Been ill for 2 weeks, not sure if coronavirus

[PhilSwagielka]

I'm going to crosspost something I wrote from another place. Basically, since 29th June (so just over 2 weeks), I've had problems with breathing and my chest hurts, especially when I take deep breaths or play my trumpet/tuba (I'm unable to practice either right now, which is a good thing for my neighbours) and I've also got a bit of a cough. And while I've had chest infections in the past, I've never had anything like this.

^The past two weeks have not been fun.

• Two weeks ago, I rang 111 and they gave me a number to ring if my symptoms - breathlessness, chest pain and a cough - got worse. I got an emergency appointment with the GP the following day and he did an oxygen saturation test on me to rule a couple of things out, I forget what. All clear.
• The following day, I did a COVID test. It came back negative. The symptoms persisted so on Friday I rang 111 and paramedics came over to have a look at me. They spoke to a doctor who said I had to go to a testing centre, and the nearest to me is Man City's ground but as I don't drive, I had to go to Oldham. I was given the impression I'd have someone do the test for me. In reality, it was a tent and I got given a test kit and had to do it myself. It came back negative at the weekend. Symptoms still ongoing.
• On Monday I thought 'fuck this' and went the local A&E. Had bloods, chest x-ray and ECG. All clear. Doctors said it was most likely viral, and thought it might be COVID but did not confirm. I mentioned I'd tested negative twice but they said tests aren't always accurate.
• I isolated for a week as directed. Nothing has changed. If anything, my chest is worse, which I suspect is because I am a twat and tried to assemble this new crosstrainer-cum-bike I'd ordered, and I am 1) shit at DIY and 2) have fibromyalgia and getting the fucker out of the box was bad enough. It hurt my back.

I'm going to ring 111 again tomorrow. It is doing my fucking head in not knowing if I have COVID or not. Maybe it's seasonal asthma or something but the doctors didn't think it was likely.^

Is it worth calling 111 again? They did say to get in touch with my GP if I still had the symptoms after a week.

Call your GP not 111 surely?

If COVID wasn't around would you be worried? It just sounds like it's not that serious to me and you've tested negative twice?

I'd still want to get it checked even if COVID wasn't around, tbh. Mainly because it sucks. I hate being in pain all the time and not being able to breathe without pain in my chest.

I called 111 the first time around just in case it was COVID. GP is a little tricky as you have to phone up at 8:30am sharp and the lines are jammed for ages. Before coronavirus became a thing, I used to go down there in person first thing but they won't let you do that now.

They told you to call the GP but you're thinking of ringing 111 again.

You thought "fuck this" (aka stuff all the vulnerable people in hospital, I'm more important) and went to A&E....ok

No, I went to A&E because I was running out of options. I wrote this earlier when I was in a bad mood, so I'll try and clarify some things: the person I spoke to when I first called 111 said to phone them again if symptoms persisted, which is why I phoned twice. I went to A&E - and I wore a mask, they won't let you in if you don't, they have people on the door - because I didn't know where else to go, other than keep going back to the GP and tbh they would have sent me for tests anyway. They did last time something like this happened.

So basically I should just ride it out and wait for the pain to go? How long will it take?

And no, I don't think I'm more important than all the vulnerable people, wtf. It's not like I threw a massive hissyfit and begged to be seen. I just turned up and got seen and it took a few hours.

The way you wrote it sounded like you did throw a hissy fit. "Fuck this" and off you go to A&E with something you should see a GP for. That's ridiculous

A&E is not for that purpose. You said you've only visited the GP once and that you were advised to contact them if symptoms persist. So do that rather than ringing 111 again. It's hard for everyone to get an appointment but you do what we all do and join the phone queue at 8.30.

If it is Covid, no one can say how long the pain will last unfortunately. I hope it goes soon OP.

Have you had a temperature? Is it now back to normal?

You really need to be seeking help from the GP, not 111 or A&E. The GP surgery will be the ones who have access to your current medical notes and history. As I understand it, fibromyalgia doesn't increase your risk of Covid-19 or similar viral infections, but may complicate the presentation of symptoms. Ie chest pain may be due to the underlying condition, not whatever virus you have.

How well are you sleeping? Are you staying hydrated, resting, and generally giving yourself a chance to get better?

Could it be strained muscles? Have you tried ibuprofen?

