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Original poster

Feel so ill!

57 replies

Upthecreek04 · 27/12/2021 18:41

I got a positive lft this morning and already feel really ill.

Appetite gone, so very thirsty, fuzzy head, aching limbs etc.

It's my chest that worrying me it hurts so much, really aching, breathing seems such an effort. When I lay down its slightly better.

I can't speak a sentence.

Is this normal??

I'm double jabbed plus booster, although my BMI is nearly 40 so that's got me a bit worried. I'm late 30s in terms of age

I was debating buying an oximeter but my husband says it will just be anxiety inducing always checking it. But I don't feel I can get a deep breath.

Anyone whose has covid is this normal please?

OP posts:
irregularegular · 27/12/2021 19:12

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

According to this you should go to A&E or call 999 i unable to say short sentences when resting. At the very least I would get some proper advice from emergency doctor or 111

LostForWords2021 · 27/12/2021 19:13

No one will judge you at the hospital. It does sound like you need some medical advice which can't be found here.

Unable to talk in a full sentence without pausing to breathe needs addressing.

Londonwriter · 27/12/2021 19:23

My DH tested positive for COVID with a LFT (strong line) on Xmas Day. He slept in on Boxing Day, but has been cooking dinner and is now (cross fingers) mostly recovered. He’s tripled jabbed, as am I.

Thus, your symptoms sound very worrying, especially the struggling for breath. I would seek medical advice urgently.

FindingMeno · 27/12/2021 19:27

Get proper advice.
That's what it's there for.
It doesn't matter what your bmi is Flowers

Shouldbedoing · 27/12/2021 19:30

You should go to A and E with the symptoms you describe. They can check you over. Maybe give you steroids or the new wonder drug?

MalbecandToast · 27/12/2021 19:32

Call 111 and ask for some advice if you don't want to just go to A&E. There are apps you can use with some phones to test oxygen sats and pulse- maybe have a look for one ?

Rainbowsandstorms · 27/12/2021 19:36

It’s important that you get some medical advice whether that’s initially from 111 or going to A and E. No one is going to judge you for your bmi but it is important that you are assessed so you’re able to access any help that you may need. Doctors are there to help not to judge. I hope this is short lived and you’re feeling better soon.

SergeiL · 27/12/2021 19:41

Have you called yet? I didn’t want to say this but I had the same symptoms with pulmonary embolism which can be caused by Covid. Hence please can you call for advice.

duvetdayforeveryone · 27/12/2021 19:46

If in any doubt, please get it checked out.

rc22 · 27/12/2021 19:51

I would call 111 for advice. Try to lie on your front rather than on your back or sitting up.

Notsomerryandbright · 27/12/2021 19:54

Definitely need medical evaluation. Lie on your front - it’s easier for your lungs to get oxygen into your blood in that position

EmmaWoodhousestreehouse · 27/12/2021 20:02

I had covid 15 months ago. Started with a tickly throat. I was shocked when test came back positive. My chest got progressively worse over next couple of weeks. I started to find it difficult to breath. Ive never felt so unwell. I went to a and e but didn’t even get in the building. They did my oxygen levels in a portacabin near the front door and said it was fine, even though I felt like I was struggling to breath. They sent me away so I went home. I was very unwell for a couple of months and it took me about 8 months to recover.

You have my full sympathy. If you are genuinely struggling to breath then I would go to a and e. Or ring 111. I wouldn’t ring and ambulance as it’ll probably be quicker to go there yourself.

It may well be that you’re overweight, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit at home struggling to breath.

I was told that slow steady inflation of my lungs will help but you may not manage this. Try and sleep propped up too rather than lying down. I hope you’re soon feeling better 💐💐

Original poster
Upthecreek04 · 27/12/2021 20:10

Thanks all I made it downstairs and feel a little better sat up on the couch. Going to see how I go over the evening. Have asked around friends if anyone has na oximeter I can borrow

OP posts:
Haggisfish3 · 27/12/2021 20:15

Op why post and then ignore all the posters saying call 111 and buy an oximeter? I genuinely don’t understand this. I know it’s scary but surely it’s more of a scary thought that your oxygen levels may be dangerously low without you getting the appropriate treatment?

Haggisfish3 · 27/12/2021 20:17

I had to call 111 today about dd with covid and one of things they ask is whether you can say a sentence without being breathless and whether the breathlessness is interfering with normal life like walking upstairs. Just call.

gulliblestravels · 27/12/2021 20:26

An apple watch functions as an oximeter....basic, but ok for a rough check.

Londonwriter · 27/12/2021 20:51

@Upthecreek04

Thanks all I made it downstairs and feel a little better sat up on the couch. Going to see how I go over the evening. Have asked around friends if anyone has na oximeter I can borrow
I know it feels easier to stay at home, but - genuinely - struggling to breath is a REALLY bad sign.

There have been several occasions in my life where I’ve had medical emergencies that haven’t felt like such at the time. The most recent example was when my baby (now toddler) wasn’t moving as usual in the womb. It was midnight and I debated whether to go have it checked out. Eventually, I went in and they wanted to induce me immediately. I decided to go home because I thought I might have been imagining it.

