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.

Thanks for the good wishes, testing and GP info. back to you all.
It’s rotten when you being ill becomes the new normal for everyone norugrats. So sorry. Though have to say, I have lost interest in this bloody virus too, to be fair, just want it to go! I find some other people (understandably) find the coming and going of symptoms very hard to cope with or to relate to. It is wierd and unpredictable and they find that a bit uncomfortable.

@Egghead68*@pinkoneblueone @Wingingit15* I had blood tests last week and was asked if I would do an extra sample for antibodies for research purposes and that the surgery was not getting results for it. Not sure how that corresponds to your tests and you getting results. And the fact that the media tell us they are not reliable?

@pinkoneblueone I'm getting repeat blood tests in July, that's probably to see if it is or not.
I'm of the opinion in the early days this virus wiped out my red blood cells and fucked everything up. I went grey for a week and then vampire victim white.
Guess I'll wait and see, it wasn't crazy high, so it red zone, but a little way into the orange.
I've been told no more vitamin c supplements, and I'm going to avoid red meat. That may well tip it back if my body is trying to clear it out. It can be elevated in viruses and infections with tissue damage especially associated with inflammation. Sound familiar?

I'll just have to wait and see I guess!

@Moodgie Yes the antigen test is the swab tested currently available to key workers. It is not designed to detect antibodies, only the active virus.

• swab test , not tested

@Valsemove Yes, a few of us had these and I think all were negative.

Wingingit15

Know it must be really hard to have a negative result from the antibody test. From what I understand though, advances have recently been made in the specificity and sensitivity of antibody tests and it seems, as PPs have noted, that the ones currently widely in use may not be reliable enough at an individual rather than population level right now.

Also, from what I've read so far, it's thought that T-cells, not just antibodies, could be important in developing immunity. The body of research on this is growing all the time. Seems different individuals may develop immunity in varying ways. So absence of antibodies may not necessarily mean no past infection and no immunity. Worth reading up on if it might be helpful to you to know more.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/15/uk-coronavirus-antibody-test-validated-results-show-under-40s/ similar to what @Valsemove says people may use different "mechanisms" to fight off the virus, especially younger people, according to this article. So a negative antibody test doesn't mean you didn't have it.

@Moominmamma33 Thanks for the link! I was struggling to recall where I had read about this or where to look for accessible information (as I am a layperson).

www.businessinsider.com/immunity-to-the-coronavirus-what-we-know-and-dont-know-2020-4%3famp

Also this - but note that only the most sensitive test available was used. As far as I am aware, such a test is not widely in use at this point in the UK.

Sorry for the previous broken link. Here it is again, fixed:
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.businessinsider.com/immunity-to-the-coronavirus-what-we-know-and-dont-know-2020-4%3famp

New research found coronavirus antibodies in over 99% of recovered patients. Here's what science says about immunity.

@Aurea @alittleprivacy I definitely think some of the chest pains are a result of inflammation swelling cartilage under the ribs resulting in costochondritis. I've had that since Day 4 and it's gradually got so bad that my ribs now noticeably stick up a few places on the left side - it's probably now classed as Tietze's Syndrome. I feel like a medical exhibit! Yesterday it seemed to spread to the centre of my sternum and now it's painful to cough or laugh unless I press down slightly on that area while coughing (the laughing isn't relevant as I have no cause to). I have to take ibuprofen otherwise the pain is hideous. I can't go for a walk any more and even sitting in the car as a passenger brings the pain on after a few minutes.

On top of that, my stomach is producing loads of acid and if I lie down or eat/drink various things, I get heartburn too. I can usually tell the two types of pain apart - the heartburn is constant and more vicious and usually can be controlled by sitting up or Gavascon. The costocondritis pain tends to be more like a series of pains around my ribs that sometimes go through to my back.

I'm clinging to the hope that I am still fighting this virus - that my body will eventually kick it out, and when it does, the inflammation will go away and I can get back to normal.

