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Original poster

Long COVID?

17 replies

Orangesandlemons82 · 21/10/2023 21:14

During the summer holidays we were abroad for a few weeks. I came back with a sore throat, ear problems, temperature and just felt generally rundown. Since then I have developed palpitations, chest pain (like a brick pushing on my chest), shortness of breath which is worse laying down and on any exertion, (a bit like an asthma exacerbation). I am also exhausted.
I'm wondering now if I had COVID on holiday and this is long COVID? The GP hasn't really found the cause. Chest x-ray didn't show a cause and the only blood test that was slightly out of range was creatinine which was low. For parts of the day I feel a bit better and then it comes back and I feel awful again.
Has anyone else experienced this? I have a face to face with the GP on Monday.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons82 · 22/10/2023 09:40

Hopeful bump

OP posts:
SavetheNHS · 22/10/2023 10:21

Hi, it definitely could be long Covid. Feeling weak, drained and having less energy is the most common symptom. Heart palpatations and breathlessness occur frequently too because your "fight or flight" response gets stuck on. Brain fog/short term memory issues are common too. It is possible to get post viral health issues from any virus, but it is certainly possible you had Covid and now have long covid. I would ask for a referral to the long covid clinic, they are the experts and know so much more than GPs. In the meantime the GP may send you for further tests to rule out other things.
The key advice is to rest as much as possible and pace yourself. Try to take it easy and relax as much as you can. Deep, slow abdominal breathing helps relax your body and slow your heart rate down too. It's what the LC recommend to reduce symptoms and aid recovery.

HappyHolidai · 22/10/2023 10:22

Could be...

Do you feel better if you rest for a week? As in stay in bed or on sofa and do the absolute bare minimum.

Original poster
Orangesandlemons82 · 22/10/2023 22:25

Thank you @SavetheNHS and @HappyHolidai. Unfortunately it is half term this week so I have both children at home, but my mother in law is coming to take them out Tues and Wednesday so am planning to not move from the sofa then. I have definitely reduced my normal activities and hope that the GP is helpful tomorrow. Whatever it is seems to have made my asthma worse and I have just had 5 days of prednisolone but it hasn't had the normal dramatic effect that it usually does (this was prescribed over the phone).

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BeetleDeuce · 22/10/2023 22:38

Sounds exactly like long covid. Very sorry if so. It sucks!

JeresaLove · 22/10/2023 22:49

Could be long covid, but I'd be asking for an ecg asap, and referral to long Covid clinic. I had Covid bad in feb 2022, chest pain, breathlessness on exertion, pulsatile tinnitus, palpitations, fatigue and cough ever since. Lots of fobbing off, time off sick, finally referred to long Covid clinic and a for ecg in dec 2022. Had a heart attack before either appointment came through in March 2023. Research linking Covid / long Covid to and new heart condition's is growing. I was 35, had no risk factors, or family history of early problems. I would not ignore any new cardiac symptoms, my chest x-rays and bloods also showed nothing - keep pushing!

sunshinesupermum · 22/10/2023 23:05

Long COVID, sorry. It's awful and doctors don't have anything to help IME.

HappyHolidai · 23/10/2023 02:53

If it is long Covid then rest and pacing are key. Do very little; gradually you may feel you can do more but do less than you think you can, so you never overdo it.

Took me about 6m for the fatigue to fully go and another 2.5m to feel properly ok again.

needtonamechangeagain · 23/10/2023 02:57

JeresaLove · 22/10/2023 22:49

Could be long covid, but I'd be asking for an ecg asap, and referral to long Covid clinic. I had Covid bad in feb 2022, chest pain, breathlessness on exertion, pulsatile tinnitus, palpitations, fatigue and cough ever since. Lots of fobbing off, time off sick, finally referred to long Covid clinic and a for ecg in dec 2022. Had a heart attack before either appointment came through in March 2023. Research linking Covid / long Covid to and new heart condition's is growing. I was 35, had no risk factors, or family history of early problems. I would not ignore any new cardiac symptoms, my chest x-rays and bloods also showed nothing - keep pushing!

Wow sorry to hear this are you ok now? Recovered?

Crikeyalmighty · 23/10/2023 04:19

@Orangesandlemons82 Yep- it's a funny one- first time post covid I developed LC but all nervous system issues-twitches, pins and needles, headaches, vibrations, burning eyes- after a year I was feeling much better

Just had covid for 2nd time and feel like it's left me with asthma-persistent cough, can't get enough air, throat feels tight and odd- it's only a week now so will see how it goes

Original poster
Orangesandlemons82 · 23/10/2023 04:25

Oh my goodness, how are you now @JeresaLove ?

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Original poster
Orangesandlemons82 · 23/10/2023 04:28

@Crikeyalmighty hope you recover soon. It's such a difficult feeling to describe when breathing, like everything is irritated and inflamed.

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Crikeyalmighty · 23/10/2023 05:20

@Orangesandlemons82 indeed- it's like you can breathe but not nearly long or deep enough and if you breathe too hard it sets you off coughing

JeresaLove · 23/10/2023 08:51

Doing much better thank you! Medication manages some of the things I was complaining about, and the arterial stent is going its job. Luckily not collapse or go into cardiac arrest so long term damage to heart was avoided. Biggest problem now is picking up every virus going still :( already had Covid again and another respiratory virus this autumn!

Original poster
Orangesandlemons82 · 23/10/2023 14:30

@JeresaLove glad to hear you are doing well!

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Original poster
Orangesandlemons82 · 23/10/2023 14:32

I have seen the GP this morning and he has referred me for a 24hr ECG and prescribed montelukast as he said that he could still hear a wheeze despite the prednisolone

OP posts:
Rockgod · 23/10/2023 16:32

HappyHolidai · 23/10/2023 02:53

If it is long Covid then rest and pacing are key. Do very little; gradually you may feel you can do more but do less than you think you can, so you never overdo it.

Took me about 6m for the fatigue to fully go and another 2.5m to feel properly ok again.

This is the best - most wise and sensible - advice you’ll get.

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