Covid Lungs 40 plus plus plus

[SimpleKindofLife]

New thread for those having longer symptoms of Covid.

Day 45/46. Main symptoms now are elevated pulse unless lying down (I am wondering about en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postural_orthostatic_tachycardia_syndrome), chest pains, headache, catarrh and fatigue.

I remain concerned that I showed elevated troponin (a marker for heart damage) in my blood tests on Friday so am resting as much as possible to let my heart recover.

This link for POTS might work better (or not)

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postural_orthostatic_tachycardia_syndrome

@whynotchangemore I've had all the same symptoms as you plus metallic mouth, extreme thirst, sleep problems, breathing weirdness at night, burning skin amongst others. Not really had pelvic stuff (although my bladder weakness has increased slightly) and I continue with a rollercoaster of waves of symptoms in varying combinations that my doc is putting this all down to post viral stuff. I've not had antibiotics. I sometimes feel ok only to get another wave of symptoms. Problems for me get worse at period and ovulation (I was peri menopausal before all this and this has made all that 100 times worse)
Hope you feel better soon, we'll get through this eventually (day 45 here)

I actually think the symptoms of this nasty thing could drive someone mad if they didn't know others were going through the same. Take care all.

@emoojoo can I ask, do you still have the burning skin? This has been my longest and strongest (and strangest) symptom. Started on day 3 and still here on day 47 (area of skin and amount of burning varies).

@Porcupineinwaiting hi, yes I do, sometimes it is just my lower legs, or my forearms, sometimes it is my feet and/or hands, or my face, sometimes it is all over. And in any combination! Last night I had what would usually be a hot flushes/feeling rough/dodgy sleep night that I usually get just before my period and the skin burning went absolutely crazy, and my face and palms and feet were red, and sweating. I took my temp as I thought I was burning up and it was only 37. The only thing I try now is to know it is another crazy wave and that it will pass so to try and stay calm. (Easier said than done of course ) - seems like we're both about the same days (in day 45) so maybe this is a neurological week for the symptoms.

Just a quick rant! In this hell on earth disease one of the worst things (which I’m sure we can all agree) is the enforced barrier to accessing healthcare, if an ambulance isn’t required.

As I posted yesterday, the covid hub (which I had to have 4 doctors phone calls to outside them to send me to) asked me to arrange with my doctors this morning to do a sputum sample.

I’ve just phoned my doctors, and the receptionist won’t let me collect my own sample pot !! This means I won’t get my sample in today and could potentially have an impact on my recovery! I am on day 54 !!

I patiently explained, following all government guideline i am NOT infectious, I’ve completed my isolation period, I have no new symptoms, this is a prolonged recovery that I’ve spoken to different doctors about over the last 4 weeks ... and she was adamant that as it says on my notes ‘probable covid’ I can’t collect it. I’ve been collecting my own prescriptions from the pharmacy because it’s allowed!
Blooming eck (I’m sure it’s not their fault and they’re just following guidelines) but GP’S surgeries (you know that house the people who are the first port of call for medical conditions) really are the protected few in all of this !!

I sincerely, sincerely hope that the system is reviewed with regards to covid, in preparation of any second wave in September, as quite frankly this cut out the initial step is going to contribute to the rest of the system being overwhelmed !

I, of course, understand not seeing people who are in the contagious/quarantine/self
Isolation period.. but at what point do I become a post covid human again?!!

Honestly not a pointing of fingers toGPs (mine have been okay on telephone) but frustration with a system that allows other caring services to go on whilst mitigating the risk (eg carers) but removes the highly skilled (and paid) doctors out of meaningful service. I know it’s a new disease, but I’d rather have my doctors best guess than my google searches!
Sorry, maybe not an appropriate place to put this, but this has been my biggest frustration throughout and I hope going forwards no one has to feel as cut off from societal norms of assistance as has been the case for many of this first wave.

Hope everybody is faring okay today x

Bad night sleep wise. I'm usually in bed for half 8 at the moment, but last night was quarter to ten.
And I couldn't sleep at all, it's like I'm back to being a baby and if I miss my ten minute go to sleep window all hell breaks loose!
Spoke to the GP this morning. She wants me back at A&E for bloods and chest x ray, as my I'm constantly lightheaded and inhave chest pain, it's actually not as bad as last week.
I'm dreading going.
Last time they said I just had anxiety and to stop watching the news as it gives psychosomatic symptoms and were a bit obsessed with the fact I may be pregnant. I'm on the pill, and had started period the day before

I agree @Dimsummummy there's no decent care for us inbetweeners. The mild ones manage fine at home, the severe ones will (eventually!) be admitted to hospital but us lot are in no mans land.

My chest pain is worsening but I'm terrified of going back to A&E and recatching the virus. I also don't want to go through the rigmarole of another lot of blood tests, chest X-ray, ECG etc when I know they're not showing up anything. I wish the doctor could just refer me to for the different, more specific tests I need, as would normally happen.

Seems crazy to take up space in A&E: it's not an accident or an emergency when I've been like this for 5 weeks, but it is a medical issue that needs addressing fairly urgently. I'm becoming increasingly frustrated at the best guesses over the phone situation.

@Crayfishforyou they don't know the answer so you must be pregnant or anxious, obviously! unbelievable!

Have you got another A&E department nearby you could try?

