COVID long-termers 14 weeks+

[isitorisntit]

Welcome all. I'm sad that many of us are still here but at least we have each other. The other thread is full, hence this new one.

Welcome anyone else who is struggling with a long recovery from COVID. They're a supportive lot, here.

My daughter is ok my son is having mild chest pains his tremors have reduced a little and his hospital appointment regarding this has been cancelled twice now.

My daughter is ok my son is having mild chest pains his tremors have reduced a little and his hospital appointment regarding this has been cancelled twice now.

@pinkoneblueone I'm the exact same as you. I'm on week 19 and was thinking I have been reinfected. My worst symptom at the moment is burning in chest and back and really intense pins and needles in my heart area. I get these repeatedly throughout the day. Dr Google says they are nerve damage. I've had an ECG last week which was clear and waiting on a chest x-ray. I am working most days, cleaning others houses, but I am so so tired.

This is truly shit for us all, the worst but for me is that my so called 'D'p doesn't believe I even had it and this whatever this is, is all my own doing!

@Tootsey11 I am so so sorry that this is the case for you. My DH and children were sick too so thankfully he understands. It certainly seems like we have both over done it. My insides feel inflamed today and I feel so so exhausted. I imagine that your job is hard work in your job I have to clean our shop hourly and my HR is going up just walking today so I know I need a few days in bed to recover ideally but you can't get away with it when you have to work

@Tootsey11 @pinkoneblueone Sorry to hear about your struggles with ongoing symptoms. I know it's very difficult with work, with the symptoms you have I would really be trying anything possible to avoid physical work, mental exertion, stress.
I am week 18 and the only progress I see is when I rest fully. I can't do simple household tasks in my own house , I can't imagine how you are managing what you are doing.
I've started to try and think about this stage as rehabilitation. What my body needs to recover is lots and lots of rest, good food, fluids etc. If I was a really rich person I would be lying in a private hospital being looked after with regular checks, lying in bed almost all day save for a few slow strolls around a garden, I would have heathy meals and drinks brought to me. Physios coming to give us massages and stretches.
I think that is what we all need but of course instead we are trying to navigate our working lives, caring roles, relationships. This is just getting in the way of my recovery personally. I have had to use up any sick pay available to me, scrape together the meagre emergency fund I'd saved, and hold on to hope that I will be getting better on the other side.
I'm sure that flares of symptoms exacerbate your illness and extend the period of recovery. It really is so important to rest.

Sorry to hear that @Meercatmama and others are experiencing relapses. It seems to be that this is how this post viral period goes. I am so worried about returning to work and how I will cope then - it's just about manageable now with loads of rest after any activity.

I had a long no conversation with a friend today and now the base of my throat and upper chest feel inflamed. I'm going to push for an ENT referral once I've attended my respiratory appt tomorrow.

Any updates on the new Covid recovery hubs? Are there any starting where you live? None here in SE London yet as far as I'm aware.

Hello folks...

Had an ECG today, normal, but I still think my heart rate is low. BP up a little but I think it's because I was breathing through a mask and rushing to get to the appt.

Totally nailed it at work today. That's me back more or less full time now. Was good, no brain fog. Also, for those with throat/tongue pain (burning sensation on roof of mouth and up to sinuses), I discovered this:

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burning-mouth-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20350911

Can be caused by GERD and Autoimmune issues. Also...a side effect of Esomeprasole! @pinkoneblueone made me think of you, might ease your mind about reinfection. This burning throat sensation has been bothering me this week, and couples with me starting Esomeprasole. My heartburn has pretty much gone with it however, and the breathing through dust sensation is less, replaced by this "burning". So, these issues MUST be GERD related. @moodgie thought of you too.

Does anyone find that, during their period, their thermostat is out of whack?

Sending love...xx

Is anyone else finding it hard to get out of a low mood? Something apparently small upset me this morning and I have been low all day since, also ds had a small issue last weekend and we were able to help, it cost us £60 and him the same and it upset me all day. It is stupid as while it is a lot of money to him we could give it back to him no issue, yet somehow the whole thing got to me.

I am really tired too which doesn't help but the low mood is scaring me tbh.

Hi @fedupofbed hope you are feeling ok today. Saw your post about Chinese herbs - my practitioner has been sending me some also, so feel free to ask me anything if you have any concerns. I’d say build them up slowly - start with half a sachet and take note of how you feel.

