@Homez
Thank you *@LINABE* - yes we do have an oximeter. SATs have mostly been settling around 93. Propped up and sitting forward, they do come up to 95/96, but then start to fall away again.
I agree with *@BatshitCrazyWoman*, it is really frustrating when people are so dismissive, because it’s only supposed to be mild. Yes, for many people, it is mild, and doesn’t affect the lungs - but when it does, it’s a whole different experience.
Even seeking medical advice, they seem to have a dismissive approach. Our GP is not taking any COVID related appointments or queries - they want you to ring 111. Spent 90 minutes on the phone to 111, to br told I needed to ring my GP! All the guidance in NHS, suggests we should be seeking advice when SATs are below 95, or if we have difficulty breathing, yet they don’t want to know when you do call. Having eventually managed to speak to the duty doctor at our surgery - I was stunned to be told in an exasperated, can’t be bothered with this call kind of way….”it’s just COVID”. Apparently because I’m under 65 and double jabbed, I should be mild. When I reasoned that my SATs were 93 and struggled to breathe when I stood up or tried to move around - she retorted - well stay in bed then.
Apparently it didn’t matter that I was obviously breathless when talking - as long as you can finish a sentence, you are good to go.
When I told her I hadn’t eaten in 5 days - she sarcastically asked, “oh yeah why is that”? As if I was some silly teenager being berated by their parent for not eating. As a doctor, you’d expect her to know that fevers of 39 and above, are hardly conducive to feeling hungry. The whole experience was dreadful. Just zero compassion or empathy.
Having recently seen a friend’s husband treated in a similar way, whereby he called his GP and 111 numerous times in the week before he was finally admitted, and had to go straight into ICU because it was all too late, it makes my blood boil. He was 57 and never came home. Fit & healthy and double jabbed. The NHS just don’t want to see you or hear from you, until your life is on the brink - yes of course many of these COVID cases can and do recover without medical help, but there are also far too many that don’t.
No wonder UK outcomes are so poor..
Homez this is absolutely disgusting to hear. My GP practice was a lot better generally and because I was coughing up blood I was taken to Hospital although when I did originally call my surgery the medical receptionist said "Covid? I didn't know that was still about". ( that was 2 weeks ago and I live in a heavily populated part of the UK)
If you call 111 in the Evening when GP practices are closed they did put an Ambulance on Standby for my partner but a nurse called, went through his symptoms thoroughly and then the Ambulance was stood down. This happened a couple of times. I was assured every time that I had 'done the right thing' to call' and the Hospital said to me that it is important to be seen before the symptoms get worse. One Nurse told me that she had seen so many people die that were lots younger than me (I'm 57) because they had left it too late.
If you need the help please keep trying. Maybe talk to 111 in the Evening or demand to speak to a different GP?
I'm so sad to hear about your friends Husband. Shocking and avoidable.
Very best wishes for your speedy recovery.