I had a bacterial chest infection many years ago and it sounds similar to what you're describing. It eventually went away but it took antibiotics and about a month of bed rest. I remember trying to walk down the road with my friend and having to shout "slow down!" constantly as I was too breathless to keep up, and needing to cough all the time but also having terrible chest pain when I did. It was utter shit so I sympathise a lot, but my point is that several things can cause similar symptoms, and unless you test positive for antibodies once you're better you'll probably never know for sure whether it's COVID or not.

I think all you can really do for now is call the GP (even if it takes ages), tell them you're still having symptoms, and see if there's anything they can give you to help with the pain and/or getting to sleep. If they've done all the tests they've presumably ruled out anything that would be considered an emergency, so I'm not sure there's much else they can do really.

Yes, I tried ibuprofen and no, it didn't work. I don't think it's strained muscles - I actually did pull a muscle in my chest due to coughing like mad back when I was in uni and it didn't feel like this. Doctors said the most likely cause for this was a respiratory infection.

I don't know about a temp. As I type this, I do feel quite hot but it might be the weather. Sleep is generally OK, though sometimes my cat wakes me up early when he wants feeding. Am also keeping hydrated. I've decided to put the crosstrainer assembly to one side for now because I don't feel up to it.

Do I still have to isolate or can I go out?

Try your gp , ours is normally impossible to get through to but at the moment its a lot easier to ger through even later in morning and get a call back from
Dr so def worth trying

My GP won’t deal with anyone who has shortness of breath. They refer you to 111!

I had suspected Covid-19 back in March and the shortness of breath lasted for six weeks.

Do I still have to isolate or can I go out?
Is this real? If you have symptoms of covid, which you do, you isolate. When were you last tested?

The general rule is if you have had symptoms for more than 5 days they wont test as it's more likely to be negative anyway. You may have had it but now you are left with the aftermath of it. You will likely just have to manage it and hope it improves and get help if it worsens.

If you have a temp, you shouldn’t go out. I think you are ok to as long as it’s just a cough and breathlessness.

I really would phone your GP though and tell them it’s got worse. I wouldn’t assume it’s just the CrossFit assembly/fibro without getting it properly checked out.

So you’ve had tests, xrays, blood tests and all negative. And no temp. Could it be just a summer cold?

Do you think it could have been covid and you are one of the unlucky ones with prolonged symptoms? Hence test coming up negative ?

I have COVID symptoms BUT I don't know if it IS COVID. I was last tested for it on 3rd July, that was when I went the test site in Oldham. So about 2 weeks ago.

BunsyGirl, that's exactly why I phoned 111. The GP does not like you coming in if you have COVID symptoms. When I got my oxygen sats done it was in the car park, the GP came out to see me. It was weird.

If it is a cold it's a bloody long one. I've had colds before but not this horrible.

Anyhoo, I just rang the GP and asked if I could have a telephone appointment, explained about my symptoms and they said to call 111. I can try ringing them again first thing tomorrow but that is literally what they said, "You need to call 111 if you had COVID symptoms." They say the same thing on the recorded message when you phone up.

One of the most accurate way (at this stage) of determining whether you have covid is a chest xray. Apparently Dr's are able to tell from certain patterns that are particular to Covid. You've had 2 negative tests, and all the tests at the hospital, and nothing to indicate that you have it. I know some of your symptoms match, but they also match other seasonal illnesses.

It's been over 14 days and still no positive test. I don't feel you need to isolate at this stage, although if you feel as ill as you're describing, you probably don't want to go out anyway!

They said they think I might have it. They didn't say I definitely didn't have it.

I only go out to go shopping. Not to see friends or anything.

there are other viruses that can cause these symptoms, I had one that caused pleurodynia which made breathing really painful. This was years pre-Covid and ended up with post-viral costochondritis. If it happened now I can imagine I'd have been scared and confused.
If you have had symptoms for 2 weeks and negative tests then I presume you don't need to isolate but if it was me I'd wear a mask if talking to anyone outside to be sure I was protecting them. Sounds like you do need lots of rest though and more time to get better from whatever you've had.

In that case ring 111 and explain the GP won’t deal with covid symptoms and your symptoms have got worse.

I did and the doctor on 111 said it was costochondritis and that I just need to ride it out. He kept talking over me. At least I don't have to isolate, so that's good. I don't know wtf caused it.

I do still wear a mask when I go out, or at least cover my face with something, because I've gotten used to it and if I want to go on public transport I'll be expected to anyway.