Covid lungs thread 18 weeks plus - thread 2

[LetsBeSensible]

A thread for those with “long covid” experiencing symptoms for around six months now.

Some resources
UK sepsis trust vids m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL16uJ-CyqxJIJpdLhf-Ccjhdvf4uNBIie
Physio for breathing pattern disorders www.physiotherapyforbpd.org.uk/
Dysautomnia webinar video vimeo.com/442593497?utm_campaign=5370367&utm_source=affiliate&utm_channel=affiliate&cjevent=38c74aa9fd7b11ea82d1002e0a180512
Articles, links, Resources c19recoveryawareness.com
Ricovr project videos

Video 1 - An introduction to the CRESTA team and fatigue
Video 2 - Managing your energy and daily activity
Video 3 - Looking after yourself during your recovery
Video 4: - Activity and fatigue
Video 5: - Question & Answer session on common issues for Covid-19 recovery

@Moodgie Once again I can relate to the weird feeling in the lower throat. I also think it's GI related. Since Thursday I have stopped taking Omeprazole, and last Monday started to take an Antihistamine every day. Do you take antihistamines?

@AndsLee No for the antihistamines, are they working for you?
Took nexium today but don’t think it’s working.

Today I have stopped omeprazole and stared to take digestive enzymes before each meal to help as I keep getting pain in my back an chest and belch so much it's uncomfortable. Had anyone found anything that helps with this please?

I am glad you are making progress @Crayfishforyou sorry it is so exhausting still.

@pinkoneblueone I started taking digestive enzymes among other things , they have really helped me. My naturopath identified that I had low stomach acid which is either a result of nutrient deficiencies (as many are required to digest effectively) or a cause of deficiencies (since food is not adequately digested). I've seen a really positive effect, I have much more energy. I'm also taking a bunch of other stuff though so couldn't pin it on the enzymes but I will continue to take them.

@TiddleTaddleTat that's quite reassuring thank you I am already on b12 injections and iron tablets as well as other vitamins to help this is the one I hope will help me heal.

@Moodgie Not sure yet, been on them since Monday, and off the Omeprazole since Thursday. I think they are doing something... The sensation seems to be less profound. I'm also trying to eat a low histamine diet, doing this for a month to see...

Interestingly, the burning sensation on my wrists has been less severe since taking the antihistamines. However, I took a Gavisvon tablet thus morn, and there was a bit of a fizz in my wrists. Going to crack on with the antihistamines for now and only take Gavisvon if I really need it. See what happens. I'd like to get my stomach working on its own again. I wonder if the reduction in stomach acid is creating small food allergies...?

Does anyone still have chest pain? Mine feels stingy at the moment and the cold seems to make it worse? Don’t understand how there can still be chest pain? My x ray a few months ago was clear, so why are my lungs still hurting, it makes me so paranoid.

Also, regarding sleep, I go through stages where I’m not sure if I even slept properly or at all, I’m dreaming every night but they sometimes seem like thoughts rather than actual sleep and dreams in a way, if that makes sense!

@Whatnext2018 I had a relapse around the end of month 6 and it's not fully gone as I have inflammation round my ribs and my acid has been bad acid caused pain in my lungs and a bitter taste in my mouth. I think in days where you notice chest pain etc you should try to rest as much as possible

@Whatnext2018 I am the same. The cold still makes my lungs hurt. I had a clear xray in July. I too am having the same sleep experience you describe. I am generally nearly better but the slight chest pain is still there. It can be random. I can feel fine then randomly my chest will suddenly be sore for 10 minutes then it will go.

@Whatnext2018 and @Kitcat122

Out of interest are there regular times during the night you notice this the most?

@AndsLee are you taking probiotics? I'd recommend it for coming off the omeprazole - help restore balance as the lack of stomach acid can cause the wrong bacteria / fungi etc to build up in your stomach.

I also find cider vinegar and aloe Vera helps my post-covid gastro issues. I haven't had to take cider vinegar in quite a while ) but take both aloe Vera juice and a tablet every day.

