Covid for 4 weeks & still bed ridden. Anyone else had prolonged severe illness without hospitalization

Mine was crazy for three weeks, but then I just accepted that it is post viral and it will take time, a lot of time. What I read it can take up to 12 weeks so better brace yourself as it may be long marathon. For sleep I take melatonin as it is natural and on the top of that it is great antioxidant. I tried OTC sleeping pills but they are based on antihistamines and which dried my lungs and was painful. Just accept the longevity of recovery, that's the only advice I can think of.

I certainly know your not alone with the anxiety Alison I had it and I have never had it in my life so it scared me too you are a few weeks behind me so I know how you are feeling but I can assure you it is from covid it came and went with me got it mostly at night but I got most of my other symptoms at night as well it will get better just like everything else Gary

Hi Alison the anxiety is awful, I had it worst at around 5 weeks when I had my first relapse. Had 2 panic attacks when I had never had any in my life, but actually the panic attacks were a turning point for me with the anxiety as I was able to pinpoint the feelings that were anxiety as opposed to the virus, and now I know every time I have a racing heart following negative thinking or I feel like crying it's just the anxiety. It takes time to recover from the virus like the others have said but you have support here if you feel you need talk it out.

hi, I am on week 9 today, have had a really good week, but last night felt unwell again and then the anxiety gets you - you cant tell if its in your head or you really do have chest pain and breathing issues. I was seen at my GPs today who have done ecg which was fine and have taken bloods. I thought I had got past nearly all the symptoms, was having just good days, but have to accept that there will be good and then the odd bad day. trouble is when the bad day comes it drags you right back down and you wonder if ut will end. BUT it will end and there are many more good days than bad as the weeks go by. Hang in and understand that the anxiety will get easier.

Hi and hello everyone... I think I'm on around week 13... Feeling alot better and most of symptoms (and there was many) have disappeared however I overdone it yesterday... Went for a long walk and a bit jogging and though I felt good at the time in evening my breathing wasn't so good. I rested for the rest of evening and after an hour or so my breathing came back to normal. No issues at night and today its been another good day . I think my lungs are getting better but not ready for jogging yet!!!!

Stay positive... It takes time but We Will Get Better

Hi Diane I nearly went for the jogging today and pulled out just going to build up to it and get there though walking its not nice when people jog past you that normally wouldn't but hey every dog has its day 😂 hopefully this time soon it will be all of us Gary

Yes Gazza I think you're right it's better to built up to it.... I suppose I'm not there yet but definitely getting better. I was worried it might take me back a few steps but it didn't. Resting in garden today but will go for walk again tomorrow and keep building on that 👍

Hi Allison my anxiety was really bad and sleeping, he gave me 2mg of diazepam to take when I got anxious and zopiclone 3.75 mg for bedtime,also a antidepressant,I lost my dad not long ago and think it all got on top of me. I'm on week 10 now and feeling alot more calm out walking, drove car yesterday to beach and went to sainsburys with hubby 1st time today and was fine. Keep at it, it will get better for us all 💜

Hi Diane I know you are a few weeks in front of us all but was there a point roughly when you felt like the turning point I mean like started to feel like you got a few days in a row without it biting back like a few weeks ago or just lately thanks in advance Gary

I'm on week #13. My anxiety is through the roof. Every time I read something online that scares me I get anxious for the next week and feel more tired and can't sleep properly. For example I read about Post Viral Fatigue / CFS and went downhill, I read that people take 10+ weeks to recover and went downhill, I read about Covid-19 possibly damaging your central nervous system and couldn't sleep properly for 2 nights.

Currently I get these symptoms

• Fatigue
• Trouble sleeping (waking every hour, trouble falling / staying asleep, poor quality)
• Hot flushes/ sweating
• Mild sore throat / runny nose upon exertion
• Heart palpitations (mild) especially in bed (not fast, but I can feel it beating)
• Feels like I'm breathing manually, especially in bed
• Feels like I stop breathing when as I fall asleep
• Lastly anxiety and mild depression

All the above can be caused by any of the three things below:

• Heavy anxiety
• Covid-19 (suspected, never tested)
• Recently discovered Vitamin D deficiency

So I'm in a pretty confused place right now....

