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
jim90098 Res35
Edited
Morning guys,
I had the standard 5 hours sleep, so no change there.
Received a text from my surgery this morning regarding my blood test. My sodium level is back to normal and my blood test is fine. The sputum test has come back and nothing grew apparently. Sounds delightful.
On speaking with my pals wife who works in admin, she says there are more people in the same position as us.
Hopefully with the numbers increasing the Government and others may start to try helping and/or solving the problem.
Fingers crossed we all have a good day.
Jim.
stuart68c jim90098
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Thanks for the info Jim. Ties in with what the nurse said to me.
That's good news on your tests but I'm sorry you didn't get more sleep. Hopefully you can have a good day today. Take care.
Lulu2020 jim90098
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Such good news Jim! Very very happy for you. Another day am feeling more positive today am meeting my closest friend for a socially distanced splash of Prosecco (literally only a tiny bit) and a picnic on the green am very excited to be doing something semi normal.
Enjoy the sunshine everyone and another day/step on the road to recovery x
stuart68c Lulu2020
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Sounds great. Have a lovely day Lulu. Let us know how you feel after being semi normal. Enjoy.
jim90098 stuart68c
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Stuart,
I've done those exercises first thing this morning. Didn't get anything up but may be I didn't need to.
Changed four pillow cases and got the bedding out of the draw. Shattered.
Lulu,
Have a really nice day and I hope you enjoy it to the full.
Fingers crossed for everyone having a good day.
stuart68c jim90098
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Hi Jim, maybe don't focus on whether you get anything up or not, the exercises are beneficial either way. See how it goes, maybe try again before bed.
I was lightheaded and pretty shattered after doing mine this morning and coughed like a 2 packet a day smoker! 😂
Also I have a definite problem with my lung and your Xray has been clear if I remember correctly so maybe you don't have anything to get up as you say.
Its sunny here so I'm sitting in the warmth all day. I hope you can do the same. All the best.
Gazza10 jim90098
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Good news on the tests Jim your finally starting to turn the corner knew a lot of people don't understand why it has to take so long but they will I have a friend at work as well who I didn't know was still off so he is having his own battles with little sugar have a good day Gary
Gazza10 Lulu2020
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Sounds like your well on the mend lulu prosecco enjoy x
Gazza10 stuart68c
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Enjoy your day in the sunshine Stuart don't get burnt though
jim90098 stuart68c
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Stuart,
I am sure those exercises will rectify your lungs.
The nice Doctor has just called me to verify the results. She was very positive, however she said the symptoms sufferers are having are a full spectrum and as such confusing the medical world.
Further to this, she mentioned the problems some children are having.
Her thoughts on our predicament is to eat well and rest, rest, rest.
I mentioned your exercises and said they were a must to do, strength permitting.
Regarding the late afternoon/ evening slump, she puts that down to the general everyday breathing and small normal tasks we do, eg washing, cleaning teeth etc.
I am off into the garden after I have had my call from Occupational Health team.
Speak later.
Jim.
Lulu2020 stuart68c
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Thanks Stuart, will report back later!
Would you be able to send me the breathing exercises when you get a chance please? Many thanks in advance x
stuart68c jim90098
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Good stuff Jim. Glad you got the nice doc and useful info. Enjoy the sunshine.
stuart68c Lulu2020
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Of course Lulu, I'll pm you now. It's a shame the mods have taken so long clearing my original post. Hope they are of some use to you ☺️
Lulu2020 stuart68c
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Thanks so much.
Had a great day. Did quite a decent walk this morning, then met friend this afternoon, another short walk this evening and a longish telephone conversation - throat feeling a bit phlegmy but not too bad but probably have over done it. Why do we never learn??! - just so good to do normal things are forget about illness for few hours but praying don't pay for it tonight.