Thinking of everyone here a lot and sad to see so many of us still suffering but we’ve come a long way since those early months of being consumed by ‘the fear’. I’ve been working from home more or less full time recently as it’s just light work on my laptop but as soon as I have to engage with people, I feel like I need to go to sleep. Sob and dizziness is still bad. On the plus side, I have had a manageable period this month and managed my first very slow walk up a hill to my local high street today - first time in 4 months. My heart palpitations went crazy but calmed down. So that’s my achievement for the day! Day 115 for me. Love to all

@pinkoneblueone sorry your boy is still unwell and they keep cancelling his appointment.
@Tootsey11 and anyone with a “know it all” DP....a withering look and some sarcasm is called for I think (you should offer your services to the NHS since you’re so knowledgeable about this new virus that’s never been seen or studied before”.
Week 16 draws to a close with a “normal” period. My Aunt Flo is a violent, erratic old cow, even on a good day. I’m in agony, but you know, normal agony.

Hi I’m week 14 next monday. Have been almost better and I’m back at work. still can’t get rid of the SOB. Back working full time since 1st july... sore throat, SOB, stuffiness like you’re coming down with a cold, aches & pains all over and awful rib pain. I take naproxen for the rib pain (for the last month) & blue inhaler for SOB. I’m taking vitamin c & d. Totally fed up i was up in the night last night for 2 hours with constant SOB & I’ve got work today. Is anybody else feeling like this & struggling to work? I’m not sure i can continue if it doesn’t improve soon but can’t afford to go onto sick pay

am asking if anyone else has a runny nose constantly clearing their throat, chest and back discomfort, dripping with sweat though a normal temperature and an unsettled stomach.

pinkone. I think I am around the same stage, first got ill at the end of march. I had a series of days and nights with constant headache, all of last week, am over that now but very tired and back to SOB on any kind of ‘exertion‘-by which I mean hanging up a few items of clothing on the line outside maybe

But yes to clear thin watery runny nose, upper chest and back pain, sweats with normal temperature and low level nausea (Not being sick) and diahorrea. My child has been feeling sick for days, not being sick, but eating very little and we’ve both had very little energy.

The gastric/nausea and sweats side of it is more of a feature than its previously been for me and actually has had me wondering if it’s a different infection on top of the CV19 that’s been rumbling on for ages because it’s different from how other relapses have been. Usually I have a slight raised temp with this- I spent weeks at about 37.6. No temp but trying to fight infection (clear runny nose) and other symptoms makes me suspect a new thing. Can’t know of course. I could order another test kit.Hope everyone has a better day today and best of luck with whatever symptoms it brings

@AndsLee thank you for the link I was only taking omeprazole when I needed it I have had to start back on it as my reflux is back again and very very painful

I found I have been dripping with sweat during my period this time

@fishflakes @pinkoneblueone This is similar to what I have had the last couple of days. My nose hasn't been runny though. I'm fairly sure clear snot is good sign though.

I think Meerkatmamma also has something similar happening. Throat and sinus thing recently. I think with a few of us experiencing this it's probably all part of the same old picture. I think these hot episodes with no temp is post viral. I think this was mentioned in the MS Association's leaflet about Post Covid Syndrome.

I wondered if this sore throat was "burning mouth syndrome". Seems to be the roof of my mouth and entry to nose, so like a sinusy wheeze. This can be caused by GERD, auto immune issues and is also a side effect of esomeprasole (among other things), so if you've had the gastric element to Covid, it ties in.

Also discovered...apparently multivitamins with iron can skew test results for underactive thyroid! Going to come off them and ask for another test. I feel my system is still a bit out of whack.

Symptom check

• glands still hurt
• had sore roof of mouth but easing off
• couple of headaches after work, but to be expected
• random feelings of hot and cold
• some tingling
• some skin anomolies and bruises
• heart rate seems low

Had an ECG yesterday, normal. BP a wee bit high. This, coupled with my remaining symptoms...stopping the multivitamins and asking for a second thyroid test.

How you all doing?

@pinkoneblueone sweating through period and throat sensation/pain here too. I'm thinking no to reinfection. :)

Morning @AndsLee my symptoms today seem to be a combination of reflux and wheezing, piriton helped with the wheeze and gavisgon has helped with my chest and back pain I am coughing a lot but I know reflux and hay fever can both cause this I am very mucusy though so I think I may have a cold on top. I have recently come off my iron tablets (as they upset my tummy a lot, I do need them so should restart them again soon) and had a repeat thyroid test yesterday. I also have a lot of random bruises.

