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Original poster

I’m feeling really breathless, am I worrying unnecessarily?

24 replies

historyrocks · 27/09/2020 12:11

I’ve been struggling to catch my breath in the last day or so. I’m having to lie down if I walk up the stairs. Just really breathless. I’m wondering whether to ring the covid-19 helpline, but I don’t have any of the standard three symptoms. On the other hand, I’ve never felt like this before and know there’s been a confirmed case at the stables that I go to. I also know someone who had Covid and they were really breathless, but also had a cough. Am I worrying unnecessarily.? I don’t want to use up precious resources.

OP posts:
MJMG2015 · 27/09/2020 12:14

I would start by getting an oximeter.

Are you alone or do you have someone with you?

Do you feel ok in other ways?

BilboBercow · 27/09/2020 12:17

As there's been at least potential contact with a diagnosed case I'd call the Covid19 helpline

Original poster
historyrocks · 27/09/2020 12:18

We’ve got an oximeter. I’m consistently at 95%. Otherwise I just feel knackered but think that’s due to not being able to breath properly. I’m not usually an anxious person, but the stables haven’t been cleaning anywhere (eg toilets, tack room door, stables). DD is there every day. But it’s all outdoors so guess that reduces the risk by quite a bit.

OP posts:
MrsSugar · 27/09/2020 12:20

Do you have asthma or any other conditions ?

I have asthma and the change in temp lately has made me feel quite breathless. My asthma only really affects me in winter. Could be something as simple as that

Torvean32 · 27/09/2020 12:22

Call 111. It could be one of many things.

Purplewithred · 27/09/2020 12:22

What will an oximeter tell her?

I'd call the Covid helpline, but don't be surprised if this triggers what you might consider to be an overreaction from the NHS. Difficulty in Breathing tends to trigger an ambulance.

Before doing that you might want to take some notes about what makes you breathless, how quickly you recover and what helps you recover, and how long it's been going on for. It will help them decide what to advise you to do.

SeaToSki · 27/09/2020 12:27

If you are at 95% and feeling breathless and worse on exercise, you need medical advice right now.

Is it worse or better of you lie flat on your back versus sitting up
Do you have any grumbly stomach stuff going on
Is your neck or shoulders achy
Are your arms tired and heavy
What is your pulse? Time it for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
Does your chest feel heavy and tight or normal

lljkk · 27/09/2020 12:31

Standard MN question: have you ever had anxiety before?

Heartofstrings · 27/09/2020 12:34

95% saturation isnt brilliant. With my boy they like to monitor when it hits 94%

Wildswim · 27/09/2020 12:36

I do think it sounds like Covid. You should get tested.

However hospitalisation will only be required if you literally can't get a breath.

Do you have chest pain as well? Like a tightening across the chest?

StatisticalSense · 27/09/2020 13:38

@Wildswim
No she shouldn't get tested as she doesn't have the required symptoms.
@op
You should act in exactly the same way as you would if Covid didn't exist and you experienced similar symptoms, so presumably that would start with a phone call to 111.

Original poster
historyrocks · 27/09/2020 14:21

I called NHS 24. I was getting chest pains when I was walking around. They said to call my GP in the morning, so that’s reassuring. I’ll just try and take things easy for a while. Think my GP will do an ECG as I’m supposed to have them regularly due to medication that I take and that there’s a history of long QT syndrome in the family (which is also one of the side effects of the medication). It must be 9 months since the last ECG due to lockdown.

OP posts:
Jenasaurus · 27/09/2020 14:27

@historyrocks

I called NHS 24. I was getting chest pains when I was walking around. They said to call my GP in the morning, so that’s reassuring. I’ll just try and take things easy for a while. Think my GP will do an ECG as I’m supposed to have them regularly due to medication that I take and that there’s a history of long QT syndrome in the family (which is also one of the side effects of the medication). It must be 9 months since the last ECG due to lockdown.
Hope your OK OP Flowers
christinarossetti19 · 27/09/2020 14:30

Purplewithred an oximeter tells you your exact oxygen saturation levels, rather than relying on how you feel.

A friend in mine used one when she had covid, and said that it was immensely reassuring to know objectively that her oxygen levels were fine although she felt awful.

Conversely, there were concerns earlier this year that people were feeling not too bad with covid although their oxygen levels were dangerously low. An oximeter is the only way of knowing this.

Eyewhisker · 27/09/2020 14:33

There have been reports of people mistaking heart attack symptoms for covid. May be worth getting checked out.

StarCat2020 · 27/09/2020 14:54

Do you have any grumbly stomach stuff going on
Sorry for being a bit thick but for future reference can I ask about this?

(Desperately trying not to sound sarcastic, which I am not)

Why does stomach growls make a difference?

Thank you

SeaToSki · 27/09/2020 15:05

In women one of the symptoms of a heart attack can be upset stomach type stuff

OP. Im afraid I dont agree with the NHS person you talked to, if you have a history of heart problems in your family, you are breathless and have chest pain, you should be assessed today.

I’m concerned you are at risk of having a heart attack, it sometimes doesnt present in the classic clutching at your chest and collapsing on the floor TV drama style.

Also Covid is often causing in myocarditis (inflammation of the heart). You really need an ECG and your blood troponin levels measured (and measured twice with a 1 hour interval).

StarCat2020 · 27/09/2020 15:09

In women one of the symptoms of a heart attack can be upset stomach type stuff
Thank you, that is good to know (for future reference)

it sometimes doesnt present in the classic clutching at your chest and collapsing on the floor TV drama style
TV has a lot to answer for in terms of medical expectations, for example babies aren't born as quickly as TV seems to show and the expectation that after CPR people cough and jump up ready to carry on

lljkk · 27/09/2020 15:23

Long QT Syndrome which OP thinks she is likely to get, is known to cause shortness of breath.

lubeybooby · 27/09/2020 18:05

@StarCat2020

Do you have any grumbly stomach stuff going on Sorry for being a bit thick but for future reference can I ask about this?

(Desperately trying not to sound sarcastic, which I am not)

Why does stomach growls make a difference?

Thank you

I don't think the person means literal stomach grumble noises, just covid can sometimes have gastric symptoms, nausea, diarrhea, etc
Haenow · 27/09/2020 18:28

@Heartofstrings

95% saturation isnt brilliant. With my boy they like to monitor when it hits 94%
@Heartofstrings

95% is completely normal. However, OP is feeling unusually breathless and has pain, there are other things that could be causing this and you do need to checked out ASAP @historyrocks. Are you sure you should be waiting until tomorrow? You have a family history of a heart issue and these are unusual symptoms for you. Normal oxygen levels don’t automatically mean you’re ok. Please be safe.

Original poster
historyrocks · 27/09/2020 22:46

Many thanks for the posts. Things have settled down so will ring GP in the morning.

OP posts:
SeaToSki · 27/09/2020 23:07

Hope you have a good night. Please push for a proper assessment in the morning.

SeaToSki · 27/09/2020 23:08

If they are dragging their feet the phrase

Im not comfortable with that, is there anything else you can suggest................. and then pause and dont say anything until they do. Silence is very powerful at getting people to shift their arse

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