Covid Lungs Week 7/Day 49 and onwards

[Dandyish]

Support thread for those who've had Covid symptoms or post-viral fatigue for at least 7 weeks/49 days or longer.

If your symptoms haven't lasted that long, check out the Lung 7 thread (or later).It'll be more helpful as people there will be in a more similar position.

@ShastaBeast I'm also left with hay fever symptoms- sore throat, itchy nose and eyes. The problem with this virus is the assumption it can't be hay fever it must still be the virus. I've almost convinced myself it will never go completely. What I find weird is how many people have had blood tests (including me) which have normal white blood cells but are still symptomatic.

Hi all, a friend sent me this link. I find it really helpful and validating to read things like this. It’s so well explained and so much of his experience resonates with me. My favourite bit is “an advent calendar of symptoms”
blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/05/05/paul-garner-people-who-have-a-more-protracted-illness-need-help-to-understand-and-cope-with-the-constantly-shifting-bizarre-symptoms/

Just read back through a few newer posts, @Mintypylonsfryingsurplus and @Tangledyarn (and other obviously) I hope that you will find what I have posted above helpful and validating like I have.

@Norugratsatall

My G.P gave me Stemetil for Labrynthitis last week, after I nearly begged for it, then I read the side effects could be breathlessness^, I am now too scared to try them. If I had another adult in the house I would, but its just me & DD.

I hope you feel better soon

Nightime is the worst, its like a football whistle being blown in my ears. I have found one youtube video of a waterfall & birdsong that is the only one that drops the rone of rhe Tinnitus so I can sleep.

*tone not rone

Day 39 since major symptoms, day 53 since minor
I have had a full night's sleep! That's several this week!
Even before my previous relapses, that didn't happen!
I just wish I knew if and when the next one was coming. I am feeling in general a lot lot better overall. The lightheaded dizziness has been gone since monday, omeprazole has kicked the heartburn gone completely.
The costochondritis has lessened so much.
I still can't sleep on my front but my side is now fine.
Half the time I am able to take deep breaths.

@arewehere I have chronic vertigo and take stemetil a lot. It's never made me breathless but I know side effects can feel scary when you've not taken something before. I dont read the packets anymore! You could try half x

Another article, with some strange comparisons:
Another issue is how much COVID-19 symptoms can fluctuate from day to day. Since your immune system has never seen this virus before, it can be like a guy on Tinder for the first time, just launching random things and seeing if anything will stick. You can feel better one day, only to feel worse the next, and vice-versa. Basically, your symptoms can hop around in type and severity, sort of like a really indecisive kangaroo that happens to be on Tinder for the first time.
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/05/05/how-long-does-it-take-to-recover-from-covid-19-coronavirus-and-return-to-work/amp/

Tangledyarn Thank you, I think I will have to do it, I might make sure my neighbour is around, its ridiculous!

I really think that going through breathlessness & chest pain 6 weeks ago, to the point I nearly rang 999, has literally changed me. Usually a tablet wouldnt bother me at all,

Just shows what this does to us, I know in time it will all be a distant memory!

G.P said I can take up to 3 a day, so I might try half or 1.

Thanks again.

Day 51

Not sure what's going on.
I put the recycling out this morning.
Carrying the glass box(about 10 jars) , two fingers on my right hand got pins and needles, then went numb. It was really odd. I came back in, sat down checked my SATS/pulse 96/110. So not bad.
I feel wiped out,shaky and SOB again.

It definitely was a wake up call, that I need to be more careful what I do for the moment.
I think I will ring the GPs on Monday.
What a way to start the day.

@TheWooisStrong yes I have but I think because I've been taking an awful lot of ibuprofen! I know it's not recommended for Covid but it's the only thing that reduces the inflammation on my ears and calms the tinnitus. I find gaviscon helps. Hope you get rid of it soon - having that on top of Covid symptoms is not pleasant!

@Arewehere that sounds rough - I'm sorry. I'm allergic to stemetil so can't have that. Tbh it's the T and not the vertigo that bothers me. I feel for you with the sleepless nights... my tone is high-pitched and like morse code! It's difficult to ignore! I'm hoping it's related to C19 and will disappear when the other symptoms do but I'm not holding my breath! Have always suffered with my ears.

