Covid Lungs week 8 plus plus

[AndsLee]

Hope this has worked... Welcome all.

@Ernieshere we seem to have identical presentations as I also have buzzing tinnitus and right side of chest pleurisy. Along with the debilitating fatigue and headache/nausea, these are my most enduring and troublesome symptoms. The tinnitus is awful, you have my utmost sympathy. I had to beg the doctor at A&E for some sleeping tablets. 💐

Thank you for posting that screenshot @LetsBeSensible, very interesting that they say not to exercise for a month after symptoms have gone. Wonder if that month includes the post viral stage?

@Fedupofbed I recognise that hour or two illness within a good day, towards the end. And after a previous phase where it's two day dip amongst a decent 7. That's just at the point where you doubt it will ever end, but really it will. Hang on there x

Hi all,

Well was doing ok..ish then today I felt the strange numb/drooping feeling around my mouth,
This is very hard to explain and I hope I don’t sound like an absolute weirdo!
I kind of have the feeling come over me, I just start to feel really strange, the inner tremors type feeling is there and a sort of strange feeling in my upper body like pushing, it’s very odd. I try to centre myself and wait for it to pass, it can take up to an hour, then is more or less gone.

Now I’m awake because I had the most horrific dream and am too scared to sleep, its left me with a really scared feeling, just doesn’t feel right, has anyone had this?

@Countingsheeps Yes I posted a few days ago about my heart rate being low (at total rest) but went down to 49 at lowest, when like you said, it had been ridiculously high before. It seems to be a bit more normal but can do to 53, hoping it’s normal, that’s in the evening when I’m lay on the sofa.

@onlinelinda So glad you are better! 🙏 how many weeks would you say full recovery was? What were your end type symptoms? I think we all need hope at the moment as this is pretty horrific 😢

@Whatnext2018 - yes, I had horrific dreams at the beginning. I think I also have the weird sensation you are talking about. I do the same as you, get centred.

I also have a low heart rate, in the 50s. My GP doesn't seem concerned. But, my GP hasn't been the best...

@AndsLee great that you are on the up overall. It’s my 12-week anniversary today and while I am still very far from normal my symptoms are less pronounced and I don’t have to spend as much time resting (on good days not at all). Some days I manage a full day’s work (from home) and, as I’ve said before, I do either a 2-mile walk or a yoga/pilates class everyday. I’m definitely better than last month (although not as good as I was in week 5).

Hope everyone has an OK day.

Glad I’ve found my people! I have ongoing SOB, chest / upper back pain, fatigue, poor concentration, sore throat, sore eyes, itchy ears, major thirst.

On the plus side - no headaches Rashes, vein things or tinnitus.

How is everyone looking after themselves? I’m making an effort to get to bed on time, drinking Lots of water.

I notice if I have a late night or drink alcohol I can feel much worse the next day.

@egghead68

Good to see you are improving. I am taking heart from @onlinelinda about ratio of dips. I had 12 days of feeling relatively good, then a slight dip, which is explainable. Even then, symtoms don't last long, I can power through them. I truly believe we will get there. Let's keep on keeping on! Yay!

Yesterday was week 12 anniversary for me. X

Welcome @hepburnmed. Yes early nights and lots of water are essential. Also avoiding vigorous exercise and resting a lot I would say.

Yesterday was the week 12 anniversary for me as well. I am still feeling fatigued, chest pain and SOB on and off, chest pain was really bad earlier this week and generally quite a way from feeling better.

Many thanks to bonnesvacances I think for posting the material on PVFS. I found that very helpful and it explains why one still gets symptom flare-ups even if it is post-viral. I wish I had read that about week three! But so much is knew and unknown with this illness. I am sorry to hear about your DD as well bonnesvacances that is a lot to deal with.

Thank you also to LetsBeSensible for the information on tests. My blood tests came back clear and I am referred for a chest X-ray. Reading this, it looks like that will also come back clear.

Like TiddleTaddle (I think it was) I am worried about the longer term effects of the ‘pushing through’ I did earlier on and still need to do, to some extent. I am a single parent so there has not been much choice about carrying on with domestic tasks and I am also back at work (I went back after three weeks, relapsed, and then started back gradually about two weeks ago, except it is not very gradual). The problem is reading the PVFS leaflet, I should not be doing any of this and it is probably why I still feel exhausted, my chest still flares up and causes extreme pain at times and why I am not recovering. Not sure what to do about that, really. Except to say to tiddletaddle I am amazed that you manage to look after a toddler as well - mine are school age.

It is good to hear that people are making progress, though.

@TiddleTaddleTat your words really rang true for me yesterday about being kind to yourself and letting your body heal.

@Egghead68 and @AndsLee so glad you're both generally on the up.

@Whatnext2018 I'm still getting lots of funny sensations too, but consoling myself that they're not all the time now . Yesterday I had an episode that felt like a switch had been turned on in my chest. The burning when breathing sensation came back and the numbness and it felt like my chest was quivering.

I read somewhere a theory about why many of us feel awful first thing in the morning, just as we're drifting off to sleep or in the middle of the night. Our bodies are so battle scarred - they are on continual high alert from fighting this virus. They don't want to let their defences down ever so send out crazy signals to keep fighting especially at the times when our bodies are trying to rest/ at our most rested state.

@Norugratsatall

I hope you feel better soon, it really is awful.
The chest pain is unsettling, I have had some better days but not lately.

