Covid lungs long term. 18+ weeks support thread

[LetsBeSensible]

For anyone struggling with getting over covid, relapses and the like.

Started with the “covid lungs...” threads in March 2020, before “long haul covid” was recognized. New joiners welcome.

Jeez @findingschools4myboys my overdoing it was taking gentle- moderate exercise on alternate days. A 5 hour intensive work out would have flattened me even before COVID.

Hi Folks
How is everyone doing.?

Any thoughts on this, ladies?

Had lower heart rate for the last few days. Was watching pulse last night and it went from 60 to 52, just like that, a few times, should I be worried 🤷‍♀️Just big variations..at times 48, later on 88, all resting heart rate..I’m not sure what’s normal and what’s not. Slightly sore tongue at times, I sort of feel aware of my tongue, if that makes sense.

Whatnext2018, that is really interesting. My pulse rate fluctuates massively aswell. Gp utterly uninterested but at least I have now. Managed to get my b12 jab.
Have good days everybody.

I had covid in March and thankfully (despite a miserable three weeks) without the long-term symptoms some of you have had. But I do have bad seasonal allergies, and it seemed to trigger them to be worse than usual this year, in a kind of post-inflammatory hypersensitivity. If I didn't take allergy medication and nasal sprays I would be dealing with what feels (really it's congestion) like shortness of breath on some days, but it's something I know from before, so it doesn't worry me as a specifically post-Covid symptom. I wonder whether it might be worth some people taking this approach? Also I recommend NAC.

@Whatnext2018 my bpm does exactly the same - throughout the day I check it and sometimes at 45 or even 42 when resting, then 85 is not uncommon either. Moving about it tends to get to 110 at the most although occasional spikes of 140, I try and avoid it going over 100 where possible.
I'm not completely trusting of my bpm monitor though, it's a very cheap one. I don't know if when I take the reading it takes a few seconds to settle on an accurate reading , iyswim. Usually it moves towards 50 or 60.
My GP was unconcerned. I am petrified that something is wrong with my heart but because of the relationship with heart rate, palpitations, chest pain and anxiety I notice it more when I get worried about it. If didn't check then I don't think I would have been aware of the fluctuations in my heart rate.

@alittleprivacy did the GP confirm if it was thrush in your mouth? My GP via phone has given me another months worth of 50mg fluconazole but also said the coating could be from acid reflux. Said sometimes people take both omeprazole and fluconazole to deal with it...I'm still nervous of going back on the omeprazole.

I had been less belchy and less sternum pain since starting the antifungals but also taking gaviscon every time I eat so who knows what might have helped. I'm also seeing hospital dental about my tongue next Monday - will report back.

@AndsLee how is the omeprazole going for you? Were you suffering from sternum pain?

@AndsLee what did your GP say today?

He said it's definitely thrush and prescribed Nystatin liquid. I take 1ml 4 times a day for 2 weeks. I took 3 doses yesterday and honestly within an hour of each dose there was a clear improvement. My tongue looks better than it has in months and I've very little lump in throat feeling. I'm feeling really positive about this treatment. (That said, I was feeling positive about the fluconazole too, but this seems better.)

It was Nystatin that I had... I dunno. Could be that the Nystatin worked. @givemeanother seems ok so far...

Just this ❤️

@alittleprivacy fingers crossed this works for you. I was prescribed nystatin a couple of months ago but I ended up giving it to my daughter instead of taking it myself as when I tried to get her a prescription for the thrush she also had, the GP wouldn't give anything and said just use warm water. The nystatin completely cleared her thrush and she hasn't had the recurrent sore throat/fatigue post covid symptoms since.

@Kitcat122 I like that analogy! 😊

@Kitcat122 that's lovely and so glad you're feeling better. @Porcupineinwaiting again that's great.

I'll be on extreme go slow today after my busy day yesterday. I've noticed that if I do too much in the day (physically or mentally) it has an adverse affect on my sleep- it's like my body gets over stimulated. This in turn makes me feel even worse the next day.

The weather doesn't help though! My heart rate has been much higher in the hot weather. For those thinking of cold showers etc I really noticed yesterday the affect it had on my heart rate. After lunch my resting rate was about 83. A quick dip in the paddling pool and it stayed low 70s for over an hour afterwards, then I repeated again. It makes a huge difference to how much I can do without my heart rate going through the roof. Sorry this is no help with low heart rates.

@fedupofbed I'm noticing the benefit of cold showers and paddling pool dips too. I also seem to have reduced tolerance to heat and can no longer have a hot bath without feeling really sluggish and drained afterwards. My baths are just warm/tepid now, even on cooler days.