Rosesofeyam I can't believe you wrote that!

I was exactly the same last Friday (I was roughly 53 days) I put the recycling out and oh my god, it nearly finished me off. I felt so so ill afterwards. The only different thing was it was just before my period was starting, whether that makes any difference to B.P etc?

I eneded up with a bit of chest pain over the weekend, tightness and wheezing after the recycling incident, then as my period came I could not do a thing, apart from lay on the bed or sofa propped up.

I hope you feel better soon

@Crayfishforyou glad you've had a better few days. @Tangledyarn sorry your still not feeling well, but the doctors are there to help and my GP has been very helpful. He fully admits that don't really know how long the symptoms can last, but said they are seeing people over 6 weeks with symptoms like all of us.

Day 53 for me and I now feel much more like my old self. I still get tired and have to be careful not to do too much. Still got the swollen/constricted throat and still taking lansoprozole for GERD. @TheWooisStrong it does seem to be worse from bending over when i've been gardening and try to elevate yourself when sleeping. Hope that helps. GP had referred my to a throat specialist, as this has been going on 5 weeks, but he thinks it is most likely post viral.

I do also seem to have developed hayfever symptoms, but that isn't uncommon for me at this time of year.

Take care all and happy VE day

arewehere I'm still on my period. Started last Friday (usually only on for 5 days.)

Thank you, you to.

I still feel wiped out.

@Crayfishforyou and @gunner30. So pleased you are feeling a bit better. Long may it continue.

A PP said they were angry over not having relaxing lock down - I feel exactly the same. Really cross that I missed having quality time with DD who’s 15, and couldn’t enjoy the decent weather. I know I should just be happy I didn’t end up in hospital, but I’m not!

It's perfectly valid that you should feel this way. My symptoms started the day before lockdown and I was looking forward to being more creative with cooking, sewing, painting and playing piano. Have done none of it as not felt anywhere near well enough. Just keeping up with work, housework and trying to tend our huge garden has wiped me out!

@ShastaBeast I think it does affect menstrual cycles yes! Not in a uniform way though....

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3898675-Pandemic-affecting-menstrual-cycle

Also here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/menopause/3899951-Wheres-my-period-Is-this-the-menopause

No doubt some of this will be stress/anxiety but I think it does affect people who get the virus and it is maybe being overlooked.

Thanks @Egghead68 I hope you have a better day X

@Rosesofeyam also glad you posted that too.. I've had numb fingertips too and thought I was imagining it...must be some nerve thing.
Re menstrual issues my AF definitely came earlier than expected too.

Pulse has decided to go up again today. I'm feeling very shaky and lightheaded. My red cheeks are back, not as burning and bright as last week but I over did it yesterday.
Hopefully this will be a small dip. I think I'll spend the weekend very gently in the garden.

Damn - I didn’t start working before 10 and then I got the usual overwhelming urge to lie down. I’ve got to find some energy from somewhere, if only to work 5 minutes every hour...

Sorry you are having a dip now @crayfishforyou.

I’m totally with you @Wheresthebeach and others posters who feel cheated out of a relaxed lockdown. Prior to all this I could really have done with some chill out time, not commuting, spending quality time with my kids, enjoying wine with my husband. Instead I’ve been ill since before official lockdown and now feeling like there won’t even be a time I’m not ill for the foreseeable.

Over 7 weeks and after feeling a bit better last weekend and early this week (up all day, out for short walks, better breathing, even thinking about maybe trying a glass of wine this weekend) I’m now short of breath again, getting palpitations and temp is creeping up again (37.6/37.7) after 10 days of staying down (36.8-37.3). This is despite yet more antibiotics as a chest X-ray showed infection still in my lungs. Seems not bacterial then, which after 7 weeks is really concerning me.

My only relief is seeing others are in similar situations but I feel sorry for you all too!

Sorry about feeling worse today @Crayfishforyou. Does anyone have any guidance on what a normal pulse rate range should be? Should probably be monitoring mine too. @Needsomegoodnews we're with you, hopefully one day! I'm trying not to be too angry at the government for letting the virus spread freely for so long, thus allowing us to catch it, and not providing access to tests early on as well...but today I am pretty peeved...