I got Stemetil for the Tinnitus from the G.P, in case it was Labrynthitis, but I havn't taken it yet as it can cause breathlessness. Im too scared.

Im also on antibiotics this week, I have been given Amitryptiline for nerve pain, Omeprazole & Codeine.

Still awaiting results from my urgent chest X.Ray this week.

Before this I didnt need a thing.

If you cant get sleeping tablets again, could you try the night time Kalms wirh Valerian in them?

I found one out of hundreds of youtube videos that actually drowns out the Tinnitus at night time, its birdsong & a waterfall, its the waterfall that reduces the pitch of my Tinnitus.

I can find it for you if you like, It makes a huge difference.

@fedupofbed
I am convinced that this is happening. I think our bodies are absolutely on high alert, hence the "buzzing" sensation and the feeling of being "on". I think this is why we all are finding intolerences, our bodies are reacting to normal stimulants as if it's the virus. Like I was saying before, our bodies are relearning.

Yes @AndsLee it makes sense doesn't it, especially as you said with the periods. Mine hasn't arrived this month, not sure what to make of that. (This is normal for me pre Covid as I'm peri menopausal but have been eerily regular/early even over the last few months).

@Ernieshere I really hope you get some improvement soon. Have you started the amitryptiline yet? I've been prescribed some too but not taken it yet as like you not used to taking lots of meds and a bit worried about side effects.

Morning everybody!
I’ve had a slightly better few days. No sob unless I’m sitting in certain positions, no panics and my headaches have decreased. I’ve still not left the house but I’m resigned now to go with the flow and not push anything.

@fedupofbed hope you’re feeling bright
This morning

The theory you mention, I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately.

I’m suffering terribly in the early hours of the night and in the morning.

The only way I can describe the sensations in the early hours are like echoes of the original illness. It’s almost like PTSD.

For the first 3 weeks of illness I found going to bed quite traumatic. I knew I’d awake throughout the night, with chills, soaking wet with full body convulsions.

That might sound a bit OTT But I was alone, isolated and no healthcare professional would physically assess me despite my attempts to convince them that I was not ‘mild’. My breathing and heart were so bad that some nights I though I might not make it.

I think this lingering PVS or PVFS... or? is due to both physical and metal damage. A double whammy of sorts.

On a brighter note, I attended my 2nd attempt at a chest CT scan last night and it was a success! Tuesday’s attempt resulted in coming too on a bed with a drip, oxygen mask and several people staring at a bleeping monitor above my head

Hope everyone is having a bright start to the day.

@MillStone it's definitely ptsd, I had it ten years ago and it was v similar. At the time I kept going to the drs about twitching muscles, burning sensations and dizziness and it improved with anti depressants. Since I increased my dose this time I've felt much better, still have headaches and nausea sometimes but I'm just much less internally focussed.

Not to say it's only ptsd but it is a part of it

@KatySun I am in exactly the same position as you. Feel I would be better now if I had taken it more easy at 8 weeks when I felt better but I was so obsessed with missing exercise I kept trying. Relapsed really badly with chest and back pain and bad SOB. Starting to improve again week 13 but the chest/back pain is still slightly there ready to flare if I slightly overdo it along with sob when walking.
I also have 4 children of varying school ages and am back to work full time which makes taking it easy impossible. I had blood tests this week and am awaiting a chest xray. Trying my hardest to relax when I can, eat well, drink lots of water and get good sleep.
My goal is to be feeling better by summer holidays. Exercise is not on my radar for the foreseeable future now as that was definitely my downfall earlier in this nightmare we are all in. Have a relaxing weekend everyone.

@godhelpusall hope you’re good

I’m sorry to hear that and thanks for the info. Pleased your AD are working out for you now.

I’ve been giving that some thought too.

@AndsLee @Whatnext2018

Thanks for posting about the low heart rate. I really don’t like it, I may take off my heart monitor and stop looking out for it as I was feeling a bit better before seeing the readings... now I’m back to panic attacks which I haven’t had since the awful nights I had at the start of this illness.

For those wondering about amitriptyline, I have been taking a low dose (10mg) for weeks now- it stopped the tingling that was the main thing keeping me awake, and I have slept well every night bar one since taking it.

Xxx

Blimey @MillStone, what happened at the first CT scan? Was it a panic attack? This illness is certainly taking it out of us in so many ways.

@Kitcat122, so glad to hear the better days are returning. I can't imagine having to go through this and cope with full time work and four children. Are you getting enough help and support? It's not easy I know.

I am also now thinking about anti depressants/anti anxiety meds although I don't want to add in extra side effects which can be harsh. I just feel a bit hopeless about how things will be in the future. I will probably just plod on for the foreseeable. If I could just get the breath shortness sorted then I feel like I'd be able to do more which would make feel more positive. The rest of the symptoms could be managed with pain meds/eventual treatment.

@Crayfishforyou, glad also to hear you feel a little improved. Any positives give us all a bit of hope. Do you have any plans to start walking/increase activity now?

Hey @Lightsabre hope your having a good start to the day.

What you mention sums it up exactly — the breathlessness (and heart). It’s really tough.

What puts me off starting meds now is the Possible side effects.

No not a panic attack. My blood pressure is currently all over the place. I’m not sure what happened but my heart rate dropped very low, I went very cold and and my blood pressure really dropped.