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 😕

@JackJackIncredible Can I ask how many weeks down the line you are please?

@godhelpusall What is slack please? Is it a group?

I'm really so fedup of this now. I'm 12 weeks tomorrow or 12+4 from the very start. Everyday is the same, not getting worse, but not getting better either. Family don't understand. Reading on here I am probably a bit better than some of you, but exertion still enflames everything. I am managing to keep going all day, normal housework and some packing work 2 days a week. (Farm work, food production). But by the end of each day, my chest hurts, I'm short of breath, trachea and ribs hurt, and throat that sore my voice goes. I work normally as a house cleaner, and last week I tried my first house clean (2hrs) to see how I felt. By the time I finished, my chest was killing me.

Why is there no help for people like us.

Thank you, everyone. I really hope people do make a recovery.

@AndsLee
I’m about 10 weeks since my first temperature. It was 8 weeks since I developed pneumonia.

@Lightsabre
I need a camera into my lungs (bronchoscopy) and a lung wash out, maybe biopsy, and CT scan. This isn’t standard though. I was meant to have a sleep study but then lockdown happened so hopefully that’ll finally go ahead.

I have a known chronic respiratory condition and I’m showing signs of problems; reduced lung function and low oxygen. I had minor issues early this year but appears I have deteriorated. :(

Really sorry to hear about your prognosis @JackJackIncredible - I hope the investigations will eventually find out what what has happened and something can be found to help you.

Thanks @baroqueandblue for new thread. I don't post often but do follow thread. I am day 72 (I think) and I am still not right. Last night I had to take my bra off as I had terrible pain again mostly on my right side. Then I woke up with pain in my left lung and had to sleep on my back. I don't understand why I am still having symptoms and feel worse than I did last week. It seems to follow no pattern. Sorry to see so many of you still suffering.

I would love an antibody test but if its negative it would really upset me and make me paranoid about catching it.

Thanks for the new thread @baroqueandblue

@JackJackIncredible so sorry to hear about your lung issues, hope the tests help to pinpoint whats wrong.

Glad I'm not the only one who is PISSED OFF THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US! I'm trying to focus my energy on getting well rather than being bitter but... not always easy.

@AndsLee Good effort on your email to the FM, i hope you get a reply.

I'm thinking about asking the GP now to put me on the waiting list for some counselling. I have never been so frightened in my life as during those couldn't breathe moments, i think its going to stay with me for a long time. Terrifying and its brought up a whole load of other trauma / grief issues.
@fedupofbed let us know how your talking therapy goes, I hope its helpful.

I also have the sharp feeling/blockage in my throat that others have mentioned and I'm very thirsty all the time. My tongue feels odd too, kind of swollen and sore somehow.

@TiddleTaddleTat I self certified for the first 7 days, then did a 7 day nhs isolation note (i live alone so could only do the 7 day one) and then sick notes since then. I haven't worked since March. I'm definitely going to need a couple more weeks off at least and then after that i'll talk to HR about a phased return. Hats off to those of you who are managing to work a few hours a day, i don't think i'd manage.

@hollieberrie
I think living alone has been the biggest challenge. Having said that, I now have my odd wee quirks to make living easier. I have no idea how my partner is going to react to my wee "shelter"...

@AndsLee It has been very tough indeed. for you too.
Ha! I know the feeling. My place is a tip! Embarrassed to say that i was actually pee-ing in a plastic bowl in my room at one point as i was drinking loads of water but didn't have the energy to keep going to the bathroom every hour.

Oh @hollieberrie

I made a kinda armchair our of pillows to keep me propped up in bed. My place is also a tip. I've alternated between 3 sets of clothes, all of which are bleach stained. Once apon a time I would have cared about that...

I'm actually coming of furlough for 3 weeks tomorrow. I am working from home, and my boss is aware and supportive. I know my tasks and can do what I can when I can. I was on the same work pattern in March and coped. I hope to carry on...

@AndsLee you poor thing! I'm with you on the clothes, same few things on rotation here too.
Good luck back working. Hope you can see your partner soon too. I'd say no way we are contagious now, thats what all the doctors ive spoken to have said.

@hollieberrie

Seems to be the general consensus about infection. So hard to know though since the symptoms are all over the place! Having said that... This current crop of symptoms akin to an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to me resonates more with post viral.

I've just been reading up a bit on SARS recovery pathways and the outcomes from studies are pretty encouraging. Physical health mostly back to normal within 1 year although mental health taking more of a toll. I know Covid could be different but just as an idea of how we may cope.

1 year 😱😨

I know!! But i was googling more from the angle of "are there life long effects on survivors?". And seems like there weren't in most cases.

Thanks for the new thread. Signing in again (sigh - can’t believe I’m still here).

I’m day 64/65 and feeling much better although a long way from full strength.

On a typical day I can work a few hours (with rests in between), walk 3-5K steps and do some gentle floor exercises or yoga. I daren’t try any more vigorous exercise yet.

I’m waiting for hospital appointments for an echocardiogram and 24-hour ECG.
I’m also waiting for the results of antibody testing.

Do any of you get a burning sensation in your nose? Like pepper or something. I can't help feeling it's the virus.

@lightsabre@hollieberrie I regret not getting signed off sooner. My work has been manic. Now I'm 74 days in I've been working from home so no physical exertion but lots of mental stress and long days at a desk.
The GP said no work for 2 weeks, but I keep telling myself that I can continue to work. I'm really just fearing talking to my boss because they are incredibly unsupportive. I also know the result will be a huge increase in my workload when I return to work.
Tricky because I am also about to hand in my notice.

Day 77 ish. I have been wheezy all weekend, burning throat & chest. Chest bone is so tender, I can nearly press it.
Breathless after the stairs.

Pissed off tonight

*barely press it due to pain

I have self referred to see a respiratory Physio, from a post Covid team.

It's worth asking the G.P surgery or looking online to see if you all have one available.
Failing that, ring your local Physio dept and ask the Community team.

@Ernieshere my friend's sister is also a physio in the Covid recovery team. She was talking the other day about the assistance required to help those that have been hospitalised to learn to breathe normally again. Stands to reason that we may need similar coaching. Even for the "anxiety" element. To live at such a heighened state must take it's toll...going to look into that myself. I know I have developed a "click" in my throat...

Our team don't need the patient to have had a positive test or been hospitalised which is good, it will mainly be telephone led at the moment, but they may set up groups in the future along with COPD patient groups.

@Ernieshere - sounds really positive.

@hollieberrie - I was just giggling to myself about our confessions of a Covid sufferer living alone as I put together a meal of mashed potato and cottage cheese... Made me smile, perhaps that'll make you chortle too. For the record, surprisingly tasty! Xx

@JackJackIncredible I’m so sorry about your lungs.

Too bad your work are unsupportive @TiddleTaddleTat. Last thing you need.

@AndsLee and @hollieberrie I’m a fellow person living alone with Covid. I’m too embarrassed to admit how bad my clothes/meals/housework standards have become