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

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Res35
Res35

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

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  • stuart68c
    stuart68c Res35

    Edited

    Hi everyone, thought I'd update you. I have just finished speaking to a respiratory nurse at my gp surgery. She called to tell me about my Xray results. It turns out that I have a blockage or collapsed area of my left lung. It's called Atelectasis. She thinks it's probably a blockage of mucus caused by the virus and certain alveoli aren't inflating. She was very nice and spoke to me for quite a while. She said if I still have problems in 6 weeks they will need to Xray me again to make sure it has gone. If its still there then I will be referred to specialists. She seems to think it will unblock itself.

    She has sent me instructions for a breathing exercise (I already do some) and also chest percussions which she says will help to shift the blockage. I'll let you know about them when I have had time to check them out.

    She said she is coming across more people with our symptoms, but nobody knows the outcome yet.

    She said exercise is important if possible but not to do too much, and do it every other day. Keep within sensible limits.

    She also said that alcohol was a bad mix with breathing problems. So keep off everyone!

    I'm obviously a little bit worried about this but there's no point me worrying needlessly just yet. When I had my Xray on Friday I felt awful and my breathing was terrible, since then I have had 4 days of improvement so maybe it has already shifted. I'm not giving up hope 😎

    in a weird way I'm relieved, at least the doc can't say it's anxiety now!!!

    Best wishes to you all. Get well soon.

    • jim90098
      jim90098 stuart68c

      Edited

      Hi Stuart,

      Totally agree with you not to panic, as if they were concerned you'd be going back for a further x-ray and to see a specialist straight away.

      When you've had a look at the exercises and percussions I'd truly appreciate them being published on here.

      I am sure everyone will be assisted by them however their symptoms are manifesting themselves.

      As you said to me the other day, chin up, which I have no doubt you will.

      Take care.

    • Rufio222
      Rufio222 stuart68c

      Edited

      Glad to hear that the nurse thinks it will clear on its own. All the best!

    • stuart68c
      stuart68c Rufio222

      Edited

      Hey Jim and Rufio, thanks for the words.

      Really appreciate it.

      Jim here are the links that I was sent. The nurse only mentioned the lying down exercise but I have done the other exercises listed too. She told me twice a day do do it:

      I coughed a lot afterward doing each exercise and spat out a lot of white froth. Felt kind of good... I think.

      She didn't have any notes for the percussion exercise, so she sent me a YouTube video link. I have looked online and there are lots of things about chest percussion. She said herself to check out others if I preferred.

      I hope these are of some use to everyone who is struggling. All the best everybody. Good luck!!

      Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.

    • stuart68c
      stuart68c jim90098

      Edited

      Hi Jim, I posted the links but it is waiting for moderation. If there's a problem I'll pm you. Cheers

    • jim90098
      jim90098 stuart68c

      Edited

      Top man Stuart, appreciate that.

      Ive tried out the honey and lemon drink this afternoon and its quiet nice. Give it a bash, soothing for the old throat.

      I asked the wife to have a go at the percussions. She declined. I think shes finally fed up with it all. Not used to having to do everything for me and to be fair shes not really seen the worse of it, as I was isolating and its been nearly 7 weeks.

      My son had a go but didnt get anything up.

      Hope your evening is good and you sleep well.

      I did something earlier, which was really stupid. I started reading the news. Sometimes I shudder at my own stupidity.

    • Res35
      Res35 stuart68c

      Edited

      That sounds great Stuart!

      Hopefully the links will be allowed to be shown as very interested in that!

      Glad you got a good source of advice.

      I am cherishing every moment of renewed health right now! I'm by no means back to normal but compared to even 2 weeks ago it's night and day.

      The exercise was tough to begin with but gradually over 2 weeks have upped it from 10 minute walks to 30! Who knew I'd be delighted by that! lol

      Hope you continue to improve!

    • MRMR
      MRMR jim90098

      Edited

      Jim

      It's so hard to avoid the news, but it really can be depressing and start negative thoughts, so try and avoid if you can😁😁.

      Stuart

      Thanks for sharing. If they were overly concerned, you'd be in hospital pronto. I know what you mean about them having something to go on rather than thinking it's only anxiety. You'll be ok👍👍

      Mary x

    • stuart68c
      stuart68c MRMR

      Edited

      Thank you Mary, I agree. Take care and get well.

    • stuart68c
      stuart68c jim90098

      Edited

      Thanks Jim. I have been on the honey and lemon for weeks. Its a treat.

      Keep away from the news old chap. I cut out newspapers, TV news and all social media from my life a while back. I'm much happier for it. Sorry my post hasn't made it through the mods yet I'll pm you the links so you can get on with the exercises. Have a good evening.

    • stuart68c
      stuart68c Res35

      Edited

      Thanks Res, I appreciate your words. I'm very happy that you're improving. Keep it up. I'm going to pm you the links as the mods are taking a while with my post. Have a good evening.

    • jim90098
      jim90098 stuart68c

      Edited

      Stuart,

      I appreciate everything you have done for me. Your advice has been very comforting.

      Whilst all this has been going on I seem to have lost my usual common sense and need knocking back on track.

      Cheers Stuart,

      Jim.

    • Lulu2020
      Lulu2020 Res35

      Edited

      Hi Res

      Glad you are feeling so much better over last couple of weeks. I think we are at about same stage 8.5 weeks? Can you let me know what the improvements are and what symptoms you still have and how they affect you now as opposed to two weeks ago? I too am able to walk for around 30 mins - is that on the flat or also on incline? Am feeling a bit anxious after the hyperinflated lung conversation with the doctor and just wondered if am on a similar trajectory as you (I know we shouldn't compare but just need a little reassurance at moment) I have just lost sight as to whether I am getting better or not - some days I think so and others (like today) feel very low and struggling to see it.

      Thanks so much x

    • stuart68c
      stuart68c jim90098

      Edited

      Glad to have been of some use Jim. This thread has been great for me as a source of information and comfort. None of my family or friends have a clue what I'm going through really, that's not their fault of course, but although I don't know anyone here I feel that I can relate to you all and talk freely, even though you're all strangers. Thank goodness for this thread, I don't know what I would have done without it.

      Well done Res for starting it.

    • Gazza10
      Gazza10 stuart68c

      Edited

      Morning guys and girls had a bit of a mixed night as you know went back to work yesterday didn't try and over do it told the lads also that I would have to gently work my way back in well was right little sugar put me down till this morning don't have to go in will go again tomorrow only in my case others may be OK but he done me one day at a time it looks like the case for me and many hope you had a good night Gary

    • jim90098
      jim90098 Gazza10

      Edited

      Morning Gary,

      I hope your day goes well and improves.

      Really impressed you made it into work yesterday.

      Have a good rest today and I'm sure you'll be back tomorrow.

      Jim.

    • Gazza10
      Gazza10 jim90098

      Edited

      Thanks Jim I will rest today gotta try and get the dehydration sorted I just can't seem to shake it off never over done it yesterday I did sort of expect it to be a little tired but got to expect it I suppose Gary

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