Positive- when to seek medical attention?

[Conflictedingrief]

I got a positive LFD on Tuesday, confirmed by a positive PCR on Wednesday. I feel awful. Absolutely no energy, aching, really loud tinnitus that makes it impossible to sleep. The worst and most recent symptom is now breathlessness. I feel as though someone’s sitting on my chest and I’m having to take the tiniest shallow breaths. It’s really scary. Is there anything I can do at home to ease this, or at what point do I seek help? Is it a GP on Monday job? I’ve got kids at home…

Worth calling 111 i dont know but maybe steriods?

Call 111

Call 111. For me I was given an o2 meter so I could monitor at home.

Your GP won't see you. Call 111.

leaning forward helps to breathe. call 111 if you need to though

Call 111

Or proning lying on front

Call 111 now. They can measure your oxygen levels. I'd get an oximeter too. Easy to get from Amazon

Poor thing. Call 111 to get advice. Just out of interest, have you had your vaccine yet?

If you can buy and oxygen finger test unit on Amazon to check your oxygen saturation levels. Definately ring 111 if you can only take small breathes. Sorry you are feeling poorly.

Thanks all - oximeter ordered, I’ll lean forward and see how I get on tonight.

To those who asked, I’m double jabbed… AZ if you’re interested…

Here are breathing exercises.

I presume you don’t have anyone nearby who has an oximeter? Might be worth asking on a local Facebook group. Or here?!

Did you get through to 111?

If you can't make in a reasonable amount of air, then certainly worth making that call.

I disagree with the 111 call advice, if you’re struggling to breathe, that’s a medical emergency and you should call 999.

But yes, you can’t breathe. I think you need to call 999. Let them come out and assess you.

Struggling to breathe and feeling like someone is sitting on your chest is a 999 job, Covid or not.

If you feel breathless call 999. You have a genuine need. Don't wait until the middle of the night OP

When your oximeter arrives ease read the instructions (no nail varnish, work less well on people w dark skin colour etc). Then you are looking for a reading of 94 or above. Bw 90 and 94 call your gp/111 (wont see you but can prescribe). 90 or under then 999.

Be aware though that cv can make you feel very breathless even when you are getting enough oxygen so, although very unpleasant, it may not be dangerous. Do check though.

The first time I had cv I got "ms hugs" - spasms of the intercostal muscles that make it feel like you have to really work to take a breath in. Scary but not dangerous so - if your o2 level is normal- this may be what is happening to you.

Thanks all - I’m holding off calling for help until the oximeter arrives, unless I really really need it. DH will be home later so the kids will be looked after if I need to go in - I think that’s safest. I appreciate all the breathing exercises and advice.

Why is your dh out? If you are within the 10d?

Shouldn’t your DH be at home isolating too if you’ve got covid? I wouldn’t wait to call 111, things can change quickly with covid so it’s worth getting checked out sooner rather than later. Hope you feel better soon!

One other thing OP try lying on your front (proning). I found that really helped.

Shouldn’t your dh be isolating

He’s out getting a PCR, had to drive miles to the nearest drive through test centre. He’ll be back soon.