@LittlePrincess07 I've had aches and pains in my calf muscles since about day 22, shortly after the extreme fatigue kicked in. It comes and goes in severity. Stretching out those muscles is helping. I’ve also had tingling from my right shoulder, down to my hand. I had put this down to sleeping position (which I still think is the cause) but it's interesting to hear you mention it. For the record my main symptoms are chest, lungs, back and SOB.

@Dandyish Sorry to hear about going in to hospital. Terrible. I hope you will report back to say that you are stabilising and comfortable.

Small update here. At day 37 I have well and truly had enough of the tight chest, terrible back pain and SOB, so yesterday I started taking Ibuprofen...

I know quite a few posters are nervous to take them and for years I too have been worried -- Far more so after the NHS advice not to take them ... then the reversal saying they're fine to take. Aghhhhhh.

If inflammation is the problem here then hopefully they will help aid a faster recovery.

Last note - like a lot of people I have been having terrible sleepless nights. I have found guided meditations help and there are some great recordings on youtube that focus on recovery from illness.

Hope everyone is having a good start to the day.

dimsumsmummy I entirely agree with you.

There is a very high threshold for medical care.

I have not had bloods, an ECG or anything - it took four phone calls over five weeks to get to the coronavirus hub here - and whilst they were very kind and reassuring, that was basically someone listening to my chest, taking pulse and oxygen levels and asking a lot of questions. On that basis I presume I am not bad enough to require A&E, but now a week later, I still get shortness of breath, my chest is still sore, and still have racing heart and arrythmia if I go up the stairs too fast (?) and I am still tired.

Maybe this is all just recovery and I am certainly not as bad as some of you on here but it feels very isolating. The problem is, as pretty much all the doctors have said, that they don’t know themselves.

Simplekindoflife I don’t think it is silly to take up space in A&E. It seems to me following this thread to be the only place people get any kind of testing done. So maybe if you go there twice, then you will be referred on to somewhere else where you can see whichever is the appropriate consultant. For example, like you go to A&E with a fracture then after a couple of weeks you are checked out at the fracture clinic 🤷🏻‍♀️.

The clue is in what you said - that it needs addressing fairly urgently. The point is that there is nowhere else to go to get medical care at this point and the way the referral system works, someone has to refer you on. Does your GP know the different specific tests you mean or is that something A&E need to arrange in the hospital?

I honestly do not think you would catch it again at A+E anymore than elsewhere in a hospital. I would go if I were referred on, simply because any kind of medical attention is so hard to get and you need it.

That is my advice anyway.

I took my first lot of ibuprofen this morning @MillStone!!

I'm so fed up of the chest pain, it's so sore and has been relentless throughout.

Fingers crossed!

@SimpleKindofLife

Great! Be interesting to compare notes!

I started yesterday and had a great (by this illness' standard) night sleep...

However today I have awful SOB...

Knowing how ping-pong like this illness is I am telling myself not to jump to anxiety based conclusions based on short-term changes in symptoms.

@Dandyish

Sorry you’re unwell, poor you. Hope you got some sleep in hospital, no mean feat. Do not let an inexperienced doctor (or even an experienced one who is just struggling) stab you repeatedly for arterial blood gases. Trust me on this one. If they can’t get a good sample, they need to get someone else. I learned the hard way. I’ve had lots of hospital admissions and regular ABGs. I now know when to say no no no.

Good morning everyone. Day 50 here. My remaining symptoms are chest tightness and fatigue. Are there anyone same with me? I can breath but my chest is still so tight like being pushed by someone.

I don't know how to cope with it.

For those asking, I have various underlying conditions (shielding group due to lung condition and immune suppressed) and I am 95% recovered. I’d say I’m abnormally fatigues but it’s hard to tell when I’ve had a bad few months with my long standing health stuff.

I’ve heard of people making a good recovery who’ve had; cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, MS, severe asthma and uncontrolled diabetes.

@SimpleKindofLife can you ask your Gp to refer you to cardiology? Only problem is there is likely to be a very long wait. I’m going to ask for a referral (private if necessary) next week if my cardiac symptoms haven’t resolved.

@Casino218 May I ask you? Day 50 here. When have your other symptoms gone? I am still struggling with chest tightness.

Mumto3little...week 6 for me (I think). Chest always hurts, terrible indigestion and exhaustion. GP told me 3 months recovery is 'par for the course' and to call if my breathing got worse.

Really depressing, keep wondering if its panic/anxiety which I'm sure is somewhat reasonable but doesn't help.

Also struggling to sleep, some nights I'm maybe getting an hour or so. When I lie down my chest hurts, so I start to worry...so I can't sleep. Not great for recovery! Tried a meditation app last night and that helped.

@Schuyler glad you are are doing well. At least a couple of severe asthmatics on this thread (including me) and we are not dead. Ironically my lungs have been the one bit of me that has been fine throughout.

@mumto3little just this week really.

@Dandyish really hope you are beginning to feel better and that you get the right support in hospital.

Day 44 ish and I’m still experience the racing heartbeat when standing up, even sitting up makes it go crazy. I’m also experiencing a really heavy feeling in my whole body including my chest making it impossible to lie on my back. Still have a cough which seems to be worse if I try to move around. Not as tired today, probably because the amitriptyline is helping me sleep pretty well. It does feel never ending

@Casino218 oh that's good to hear. Have you had chest tightness last week?

@Casino218 oh that's good to hear. Thank you. Have you had chest tightness?