster and it has gone haywire because it’s been confused what to do? And it is in some state of shock and keeps defending itself or something?

Day 50 here. Last night I had a very constricted throat before bed and felt very heavy...started developing intense pleuritic pains in ribs and pectoral muscle area. Up until now I had little stabbing pains and dull aches, but they weren't much affected by coughing, deep breaths and movement. Now my whole side feels raw and inflamed. Worst thing is if I try to lift my arm. I had an ECG a few days ago that came back normal, so it's not my heart. But oh my god it hurts! Anyone had this develop at a late stage, and any tips on managing it?

@Mumlurker I'm on day 31 or 32 and I have an inflamed left chest sensation too. It pulls when I curve my shoulders inwards or if I reach with my left arm. It also feels a bit tender when I press between the ribs on that side. It hurts more when I deep cough or on deep exhale. Not sure if it's more likely to be muscle strain, pleurisy, or costochondritis. But my temp is up to 37.8.

@dorual

Temperature also up today for the first time in about a month. Not got out of bed today for the first time in a while, but I just don't feel right when I try to move around.

Same @mumlurker. What's your temp? I'm trying to lay still, because it hurts when I move. And I don't want to make it worse.

@dorual also 37.8! is this a new symptom for you? I'm thinking if the pain continues I'll call the GP on Monday because ibuprofen isn't helping it and I feel rotten! Hope a day in bed helps ease it for both of us.

Yes it's new. Well I've had random chest discomfort and pains like you, but this is different and worse. Maybe I'll ring the GP on Monday too. I can't take ibuprofen because of stomach issues. I'm windering about a hot water bottle in my chest, or maybe some red tiger balm. But both of those things will make me hotter! I'm just about to have lemon and ginger tea.

I've been drinking tumeric milk which is supposed to help with inflammation but it hardly seems up to the job when it comes to covid...

@Egghead68 my CT scan was clear of a pulmonary embolism, but I do have pneumonia. GP is convinced it's post covid. He said the test is only 70% accurate. The positive tests are accurate but it's common to get a false negative. It could be they didn't take the swob from quite the right spot.

@mumto3little how are you doing? Did you go to A&E? Sending lots of love

I’m sorry about the pneumonia @toothfairy73. I hope it clears up quickly. It really is amazing what falls into the category of “mild to moderate illness”.

@toothfairy73 May I ask what your symptoms are with regards to pneumonia?

Hey @Bornlazy

At day 50, It sounds like you're really on the mend. Sorry, I didn't see your earlier posts / back story and I was wondering what your main symptoms were and when things turned around for you?

Hello. :) I’ve been posting on MN under another name for ages worry and lurking on these threads, posting once or twice.

I have a chronic lung disease with very poor lung function, needing long term oxygen and eventually I’ll need a lung transplant. I was in the high dependency unit with confirmed covid for 6 days. CT scan looked rubbish, needed 24-7 oxygen at a much higher rate than usual and it was not much fun. The media acted as if people like me would almost certainly die which was rather terrifying. I wish I had never read any of it. I have been home a month and slowly recovering. I’m on a Facebook page for my condition and others. There are quite a number of people with serious health stuff going on who’ve had covid and recovered.

You use muscles to breathe and like any other muscle, they can get weak and need building up especially if you’ve had disordered/abnormal breathing when unwell.

I’m not being dismissive and I think everyone must get checked out fully if you have SOB and chest pain (including any lingering symptoms or changes) but bear in mind, we are all at home and have more time to think. It’s hard to avoid seeing about this virus and reading it, it’s not hard to believe there is huge anxiety in many people. It’s very understandable. It’s not a criticism at all. I’ve had periods of severe anxiety and antidepressants didn’t cure it but took off the edge.

Post viral symptoms sound like a fob off but it’s valid.

Take care people.

I have been for my first tiny walk. I was really slow, only out for ten minutes, my pulse didn't go up over 110bpm.
I felt so much better for about an hour, and now the head buzzing has started, I've had a couple of head rushes, ears have blocked and my cheeks feel sunburned again.
No no no no no
Please let it be a fluke. The dizziness almost went whilst I was walking slowly. I felt so much happier for going

@JustBreatheLxs, thanks for posting about your experience and so glad you are recovering. I think for a lot of us, we have had very little medical intervention and it's hard when no-one is holding your hand medically or nothing can be followed up as it usually would be. The shortness of breath for me has been very debilitating and continues now into week 6 so I just have to hope it's muscle/inflammation damage as I know I'm post viral.

