Covid for 4 weeks & still bed ridden. Anyone else had prolonged severe illness without hospitalization
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Hi,
I've had Covid19 for 4 weeks and if I had the energy I'd be tearing my hair out.
I've had 2 sets of prohylactic antibiotics to safeguard against bacterial infections, my temperature has been up and down but never higher than 38 the entire illness.
I've had severe neuropathy during the illness and some kind of night seizures accompanying the other more well publicised symptoms that mean my sleep is terrible also.
I went to hospital Day 14 after a week of seriously thinking I'm on death's door and my blood oxygen was good enough to be sent home for follow up at the Covid Hubs where they basically just take temperature, pulse and oxygen levels.
I was prescribed a 2nd course of antibiotics there as my temperature was still up and they are checking in on me every few days.
Meanwhile I am having one better day, then another terrible day, then a better day then a worse day..But 'better' is still bed ridden, just means I can breath well enough and not too dizzy to make myself my own cup of tea, have a shower and engage in some small talk with my family.
Everytime I have a good few hours I think, that must be me getting well now, but no, 4 weeks later and the last 24 hrs my breathlessness has been worse than it was for the previous 5 days..Am about ready to shoot myself.
Is there anyone else that's experienced being so ill with this virus outside of an ICU setting where it's carried on this long?
Even ICU patients are recovering in 3-6weeks .
Cannot understand why I'm not getting well yet.
I have no underlying health issues and I'm in my 30s.
I don't know if I still have Covid or if this is post viral inflammation and fatigue..There is no way of knowing as they are not testing community cases. Every doctor just says it's definitely Covid but I have no idea if I've passed the peak of the illness or if i should still be worried it could get worse.
Just feel it's going on forever.
Be great to know if there's any non hospital stories of people being sick, as in still unable to do a thing this length of time.
Thanks!
19 likes, 5383 replies
Elizaphant Res35
Edited
Have just come across the following info & found it extremely interesting & helpful. Also partly explains the longevity of illness some of us are experiencing.
https://www.meassociation.org.uk/2020/04/covid-19-and-post-viral-fatigue-syndrome-by-dr-charles-shepherd-30-april-2020/
MRMR Elizaphant
Posted
Thanks for this Elizaphant. Very useful. I'll definitely bear this in mind.
Res35 Elizaphant
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I already have M.E😱 . No wonder I'm f****d!
Thanks for this!
lia81391 Elizaphant
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thank you Elizaphant!
someone mentioned this a few days ago in the thread but the information available online pales in comparison to this leaflet.
of course it's frustrating dealing with this day to day but it gives hope when there is concrete advice to speed recovery and things to avoid to prolong it.
also, someone asked about partners. my husband had a few days of stomach discomfort and fatigue about a week or 2 after my symptoms started. that was over a month ago and he is also back to running every other day and living life normally. he has also implied that I am making up my symptoms this far out which is unfair but c'est la vie. I am happier it's me not him sick.
for dee, I am very sorry about your husband's cancer. surely the stress alone of that must be exasperating your condition.
keeping everyone in this group in my thoughts and prayers.
richard53574 Res35
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Also The best thing to do is stop watching the news and try to fill your head with good thoughts.My wifes patients take about 4 to six weeks on average to see signs of getting better .Thats not everybody though some more and some less.and take something for anxiety it really helps good luck to everybody
mary25726 richard53574
Posted
what could I take for anxiety please
Lulu2020 Res35
Edited
How is everyone feeling today? Any improvements or still battling through? My main symptom at the moment is the burning sensation in my chest, lungs, throat when I inhale deeply - has anyone had this? I have been lying in the sunshine hoping it will help. I am still thinking it is inflammation as it gets worse during the course of the day - the more I talk, breathe etc and then seems easier when I first wake up in the morning and have rested.
Anyway hope people are making progress and feeling less anxious - it never seems quite so bad during the day especially when it is sunny - night time is when it gets hard for me.
MRMR Lulu2020
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Lulu
I feel awful now, very breathless and weak. Throat getting worse. I know what you mean by night time. I personally dread it as worried about falling asleep. I am trying to be positive and not hyperventilate because of anxiety.
Best wishes to all x
Res35 Lulu2020
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Not had it last few days but I've def had the burning sensation in chest getting worse as day progressed.
Today I've been proper breathless all day again though. Super annoying!