Really do think alot of our problems are more mental health, which create our body's to over respond and be on high alert to all our symptoms especially the breathing stuff. What do u all think?

I do think we've all had covid - 19 as the symptoms are the same. My gp definitely thinks I've had it but was not tested as got late March and testing wasn't as good then.

That all sounds really scary, have your symptoms decreased over the weeks?

My plan is to avoid all media and searching the Internet. I need as much positivity as possible.

This forum helps loads, keep logging in.

Hi Alison

I had many nights like this around week 5/6 and think many of us on here did - I literally dreaded night time and anything could set me off but mainly my breathing problems and lung pain which was my main symptom. As it got dark I'd feel the anxiety rising - I had a couple of nights Id woken and not been able to fill my lungs so was then terrified to go to sleep so it was a vicious circle - I was anxious and exhausted and no appetite, I could just feel myself getting weaker and weaker. My eldest son gave me a really firm talking to, told me to read a book the Power of Now - it was very positive and also distracted me and the general message was stop worrying about what might happen and listening to the negative voices in your head.. At my worst I could not concentrate on anything I just sat stressing every evening getting myself worked up. Something changed for me and it coincided with beginning to see very small improvements so the anxiety subsided a little and also I became familiar with the symptoms - I think early on when you keeping getting new symptoms it makes you feel even more anxious. I also invested in an Oximeter which helped I checked my Oxygen levels before bed which was reassuring as they were ok, made myself a Peppermint tea which helped me relax and things started to get better.

I have never felt so alone in my life as during this illness and only the support of everyone on here and knowing you are understood has been my saviour.

Maybe do some deep breathing exercises when you feel the panic rising, live in the "now" don't go down the "what if ".. path. It's amazing how powerful the mind is.

Wishing you the very best, try and have a peaceful night tonight x

Anxiety plays a huge part in this virus, from the virus itself but I think it triggers a response from ourselves. We were inundated with all the hyped up media coverage about deaths and such every day. It's lasting longer than other viruses we know and the doctors are all learning as well. No wonder we are anxious. At least we can look to each other on here for reassurance when we are struggling knowing we are not going through it on our own.

I think turning point for me was around 2 weeks ago. Symptoms seemed to come and go within 30 min... And started to sleep better. I think that made a difference for me. Also I don't suffer from anxiety and keeping positive is important. I've

Hi Susan,

I think maybe a bit of both I'm in week 6 now and I tested positive with all symptoms , as most of us have had.I've since tested negative.

I 've had short spells of anxiety but I don't feel they made my symptoms necessarily worse .

Even when I'm calm which is most of the time now I'm still suffering with insomnia, breathlessness,heart flutters , headaches among many others.

I do agree that we are all more alert about any changes our bodies are going through though, especially bad ones and that will make us respond with a level of anxiety x

You are doing well, its great to such improvement even though the anxiety is still there. Night's are the hardest for me, as I think it is for others, I really needed help last night. Praying for a better night tonight.

Sorry about your loss, the virus is the last thing you needed.

Thank you for replying

I think turning point for me was around 2 weeks ago. Although some symptoms still persisted they weren't lasting more than 30 min... Like I still kept getting a sore throat but suddenly as quick as it came it went. Also fatigue was getting less and less, I noticed my back ache was better even without paracetamol... My breathing is the only symptom I have now and that's only when I over do it.. Like yesterday!! I'm taking multivitamins and vitamin D and I've been doing breathing exercises. I'm not an anxious person and when you're fighting this you need to be positive and believe that you are winning and kick this covid in the backside... Lol 😁

You sound like you are improving and as we all know it will take time but it's dealing with the with the I between that the hardest. I look forward to watching you all over the next few weeks as one by one you get better.