Hope everyone has had better days and peaceful evening x
jim90098 Lulu2020
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lulu,
Thats absolutely fabulous!!!!
jim
Rufio222 Lulu2020
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It is very encouraging to hear everyone getting good news in the recent days. My doctor said he cannot explain the chest pain I have been feeling on my left side, but ruled out that it has anything to do with my heart, which is very good news. I am waiting on xray results to confirm my lungs are good, but doctor listened to them and believes they are clear. He thinks the pain will go away on its own. I sure hope so because it has been two months!
joanne82424 Lulu2020
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That's great, Lulu, that you had a normal day. Hope you don't suffer for it, but looking positive for you
I've had a couple of fairly normal days, walking to local shops and around the area. I didn't realise how hilly it is, even the roads that seem flat. I'm really struggling with any type of slope
Hope everyone has had a good day 😃
mkqq Lulu2020
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Great to hear you had a good day.
I also did quite a bit today, 2 walks (total 4km), quite a bit of cooking, and some grocery shopping.
4 weeks ago I actually went for jogs, but then was quite tired the next 2-3 weeks so I guess I wasn't quite ready for it. Will wait another 2-3 weeks before I attempt it again.
Last weekend I went on 2 bike rides with friends, I think I paid a little for it Monday & Tuesday but not significantly. If I feel ok I will do it again the coming days.
I find that if I push too much then I will have trouble sleeping. Have to find a right balance. Too little = can't sleep, too much = can't sleep.
Lulu2020 mkqq
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Rufio, that sounds really positive, I had a lot of pain in my right side and has mainly gone now can sometimes feel it in the morning when I wake up - I think it is just the body healing from inflammation. Still need to sort out why my lungs are hyper-inflated am waiting for lung function test but not thinking about that tonight.
Joanne, so glad you are also having more "normal" days - just getting out takes your mind of things for a while and the slopes will get easier - I am doing quite steep hills but stop every so often just to catch breath.
Mkqq - that is amazing you must be getting fit again but as you say it is getting balance right - maybe 1 bike ride a weekend for a couple of weeks!
Jim/Stuart/Gary - really hope you've had positive days and things are looking brighter.
Here's to tomorrow everyone. All being well are off to Cambridge for a walk and a picnic - have a relaxing evening everyone x
steph88359 Lulu2020
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Evening everyone, so happy to hear all the positive news today its just the boost we all needed !! The good weather is medicine we can all do with. I went for my 1st longish walk this morning and I managed it. I even popped into the supermarket and picked up few groceries. I hope we all carry on getting better and kick sugar to the kerb it's made our lives a misery for far too long !!
Lulu2020 steph88359
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So pleased to hear it Steph - the weather makes such a difference to mental state - thank goodness this didn't happen to us in the middle of winter - now that is something we can be grateful for as I think the sunshine we have had recently has helped so much.Just doing the "normal" things like picking up groceries makes you feel so much better. We have just received our antibody tests so just hoping that after all this there are at least some antibodies floating around my body!
jim90098 Lulu2020
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Lulu,
Its been a better day. Managed an hours worth of telephone calls and went in the garden fir half an hour. Had to come in as my nose dried out and blocked.
Also walked round the garden and had s bath after doing my breathing exercises for the second time.
Even had pizza for dinner.
Im tired now so we will see what the night brings.
Have a good night all,
Jim.
Lulu2020 jim90098
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Excellent Jim, small positive steps all in the right direction. I am so pleased for you - it has been such a tough time for everyone x
Rufio222 jim90098
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Whoa pizza! That sounds great! My appetite was so low at one point that I lost 15 pounds in two weeks. I am down almost 25 pounds since this all began. I have been drinking much more water in that time and am likely to continue even after this passes.
jim90098 Rufio222
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Rufio,
I echo the weight loss, as I've dropped 7kgs of muscle in the first six weeks.
I also had the dehydration and as per my Doctor over consumed water causing my sodium level to an abnormal level.
The Doctor said I shouldn't drink more than 21/2 litres of fluids.
Sorry for going into toilet areas but she said urine should have a pale yellow colour and mine was totally clear and I was at the toilet every hour.
If you can get a blood test done it might be worthwhile.
Have a good day.
Jim.
jim90098 Lulu2020
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Morning Lulu,
How are you today after your day in the real world?
Hope your still well.
Thank you for the kind words, always appreciated.
Jim.
Aliq Rufio222
Posted
I also have some stiffness/ pressure on left side, I am starting 5th week now and a cough was never a symptom , was that the same for you?