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

Dawn,

Thats frightening to hear because the fallout could be immense.

Lets hope the scientific community can sort this disaster out as soon as possible.

Let's hope so Jim.

I've tested again today as work are testing all staff and residents and suggested it would be a good idea .

I'm on day 36 now so i will update on result.

Still very fatigued, chest feels sore and also uncomfortable when I'm laying on my side but very little coughing and not congested.

Still getting breathless on any exertion and the insomnia ! Still smelling the cigarette smoke too, that seems worse at night .

Must say my spirits have lifted though,last week I felt at breaking point.

Just popping in and out of this forum has made a huge difference .

Not sure if my last message got through.

How many weeks did you have the green phlegm for?

Mine lasted 3-4 days after the I initially had a fever which lasted 3 days. These days I'm getting fatigue, anxiety, nasal congestion, and trouble sleeping. Breathing also feels unnatural.

How is you energy level now?

Think you're like us Wendy drew a short straw I went to work this morning to book a couple more weeks off and the lads let me go home said they would cover me and just had a call from my boss saying I don't have to use my annual leave will book me sick and come back when I'm ready so just goes to show you there are good people out there even if it is 9 weeks tomorrow wouldn't worry about what other people think either because I had that out with a lot of people if it's not covid could you please tell me what it is that is kicking my back side Gary

thank u guys n other comments. just come back from testing area. doc this morning advised it. they said commonly lasting around 3 months n fluctuates so quickly from day to day. my initial phlegm lots of mucus lasted 10 days, 2 days couldn't even stand up as breathless. think I worked thru pneumonia. no medication, just checks on oxygen levels n temperature. all your symptoms have been very similar to mine, just to reassure u it can last a long time. hang in there n thanks for being in touch wendy

Hi Wendy we're all feeling the same good days then a bad day, I'm om week 9 now been out walking etc but tummy not to good today but I did eat sugar free dark choc which says u can get a dodgy tummy, also got my cats ashes back today and my grandson was in hospital yesterday with a high temp but his home and OK at moment. My poor anxiety is over the roof today still get breathing prob but think most of it is anxiety and panic, hope you have a good day 😘♥️

Well at least you sleep for 4 hours straight. I'll be lucky if I can sleep for 3 hours straight these days.

Morning Jim I went to work and back booked a couple of weeks off told them little sugar hasn't finished with me yet so I will try to use the time now to get myself sorted and ready to go back to work and put in a full day's work 😂 stuff em it's only money and I know you have to try to walk before you can run so I have just dehydration anxiety and tingling in the hands left to deal with had quite a good night sleep wise 6to 7 hours hopefully will all have a good day suns out guns out 😂 had a result as well going to book me sick and save my annual leave things looking up Gary

mkqq,

Thats horrible. Last night was the first time in seven weeks I had over 51/2hours.

Its drains all your energy and spirit.

Hope you sleep better tonight.

How long have you been suffering?

Jim.

Gazza,

Health comes before money every time.

Work can wait till your better, which you will be!!!

Press the reset button and hopefully youll recover quicker this time.

Jim.

Absolutely true you just know that some people not all must add think you're pulling the wool over their eyes fair play to my boss ringing me and saying we are booking you sick you don't need to use your annual leave because I feel I would have really struggled with a week of nights onwards and upwards Gary

Week #11 .

The overall I guess is up. My anxiety is taking away a lot of energy.

Just still feeling normal. Before I used to do whatever and whenever and even if I get very tired I can just sleep and be ok the next morning. Now I can't guarantee a good night's sleep which also psychologically makes me do less during the day.

Not sure if I mentioned the doctor found that I was very Vitamin D deficient. Perhaps this will explain why the recovery is taking so long.... I hope so anyway.

mkqq,

I have heard posters mention vitamin D deficiency before when their blood test results have come back.

Supplements are the order of the day then. I bought vitamin D tablets via Boots and they delivered today. £2.30 for a tub if 90.

Hope you sleep well.

Jim.