@Millstone I seem to sleep well until about 3 then I dream but am a where I am slightly awake. Then about 4.50 on the dot awake. Spending the day very tired.

@MillStone & @Kitcat122 How strange, mine has generally been around 3 or very early hours of the morning. It’s like I’m trying to sleep but also feel wide awake. I bed share with my baby girl at the moment so thought it could be from her waking a lot with teeth, but the strange dreaming/thinking thing is there even when she sleeps. I had it in July, then it seemed to go a little, it’s been back for weeks now. It’s almost like my heads rambling around with lots of information, I hate this.

@AndsLee How is burning skin going? Are you feeling better?
If I'm honest, just think I'm coping better.

@Kitcat122 and @Whatnext2018 yes me too at 3 or near enough. I asked because...

With all the connections that are being made to histamines and long Covid...

I was reading an scientific article that mentioned the body makes most of its histamine at about 3am.

Having been plagued at that time by various issues and very weird sleep / dreams etc I thought it was interesting when I read it.

Apparently histamines also effect the contraction strength of the heart muscle which results in a forceful heartbeat. A lot of people (myself included) are experiencing this at the same time.

However, I think the body does a lot in regards to hormones, blood pressure and who knows what else in the early hours?? so who knows!

Hopefully we’ll find out.

@MillStone That’s really interesting, my dp says similar, he’s really suffering today also. He hasn’t been as bad as me but does have periods where it comes back badly..mainly fatigue, dizziness and the strong heartbeat feeling (pulse monitor shows 70-80’s so isn’t a concern really.
I’m taking anti histamines daily and finds it helps a little at least in terms of lessening the constant sneezing etc, is there anything else we can take in this respect, do you know?
I’m curious as to why we’ve both felt so ill the last few weeks, we haven’t caught a cold or any extra illnesses on top, has anyone else experienced worsening symptoms the last few weeks.

@Whatnext2018 @MillStone how weird, it's 3am wake up on the worst nights for me too....
Often I am woken by a forceful, pounding heart beat.
Much worse in the lead up to my period lately.
Going to look into the histamine connection.

@TiddleTaddleTat

How weird 3am seems to be a thing.

This following link is quite interesting:

nkalex.medium.com/blood-dysfunction-as-the-cause-of-long-covid-926c0af4ea63

My Herbalist put me on Quercetin about 6 weeks ago.

@Whatnext2018 sorry I don’t know anything that might help. I suppose all of these theories are conjecture too.

I sneeze like crazy too though! and my nose has been blocked for nearly 7 months.

I’m taking lots of supplements and herbal remedies but i don’t know if they’re helping — I’m slowly improving and reluctant to stop taking them in case they’re helping.

@MillStone Gosh, if that’s what’s happening to our bodies, it’s so complicated and how can it end. How can it be this complex 🤷🏻‍♀️Never heard of such a complex illness

@MillStone hmm... my head is exploding with that article... I've learnt more about the human body in the last 7 months than ever before! I'm seeing some progress with treating what are quite possibly individual symptoms (low stomach acid, vitamin and mineral deficiencies) and trying to do lots of calming activities (mindfulness, low stress where I can, etc). Look forward to reading the research studies in about 5 years... for now, it's all experimentation on ourselves !

@MillStone thank you for that article it is so interesting! Trying to get my mind round it is going to take several attempts to read it. Thank you again!

5am seems to be when I have been walking the last week or so. Back to restless legs though that may be the antidepressants I've been taking causing that

everyone experiencing symptoms
A long COVID bbc radio documentary from Sept 2020: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000mzms

With Adam Rutherford who had it himself. (Sorry if this has already been linked to).
Ironically I haven’t quite got the energy to listen to it, but I will!

www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/7-amazing-things-that-happen-to-your-body-while-you-sleep#:~:text=Hormones%20flood%20your%20body&text=Melatonin%2C%20released%20by%20the%20pineal,to%20grow%20and%20repair%20itself.

A very quick summery of more things your body does in the early hours. From cortisol to cytokines.

Beginning to think my GP says "post viral" for a reason