COVID Lungs 8wks plus

[baroqueandblue]

Saw the previous thread is almost full. Hope I've not duplicated a new thread! And I might not be the best person to be custodian of this one, so feel free someone else to start a replacement and I'll get this deleted. Otherwise -

Here we all are, at least 56 days plus 😕

Including a d Dimer

@godhelpusall Yes, including that. Had X-ray, ecg and bloods, all fine.

Thanks for the tip @godhelpusall. Can you get it from the pharmacy or do you need a prescription? Sorry, if that’s a stupid question but never had it before.

@godhelpusall

I noticed an online pharmacy selling 10 and 20mg tablets but they were quite expensive ... also though I’d read somewhere that pharmacies only sold 10mg over the counter, but might be mistaken.

If you can I’d ask a Dr for a prescription. I got a few boxes of 20mg and was told to take 1 tablet 15 mins before breakfast and dinner.

Did want to reduce it to 1 tablet at breakfast only... but was advised a few days ago to keep on with 2 for the time being and taper off them at a later date.

Sorry meant @MelClare

Andslee in response to your question about a relapse. I would probably describe it more like the same symptoms ebb and flow, and vary in intensity - they have never really gone away, just sometimes I feel like I am getting better and then I have a dip again. I am not getting any really new symptoms, they have all made an appearance previously (touch wood)

I am nearly at eleven weeks. I guess my main on-going concern is the chest pain. It is really stabby at the moment but at other times, it is almost non-existent. I cannot work out what triggers it.

Thanks for the info @Millstone I’m waiting for a call back from the doctor now. 👍🏼

@KatySun that is exactly how I feel. The symptoms never really went away but they reduced in intensity. Chest pain is my biggest concern too. Fatigue is overwhelming but I understand that as post viral. The chest pain makes me concerned that something else is going on. I'm going to mention it to my GP tomorrow.

@KatySun Thank you! That is helpful. I don't think I have had any new symptoms, just a kinda repeat (though not as severe) of the symptoms I had in March, minus a few (thank goodness). There is one exception...I am having allergy type reactions to...well...who knows.

A weird one but is anyone elses tongue burning or feeling weird?
I thought it was possibly my omeprasole but it's not because it's there when I don't take it.
It isn't a bad taste and my food tastes normal. My tongue is tingling and sometimes my lips. It looks normal.

My email to my mp:

I am writing to inform you that I have signed a petition requesting a public inquiry into the handling of the current crisis.
I contracted the virus the week before lockdown, which I then unwittingly passed to my family, including my five year old son and nine year old daughter. We are still experiencing symptoms three months later and have received very scant medical care and support, largely due to the novelty of the virus.
I remember being shocked and appalled at the unfolding events in Italy and Spain, and incredulous at the way the Prime Minister blithely ignored the advice of the WHO and refused to lockdown. On the day I started having symptoms, I watched in horror as he invoked the concept of herd immunity and warned us to “prepare to lose loved ones before their time.”
In retrospect, this was a serious error of judgement which has directly contributed to the tragic number of deaths, as well as the ongoing health problems faced by individuals and families across the country and the considerable impact on the NHS.
The decisions taken by the Government since then have been inadequate; the lockdown too late, too lenient and too short. The disastrous care homes situation; the hypocrisy of Cummings and his evident impunity and the resultant easing of lockdown against the advice of the scientists which will lead to many more deaths.
I would like a response to this, as I am absolutely furious at the gross negligence of your Government. I feel unsafe as a British citizen and no longer believe that I live in a democracy. Hopefully my family and I will eventually get better, although the psychological scars will no doubt remain.

Regards,

I didn't realise how angry I was

Great email @Godhelpusall
I feel so helpless about the whole thing. There needs to be an inquiry.

@godhelpusall @ofwarren
There will be...

But we're not through the crisis yet. I've sent a couple of emails to Sturgeon about those with the "long tail" of the virus needing help. I've heard nothing back. I think I might now write to my MEP.

I'm angry too, though I think just now it's being dampened by the "grateful to be alive" thing. That'll change I think.

@godhelpusall terrific letter

Has anyone else noticed a pattern to back and chest pain?

On Tuesday I exerted a lot of energy. In the evening I felt SOB which continued up to Wednesday lunch. On Wednesday afternoon I got terrible back and chest pain which is still displaying.

Pretty sure this pattern has been true for the past 6 weeks. Has anyone else noticed the following, with a delayed response between each stage?

Physical exertion >> SOB >> Back pain

@ofwarren i had tingling, slightly sore tongue and lips at about week 4-5. Still some slight tingling now, but much less pronounced.

I have just started week 12 and back wrapped up in blankets. Toes have also gone back to being super cold.

That’s a great email Godhelpusall

By all means borrow it! Clearly you might want to change it but the more sent out the better

Results of blood tests today showed no indication of ongoing infection or inflammation, which is good, but white cell count a bit low and apparently I’m anaemic, which the doctor said could account for most of the symptoms I have (heart rate, palpitations, shortness of breath on exertion, lightheadedness). He said it might be post viral or might be that my levels have been dropping over time (levels were fine when tested in November though). I’ve got to have another test to work out type of anaemia. Interestingly he said the sternum pain could be related to reflux, which can also cause anaemia. I’m also low in vitamin D, and all this despite taking a multivitamin most days (although not religiously) and getting plenty of sun.

Chest X-ray also now clear (infection was present at week 6)

Perhaps this wouldn’t have gone on so long if they’d done a blood test when I asked about 6 weeks ago (now 11 weeks from onset). Will see if sorting these issues helps. Great email @godhelpusall!

@Needsomegoodies
At least you have something to work on now. Have they given you a prescription for ferritin and vit D?
A multi vitamin isn't strong enough if you are deficient.

@ofwarren they've given me a prescription for vitamin D but I've got to have another blood test to determine whether the anaemia is based on iron, folic acid or B12 deficiency. I'm glad that there's at least something to try!

Found this through Slack, it’s on a twitter account @rafaelosswald who has had it since March. I don’t know what it is based on. It shows how late the dark green antibodies kick in which could explain the negatives, if I understand it correctly.

@Millstone my chest and back pain is back with avengance. This is my second relapse and a bad one. Don't know if there is a pattern.

Day 75/76 and managed my first full day’s work (from home) without resting. Going to have a lie down now but feeling triumphant!

Great letter @godhelpusall