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.

@Moodgie @Crayfishforyou @Norugratsatall @Fishflakes I'm so sorry, it brings you so low doesn't it. Please keep reaching out and we can support each other here.

I'm in a dark place too. My constant anxiety and feeling of dread is through the roof and I don't know how to manage it. Whilst it's not the root of my symptoms it's definitely not helping recovery. Every time I try any kind of relaxation exercises, anything which focuses on my body at all, it seems to make it worse - similar to when I get palpitations when I'm dropping off.

@Lightsabre Yes I'm sitting in the garden sometimes, not every day but I have been out most days. I've also walked around the block, making sure I stay away from people. I've been told that I'm very unlikely to be infectious, but I'm still coughing so I'm not convinced, as I haven't been tested.

Thank you for the support. 

I'm sorry you're feeling so low, @Crayfishforyou I know how shit this is and it can seem completely endless. Especially as there's no point in calling the GP surgery, when there's nothing they can do for our physical symptoms.

However, I'm on anti depressants so they'll be helping me cope with my low mood. Maybe the GP could help you with that side of it, OP? I've found GP appointments very helpful for my MH issues in the past. I don't know if they're prescribing medication for depression/anxiety over the phone, but I suspect they would if you told them honestly how things are for you. for you.

@Crayfishforyou @Lightsabre

That’s exactly how I feel. I am barely seeing my 2 year old dd - my husband brings her in for a cuddle when he gets her up, on a good day I see her at meal times, if not, and I eat in bed, I just see her for a goodnight cuddle. It’s not so bad with my 5 year old dd, as we try and homeschool in bed together each morning, but I’m feeling so low and guilty today. I think day 51. I just want to be a mummy again... I just don’t feel like I’m getting better - yesterday I was in bed all day again, like weeks ago. My heart goes out to all who are similar, it is so draining and uncertain. X

Is anyone using a peak flow meter? My usual peak flow is 450, I'm lucky if it's 350 these days.

@Moodgie please don't apologise for offloading! That is exactly what this thread is for - to offer one another support. Remember, we're all going through something similar and I think if we can keep reading and keep posting - somehow, we'll get each other through this! I can't remember which day you're all on... but I think a lot of you are on Day 50/60 ish?? I'm Day 52. It does seem to be a low point in the trajectory of the illness so take one day at a time people, rest rest rest and be kind to yourselves and... keep posting! Crayfishforyou - you will get better!! It sounds as though you're not getting a lot of support st home (hugs - neither am I) so please keep coming back here..... 💐💐

@mumlurker What does your gp say about that? Are you on inhalers/antibiotics etc?

I lost surprisingly little lung volume throughout this - even though I've felt far more breathless than I have ever done, including during previous illnesses when my lung volumes got down into the danger zone. Last week or two it's almost back to normal.

@fedupofbed @Lightsabre Thank you. 💐

@Porcupineinwaiting

I'm not asthmatic, or at least I wasn't before this...I've had antibiotics which have done nothing and still feel wretched. Got another appointment with the gp tomorrow but they just keep telling me to rest and drink water...

@Porcupineinwaiting and @mumlurker - - how do you get a peak flow meter? Is it something a GP has to prescribe please?

@Lightsabre mine was given to.me by a friend with asthma...not sure if you need to be prescribed.

Weird thing is my breathlessness vanished completely after week three but returned with a vengeance in week six. Now seems permenant rather than fits, but oxygen readings are fine.

Has anyone got an answer from anyone medical as to why their heart is still racing on exertion? Have they any ideas?

@Norugratsatall I’m day 68 I think from my first sore throat. Thank you for everyone’s support.

Anyone still have a feverish feeling and alternating between freezing cold hands and warm hands?

@Tootsey11 one idea is POTS www.nhs.uk/conditions/postural-tachycardia-syndrome/
although it doesn’t fully account for my heart symptoms so I’m not sure.

I am sorry to everyone having bad dats. This thing is relentless. At least we have each other for support.

I’m on my third day (day 52/53) of feeling a bit less bad although I think that might because I have been necking painkillers. Sinus pain, mild fatigue and fast heart rate are today’s main issues.

@mumlurker i had the same in week 5, felt normal and then in week 7 it was back again.

@user34254356 it's horrible! Right back to where I was in weeks 2 and 3. How are you feeling now?

@user34254356 Yes I get that. I get massive sweats, which remind me of the hot flushes I used to have and make me wonder whether I should go back on HRT. Except that at other times I'm shivering with cold. I have occasional high temperature (always in the afternoon and evening), though no higher than 37.6 now. Earlier on, it was consistently over 38, but it changed to being between 37.5 and 37.9.

My temperature has always been very low, and very rarely as high as 37.

I'm not sure they need to be prescribed but mine was. I'm asthmatic and it's used to monitor my condition and flag up when I need to start treatment or seek medical help.

@mumlurker My normal peak flow is 465 (currently 450). If it drops to 400 (even after using blue treatment inhaler) I am supposed to start w my brown steroid inhaler and book in with the asthma nurse asap. If it drops to 225 then I need urgent medical intervention.

I am surprised that with the sort of drop you're describing that a steroid inhaler is not being considered.

Read this on the Happy Pear Facebook page today, so I am off to take some probiotics and some healthy breakfast (or brunch rather).
Did you know that 70% of your immune system cells exist in your gut and 95% of your serotonin (happy hormone) is made there too.

@Porcupineinwaiting interesting, I guess I've never had to consider what the figures mean before. Will push for an inhaler when I speak to my GP.

Has anyone been prescribed steroids for the inflammation? And any success?

Has anyone got an answer from anyone medical as to why their heart is still racing on exertion? Have they any ideas?

It's likely to do with inflammation. Almost all of us seem to be experiencing chest inflammation at the moment, which can be linked to heart palpitations. And it's exacerbated with activity, likely because it's an immune response. There is a bit of a vicious circle going on, with raised heart rate exacerbating the inflammation and the inflammation exacerbating the heart rate. It's honestly at this point a case of waiting it out and not overdoing things whenever we improve so that the improvement sticks. I'm utterly crap at that, but it is what we have to do.

www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Health-Conditions/Chest-Wall-Infections.aspx

@Moodgie that is timely - I'm having a load of probiotics delivered this afternoon.