Covid Lungs 40 plus plus plus

[SimpleKindofLife]

New thread for those having longer symptoms of Covid.

Onlinelinda did you have a test to confirm cv?
I must say it does ease my nerves when hearing from other asthmatics who have come through the other end ok.
Personally I think I had the virus in March but without the test I can't be sure.

Great to hear @onlinelinda!

@onlinelinda Great news! Please could you share you most lingering symptoms before you completely recovered?

Thanks @Lightsabre I'll see what the gp says, I've not been seen at all over the whole time so not expecting much! I think the fatigue, chest pain, palpitations and shortness of breath are probably just part & parcel of long recovery but just a but worried that I'm struggling with my asthma so much. I'm not even sure they are going to ring now as they usually ring in the morning!

@Tangledyarn I'm so sorry you're having a bad day. Sending lots of best wishes. Hopefully the GP will be able help. Keep us posted.

@Crayfishforyou I hope today goes okay for you too.

I've lost count but I think day 67 now, and today is exactly the same as yesterday - this is a good thing as I felt a lot worse last week. Main symptoms are overwhelming weakness and fatigue and tight burny chest. Still not entirely comfortable with my breathing. I'm trying to stop using the oximeter though as it makes me more anxious so haven't checked sats and heart rate today. Other symptoms I still have that have been commented on by others today are: urgent tummy in the morning and feeling of complete body /chest heaviness so unable to lie on my back.

Cross posted @Tangledyarn could you chase the GP? It seems like you've just struggled on your own through the whole thing.

@Lightsabre Doxycycline I think. The breathing exercises suggested were the queen's hospital ones, doc suggested reconditioning the lungs after a long illness might help. I'm not convinced the antibiotics will do anything but I'll try anything at this point

Anyone who has been suffering with GERD/ reflux - any luck bring this under control? I've totally lost my voice, throat is constructed and it's sore even on the outside of my neck when I touch where my vocal cords. Having anything near my neck like a scarf or bit of the duvet feels like I'm suffocating! Who knew acid reflux could cause so much havoc!

Dayb35
I'm back and looks like I'm in the clear, I thought I probably would be but its comforting to know for sure.
I did say I've felt a lot better these last few days.
They made me do 40 stairs with a pulse oximeter on and my pulse didn't max above 135, which is better than even last week. And I could have done them slower.

My antibody test was negative!!! It was the Abbott test with blood sent to a lab. So what the hell did I have?

And I've exposed myself to Covid by going to Red A&E on Saturday. And temp is 37.8 today.

@Dorual, mine was too a couple of weeks ago. I don't know either and none of the Doctors ive spoken to can explain it either. We need to take it again when the Government antibody test comes out I think. Apparently scientists are also working on a more sensitive blood antibody test but this might not be developed for a while.

@dorual sorry to hear that! What’s the accuracy of the test? What were your symptoms throughout?

@Moodgie I am mostly ok now on day 54. I get tired, I need to rest during the day but can now work a bit, look after kids, short walks, yoga, all House jobs/cooking fine. I’m much improved.
Lingering symptoms - fatigue on and off, costochondritis aches in ribs, underarm lymph node pain at times. General back ache at times and sometimes a slight headache. I still feel a heaviness on my chest at times especially when I do stuff so am taking it easy but am much better than I was even last week. I’m not pushing myself other than strolls and yoga for now. I haven’t been out to the shops etc but feel I could if I needed to.

@Crayfishforyou glad you have been given the all clear- I found it a bit of a relief, although until this all goes away I’m not going to be that calm! My pulse was 150bpm just from walking in a flat corridor! So 130 sounds lovely!!!

@wontletmelogin my very first symptom (other than a very mild cough for a week before) was the restless leg feeling- although it was all over my body. I really hope it is just a case of restless legs for you! Xxx

Hey @longshot

Great to hear you're recovering well. Did you suffer much with bad SOB and heart issues?

I don't know the accuracy of the test but a vial of my blood was analysed in a lab. And Abbott are pretty good as far as I know. It's more accurate than a pregnancy style strip test.

@mumlurker i was prescribed omeprazole for the reflux, it has helped

Great news @longshot.

@Dorual was it for antibodies? Have you been tested for the virus? Did you lose your smell? If you did you have definitely had COVID. Either the AB test isn't accurate or ... well something. I think the fact that Roche has developed these new ones which are really accurate is because those ones aren't as accurate.

@Dorual

Even if it’s a very reputable company, there will always be a chance of false negatives. Happens in the NHS with tests that have been around for years. Did they say how accurate the test is?

It's this exact one: www.privatecoronavirustests.com/product/igg-antibody-test?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0Lua8Pac6QIVTLTtCh1N4g2SEAAYASAAEgIn5vD_BwE

I didn't lose smell or taste. I had low grade fever for 12 days with cough and burning chest sensation. Muscle twitches, loss of appetite and nausea. Then 20 days later pleuritic pain. I had a negative test on day 12. Antibody test was taken on day 23.

@MillStone yes I had both of those. SOB worst week 3-5 and heart stuff week 6+ palpitations gone now unless I exert myself (not sure what’s palpitations just lack of exercise for 2 months). Ache in chest / heart area still there and worse after I walk / lift etc but could be costochondritis. Consultant said possibly mild myocarditis so I have been taking it very easy because of that just to be safe.

@Dorual

Thanks for sharing.

That site says; Please note that there is still a lot to learn about this virus and having antibodies does not mean you definitely have immunity and not having antibodies does not necessarily mean you have not had covid-19 as not everyone develops antibodies. Also it is not yet clear how long immunity lasts even if there is any.

Try not to worry

@Dorual blimey! Did you have shortness of breath / flu symptoms / chest tightness also? I guess maybe it depends how unwell you have been and how long it’s been since you have been unwell to get the antibodies. It must be annoying! I don’t dare do the test just in case.

Day 48, slept for almost 12 hours straight and feel a bit sore today, esp in the throat, glands and a bit in the chest. Also think I’m having period pain, my countdown says next one is due in 15 days...
Have decided I’m going to start writing an overview to date in a notebook. Given that this might go on a while, I want to be able to capture everything to date. It’s almost 5 weeks since the ambulance came out. It’s almost 2 weeks since I lost my voice. Come June, if I’m still so weak and fatigued and I can’t work, I need to have a record of symptoms, treatment, emails to GP etc as back up.

Hi

I never did get a test. But 3 different doctors were convinced I had it, and as a veteran of chest infections, it was pretty obvious. I've never before had that burning back thing, or burning chest before that, or the constant up and down peaks and troughs. And the dry cough and breathlessness, plus my main symptom, shivering and chilled (coming and going).

I was walking from about day 29, with a dip day 32-33 and another day 38-39. and it finally ended on day 39 for me. On day 32 I thought I was over it, then on day 38 I got a temperature and chills again, but only for one afternoon until the next-24 hours. That's 12 days ago and I've been fine since.

Re the antibody test. I hear that some people develop them much later on in recovery so you may have to be tested again later and also that the tests are not that reliable yet.