@Moodgie I bought a commercial test although I haven’t been able to use it yet for various reasons. I think sensitivity and specificity are not great but my plan is to do several different tests and see whether there is a consensus. I know antibodies/no antibodies does not necessarily correspond to immunity or not.

LINUS
Thanks for the mention.

I am going to try golden paste (turmeric) which is great to reduce all types of inflammation to see if this helps now I know what I am likely to be suffering from.

My husband already swears by it to ease his arthritis which is also caused by inflammation.

I hope you feel better soon.

Has anybody with the thudding heart symptom who has been seen by/spoken to a doctor had any insight into what causes it? I swear it feels swollen when it thumps like this but I had an ECG last week which showed nothing untoward.

@aurea Is golden paste better than standard turmeric? I have been taking loads of turmeric for the last 2 months.

@Linus1972 I’ve had them awful costochondritis pain, all the way through but really severe between about day 45-55. I’m Day 60 now and it has reduced. No longer need ibuprofen most of the time. I am doing some exercises that help. Google bob and brad costochondritis. Also gentle yoga, I thought it might aggravate but for me it’s helped. I’m able to walk again now, it does bring it on a bit but not as badly. No bra at all unless I’m out 😂

Moodgie

Yes, golden paste includes oil (preferably coconut), black pepper, Ceylon cinnamon. The heating process with the oil and the black pepper supercharges the anti inflammatory properties.

I buy the paste ready made here as it's a bit messy (although easy and cheap) to make. This one also includes Apple cider vinegar (with mother) for added health benefits.

goldenpastecompany.co.uk/collections/turmeric-for-people-1/products/golden-paste-for-people

The antibody test may be in relation to being tested for being coeliac sorry to have got any of you excited. I suppose it was wishful thinking on my part I am sorry.

@crayfishforyou OMG yes! I need to stop giving DH vitamin C it will be making his condition worse! Shit! Thank you!

@longshot thanks for letting me know that - it gives me hope that eventually the costochondritis will not be as bad - of all of the symptoms it's the one that's been life-altering as I can't leave the house and the pain governs my actions and thoughts so much. I'm on Day 51 and it's pretty bad without ibuprofen dulling it down (I tried to give it a miss yesterday and only lasted til 11am before I had to take one). I watched the Bob and Brad video a while ago and tried the exercises for a couple of days but they didn't seem to make much difference. Maybe I should have kept up with them. Are there any which you found especially effective?

On another note - for the whole forum - I managed 6 and a half hours sleep last night. I normally wake up around 3-5am and can't get back as I start thinking about the virus or become aware of my loud heartbeat and get increasingly upset/anxious. Last night I did a kind of "body part roll-call", starting at my toes and working up through all the body parts, just taking a few seconds to acknowledge the position and existence of each one. It worked for me last night and I got back to sleep a couple more times (I'm not saying it'll work again tonight - but at least it stopped me thinking so much about the virus in such a non-productive way).

@linus1972 - the ones with be socks! And yes my pain was like that last week. Really bad at times. I had to go in the car to collect something and it was agony! Anyway this week it’s much better. Epsom salt baths every night too, lots of rest and pain relief when I need it. I also get the swollen ribs etc and the lowest one sticking out. SO Weird!

@longshot - thanks, I'll give the exercises another go. And I'll try to get hold of some Epsom salts. My lowest rib is sticking out too (off on the left side) and I also have swelling around ribs 3-5 which makes the left pectoral look like I've been over-doing it at the gym

@mumlurker re the cardio symptoms, I have an appointment with a cardiologist this Thursday, and a whole load of tests booked. This was a private referral from my GP. I'm sort of dreading it and looking forward to it in equal measures. One of the tests arranged is an antibody test but the costs aren't covered for this by DH's work insurance so I'm not sure I'll take it up - I have so little faith in the tests at the moment. I'll post an update afterwards.

@Linus1972 glad you got some sleep, I'll try that. Usually I put a podcast on - something gentle and trivial to take my mind somewhere more relaxing.

@Dandyish I hope your husband is a bit better today (and you!) and that your DS has enjoyed his birthday.

Thanks @Aurea, I do have all the ingredients.