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Covid

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Original poster

When should you seek medical support/guidance

45 replies

Borderscotch · 19/02/2021 07:51

I appreciate no one here is able to give medical advise but need someone to help me clarify my thoughts.

We all got coronavirus last week. DH tested positive Tuesday (so 10 days ago). He's been the most unwell of us all but I was expecting that as he is type 2 diabetic and is disabled through relatively recent trauma so stamina is low. He's just not picking up, his temperature is getting worse over the last few days, his cough is getting worse... But I appreciate all this is within the expected symptoms. We have an o2 monitor and that's hovering around 94 (but he never gets a reading about 96 when well). Not sure whenever to speak to GP today or hang tight, could he possibly have a secondary infection hence the recent temperature changes?

Please be kind, I just can't think clearly as still not fully recovered myself.

OP posts:

SeaToSki · 20/02/2021 08:37

Just remember you dont get an award for not getting medical help

How is his heart rate today? If it was up due to dehydration then it should be down now (assuming you have been pushing fluids) If he is still dehydrated then he should be seen for that in any case. Anything resting over 100 for more than a day when combined with low oxygen and a high temperature is ringing some strong alarm bells for me. Dont let him get so sick that it will get harder to turn the situation around.

Original poster

Borderscotch · 20/02/2021 08:42

Thank you, it's back down to 90 so better. I do take your point and I won't take any chances, I'm quite a logical cool headed person most of the time and will seek advice, unlike DH who is a head under the pillow and hope it goes away type of person. But your reminder is helpful and I will remember it.

OP posts:

SeaToSki · 20/02/2021 20:32

Just checking in OP, how is your DH doing?

dublingirl66 · 20/02/2021 20:33

Sending you love and good wishes

This was my family a few weeks back
Got some great advice here :)

indecisivewoman81 · 20/02/2021 20:45

My friend is a nurse in a hospital and she told me if the oxygen levels get below 94 then it's best to come in.

SonnetForSpring · 20/02/2021 20:51

Please keep an eye on his blood sugar too. Diabetes really does complicated covid recovery. I have experienced it with a close family member. I would not hesitate to ask for him to he admitted to hospital if you are struggling to manage his diabetes and he is not eating properly.

Original poster

Borderscotch · 20/02/2021 21:08

Thanks all, his o2 has picked up over today to 94/95, he's not looking well to be honest but his temp is a bit more settled. He has eaten a bit here and there. I will keep monitoring closely and seek help if needs be. I really hoping that today is a sign things are improving a bit. It's been a long 11 days and I'm still not fully well myself

OP posts:

Greybeardy · 20/02/2021 21:47

Remember that sats are not the be all and end all of covid monitoring (or any monitoring in fact). They can be falsely reassuring and if it looks like he’s getting worse, regardless of the sats number, he should see a doctor...a diabetic man getting worse at day 11 would ring some alarm bells. Hope things turn out well, but I’d trust instincts more than a sats probe if I were you tbh. (DOI: icu doctor)

Lindy2 · 20/02/2021 22:03

I hope he feels better soon. I had Covid at the end of January and the second week was definitely much worse than the first for both myselfandmy DH. It was during week 3 that I finally started to feel a little better.

Obviously with your DH's health conditions you need to keep a close eye on things and seek medical attention if needed, but still being ill at day 11 is unfortunately pretty common with Covid. It drags on which is scary and exhausting.

I hope he recovers soon and you too, as it sounds like you've had it as well.

Original poster

Borderscotch · 21/02/2021 07:49

Greybeardy thank you. He's woken unwell again with high temp etc. I think we will get some advice today if I can convince him.

Lindy2 yes I've had it, as well as DS2 (9) and I think DS1 (12) has it as he as some mild congestion but he's not left the house in weeks, so we'll isolate him for 10 days to be sure...no test as he has asd and won't tolerate it. With DH the GP said similar on the phone, that his symptoms etc are typical and not out of what they expect to see at this point, I guess that's why he is reluctant to seek help as it could well just be what's expected.

We'll see how he goes this morning.

OP posts:

whataballbag · 21/02/2021 07:58

Hope you're all feeling better soon OP

SeaToSki · 21/02/2021 12:06

Please get some advice, there are lots of treatments for Covid that he can have, but you need to be talking to doctors to access them. If he hasnt had a covid test, it is possible he has something else and the persistent high temps are concerning.

Original poster

Borderscotch · 22/02/2021 12:40

111 sent paramedics out to check him over and they are happy enough for him to stay at home. Just got to ride it out.

OP posts:

Choconuttolata · 22/02/2021 12:53

Keep a really close eye OP. DH was admitted with Covid on day 7, in the morning that day sats were 94 and he seemed brighter. By late afternoon he was very lethargic, just wanted to be left alone, was drinking less and refusing food again (soup). He then had confusion with the fever and his sats dropped to 85 after walking to the toilet. They came back up to above 94 but it was very slow. The paramedics were not sure about taking him in either, but I pushed for it. He had widespread double pneumonia, they said if he got any worse it would have been acute respiratory distress syndrome and ITU admission. He was put on oxygen, IV AB's, steroids and remdesivir, was in for over a week and has had other complications since. They said day 8-14 is the danger period for deterioration. If you are not happy with him, take him to A&E. Make sure you push the fluids as with a high fever dehydration can occur quite rapidly, he needs to drink more than you think as he will evaporate more than usual.

Original poster

Borderscotch · 22/02/2021 13:23

Choconuttolata your poor DH. The paramedics did give me lots of info as to when to go back with aa clear warning shot about rapid deterioration. I will certainly keep an eye on him, thank you for your advice.

OP posts:

SeaToSki · 25/02/2021 01:03

Just checking in OP, how is everyone doing? Hope all is well

Original poster

Borderscotch · 25/02/2021 12:54

Thanks for thinking of us SeatoSki he seemed to turn the corner a day or so ago. His temperature is back to normal, he's still not well in self but eating and drinking better and improving each day.

OP posts:

SeaToSki · 26/02/2021 00:40

Hooray.

Jellybean27 · 26/02/2021 01:04

Good news!

Choconuttolata · 26/02/2021 09:55

So glad to hear this Borderscotch 👍

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