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.

Hi everyone. All this talk about glandular fever is very timely as after nearly 5 months I have a brand new symptom - a largish painful-to-the-touch lump under my chin. I've felt a bit swollen around that area for a while now, and I intermittently get the constricted throat feeling. That's my glands right?

Good to hear your breathing is improving @MillStone .

@fedupofbed yip... most likely x

@fedupofbed
That was exactly my symptoms a month ago! Plus all the other Covid horribleness with joints, diaorreah and fever etc.

The lump though made me think it was thyroid related, as was the muscle pain and fatigue...but thyroid tests came back normal.
I had no throat symptoms at all when I had Covid back in March, so I was surprised by it. GF relapse would make perfect sense, as it wasn’t a sore throat I was feeling exactly, but a massive sore lump in my neck and pain on moving my head.

It took about three weeks to finally go.

Now I’m experiencing (after a symptom free holiday of nearly a week) another, much milder cycle of the old symptoms, diaorreah, loss of appetite, dizziness, headaches... etc etc. The good news is it’s significantly less bad than previous relapses. I’m hoping it’s the last.

to everyone else who is suffering, especially those much worse than me. Xx

@AndsLee
No offence taken - I know exactly what you mean!!

Just when you get your head around your particular pattern of symptoms, some new (or really old) ones arrive to confound you. So bored of it all.

@Whatapickle78 that's good at least that your relapse is less severe.

My chest pain has flared up again - feels like being skewered from my left hand breastbone through to my back. No idea what has triggered it. I was also finding it painful to sit and work today so ended up on the sofa. Feels like going backwards again.

Anyone else still having issues with lower than normal oxygen sats? This has been over 3 months now. :(

@AndsLee I know exactly what you mean, definitely doesn’t feel like a normal virus at all, that scares me.

@Haenow What are your numbers?

@Whatnext2018
I'm scared of the unknown too. But, things are changing, the hospitals are opening. My body is beginning to calm down I think... Things seem more explainable and run of the mill.

@AndsLee Very true 💜

@Whatnext2018

Between around 86-90% Usually nearer 90% odd.
Waiting for a respiratory appointment but can’t imagine it’ll be any time soon, probably not this year!

@Whatnext2018
It's gonna be ok, you'll see...

@Haenow my SATS aren't right either, though not as low as yours. Most of the time they're 96+ but there are parts of the day when they'll be 93-96. I haven't been offered a respiratory referral, I think because an earlier chest X-ray and CT scan was relatively clear.

Some encouraging news from the wonderful Dr John Campbell.

[quote fedupofbed]@Haenow my SATS aren't right either, though not as low as yours. Most of the time they're 96+ but there are parts of the day when they'll be 93-96. I haven't been offered a respiratory referral, I think because an earlier chest X-ray and CT scan was relatively clear. [/quote]
@fedupofbed

I’m already under respiratory but my condition shouldn’t be causing low sats. It’s horrible, isn’t it?

Hello. Just checking in for a quick update. I had to laugh. My GP just asked me as part of a routine consultation “and have you had any Covid symptoms in the last few months?” Um, yes .. just a few!!!

I am now on day 121/122 and generally OK still apart from minor niggles (chest pain, sore throat) and the odd day of fatigue. I can let my heart rate go up to 130 without ill-effects and my resting pulse is down to 62 in the evenings. I’m still too nervous to jog and have a deep fear of relapse but U feel that I am in the convalescent phase rather than the ill phase.

Hello to @fedupofbed, @lightsabre, @millstone, @tiddletaddletat, @katysun, @kitkat122, @isitorisntit, @whatapickle78, @andslee, @haenow and any old-timers I have missed. I am sorry to everyone still here. I hope you are hanging in there. This is such a lovely group of people. Sending you all my best wishes.

Thanks for sharing - I love it when there’s good news!!

@Egghead68
I am so glad to hear this! Have been wondering how you are. It seems (I hope) that this may be the eventual pattern, super slow progress with relapses, but progress all the same fingers crossed... so pleased you’re seeing the difference and have persevered with a cautious approach to exercise. I can’t wait to get back to jogging too, but until I can go for a proper walk that’ll be off the cards...
Xxxx

@Egghead68 thanks for the good wishes, it’s great to hear from you and brilliant you’re doing so well

@Haenow yes it's like a shadow hanging over me. I'm sorry you're suffering too. I'm finding a bit of relief through nasal breathing as advocated by Patrick McKeown (the Oxygen Advantage - light, slow, deep breathing through the nose). No change in SATs yet though. There are some exercises you can do involving gentle breath holding but I haven't been disciplined enough to try them properly yet.

@Egghead68 great to hear you're still doing well - thanks for popping in and letting us know. Your heart rate's very encouraging!

Glad to hear things have improved for you @Egghead68. For those still experiencing respiratory problems, please push for a pulmonary consultant appt. The medical profession seem to be learning more about Covid each day.

Had my CT scan this morning - it was surprisingly quick - found the dye feeling strange. Now have to drink lots of water to flush things through. Just waiting now for the next consultant appt for the results.

@Lightsabre good to hear your test went well. The dye sensation is weird — so warm and fast. Good luck with the results.

Hi all,
I think there’s something coming up now on lunchtime news ITV about long term.

Im still waiting for the G.P surgery to send the referral to the CFS service, I want to talk to them as I had glandular fever 5 years ago, and only felt 100% 6 months ago.

I have also made an optitian appointment, as my eyesight has got worse in one eye, over the past 3 weeks.

@Egghead68
Great to hear from you, and that you are doing well. I'm the same as you, except my heart rate drops rather than raises on occasion. Like I said before, I have no idea if this is something that's always happened to me. But, I'm having a 24 hour ECG now to check everything is OK. Also, an ultrasound on my abdomen, but I suspect that will be fine too. The omeprazole has worked wonders.

I have a sore throat, my glands still grumble. Feels a bit tonsilitis/glandular fever ish. But, if I take paracetamol I am fine, and am back at work and able to do my job.

I really do believe we will be OK. All of us. If you had asked me that 3 month ago, I wouldn't have been so sure.

You guys are amazing. xx