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.

[Dandyish]

@Thinkle sending a virtual hand hold. I relapsed at 5 weeks after not doing too much, but much more then I was doing. Spent another couple of weeks in bed but got worse, and needed oxygen at hospital. I was crying saying I know this takes weeks, but I’ve rested for most of seven weeks and I’ve just got worse.

Dr said it can take a few months even after a ‘regular’ viral infection to recover properly.

[Dandyish]

Just checked my discharge letter from A&E for my GP for follow-up care. It says “Diagnosis: Covid-19. Suspected diagnosis”. That’s given me some comfort - there is part of me that’s occasionally wondered if it’s something else or psychosomatic!

It also says for me to go straight back to them (A&E) if I worsen.

[Egghead68]

@Thinkle I am sorry you are having such a bad day. They are the worst, especially when you think you are better. Hope you can stop work for the day and that tomorrow is better. The ups and downs of this illness are awful.

[TheDrsWife46]

Hi @Egghead68 thankyou for tagging me.
Im day 45 and i stopped amytriptiline on Dr’s advice as it was giving me very lucid dreams, no real sleep and some frightening episodes of confusion. Today is my first day non-medicated to see exactly what post viral symptoms im left with. My tremor appears to have gone but I have huge fatigue and my muscles are weak. I managed a walk yesterday for the first time since march 20th. I feel largely myself again but I darent report im well as I still have a racing heart affecting my sleep and the fatigue.

How are you at the moment? X

[LetsBeSensible]

I have to say in the last 2-3 weeks I’ve developed light sensitivity.
Yesterday’s 30 min trip outside has floored me, started coughing, th8nk am getting a migraine

[mumlurker]

Day 54 I think. In and out of bed. Chest still aches and have developed pins and needles coming and going, and a new ache in my arm. I go up and down between trying to be stoic and wondering if this is my life from now on.

Tried some lung stretches earlier and I realised just how hunched up and sore my back is...felt great to stretch in one way but I know I'll pay for it if I do to much...

[Crayfishforyou]

I've just been for a whopping 300 step walk.
I've got freezing cold hands and pins and needles in my feet.
Absolutely knackered now

[Monty6]

@Tangledyarn - you are not alone on the gp front. I spoke to mine for the first time since week 1 today. I spent much of the time trying to convince her that it seems likely to be covid despite little coughing and then had to spend more time trying to explain that there were a number of people in our boat trying to get better. There haven’t been so many cases in my area so i think they are just less aware. I asked if i could have some blood tests to ensure i haven’t gone anaemic etc, but the answer was no. They don’t want anyone in the surgery who might be infectious. Also no antibiotics, which is fine by me. They suggested i fully self isolate again and get tested although i suspect at 8 weeks along it is unlikely either will help.

[Meercatmama]

Hi
I was asked to report back after my afternoon at work and online staff meeting. I had a little shortness of breath and developed a headache but once I got home had a warm bath and took some paracetamol. My hands and feet are cold and I feel tired but I am ok. Will see how I am in the morning as I have some work deadlines to make.
Wishing you all a peaceful evening and hoping you feel better

[Arewehere]

Does anyone think its worth buying an antibody test, or should we wait until they are free?

[Tangledyarn]

@monty6 That sounds really frustrating! Not much point isolating at this stage is there!
My GP has said I've had covid19 although i was a few weeks early for testing, I've had to have a few calls with them because of my chest and have had sick notes issued with covid19 on them. I guess I'll just see how things are feeling once I've finished the steroids, at least I might be a bit clearer what is post covid and what is asthma.

[Tangledyarn]

Havent taken my O2 for a couple of weeks, but its around 94 today at rest which is fine but explains why I am not feeling v well if I try to walk around.

[Dandyish]

@Meercatmama glad to hear work wasn’t so bad

@Crayfishforyou lol at your whopping walk. Have to laugh or we’ll cry. I’m working up to 300 steps. I’m trying hard not to feel despairing at it all.

[Crayfishforyou]

I've cheered myself up by ordering myself a shit show journal from amazon.

[Wheresthebeach]

I just counted...week 7. GP told me 3 months is par for the course so I’m trying to bear that in mind.

Today I feel brighter mentally than I have for weeks, which is good.

Sorry to ask dumb questions but what’s SOB?

[Egghead68]

That sounds really positive about the tremor and the walk @TheDrsWife46. I hope your other symptoms continue to improve.

I am largely bedbound with fatigue, chest pain and tachycardia at the moment. Getting a bit fed up of people implying I should have been tested too (it’s really too late at day 46/47 and no tests were available until recently, as we know).

I have however bought an antibody test @arewehere and it arrived today. You have to (a) extract 8ml of blood (a whole small vial) and (b) take it before 12 noon the same day to a priority postbox. I am not quite sure how I am going to achieve this as I live alone and am shielding so unable to leave the house. I heard the NHS ones might be coming out in mid-May so you might want to wait for one of those.

[emoojoo]

@Wheresthebeach short of breath (took me ages to work it out when first on here!)

[Wheresthebeach]

Thanks @emoojoo...I kept thinking ‘son of a bitch’ but it didn’t always work with the context ...we need a dunce emoji.

[Arewehere]

Also If you see SOBOE it's usually - short of breath on exertion.

[Arewehere]

Egghead68 Thank you, I watched the video and it looks like a lot of blood to get rid of!

Can someone post it for you? Do ypu drive, do you think you could stop outside the postbox, drop it in & then get back in the car or is that a really stupid thing to do?
I would hate to think you would miss out.

[Arewehere]

Egghead68 sorry, just re read how unwell you are.

[Egghead68]

@Arewehere - others are much worse! I don’t have a car but tbh am not well enough to drive at the moment altjough thank you for the thoughts. I will try to find a way round it (may need to wait till I am better then break my shielding and walk to the delivery place early in the morning).

[Egghead68]

Trying to post the antibody blood test procedure for anyone interested.

[Rosesofeyam]

Day 49
Had quite a good day today.
Pottering around the house, ventured outside in the garden to put the rubbish in the bin.

Had a walk around, sat and watched a robin going in and out of the trees. Mr and Mrs pheasant making a racket in the field. It was lovely to feel the sun on my face.

I felt a little out of breath walking around,but I feel better for it.

[Kitcat122]

Hi, day 54 have been back at work and feeling better. I've still had slight chest pains and sob but the latter is much improved. Then Saturday bam terrible chest pain back with the new symptoms of painful underarm and painful chest under collar bone to touch and pain in shoulder blades. Very very despondent. It kept me awake all night.