DH horrendous cough

[justbananas42]

DH is on day 4 of isolation and his cough is really terrible. It’s practically non stop and he’s wretching occasionally as well. He also feels very under the weather, like he has a case of flu or something. He’s 44 years old and double jabbed with Astra Zeneca. I’m worried

It really seemed like he’d turned a bit of a corner yesterday but now he’s gone downhill again.

I’m finding it hard to cope with work and the toddler DC, who DH can’t really help out with at all at the moment. I’m really not sure I can cope but there’s no alternative. Feeling physically and mentally drained

Is he taking regular paracetamol to try to get his fever down?
That temperature is quite high and his oxygen levels are lower than they were a day or two ago.

He needs lots of fluids and regular paracetamol. I would be doing oxygen readings every hour or so. Btw, if he doesn't mind you doing this, you can do oxygen readings even when he is asleep.

Take care of yourself op.

Also, if you are worried, you can call 111 yourself, you don't have to wait for him to do it.

He’s taking Nurofen (ibuprofen).

What's his pulse rate like OP? Is he peeing more yet?

Paracetamol is more effective at bringing temperatures down if you have any.

How is he today?

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-to-treat-symptoms-at-home/

This link explains what to do with pulse oximeter readings.

93-94 - check again within an hour and if it doesn't improve, phone 111 or GP for advice.

92 or below - go to A&E immediately or call 999.

@justbananas42 How is your DH today? and how are you? 💐

Work? You should not be working amongst all this!!? Time off, now!

It's a really hard thing you're doing. It's so important to your dh. He may never tell you this or even say thank you but it really is important to him. It's the definition of love, caring for someone like you're caring for him. And it's not easy.

Thanks everyone for the support I’m so confused about the oximeter. We just did a reading and it was 92 - panicked and did another straightaway and it was 95! Why does it fluctuate so much? His temperature was back under 38C earlier but is 38.3C tonight.

Worryingly his coughing actually seems more frequent - he’s coughing a lot tonight (and it’s keeping our toddler awake ) I’m really not sure the codeine is doing that much for him to be honest. I’ve asked him to ring 111 first thing tomorrow to tell them all this (he refuses to call tonight). Is there even anything stronger they can give him for the cough though?!

He’s still saying he feels like he has the flu and is very weak. Do people just gradually get better from this state? I’m unsure what to do now

I’ve no choice but to work sadly. I am completely and utterly drained and it feels like there’s no end in sight. I know I sound selfish but I don’t have anywhere else to vent except here really.

I currently have a hacking barking cough and am isolating awaiting PCR results. Cocodamol has helped give me some respite from the cough and eased sore throat and headache. I'm having 10 puffs of my blue inhaler every 2 hours which is a high dose as I have a lot of crackly wheeze. My sats are 96 now which is OK. Sit him up in bed propped on pillows which will help open his airways. I've been on children's ward via 999 with DS lots of times with his asthma and this always helps. Keep his fluids up too. Take care

I would do another few oximeter readings. 92 is quite low. Phone 111 if worried

I’m also only getting about 5 hours of sleep per night due to DH coughing. I’m exhausted.

Oximeter now up to 99. I don’t understand.

This is a good guide. I had steroids in the spring for a not-covid virus which did help open my airways. My sats were 93

It’s exhausting DH on week four got cough medicine this week dry cough then went back for different one as said mucas was there . Just told me now has sore throat felt it was closing , oxi reading said 95/94 so panicked it a bit as thought 94 was bad . Sil is a nurse and said 88 would be a concern in hospital but not to let it go below 90 and book in doctors this week . Really thought cough was getting better but still here so going to be worried now as it’s never been 94.

Can you sleep elsewhere OP? X

I would phone the gp or 111 in the morning, OP, unless his oximeter reading goes less than 95 overnight. He's had a temperature for 11 odd days now hasn't he? I honestly think someone medical needs to check him. I can't imagine how exhausted you must be. Could you sleep in the sitting room if no other bedroom? Or in with your toddler? Take care of yourself.

Last night was terrible - DH was coughing more than ever and I’ve only slept for about 3.5 hours. He’s in the spare room but it’s a small house, so you can hear him from all other bedrooms and the lounge anyway. Thankfully the DC slept through.

I’ve only taken his temperature on three days I think - twice he was just over 38C and once he was 37 point something. According to the NHS anything over 38 is considered a high temperature I believe.

I’ll make sure he rings 111 this morning as the codeine clearly isn’t working

The cough with covid is awful, you both have my sympathies. I hope it starts to ease soon and your DH recovers quickly.

Sorry to hear last night was terrible
I would definitely call 111 and mention his temp and the oximeter readings from last night. Hope he's on the mend soon.

He really needs a medical opinion now as he's not showing any signs of improvement. With clear dips in his oxygen levels and a consistently high temperature, he's quite poorly, If it gets to the point where he needs more treatment (I have no idea if this is now or not; I'm not a medic), the sooner he gets this, the better. There are things like steroids that they can give which help prevent serious damage to the lungs etc. and obviously the sooner they're given, the better the outcome. He might not be poorly enough to need them but I think it would be sensible for a doctor to assess him at this point.

Pottering around the garden isn't for now. Many people make the mistake if feeling they are better so do more and it can then wipe them out. He needs to stay in bed, oximeter checks three times a day, every day, at the same time and also do temperature checks. Sip fluids regularly. Open the windows. Stop trying to rush as this can be a slow process and I wouldn't be wasting precious energy going down stairs either.

@careerchangeperhaps will the doctor assess him over the phone or in person?

He’s been ill for 12 days now.

I'd make the call to 111 now OP as it can take a while to go through the process, sometimes we've had a call back from a doctor, or other times they've booked us straight into out of hours at the hospital, but another time when it was due to breathing issues they said to go straight to A&E. Give them a call.