Thank you for replying

Thanks for the reply Diane it's only because I have started to feel better but I know that happened to me quite a few times before I'm also quite a positive person and never used to worry much till little sugar got hold of me and also like most people on here didn't have a clue what the sugar was going on as I have nearly had two good days not night's and tomorrow is my week 10 it's like a anniversary and I'm going to use week 12 as my turning point if I'm OK I will go back to work Gary

Haven't replied for a few weeks now.

On Week 12.

Not sure if this helps...but i can now genuinely say that these last few days i reckon i'm 95% normal now...last week was 90% and the week before that 80%.

My flu like symptoms (at the end of my '3rd' attack) have not returned for the last 3 weeks.

Probably the last 10 days i have not had any aches/pains/burning/tightness in my lung area other than the two mile walk i did 7 days ago, it was slightly noticeable a few hours after that a smidgen of tightness and heaviness returned to that area of the body for an hour or so.

I would say since the start of this week i actually feel both mentally but more importantly physically to now WANT to do some light physical exercise every day without fear of repercussion.

I honestly dont know what to say to people still suffering, other than i'm 100% sure you will ALL get much better, but it takes time...and for some it will be less than mine and unfortunately for others it will be more.

All i can add perhaps is that for me i sort at the height of it i did accept i was in a fight (not for life) but to get over it fully, not in an instant, but by breaking it down bit by bit, baby step by baby step and slowly but surely you will inch back to normal physical and mental well being. I may be fortunate to know i'm nearly there

But please everyone try (so easy to say) do not get to despondent, and there will come a time for that breakthrough day or moment when you suddenly realise i feel that bit better and defintely that bit stronger. I just know you all will.

My heart goes to you all and i will tune in as and when hoping to hear a few similar stories as mine.

Thanks Dilp

So good to hear such positive news from you and so happy you are nearly there and yes I think this is a long haul recovery but with the baby steps you mention and plenty of rest in between we will all get there. I definitely think the positive mindset helps but as you say, in the midst of this awful illness, it is so hard to stay upbeat and is something need to constantly work on.

All the best,

Lx

Yes exactly the same as what lulu said we are only a couple of weeks behind you and each week is difficult but it helps to know that there are others whom are getting there so we can push on as well thank you dilp for your words they will help Gary

Thanks for your post Dilp. It's really encouraging to hear about your recovery. I'm nearly 11 weeks and experiencing a setback with a new (again!) symptom of strange tightness on the chest which is worse on exertion so really trying to take it easy. It's been quite a difficult day but I'm not panicking as I have had so many symptoms come and go and hope that this will pass quick.

What I still do not understand is why the media are not reporting on the long recovery times - it is as if there is a cover up and no mention of all the people struggling to recover at home - keep hearing about mild cases and hospital cases but NOTHING about people at home with awful symptoms taking weeks to recover and there has to be thousands of us all in the same boat but radio silence. Why is this? It is totally misleading but not sure how you can get this out there.

I have had no response to my email to Dominic Raab - still hopeful he will respond but nothing as yet.

Feeling angry about it all tonight - lack of guidance and support is not right. There should be Covid helplines both for medical and mental health reassurance.

Lx

Hi Lulu ,

Totally agree with you,had no reply from my MP either.

Very frustrating ! x

Just to add I've emailed BBC news now.

Not sure it will be looked at but worth a try

yourquestions@bbc.co.uk

x

Hi lulu,

I've replied to your message but waiting to be moderated...I included an email address.

Not heard from my MP either so emailed the BBC. Worth a try x

Definitely Dawn, I emailed the Daily Mail a week or so ago!! They normally love a misery/doom and gloom story - we could provide them with plenty between us!

Go Lulu !

