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.

Forgot to add, he told me to do breathing exercises but that's kind of impossible right now because I've got nasal polyps and my left nostril is blocked and I'm permanently bunged up as a result. So I have to breathe through my mouth.

Any possibility of trombone/bagpipe lung (hypersensitivity pneumonitis ) from not cleaning your instrument properly? I know very little about it, but was warned about brass/woodwind instruments and not cleaning when I was quite young.

Forget that. Must read entire thread. Hope everything improves.

Ouch. I have a friend who gets that. If it is decent painkillers will help.

for you, sounds from whether covid or not. I think many people find the not knowing is stressful. Fingers crossed it doesn't last too long.

Tubas are a bugger to clean! I've not practiced it in ages, so I don't think it's that. All I can do now is rest up, take painkillers and pace myself and hope it goes away.

I heard a radio 4 myth busting thing a few weeks back.
Apparently 30% of the tests are coming back falsely negative. The lung tests are much more accurate. So to use the rule, if it looks like a duck & quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck ... or Covid.
Treat as such and isolate.

The doctor I spoke to on the 111 call reckons it can't be COVID cos I've had the symptoms for 2 weeks. Though tbh I'm sceptical about it being costochondritis because of the breathlessness and because I can't think of what triggered it. I've not been coughing so hard I pulled a muscle. My cough isn't THAT bad.

@PhilSwagielka

The doctor I spoke to on the 111 call reckons it can't be COVID cos I've had the symptoms for 2 weeks. Though tbh I'm sceptical about it being costochondritis because of the breathlessness and because I can't think of what triggered it. I've not been coughing so hard I pulled a muscle. My cough isn't THAT bad.

That seems strange given some people who tested positive for covid report long lasting symptoms

It does seem a grey area with primary care where to go if you have Covid symptoms but have tested negative.

Doesn't your gp do online consults? It can be easier to include all relevant information for a hcp to review and get back to you if your symptoms persist. As you have tested negative I would presume it is another virus, a harmless one though.

Just try a GP e consult (even though you've spoken to the practice already) and if you feel worse ring 119.

In the meantime take painkillers and drink plenty of fluids.

Are you sure it’s not anxiety

I’ve had times when I can’t move for chest pain with anxiety and it goes on for weeks

I also have a cough all the time but no temp

Doesn’t mean I have Covid

No, because I've had anxiety attacks ever since I was a child and it doesn't manifest in the form of chest pain, it's horrible nausea. I always used to say 'my tummy feels funny' when I was having one. I remember it started when my dad was seriously ill, so I must have been about 7 or 8. It's never felt like this. And I have it when I'm totally calm and not stressed at all.

@GetOffYourHighHorse I think the GP only does phone consults and the odd home visit. The online booking system is suspended. The hospital doctors did say it was probably a nasty chest infection.

You’ve had 2 tests and been told they’re both negative. X ray is clear. ECG is clear. Bloods are clear.

How many more tests do you want?

The testing for Covid is not always to be relied on.Some people I know have tested negative two or three times before a positive result came back. This one of the big problems with everything opening up again, lots of people walking around thing they’re negative when they are indeed postive for Covid.

I dunno, how many more tests are there? Anyway, I'm not going to do anything about it. I'm just waiting for it to go.

Can't you get anti bionics and steroids?

I'd have to go the GP for that, aren't they prescription only?

My chest pain is really bad and my face and back feel hot. I'm hoping it's just the weather.

So now you have a temperature? You need to be tested again.

@Todaythiscouldbe if you test after five days it's likely to be negative.
In really surprised no one has suggested an X-ray at this stage.

Sorry I noticed you had an X-ray. I had an awful chest infection last winter- my X-ray came back fine but I felt awful even after two lots of antibiotics and steroids- it took weeks to go. I didn't have anything to cough up - just v short of breath and chest pain.
You need further investigation, preferably someone to listen to your chest. Have antibiotics even been discussed? Sorry if I missed.
Also chest pain can mean other things- has anyone tested you for clotting? I assume you had that test in AE?

@PhilSwagielka

The doctor I spoke to on the 111 call reckons it can't be COVID cos I've had the symptoms for 2 weeks. Though tbh I'm sceptical about it being costochondritis because of the breathlessness and because I can't think of what triggered it. I've not been coughing so hard I pulled a muscle. My cough isn't THAT bad.

Also that's ridiculous and needs to be challenged. Long haulers are well documented now .

New symptoms really mean you should be retested or at least self isolate. It may not have been covid previously, the new temperature is a symptom though.

I think id assume you have covid tbh.

It woukdnt surprise me if the tests werent even that accurate if symptomless people are gettimg positives and people with all the synptoms getting negatives. Dont forget, this is a new disease still, tbe tests are also brand new. Theres still a lot we dont know about it

Reading this thread and another where OP says they have an all over body rash and in bed not knowing what is going on ... but have tested negative.

Mumsnet seems to be ahead of the news, I've noticed.

I wonder whether the next thing will be that tests are no longer able to pick up whether a person has the virus?