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.

[SimpleKindofLife]

Also, I keep meaning to add to the comments about periods. Mine are normally every 18 days and horrendous but they've been every 14 days throughout this and slightly shorter and not as horrendous?! It's definitely messing with our bodies.

[Needsomegoodnews]

@fedupofbed and @SimpleKindofLife thank you for posting your experiences, which are for the most part reassuring! Although no answers, also no major issues flagged for the weird symptoms we’re all getting. Hopefully that means it will pass...eventually...

My heart rate and shortness of breath have been better today after a rubbish week. Sternum pain persists and my temp is still 37.7-37.8 most of the time but I’m trying to ignore it. @alittleprivacy regarding your issues with the ibuprofen - I keep getting sore throat and the lump feeling but haven’t taken ibuprofen at all so that might just be part of the illness. Still wondering about taking it as there seem to be mixed experiences.

[Egghead68]

Glad you are feeling a bit better @Needsomegoodnews.

I just did my first Zoom gentle yoga class. I didn’t think I’d make it through but I did and feel better for it.

[Egghead68]

And my heart rate has dropped to 83 with the yoga. Had not been below 105 all day! I’m definitely doing that again.

[Egghead68]

@SimpleKindofLife thank you for the update. It sounds like they were really thorough in your A&E and I am glad they were nice to you. It’s brilliant news that your heart and lungs are fine.

[SimpleKindofLife]

Thanks @Egghead68. 4 hours from start to finish, so worth the wait for the reassurance. But my heart was behaving itself there, but doctor said that it's only a cause for concern if it's continually really high, which mine isn't.

Sitting here typing this, it's now down to 76 from 112! Incredible! This thread really calms me down. I'd be lost without it.

[godhelpusall]

@SimpleKindofLife I know- can you imagine being on your own with this.

[Needsomegoodnews]

@Egghead68 yay - great that you managed yoga and saw a positive rather than negative effect. It’s hard to know whether to try things!

[Moodgie]

@fedupofbed What is your breathlessness like? Is it there without exertion, just appears at random?

[changeagainandagain]

@myguy sorry late to the thread and I've just started reading so you may of heard this, but I'm one of the hospitalised ones and one of my main symptoms was total confusion, the ambulance crew thought it was related to a UTI it was like I was there but couldn't get my words out. Very very strange.

[Porcupineinwaiting]

@fedupofbed thanks for updating, I found that quite reassuring although it doesnt of course solve the problem of feeling shit in the here and now.

Today is my 8 week anniversary. Without wishing to jinx anything I will share that I've been feeling significantly, if not uniformly, better since last Saturday. Most importantly my breathlessness has improved, partly I think due to a short course of steroids I was prescribed to combat inflammation. But actually I now dont think my most severe and frightening episodes of breathlessness - the "elephant on chest" attacks- were anything to do with my lungs at all. Have been reading up about the "MS hug" and it fits my symptoms to a T. So basically bastard virus (or my immune response to it) was fucking with my nerves and causing spasms in my intercostal muscles. Terrifying but ultimately harmless. How I wish I'd know that 6 weeks ago!

I'm currently feeling much more normal but expecting to take a dip again as my period is due and anything I have (cold, sore throats etc) always gets worse just before this happens. My 4 week dip was a doozy, so I'm hoping the next one is not so bad and, after it, I have 4 weeks to get rid of my remaining symptoms once and for all. Here's hoping.

[fedupofbed]

@Moodgie my breathlessness is sometimes random and sometimes on exertion, there's no real pattern. The past few days it's been in short episodes but tonight is quite sustained, maybe because I overdid it (I was at the cardiologist for 3 hours). Other flash points are talking too much and cleaning my teeth. There's no sharp pain, no wheeze, crackle or mucus, it just feels very tight and like I can't get enough air in, and it comes with a slight dry cough. My SATS are okay at the moment though so trying not to get too worried.

@Egghead68 glad all going okay and you enjoyed your yoga and @Porcupineinwaiting and good that you're on the up too.

@changeagainandagain sounds like you've had such a tough time. Are you getting better now?

[Moodgie]

@fedupofbed Thank you for your reply. I think that’s what it feels like for me at the moment. I have no cough, I haven’t had any throughout this. It reassures me that your CT scan was clear. My Sats are fine too.

[PopGoesTheProsecco]

This is the one thread that I’d never have wanted to join. But 7 weeks in I feel awful. It’s like ups and downs all the way. I’ve had so many false starts - beginning to feel better and then going downhill again.

I’m so lucky to have a great boss but am struggling with the home schooling when feeling so awful.

On the second lot of antibiotics now (Dr said I had a secondary chest infection).

The muscle pains are huge.

Am just feeling so demoralised.

[TheWooisStrong]

I’m glad to say I’m (2 months in) 100% better. A few dips and relapses along the way, but since last weekend my cough has fully gone, I’ve started running again, I have energy and motivation (started cleaning out the garage today)
It’s slow but you will all get there. Good luck.

[PopGoesTheProsecco]

That’s so good to to hear! X

[fedupofbed]

Yes that's great @TheWooisStrong ! One day I will run again too!

@PopGoesTheProsecco aw so sorry you have to join us but please do feel free to vent, shout, cry and compare symptoms. Everyone is very supportive.

[PopGoesTheProsecco]

Thank youv fedupofbed x

[Needsomegoodnews]

That’s awesome @TheWooisStrong - onwards and upwards!

Sorry @PopGoesTheProsecco that sounds like the false starts we’ve all been having, and I totally feel your pain re home schooling (and stress definitely doesn’t help with the symptoms!)

[fedupofbed]

Home schooling is minimal to say the least in our house. And I just cannot keep up with all the emails!

[Countingsheeps]

Hi all,

Not a post intending on scaring you, but I want you to be aware... I have just been admitted to hospital (after having to be very rude to a gp telling me it was all anxiety) as my d dimer test came back raised and along with the raised heart beat they suspect pulmonary embolism. I am alone, terrified and so angry that if I hadn’t have known about the possible side effects of this terrible virus - from you guys and the slack group which you guys put me onto, I wouldn’t be in hospital right now, I would be at home with no idea I had a potential ticking time bomb inside me. I am on blood thinners and will have a ct scan in the morning. I have never had anything wrong with me before this. I am 39 and was fit. If you are worried push for a referral. And thankyou. You genuinely may have saved my life.

[Fishflakes]

phew glad you are being seen Counting

[fedupofbed]

@Countingsheeps so good you were insistent. Try not to worry too much tonight - you've had the thinners and you're in the best place. Take care and hope the scan goes well tomorrow.💐

[Lightsabre]

@Coleoptera, I'm exactly the same at 7 weeks and my mobility is restricted due to this. Have you had a chest X-ray? I had one in A and E and it was clear a couple of weeks ago but ideally I'd like a CT scan - no chance at the moment. Just taking it week by week.

[Lightsabre]

Sorry to hear that @Countingsheeps - you're in the best place.