True you'ld think they would jump on it x

We've all been lucky enough to find this forum but what about the ones who haven't and are suffering alone !! Like many of you have mentioned night times were the scariest times for me. Not knowing what would happen, living day to day willing the weeks to go by hoping the symptoms would subside. There's defo a cover up with regards recovery time. Goodnight all

Morning guys and girls same old crack night dry and left window open bit of fatigue will have a walk in answer to your post lulu your right about the daily mail and they done an article on something similar on the 9th May I did read one a while back from the guardian similar they do know but I feel the same as you they don't highlight it because they got enough problems with their own soldiers breaking rules and their tests all going wrong etc sooner or later the sun or star will pick up on it my company are due to put out a well being survey to see how people are doing during the coronavirus crisis I actually laughed when I saw the email while reading it with fatigue and a headache try to enjoy your day guys and girls what medication to take first gary

Totally agree Steph

I really feel for the people going through this alone and wondering what the hell is happening. I do sometimes think about emailing the (e. g.) BBC and that perhaps if we all did it they would pick up on it. Would we all be willing to do that? Just a thought.

Mary x

Morning Mary

Definitely we should all do that probably keep it short and to the point (ha ha coming from ME!) and spell out the true recovery time and symptoms.

I have 2.00 appointment with consultant I have list of everything people asked so far if anything else to add anyone please let me know.

Have a good day.

Lx

Morning Mary,

That would be a good idea.

I kept it quite short and to the point and didn't make it personal .

I think the louder we shout the better.

We are through the worst but like Steph said others are still going through this x

Morning Lulu,

Fingers crossed for your appointment today really hope it's good news.x

Morning Gary,

Well at least you laughed always a good medicine.

I woke up laughing from a dream this morning ,must be a sign of things getting better.

I've yet to get up though, like you headache groggy.

Have a good day and enjoy the sunshine x

I'll email today x

I'm aiming for 1st July to go back to work Gary we can do this

Hope all good lulu today 💜

Morning dawn yes you gotta laugh or grab the medication for some reason I fall asleep then wake up sweats drink then try again I do get these major headaches from time to time took it for a walk this morning it wanted to come wouldn't go when I went to the shops as well little sugar back home now chill for a while see if ibuprofen wants to play with it 😂 have a good day it's my anniversary today as well 10 weeks got a week and a day to try shake off whatever he has left for me then I will have to say yes or no to work try and have a good day Gary

Maybe now the covid has calmed down alot on the hospitals the NHS and Dr's etc will look into why so many people at home have taken longer to recover, prob if we had been on observation wards rather then left at home with no medical help it might be a different story.

Has anyone taken any blood tests for this?

Exactly Susan we have to keep trying to get over the next hurdle and beat the little s t enjoy the sunshine

I had blood tests done Weds - get results this p.m. seemed to take loads about five vials - maybe he's planning to sell it for the anti bodies?!

Will post all my results later this afternoon.

Lx

Thank you Susan and everyone - will update later with this week's (!) answers to our questions and what results show.

Enjoy your day

Lx

HI hope your days going well, I have beta blockers in the house and was told not to take them when i phoned 111 a while back he didnt go into too much detail but advised me to use natural remedies for anxiety i think you should phone 111 and ask to speak to a doctor. make sure you ask for a doctor or else you'll just speak to a receptionist.

Hi oz I haven't had a test done

I will say my gp has been great but only by phone or video and the paramedics when I was feeling bad, the hospital who checked me and did a xray and 111 but its not like being on a obs ward and being kept a eye on when we have all been feeling really ill and struggling.

Not surprised ,given his week, he has not responded as yet! Hopefully if he stops getting hounded he can get back to work.

Good luck today Lulu.

I've not been very active this week. Just not been well enough to write much.

It's not so much symptoms now, although they come and go still..I'm just completely exhausted.

I had M.E before this illness but had not had a bad relapse in 10 years. This week I've struggled a lot though.

Even simple stuff shatters me.

Have upped my walking and it feels good at the time but afterwards i need to lie down am so tired.

Feel really flat this week. Hope I get another little spurt of energy like the previous week where I felt a lot better.

Look forward to hearing your news anyway.

