Think I have Covid. What to do please?

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Hi guys, this is my first ever post on Mumsnet and a bit unsure. Ok so for the last 3 weeks I would say I have had random symptoms which I’ve never had before. Shooting in all parts of the body. Cough that lasted a few days but very mild. I woke up on two separate occasions with a bad pain behind my eye almost like somebody was pushing from the inside. I’ve had headaches and generally felt knackered. So this week, I attempted to start running. I was ok on Monday, since Tuesday I haven’t had the energy to do any of the sort. The last two days my breathing has been so strange almost like I’m having to take deep breaths to get enough oxygen. I also keep having an on off tightness to my chest today and random pains there too. Ive had really itchy eyes and about two weeks ago I had really bad bottom left tummy pain. I’ve also been having dizzy spells these last few days. I’m one of those that NEVER gets ill. And as my symptoms were all spaced out I never really thought it was Covid until now. I’m 99% sure it is. I nearly had a panic attack last night when my breathing went funny as I got myself so worked up I had to run outside for fresh air and drink lots of water. I have a 2 year old and luckily my sister has moved in with me for lockdown. Anybody who is in the Same situation, what did you do? I guess I’m just looking for reassurance and comfort really as I’m petrified it will get worse. Those of you who have had it or think you have had it, what day around did you get the breathlessness etc? Thank you so much and hope I haven’t nattered on too much x

Yeah as I said I haven’t ran since I’ve thought I’ve had COVID. I would never put other people at risk like that!

Yeah it’s crazy. I think we all know our own bodies. I have never been breathless in my life so I already know something is not right if that makes sense.

Yeah amazon prices are through the roof. I understand supply and demand but it’s sad when it’s somethinf of a necessity and could possibly save lives but there you go. I will keep looking. Thank you so much x

I got ill in mid-March and am now pretty much recovered, 99% sure it's Covid-19. The shortness of breath is the nastiest symptom, it's really disconcerting, but easy as it may sound for me to say, it's important not to panic. I think it's common for breathlessness to get worse later in the day/at night.

If you google 'Queens Hospital breathing exercises' there is an extremely simple technique you can use when you are feeling breathless. It helped me quite a lot and I wish I'd found it earlier! Other symptomatic posters have told me that their GPs/111 have advised them that if you can breathe out and then count to 30 briskly in your head before breathing in again your oxygen levels should be ok. Another piece of advice I got on here which I found helpful is to focus on your diaphragm and not your chest when breathing your way through a breathless spell.

Do take it easy (as much you can with a toddler!) and just accept that you won't be up to your normal activity levels for a few weeks. I only had a couple of days where I mostly had to stay in bed, but I found that loading the dishwasher could feel like a mission when I was at my weakest! I found days 8-12 the worst, so do bear in mind that feeling worse before you feel better is entirely normal with this illness.

Usual advice applies, too. Lots of hot drinks, fluids generally, eat as well as you can even when you don't feel like it, paracetomol, and I'd recommend vitamins C & D if you can get them.

I found this account of Covid quite sensible and relatable: www.idler.co.uk/article/coronavirus-what-its-like-and-how-to-cope/

Hope you feel better soon.

for example

www.amazon.co.uk/Cloverclover-Oximeter-Monitor-Oxymeter-Digital/dp/B087NF94LM/ref=sr_1_128?dchild=1&crid=2A0OI0ZPA4196&keywords=pulse+oximeter&sprefix=pulse%2Caps%2C146&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1588427257&sr=8-128

Yeah it’s crazy how it says usually dispatched within 2-3 days but then the estimated delivery date is the end of June! Such a pain. Thank you x

@everythingisginandroses thank you for your lovely message. It really helps. I’m really struggling feeling this way with a toddler who is into everything. My house is upside down, she’s being really cranky as she’s stuck at home. When I say I cannot rest I really mean I CANNOT rest. I have slowed down a lot but the more I slow down the more she seems to start! Send help!

You can download a pulse oximeter app apparently, but I don’t know names.

You will either get better in 1-2 weeks or you will have it longer term (40 days plus), in all probability, with a relapsing remitting timecourse.

The most dangerous time is days 7-14 when some people experience a rapid downturn and need oxygen.

Seek help from 111 online if you can’t do any of your normal activities, you have severe chest pain, you can only say two words at once or just if you feel you need to.

The main things you need to do otherwise are:

1. Self isolate for at least 7 days (14 days for the rest of the household).
2. Drink a lot, rest, use paracetamol for pain if necessary.
3. Avoid overdoing it on days you feel well as this can lead to a relapse.

Hope you feel better soon.

ah....Pink....I had totally failed to clock that. Probably coming from China then!! Still....Covid will be around way after June so I will wait patiently for the postman. I bought lots of stocking fillers for my girls from Wish and failed to notice estimated delivery date....they were getting random gifts right up to February!!

Well you may have it , you may not. You don’t sound like you need to go to hospital so you’ll just have to rest and get better at home. I’m sure you’ll be fine