I don't think I have been reinfected now either I think it's a flare up from overdoing it.

Woke today feeling just weird and spaced out. Now I'm going to go in and see my GP in person for the first time this morning, spoke on the phone and she decided more tests are needed. Relieved that it's not being palmed off as anxiety but already fretting about how I'll manage the 40 paces and ECG she suggested I do at the surgery. Think I'll need to be driven there (it's a 5-10 min walk) I'm so fearful of getting worse.

Morning everyone. I'm so very sorry everyone's still going through this, and especially sorry to those who are struggling to work at this time, when really our bodies need to rest as much as possible. I'm counting my lucky stars that I'm still furloughed but at the same time worrying that I'll have a job to go back to.

I'm still struggling with SOB too but I'm convinced it's related to my autonomic system rather than a lung issue. It feels like an air hunger. My SATS still dip a lot too, which really upsets me.

Thank you @Silvergoldsilver - are you finding the herbs helpful? I emailed my practitioner as they didn't come with many instructions and just waiting to hear back. Do you take them at a particular time of day?

@SunshineCake your name is such a happy sounding one and really sorry you're feeling so low. I struggle with mood changes too. I can be absolutely fine then it's usually because I read some piece of news that I shouldn't and it's like the light goes out, the shutters are drawn and I become unbearably sad. The lesson for me is that I should avoid the news, Twitter, and long Covid forums (apart from this one of course!) but then I have to balance that with educating myself and being as informed as possible.

@Lightsabre I hope your respiratory appointment goes okay. This is hearsay, but I read a while back on another forum that St Thomas's was doing a lot of post Covid work, though central more than SE London.

@SunshineCake yes can completely relate! Maybe try vit D? I know they're difficult to get hold of atm though. My daughter very kindly gave me her stock! I think it's to be expected when you've been ill so long (I'm in my 18th week) coupled with the lockdown and general sense of doom/uncertainty. I do find little things overwhelming and can't brush off things which upset me like I used to. I think it's mental and physical exhaustion and an immune system which is depleted! Sending you 💐☕️

@TiddleTaddleTat I hope your appointment goes ok and you can find someone to take you. Good that you've managed to get s FTF.

Hi all,

I ‘Think’ I’m coming up to week 17 tomorrow. Went for another ecg yesterday and my first chest x-ray, waiting for the results.
Still have stingy eyes at times, aches in legs, neck and back on and off. The main thing bothering me is the tightness in the chest and upper back that never seems to go, also my throat feels odd.
I can go about my daily business ok and it’s a massive difference to weeks ago, but still not 100% and generally have a fear something will get worse or come back.
I only drove to the hospital yesterday and the shop and in the afternoon was overcome with achiness and that heavy, flu feeling.
I can see with all of us that progress is being made, it’s just so bloody slow!

@TiddleTaddleTat I'm sorry you've woken up so poorly and yes I can completely understand your fears about the appointment making you worse. That's why I haven't pushed recently for a face to face. Make sure you get driven there and any walking, just do it consciously very very slowly. I hope your GP is sympathetic and gives you some kind of reassurance/ treatment plan.

Thanks @fedupofbed. I'll try to find out about services later on at my appointment.

@SunshineCake, sorry to hear you're so low - the situation has made many of us feel like this. Some people are being prescribed anti- anxiety meds and I suppose these have their place but really it's the medical causes that need investigating. I was in a very dark place a few weeks ago but the low mood has lifted as I've seen some improvements over the weeks. I'm Day 107 now (middle of week 15). I would say that I'm functioning at about 50-60% of normal now.

@pinkoneblueone

Yip, think a few of us are in the same boat. All these symptoms for me point to autoimmune issues. But, when I think back to my period in May...this one is a definite improvement. I still think we are having to retrain our immune systems not to react.

My fear just now is my heart. I think I have signs of AF, but... again I think this is actually quite common after a virus, and all to do with my body being out of whack. My cholesteral is up, but only a wee bit. I suspect everyone's is...

Update: just off phone to doctor. Thinks thyroid test won't have been effected. Been referred for a 24 hour ECG.