Sorry to hear this Res. Sometimes I have a few bad days and start to feel down too. What usually helps is remembering how bad I felt during the worst of this and seeing how far I have come. Usually I don't think of this myself because all I can think of is here and now and my family has to remind me. Even being able to walk just a short distance is a huge leap from where we were. We will get there.

You will res

Hi Res

Really sorry to hear this - it must be tough especially having ME in the past and now be faced with this. The exhaustion is awful Ive always been super active, almost a bit hyper(!), and come 7.00 I am now completely wiped out - to the point of not being able to face cooking dinner. I also understand the feeling flat - it just sometimes gets to you - the amount of time we have felt so unwell and the long road to recovery sometimes feels will never come and I always feel friends/family just don't "get" how hard this illness has been both physically and mentally - why would they?? I always think about the saying "until you have walked in my shoes" it is so true and none of us fully understand something we have not experienced ourselves.

My consultant messed up my appointment today so now rescheduled for 5.00 on Weds. Am not happy but his secretary explained these are unprecedented times and everyone is working in hugely stressful conditions - I did point out I was paying and expected a better service but at the end of day wasn't her fault. She told me my bloods were all perfectly fine and mumbled something about no ongoing chronic condition from CT scan but that I had to wait to speak to consultant on Weds but she said nothing to worry about - not sure she was qualified to tell me that but on the other hand if it was something bad surely he would have made himself available today to speak to me? So sorry but will have to wait until 5.00 Weds for answers to all the questions - we will probably have added to the list by then!

My friend and I went on a walk through Epping Forest today and managed to get seriously lost - was walking for 2 hours and did 10,500 steps and climed equivalent of 19 flights of stairs - just what you need when you have breathing issues!

Anyway, bit of a frustrating day but as Rufio said we need to remember how bad things were and seems mostly we are all heading in the right direction - with a few blips along the way.

Enjoy the weekend (sorry ANOTHER long post!!)

Lx

oh that's a shame, Lulu, having to wait again for results, but at least you know they're ok.

wow, that's a long walk! you're doing well with walking. I'm not doing as much now, My chest is a bit sore, and with the heat as well, I'm finding it really draining. I'm not moaning about this lovely weather though, there's plenty of benches in the park.

Hope you're feeling better soon, Res, and everyone else is ok

Have a good weekend x

Glad all seems to be OK with you lulu and I'm sure consultant will clarify that next Wed for you 💖

Thanks Susan, enjoy your weekend, hope things are going well for you x

Sorry to see your having a bad time res it's not good when you get a good patch and it deflates you I was having a good couple of days then went into town to try to pick something up for dry mouth not only was it shut but little sugar turned on me when I got back put me back on my back side again feel ok now but it let me know not to over do it little s t was me anniversary of 10 weeks as well hope your feeling a lot better soon because I feel you have really helped me to get this far because I and lots of others suffering wouldn't have known what was going on if it wasn't for you Gary

Oh no not good day for you either lulu it's not Friday 13th is it at least your bloods and ct scan are OK and that you had a good walk take a compass in future try and have a good evening all Gary

Thanks Gary, won't be confident about scans until speak to the specialist but for some reasons appointment had not been booked in for today so Wednesday it is.

Ha! I am useless with a map and a compass think I'll stick to drinking Prosecco on the green in future!

Enjoy your evening. I've just been signed off for another two weeks - that will make 9 weeks off work in total - unbelievable and lucky for me that my employer is very understanding and concerned.

Lx

Yes stick to the prosecco on the green it is good that you have an understanding employer mine too have been good too have to wait till next week to see if I can go back and do my job if I can't then they might think I'm taking the mickey no good asking the gp she told me I was fine to go back to work like to see her do it in the same condition that's my rant over enjoy the rest of your evening too Gary

My swab test result returned as negative. However, I still have a feeling of tightness in my chest and difficult in sleeping. There are days where I have swollen glands near my throat causing a sore throat. I guess we will all have to wait for an antibody test and a proper consultation with a GP. Even though the peak of the symptoms were a few weeks ago, the symptoms still persist.

