DH just tested positive but we have 3 DCs who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

[Dogatetheleftovers]

DH just received email informing him that he’s had a positive test. Not surprising really when lots of colleagues have it. But he’s tried to be really vigilant, wearing kn95 masks, hand washing etc because of our kids. Now that he’s tested positive, coughing, tight chest, fatigued, we’re left wondering what to do. The DCs are teenagers so old enough to understand the risks and to know that they’ve all had shielding letters. I’ve had one as well. I’m terrified now and I know we’ve got to wait 14 days to see if one of us has it too. Already one dc has temperature and headache! Anyone offer any kind words of support or advice, it would be most welcome.

I’ve done the sats tonight and it’s between 95-99 which I’m so pleased to see. Thank you for your concern, it still worries me in terms of the unpredictability of this virus and if I’m worried tomorrow, I’ll call the GP.

How are you feeling, glad your sats are looking better xx

You're doing great OP keeping everyone as calm as you can and you're looking after you and then really well.

Keep it up, I'm hoping you're all on the road to recovery soon.

Glad your stats are looking better. Hope you all manage some sleep tonight.

Good news that the sats are better tonight. Hope you all have a decent rest.

Glad you'll contact the GP if needs be. I'm sure it's a scary step but it's so important too - I feel like with many people, the earlier they get a bit of extra medical support, the better their chances if things are going to get bad. Don't take any risks.

Hope you all get some sleep. I can't imagine how worried you must feel. Just lying in bed and trying to breathe in slowly for 4 counts and out for 6 helps calm you down lots but it depends on if that makes you cough.

I hope you get some rest tonight.
I mentioned earlier about calm or headspace, both are sometimes tricky to actually get on so if that fails I just go on YouTube and search ‘wave sounds’ and even that is helpful to try and sleep to.
Hope you all sleep well. X

Glad your stats are better tonight. Hope you are able to get some sleep tonight. Definitely ask any local friends if they can do a doorstep drop of a ready made dinner. To take pressure of you cooking etc. I'd be happy to make a big lasagne and leave on doorstep to help a friend in need. Do contact 111 if your stats drop again.

You are all such a huge source of support to me, thank you for being there.

Oh OP I really feel for you and your family.

My DS is autistic so I understand how difficult this is for your DD, for all of you really.

I'm really pleased that your most recent update is an encouraging one.

Another virtual hand hold here. I'm rooting for you all

OP handholding from here too, I really understand your anxiety as I'm ECV too. I'm so glad you're doing better tonight and hope you get some good sleep and feel even better in the morning.

OP .. yes I was so scared. My son, mum and I are CEV. I felt like I spent 10 day waiting to die (or one of us). My GP gave me a very low dose of Diazepam (2mg) to take a few times a day. It worked wonders !

By the way, we were all fine.

How are you all feeling this morning?

I’ve woken up with a high temperature but I can cope with that. Oxygen sats are 95-96 and I’ll monitor that throughout the day. Everyone else still in bed, they’re all exhausted and each has different symptoms. I try to rest but my anxiety won’t let me. I’m also trying to work out what day I’m on with this virus as I got symptoms on Monday of this week but last Friday (a week ago) I had a day of chills, diarrhoea and extreme fatigue before feeling better over the weekend. My DH said that he wondered if this was the start of my infection and, if so, I can count another few days along this worrying journey to a hopeful recovery. I know that the virus can be unpredictable and it does scare me so much. My underlying health problems are worse today as well but there’s nothing I can do for those except endure them. I’m happy to do it all as long as I can be here for my children and give them the reassurance, care, health monitoring they need. That’s why you all have been so very kind and supportive, being a long term carer is isolating at the best of times and a friendly word of reassurance on MN means so much.

Oh. Poor you. Yes I think the day of upset tummy counts so you are already more than half way through. Hopefully today will see you on the mend boing forwards. Lots of rest and distraction from the completely understandable anxiety. Do keep an eye on your sats. Make sure you are warm and your hand is down or they can read less I believe. X

I think your DH might be right. My DD had Covid at Christmas, very mild symptoms- just the anosmia but a few days before she'd had a day of feeling off, headaches, tiredness, etc which we had put down to end of term fatigue.
You may well be a few more days into this after all - which means a few more days nearer the end.

I’m on a Covid app trial and one of the symptoms is very much an upset stomach so I’d say that was the start for you too. So that means you’re a week in so hopefully just 2-3 days left?? Any TV you can watch to distract you? I can get lost in gardening and home improvement programmes for quite a while?!!

It sounds like you are all at the latter end of this now, just a few more days.

What’s the Covid app trial Janus? That sounds interesting? The whole family have slightly different symptoms. I’m waiting for a GP to call me as I have chest pain, temperature and sats between 93-96. I’m wondering if I need more antibiotics as the course I was prescribed at start of the week finishes today. Also have intermittent pain in upper back. Is that a sign of things worsening? I’m trying not to panic but it’s hard. I just read a really sad update on another thread, it’s truly terrifying how this virus affects people.

Did the gp call you back yet? Really glad you phoned them.

It is terrifying hearing bad outcomes for others but you have to remember the very vast majority of people come through this ok. We hear the worst stories and they are awful but they are still rare considering how many people have the virus (or have had it in the last year). I always remind myself when I'm panicking how bad humans are at assessing risk. I bet you don't panic when you get in the car to go anywhere, when realistically some people do unfortunately have bad accidents driving. I have no doubt you feel shocking but the chances are still really high you will come through this absolutely fine.

Keeping my fingers crossed your GP can help and you start feeling better soon.

OP I hope you feel better soon.

Just to answer your question I had severe anxiety when I had Covid I couldn't shake a sense of doom and like nothing would ever be ok again. But after day 7 i started to feel less panicked and much better.

GP called and advised me that I’m doing the most important thing by monitoring my oxygen saturation levels regularly. Anything 93 or less and I should call out of hours over the weekend as I may need assessment in hospital. He then advised me that this can go either way at this point in the virus and the outcome (hospitalised or getting better) usually happens in the first two weeks so I need to be vigilant still. I wanted reassurance that he couldn’t really give except that he was pleased I could speak without sounding breathless.

Glad your GP got back to you @Dogatetheleftovers . Just think if your days are correct from your poorly tummy, you’ll be over half way through the two weeks by tomorrow.

Can you and the family taste things? Would it help to treat yourself to really nice hot drinks /food over the weekend. Funds/ location permitted. I was thinking a curry/ Starbucks/ greggs soup ( not all together!).

It’s the Covid 19 by Zoe app, it’s by the government, completely free to join, you just put in some personal information and click in each day to say how you feel. Because I had a sore throat and headache this week they sent me a home test to do which I heard this afternoon is negative. I wouldn’t have got a test through normal channels so I’m glad I signed up.
I hope this weekend proves the turn for you all.

@Janus

It’s the Covid 19 by Zoe app, it’s by the government, completely free to join, you just put in some personal information and click in each day to say how you feel. Because I had a sore throat and headache this week they sent me a home test to do which I heard this afternoon is negative. I wouldn’t have got a test through normal channels so I’m glad I signed up. I hope this weekend proves the turn for you all.

It's not actually a government study - it's an independent academic study - but the app was so well written, and the study so useful, that the govt began to take information from it, and allowed ZOE participants to have tests even if they didn't show the "classic " symptoms.. I've had 3, all negative.

Sending you positive vibes @Dogatetheleftovers take care and don't take any chances - if those O2 levels fall get help - don't do that "I'll be fine" coping thing we do. Fingers crossed you all have a very mild dose.