@Lightsabre

I don’t know if you have any long term health conditions but I can’t say medical hand holding is anything I’ve particularly experienced. In terms of follow up, again, it’s not something I would expect routinely but I’d hope a GP would be available by phone. Fully appreciate access to GPs is a real problem for many people.
If you had a non covid pneumonia, they would follow up with a chest x-ray around 6 weeks later but in general, follow up isn’t something I’ve known or is really needed.
What we are learning is that this is a really unpleasant virus which is having effects for longer than initially expected.
As I said, if you’re still showing symptoms or they’ve changed, you should seek face to face assessment. I was very clear this is important in case you don’t have covid or have a bacterial infection that needs treating.

Thanks @JustBreatheLxs, no I didn't have any chronic conditions luckily but am a few stone overweight and early 50's. I had low Vitamin D too. Can I ask what you or the people in your group have been advised to do please re; aiding recovery? Is it just a case of rest, rest, rest?

@Lightsabre

I am resting but have been encouraged to move around a lot also to avoid deconditioning in muscles. Extra fluids to thin the mucus. They seem to be recognising the role of vit D in covid as well as lung conditions, so I’m taking a supplement.
I have my usual regime stepped up e.g. nebulisers and antibiotics and I’m still needing more oxygen but I am covid negative so I think this is “only” my lung stuff.

I’m trying to eat much more healthily too, no mean feat. All I want is chocolate!

Hi everyone, not been on much recently as I have overall been feeling much better. Those of you feeling crappy please do keep the faith you will get there!

Day 43 since proper symptoms and day 48 since I thought I had a cold. My energy levels are ok and I feel alright in myself. Occasionally a bit woozy and sometimes wake up tired but overall sleeping way better. I am knackered if I do much though. A few weird chest pains but only minor and the good thing is it all definitely feels a lot more post viral than active infection.

The thing that definitely still bugs me is SOB and tight chest. This fluctuates in terms of how bad it is and I sometimes still feel it even at rest. Out walking today I did try a little jog for 50mtrs and it left me gasping.

I’m really enjoying being with my family and in the garden as much as I can and feel extremely appreciative of the fact I’m still here.

The one grey cloud hanging over things is the state of my lungs. As a previously very active person I hope these lingering issues can be chalked up to post viral inflammation as opposed to lasting damage. I did used to smoke until about 8 years ago. Even though I was pretty fit up until I got this I would still steal a few roll ups once a week over a beer with mates (think I may have been in a similar boat as @dimsummummy. Would be interested to hear how she’s getting on?!).

I really wish I could get a CT scan and a chat with a good pulmonologist so I knew the state of play. Just going to have to wait and see what the coming weeks/months bring 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

All the best to everyone.

So today's gift from the illness that keeps on giving is............. a cracked tongue!

I mean wtaf! My tongue is deep read with tiny blisters around the edges and white-ish but all cracked along the flat. I can feel the same irritation at the back of the roof of my mouth and going back my throat.

Hi guys,

Came on to see how everyone is doing @Egghead68 sorry to hear that you’ve had heart issues like @longshot. Im sorry that @Starrynightsabove has dismissed that as the hospital trying to appease you. What I’ve noted actually @Starrynightsabove is that you seemingly come here to advise us all that we instead have anxiety and panic disorder or remove any threads where people are keen to take the risk on an unlicensed antibody test. This seems to anger you that people are going to KNOWINGLY risk their money. This should infact highlight to you how desperate people are; to seek reassurances from anywhere, including this thread.

Whether you believe that Coronavirus is a genuine illness or not is a valid discussion but one that is better presented as a genuine argument on another thread rather than undermining the desperation of poorly people here. Having been on MN since 2006 (tinkerisdead is my old user name if you want to validate me) I’ve never called anyone out on a thread like this and maybe I should hit the report button, but instead I choose to politely remind you that whether you believe people to be ill with coronavirus or panic disorder, they are here, in the absence of any real support from the health service. This thread serves as anecdotal evidence and emotional support for some very isolated people. The issue here is not the diagnosis and validity of their illnesses but the fact that they come here to be momentarially cosseted. I would ask that in the spirit of the whole “be kind” movement you perhaps offer a listening ear rather than diminishing peoples very real (yet undiagnosed) experiences as anxiety that has been whitewashed by doctors.

To everyone else as I suspect this post is about to understandably get deleted @Egghead68**@Tangledyarn @notangelinajolie @Longshot @Casino218 @pinkoneblueone @WorriesomeDad @Meercatmama @Gunner30 @Needsomegoodnews @fedupofbed @Rosesofeyam @toothfairy73 @TheWooisStrong @Bornlazy @Moodgie @Dorual

And anyone else I have forgotten I am truly interested in your recovery and will keep abreast of your journey from afar.

I am managing well on amytriptinline but still having significant neurological problems that I hope to get investigated further when lockdown lifts. I am on day 42 (i think) and had I not got nerve issues I would have been saying that I was largely recovered. I wont be back to this thread as I dont find it the safe haven of support that was received in lungs threads 3,4,5,6,7, 40+ and so on.
For every word of encouragement of support and friendship I have received here. Thankyou.