You are probably like the rest of us in that you are now post virus and recovering so would expect a negative result - how many weeks in are you? I am coming up for 10 weeks and my specialist suggested last week it could be another 6/8 weeks so around 4 months in total to recover. So much for the publicised 2/3 week recovery period. I too am still getting a sore throat after all this time.

Wishing you better soon.

Lx

I know I might have asked this before but my brain sometimes forgets well quite a lot really now that my swabs were negative even though I know I'm still ill after what now is well post viral we are no longer infectious is that correct they do know now Gary

Hi Lulu,

Sorry to hear your appointment was rescheduled how disappointing for you.

It does however sound promising but I do understand that you'll not be satisfied till you've spoken to the specialist.

Hope you have a good day today x

Hi Gary

I believe so I have a letter received last week from my specialist to my GP and copying me in..saying "most likely Covid-19 infection over 6 weeks ago, now recovering".I agree with your early diagnosis (GP was the one who diagnosed it) and I consider that she is now on the mend. He also says he has told me "to continue with normal life" and her exercise. He said on the phone he would consider me post virus and a person is most infectious 5 days prior to symptoms and for 14 days from symptoms. That is why if you know someone infected you need to isolate for 14 days and then you are considered not infectious and can be let out again!!

Take care,

Enjoy your time with the kids.

Lx

Thanks Dawn

I was really psyched up for results yesterday so felt really disappointed but what is another few days in this ongoing saga!

How are you getting on? Seeing improvements?

Btw Mary .. I emailed the BBC last night - highlighted our plight once again!

Take care,

Lxx

Hi Lulu ,

Mixed bag yesterday but feel a bit brighter after a groggy morning .

I recieved a reply from my MP a very long one actually but mostly filled with sympathy that I had caught the virus then a long paragraph about calling 111 blah blah if symptoms get worse blah blah.At the end he did say you mention about action that could be taken ..what do you suggest? I'm happy to take this further for you, Blah blah.......Really? use your brain you're the MP and I'm ill

So I sent a reply emphasising things I had already said but finished with.... We all need a lot more medical support, possibly some kind of direct helpline rather than trying to navigate the internet ,acknowledgement and for some real recovery times published. x

Ugh I was supposed to give it a go at work today but doctor said not to go. I was trying to be positive and figured I could tough it out, but I guess he is right. I can't be working with chest pain, especially since my job can be very physically demanding. Hopefully another week of rest will show big improvement. I hope folks are having a good day.

Thanks lulu I just wanted to check because they are getting most things wrong with the virus maybe this country will start to work it out one day had another good day but now let's see how it pans out tonight waiting for a sweat free one enjoy yourself whatever your up to gary

Things can change during the day can't they? - either improve as day goes on or deteriorate - you are never quite sure which way!! but glad you are feeling brighter this afternoon.

It is good that he replied and yes funnily enough we all know about 111!! Sounds like you have got the point across though and I really hope he does escalate this - we need medical support and also mental health support and also feel so frustrated about the real recovery time not being mentioned - all the things you have emphasised so fingers crossed it is a step in right direction.

Enjoy the evening x

It is frustrating but if you go back too early it will just cause a set back - I think we have all learnt that. I definitely overdid the walk yesterday 4.5 miles mostly uphill - what a stupid thing to do! I think we are all desperate to get on with our lives but there is no fast forward with this virus. Hopefully another week and you will be ready for work but if it takes longer you need to take the time out to fully recover.

Have a good evening,

Lx

My symptoms started from the end of March and lasted for two weeks, then a few days later the symptoms relapsed and now its been on and off since.

Thanks Lulu you are right. As hard as it is, I have to be patient.

Oz that's about what happened with me. Same time frame as well. Although I didn't know chest pain was a symptom back then. I didn't get the extreme fatigue, GI symptoms and loss of appetite until late April.