MRMR Res35
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I've just come home from 4th trip to A and E with severe breathlessness. Have had symptoms now on and off (mostly on) for 5 weeks. Each time chest xray is clear, bloods normal and ecg OK. I am a 52 woman and normally have no chest problems. Am very tired, short of breath and weak. Not always in bed, but otherwise attached to sofa. Getting very mild cough now, have hoarse voice and wheeze on expiration. Had prophylactic antibiotics 2 weeks ago. Feel very worried about this and that I will be left with permanent problems. It is so frightening. Have had negative swab - taken on 27th April - which I am sure is false negative. Continue to have weird full- body shivers, mainly at night. Good to know I not going mad, as I felt very down with it. My 12 year old daughter has been unwell for 4 weeks with high temp, bad headache and a do pain.
Lulu2020 MRMR
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It truly is awful but good that you have been checked out properly and been sent home. Most people on here seem to be several weeks in and the improvement is very slow with ups and downs along the way. I have just spoken to my son who said he thought I seemed quite a bit better but I can't really see it myself and about an hour ago was thinking of phoning 111 as my chest was so painful on inhalation - I have since been coughing a lot after a short walk and it feels less painful - problem is the symptoms change all the time so you never know where you are. I too am worried about having permanent problems. It would think it is good that you have a negative reading - hopefully virus has left you and you are dealing with the aftermath. Wishing you and your daughter better soon.
dee89889 MRMR
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Hi MRMR
Sounds like you're having a scary time. What do they say to you in A&E once everything comes back clear? I had a similar experience a couple of weeks ago, although it was heart palpitations with some chest pain that led to the A&E visit. Dr put it down to anxiety but I'm not so sure. I can't see that we're all suffering from a kind of collective anxiety causing us these problems.
I completely understand your concern with any lasting issues. I really do feel that people in our situation should be monitored regularly and whilst I haven't really had shortness of breath - more like chest tightness, it is my heart that worries me even though the A&E visit ECG was normal.
I hope things start to improve for you (and all of us soon)
MRMR Lulu2020
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Thank you. Bit tearful today.
MRMR dee89889
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Hi Dee
Docs say that, as chest clear and oxygen sats OK, they can't do anything for me. Feel that they think I'm either a nuisance or have Munchausens. That may be my paranoia of course.
Anyway, have a good sleep everyone x
dee89889 MRMR
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I really feel for you - this is such a lonely situation. This is a good site for support.
I do hope you get a restful night xx
Res35 MRMR
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Think we all feel like a nuisance right now😂 .
Have to just hope some of these trials come off and they have some meds that will be put out into the general population soon.
Also, once lockdowns are over I imagine if anyone is experiencing longer term problems they can push for CT scans to check more specifically for any lung damage etc.
There's been a few cases I've read about where Covid was not showing up on xray but was showing up on CT...Not sure why that is..It usually would show up on Xray though if it was a problematic pneumonia which I guess is why a lot of people admitted for breathing have positive Xrays..so it's still good to get a clear xray I guess.
Hope you have better days to come. Hope we all do. I will be 6 weeks on Monday.
dee89889 Res35
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oh no! I thought a clear x-ray was good news - my GP seemed to think it was. I'm worried that if I were to have another one it would be different - I'm going to hve to find a way of going back to A&E- There's just so little clarity on this and I don't know whether I should be trusting what my Drs are saying. People like us really should be monitored.
Res35 dee89889
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I think a clear X-ray def is a good sign! It's just that I've read of cases where the X-ray was clear and the CT scan was not...But those were interestingly NOT cases that ended up in a bad way in hospital for Covid breathing difficulties. One guy actually had testicular pain and stomach pain..was a weird one! They accidentally spotted the spots in his lower lungs that the X-ray had not picked up when they did a CT but he was presenting with different symptoms entirely . His breathing was fine.
I think if you have this virus though in the way that ends up with not being able to breath independently and hospitalised then it is most likely your x-ray would not be clear..So do be reassured! Def not suggesting a chest x-ray is useless. It's very useful.
I had one and I take it as a good sign that my chest pain is probably mainly inflammation at this point.
I think they just don't have resources to monitor those of us who are struggling but not critical. Not just resources, but actual ability to treat this. At this point their hands are tied. Trials are in process for drugs but nothing cleared. The best they can do is give oxygen if you need it and if you don't give you prohylactic antibiotics and hope for the best. It's def not perfect but we are just unlucky to be in the first round of a pandemic. Everyone's learning on the job..Them and us.
dee89889 Res35
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Thanks Res - I'm having a bad night so I found this reassuring!
Very valid points - we really are in the unknown and let's hope some of these trials are successful. However, looking at post-viral impact of other viral illnesses , that can be just as debilitating as the actual illness.
Take care - here's to a better day tomorrow x
mary25726 dee89889
Posted
hi have your palpatations improved as I'm going mad her with them post covid