Do you think we're turning into reptiles?

@kitcat122 Thank you for that inspirational message.@Whatnext2018 that doctor's article very interesting.

@oscarandelliesdad glad you got B12 shot. Hope you get back to school soon.

Everyone have best day you can.

Hi everyone
Not sure if you have seen this yet. It’s by someone I know. Who was a GP and us a high profile character...

I personally don’t think it reflects well my experiences and I’m glad my GP has taken seriously the need to refer me when necessary.

www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3026

It’s freely available online
Others may feel it is great and my view might be clouded by my view of the politics behind it since I’m in the same academic field.

@Criticallythinking thanks for sharing, I’ve just had a read and it’s very interesting. Can I ask what the politics are? Are you concerned that GPs aren’t being encouraged enough to refer on to consultants earlier? Thanks.

Having a relapse here today which started last night with coughing and chest pain. Glands up and in bed exhausted. So so sick of this endless up and down!

Hi @Whatapickle78 it is more about the author being high profile and having a voice but not necessarily being the most informed. I don’t want to say too much even though I’m anon as they are very powerful!

SO sorry you are having another relapse. It’s truly never ending. I hope it’s a short one. I’m feeling crap and still fighting my stomach bug- had to cave and take all the Imodium.

@Mittens030869 how was your holiday?

@TiddleTaddleTat Yes, I have reduced intolerance to heat also.
Unfortunately, burning skin / pins&needles seems to be spreading to every part of the body!
@ CriticallyThinking Interesting report, but many symptoms not mentioned.

Hello everyone, I was on the original burning lungs threads back in March. I got better after around 3 weeks although had had intermittent episodes of the chest heaviness/tightness for about 2 months mildly. I never had a positive test but pretty sure I had covid and DH had the same symptoms as me.

I'm now panicking a bit though- I have health anxiety which doesn't help! - because the chest heaviness/tightness has come back really suddenly today after I haven't had it for at least a month. It feels almost like a sore raspy throat but much further down, in the middle of my sternum between my breasts.

I've got it into my head it is a blood clot/tumour/heart problem because unfortunately that's how health anxiety works! Just wondering if others have had this as it might reassure me a bit.

Hi all, I hope it’s ok to post here. My ds caught a virus which a paediatrician diagnosed as coronavirus due to his symptoms and after effects. I always feel like I can’t say it was definitely covid, as we couldn’t get a test, but the doctor said it was a strong probability.

He got sick in March with a fever and bad cough, and was bed bound for a week. He couldn’t eat properly for about 3 weeks after, and still doesn’t have a normal appetite. He had a rash, swollen eyes, cold sores and raised glands & fatigue in the weeks following, and only started feeling “normal-ish” in June, although since then he’s had a random nasal infection and now has a sore throat again (he says it hasn’t felt normal since he first caught the virus )

Ds is 11 and usually really healthy, slim and energetic, no underlying problems, so it really took us by surprise. Luckily our gp is good, and is always happy to listen and give advice, but I don’t know if I need to ask for more thorough tests - or if they’d even be useful!

Is anyone else going through similar with their children/teenagers?

Sorry to blather on! It’s really sad to hear all the problems people have been having since catching the virus, and the lack of help in some cases

@TiddleTaddleTat I’m exactly the same. I wonder sometimes if I’m just panicking about the numbers and not giving them time to balance. I also don’t feel any different really when it’s a low or higher heartbeat, I think when I see it though, the anxiety kicks in and I feel lightheaded.
During my worst times in the illness in May/June, my heart rate was really high on resting, even in the doctors office it was 125 when just sat with him. He was concerned about this, but luckily it started to go down to normal when resting. When walking around etc or after tidying it can be 110, but I think that’s ok? It’s mainly the sometimes low hr that seems odd. I’ve had two ecgs, both fine 🤷‍♀️
Last night and today is all about the return of sneezing and itchy eyes, feels like hay fever/a cold..never had either in August.
I have hay fever but only generally get it in May ish.

Just found this thread, maybe someone can help. In march I was poorly. Temp around 39, sore throat, burning lungs, right at the bottom. So now nearly 5 months on my lungs are still bad and I have what I thought was really bad hay fever, I've been prescribed really strong antihistamines but I don't feel they are helping, they maybe take the edge off but not fully. I did think that in march maybe I did have covid but at the time we couldn't get a test and I don't think I can just get hold of an immunity test. Do these things sound like the aftermath of covid?