It's been suggested in other threads that these kind of diaries/lists have proved useful for other posters.
In light of this: This is my symptoms journey so far, incase its useful to anyone.
I am 47y. I am clinically vulnerable - have PsA and take methotrexate. I teach in an infant school across all year groups, so 290 children a week. No SDing, etc. but have been trying to be careful due to my own health - lots of anti bac everywhere!!
Tuesday
- noted on ZOE app that my chest felt a bit tight; have had a ‘bit of a cold’ on and off since returning to school last month. Throat sounds hoarse but isn’t sore. Even being careful (clinically vulnerable for Covid so care being taken) hasn’t prevented colds!
Thursday
- chest much tighter; started to wonder if cold had ‘gone to my chest’ and to be aware incase I get a chest infection. Voice still a bit hoarse
Weekend
- much the same over the weekend, with my chest. Had some pains in my legs - wondered if might be getting a flare up of arthritis perhaps, something else to keep an eye on. Throat no longer sounds hoarse at least.
Monday
- by time I got to school and been up and down stairs my chest was feeling much tighter and I felt out of breath on moving around, especially on the stairs. Concerned I might be getting a chest infection so went to walk in centre in the morning
Walk in centre went in a blur. Heart rate was 150+ (somewhat normal for me if feeling ill) but blood pressure dangerously high (stage 3 hypertension crisis level) Temperature normal at around 37.0c Nurse practitioner called Cat 2 ambulance. Hadn’t arrived by time DH arrived so he was allowed to drive me to A&E; couldn’t come in with me though due to restrictions
A&E started investigations for pneumonia and blood clot on lungs. Took bloods and chest x ray - all clear/normal. Temperature normal. ECG was normal. After a few hours sent home with instructions to call own GP tomorrow to investigate blood pressure, which was still stage 3. Heart rate had come down to 120ish.
At no point has anyone been concerned about covid and I was in the ‘green’ zone at A&E.
Tuesday
- called Gp as instructed for a phone appointment; GP asked me to go in for BP test. went straight away. He’s not happy as BP still stage 3 level. Heart rate around 100 bpm so slowed down a bit. Temperature normal and chest sounds clear. He got second opinion from another doctor. Neither happy. Sent home to await another call.
GP calls back and asks me to go straight to hospital; he’d arranged for day admission on the Same Day Emergency Clinic. Concerned about my BP and the fact that A&E sent me home. DH came home and took me in - again he can’t come in with me.
Various tests - blood, ECG, BP checks, etc inc routine swabs for Covid and MRSA. On open day ward for investigations. BP still sky high, all other tests are normal. Given beta blockers and then an under tongue spray but no effect. Eventually given anti BP medication. Chest really tight, but breathing not too bad as not moving much!
By early evening BP started to drop but not enough - top number still over 180, so have to be admitted overnight. Moved to open ward on AMU.
Dreadful night as really bright and noisy, very little sleep had due to this, constant admissions and BP tests all night. tried to sleep propped up to help chest.
Wednesday
- long wait begins to see doctor, but BP now below 180 so hopefully can go home
About 9:30/10am over hear a phone call from ward with my name - have tested positive for Covid! Currently on an open ward with 7 other patients of varying ages and illness!! Not one medic at walk in centre, A&E, GPs or hospital wards have suspected this.
all actions to get me into a side room, away from others
for first time my temperature is raised - 37.8c. In next hour drops to 37.1c
during the afternoon i start to develop a cough; chest still tight and breathless if I walk about but ok if still
called school and friends to let them know, as potential contacts; DH now come home from work to begin SI
BP come down to stage 2 hypertension (top number is below 180) so can go home around 3:30pm. R collects me, along with my new BP meds, with instructions to SI, call GP for a follow up of BP in a fortnight.
coughing increases over evening, and really breathless when have to climb two flights of stairs to bedroom! Temperature now down to 36.6c again.
Thursday
- Coughing more today. Temperature is still low - 37.1 this morning, but mid 36c later on. Chest feels really tight today. Breathing is fine when resting but walking around makes it worse. Going up stairs makes it really struggle. Chest and breathing is by far the worse symptom!
No other symptoms from the long list T&T sent.
A new BP machine has arrived from Boots. Tsted it out and positive news - bp is currently much lower (low stage 2). It’s still a bit on the high side. BP dedication has kicked in - phew!
Friday
No real change today and feel much the same as yesterday, but don't feel much worse either. Same symptoms though have some aches and pains in my arms and legs today which could be linked I think - not as sharp as the ones I had in my leg before (which is one of the reasons why they were investigating blood clots initially.)
Spent the day moving very little due to the breathlessness and chest; disadvantage of a three storey house!
No obvious contact tracing we can see - have gone back over the past week or so, but we've been careful. We've social distanced and worn masks when out, and not been anywhere crowded where that wasn't possible. R and M have had no symptoms either. We don't know any close contacts who have tested positive or have had symptoms beforehand, so hard to tell
Sunday
Still no real change today or yesterday. Although still feeling somewhat grim, I don’t feel any worse so hopefully it’s reached it’s peak. It’s not so bad if I don’t move.
Cough, tight chest, breathlessness, some aches and pains in limbs, ectopic heart beats, heart rate slightly raised. No raised temperature. Oximeter says 95-97% Blood pressure stabilised at ‘hypertension stage 1’ with medication.
Seem to have developed a weird taste thing yesterday evening/today. I can smell and taste but everything has a metallic after taste at the moment. Its another day of rest!
Monday
Still coughing, chest tight and breathless if doing anything but no worse again. Coughing lots if I talk much. Ribs feel sore. Spent almost all day laid in bed, though propped up working on iPad as feeling really tired today and have achy legs and arms today.
Seem to be able to taste fine today after having a metallic taste all day yesterday.
Blood pressure much the same as yesterday - stage 1 hypertension, so seems to have stabilised now. Oximeter is reading 94/95% which is closer - though not convinced on its accuracy tbh, seems to give lowish readings in general. Heart rate is mid 90s with a few ectopic beats still. Temperature is fine.
DH and DD still have no symptoms despite being with me before and after all this.
Tuesday
- feeling really tired today so far with achy legs. Chest still feels tight. Breathing is a bit better I think, well so long as not moving. I've not attempted to go up and down stairs or anything as yet. I'm sat in bed working in my iPad dealing with home learning coming in. I don't think I'm coughing as much today so far either. Oximeter says 96%, again not convinced on its accuracy though. Heart rate is high 80s, higher if I walk about.
Hopefully all this might mean I'm starting the road to recovery???
Dh and dd still both fine.
I've heard that there are now 7 of us tested positive at school. I've not had close contact with any of them.], though we do have children/families in common from the classes taught. At least one of the common families taught (4 of us have had contact with same family, two siblings) has had their parent just test positive. Neither child in that family, or other families where parent is positive has been tested as no symptoms. Coincidence?