Around 1pm the next day, I decided I wasn’t imagining it so I packed a bag, messed around organising some parcel deliveries and drifted back into the hospital around 4pm. It turned out that my placenta was collapsing and my son had probably about 12 hours to live. Thus, a medical emergency that didn’t feel like one.

I had another occasion 12 weeks pregnant with my older DS when I was bitten by a dog around midday and I wandered into a local urgent care centre around 8pm after being nagged by my husband. They had a massive panic about the fact I had a dog bite right through my hand and sent me as a emergency case to hospital… Hence, another medical emergency that didn’t feel like one at the time.

In short, just because this feels like no big deal, doesn’t mean it’s no big deal. A lot of (potential) medical emergencies don’t feel like a big deal until afterwards, and often it feels easier to stay at home than mess about going to A&E (with added worries in your case about being ridiculed or dismissed).

Most double jabbed + boosted people don’t get that ill. In fact, a lot of people I know who got COVID before vaccines weren’t as ill as you’re describing. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE seek medical advice - even if it feels like a big faff.

Wednesdayafternoon · 27/12/2021 21:03

I agree with everyone on here OP. Based on what you've said you owe it to yourself and your family and all those who care about you to speak to someone and get some advice. They worn be annoyed with you, they will want to help you.

NannaMcPhoo · 27/12/2021 21:08

They will honestly not judge you so do not be worried to call them. I hope you feel better soon

Original poster
Upthecreek04 · 28/12/2021 10:11

Hi all

Oximeter arriving today

My husband read about opening a window and the cold air helped a little

I slept in fits and starts, woke up drenched in sweat that was grim

Feel like someone's sitting on my chest.

My husband says of course you feel ill you have covid so maybe I'm over reacting

Meant to be going for pcr today but don't feel up to it am worried that the staff will say I shouldn't have gone etc

OP posts:
SergeiL · 28/12/2021 10:15

Are you going to a drive through test centre? If so, they will barely look or talk to you, let alone judge you or tell you off. The place will be busy and full of people who are ill or worried they are ill. Definitely try and do a PCR as this will help route you if you do need medical care. I stand by the fact that you need to seek medical attention though. Unless your husband is a doctor, I would listen to your gut.

TheRainbow · 28/12/2021 10:26

@Upthecreek04

I got a positive lft this morning and already feel really ill.

Appetite gone, so very thirsty, fuzzy head, aching limbs etc.

It's my chest that worrying me it hurts so much, really aching, breathing seems such an effort. When I lay down its slightly better.

I can't speak a sentence.

Is this normal??

I'm double jabbed plus booster, although my BMI is nearly 40 so that's got me a bit worried. I'm late 30s in terms of age

I was debating buying an oximeter but my husband says it will just be anxiety inducing always checking it. But I don't feel I can get a deep breath.

Anyone whose has covid is this normal please?

Buy an oximeter. It can reasssure you if levels normal and alert you if you need medical assistance. You should be able to speak in a full sentence. As others have said, it might be advisable to call 111. Hope you're feeling better soon.
Londonwriter · 28/12/2021 10:40

@Upthecreek04

Hi all

Oximeter arriving today

My husband read about opening a window and the cold air helped a little

I slept in fits and starts, woke up drenched in sweat that was grim

Feel like someone's sitting on my chest.

My husband says of course you feel ill you have covid so maybe I'm over reacting

Meant to be going for pcr today but don't feel up to it am worried that the staff will say I shouldn't have gone etc

As I said, my husband started with PCR-confirmed COVID on Xmas Day. He was tired and had a runny nose.

He slept late a couple of days, and spent a lot of time sitting on the bed reading and playing computer games, but he also made lunch and dinner, and took our two young DS to bed. We live in a three-storey house and he was literally running up and downstairs to bring toys to our DS.

So, don’t listen to your DH when he says ‘of course you feel ill’. You are triple jabbed and having problems breathing - that is not normal, even for COVID! Sad

belimoo · 28/12/2021 10:54

Not sure if anyone has already mentioned this but have you tried lying on your front? That's supposed to ease your chest and help with breathing.

The oximeter is the most important thing though as that will give you a true picture of how your lungs are coping. My friend went to hospital with low oxygen levels and was admitted for a couple of days, diagnosed with pneumonia (on top of covid) and given antibiotics. She's doing much better now.

I hope you feel better soon Thanks

Cornettoninja · 28/12/2021 11:07

I take it neither you or your DH are doctors? Let a professional judge you and decide on whether it’s nothing to worry about. If they do deem you in need of oxygen support and/or medication (steroids, antibiotics to treat a secondary infection) your success and recovery time will be massively impacted by catching it as early as possible.

No one is going to judge you for your weight, and even if they did (they won’t) who cares as long as you’re receiving the treatment you need?

An oximeter would be useful but oxygen levels aren’t the only indicator of a problem. You need to, at the absolute minimum, ring 111.