When to worry?

[yellowflowers82]

I've tested positive for Covid and I'm on my 7th day of symptoms. The past 4 days I have been unbearably breathless whenever I do anything - rolling over in bed, going to the loo, getting changed. I can't speak in sentences without taking a break to catch my breath. I'm utterly fed up now and terrified I'm not going to get better by myself.
Each activity I do makes me cough afterwards, my heart races too.
When do I need to worry? When do I call 111? I'm scared of going to hospital.

Perfect, so glad they’ve taken the anxiety out of the picture as that just makes it worse. Rest up and you’ll be hugging that toddler of yours in no time.

How scary for you. I was in hospital for 2 days in December with very similar symptoms, Covid test was negative! But I was 22 weeks pregnant and they were being extra cautious.
I was literally struggling to hold a conversation whilst sitting doing nothing I was so breathless.
Hope you’re feeling a bit better today?

I'm so happy to hear you're ok, OP.
May I ask what your oxygen sats were? I'm contemplating ringing 111 myself for DH who is on day 7 and unbearably ill. He is a GP himself and is adamant that I don't ring 111. But his partner at work insists I do. I feel very much stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Sorry to ask you... mid recovery, OP.

Ring @TheVanguardSix, better safe than sorry. Have you checked his sats?

Please ring @TheVanguardSix. You’re the one who is going to be responsible for getting help if he gets worse so your wishes over ride his in that respect.

Good news OP Do keep an eye on your blood o2 sat when your pulse oximeter arrives.

Tomorrow try ringing your gp. They may be able to prescribe things to help with the breathlessness. In the meantime be sure to keep hydrated and if you can keep the air in your bedroom warm and moist that will help. Alternatively try a period sitting in a steamy bathroom a couple of times a day.

Ring back if you get even a smidgeon worse.

Just ring. People are being far too stoic.

I'm at risk of being a thread hijacker, but thank you, sexnotgender and cornettoninja for your very kind and helpful encouragement. I am grateful.
And OP, I sincerely hope you're on the upward trajectory towards wellness! It's a beast of a virus. I am terrified, observing how ill DH is. He would rather, literally, die than ask for help. In every day life, I can handle this characteristic of his, but when it's crunch time, like now, I lose all perspective. So thank you kind MNers, for giving me your wise perspective .

@TheVanguardSix, I hope 111 is helpful.

Doctors and nurses are the worst patients. Tell your DH he can be as confident as he likes - you’re not a doctor (I’m presuming) so he’s on to a loser if he thinks you can take that on board without help.

@TheVanguardSix if his colleague has told you to ring them please do. Your DH can be angry in the future, but low says can affect judgement. Your DH or colleague must have access to a stats monitor?

How are you feeling today?