Hi Guys

Hope everyone has had an ok day. I think I did overdo it a bit yesterday and in the evening after the Prosecco on the green went for a walk and think the pollen really affected my throat and breathing so please be aware of that. Today we went to Aldeburgh, took a picnic and sat on the beach for 3 hours and had a snooze - were going to Cambridge but decided sitting on grass could be an issue so went for the sea air - it felt noticeably better. Felt a bit anxious on the way in case I wasn't well but was fine and first time in ages felt my body relax in the sun.

I have a private consultation with a respiratory consultant at 14.00 tomorrow to see what he says about the hyper-inflated lungs and everything else to do with this - I am lucky and get private medical insurance through work. If anyone has any questions other than the obvious ones I am going to ask about the breathlessness, lung function, recovery of the lungs, phlegm and how to deal with it let me know and I will ask.

Sounds like everyone doing ok and good Gary that you have another two weeks - definitely need to get our priorities right and that is getting back to good health before anything else.

Have a good evening.

Lx

Hi lulu glad to hear you had a good day if you could ask your consultant about the throat as well please because even though its not sore any more sometimes when I swallow it feels like something on the end weird I know thank you in advance also I know that we all should be non infectious now but does anyone else know when we was like after how long roughly Gary

Lulu,

I think you've covered all my questions in the ones your going to ask.

Really glad youve had a couple of great days.

Hope everything goes alright tomorrow for you.

Jim.

Please ask of you could if the white phlegm that we all have, if we should force ourselves to cough it out or does it (phlegm) just help with body's natural healing of lungs and coughing it out causes additional inflammation, please?

Thank you kindly.

Gary,

Yes of course, good point my throat is still not right and when I look down it it's still sore looking although doesn't feel sore - I think I still have a lot of Phlegm but will ask him about it and the point you've made.

Jim

Good if you think of anything else between now and then let me know. I'll update after the appointment tomorrow at 14.00 and will write all the questions down so I don't forget anything.

Take care, hoping for a good night for all and speak tomorrow x

Yes of course, I have same problem so will be good to know - I tend to cough it out but might be making it worse. I will ask.

Thanks lulu let's hope everyone has a good night tonight and start getting back on the right track of healthy getting a bit peeved with little sugar now Gary

Hi Lulu, Sounds like you've had a gd few days so pleased for you. The Weather, being out doors is defo making a difference on how we're tackling this sugar !! I've had a gd few days too apart from palpitations last night. Might even have a small glass of something over the Bank Holiday weekend but I'll play by ear. Hope your appointment goes well tomorrow and you answers and some helpful advice. Goodnight all

Hi Lulu, pleased to hear you're seeing someone tomorrow. If I think of anything I need asking I'll let you know but I think you and everyone else has got it all covered. Very happy you've had a good couple of days.

I had a downturn last night after 5 days of improving and been a bit low today but feeling a bit better now, so hopefully it is a short relapse.

Positive thoughts to you and everyone here. Hope we all wake up feeling better.

All the best.

Hey Gazza10... I've noticed that you keep using the word 'sugar' but I can't figure out what you mean... Is this your word referring to the disease? Sorry if I'm being dumb to ask but I'd just like to understand.

Thanks and I hope you recover soon!

Yes you are correct I'm sure there are a lot of names everyone else would like to call it but I have stuck with little sugar he is a little s t a lot of the time trying to get ahead of him I thought I had went back to work for a day not a good start laid me up again went to see my family yesterday till the anxiety set in trying to deal with that dehydration and just a little bit of a chesty cough now never had that before so maybe little sugar has dealt me that as well just something that seems to be sitting between my throat and lungs getting somewhere though might need a map to find the last step gary

Not good to see the relapse Stuart but as you say you had five good days before maybe one little thing to work on I think we will all need a sort of way to get our energy levels up a bit at a time maybe after being laid up for so long might have to work on that to finish the little s t off hope you can have a better day today Gary

Hi Lulu

Good luck with your appointment and hope you get some answers to for us all.

I'm still worried about being infectious, even at 9 weeks. I looked into getting a test but you have to show symptoms and be in the first 5 days of the virus. I've never had the typical symptoms, and when I rang 111 they told me I hadn't got the virus. Just wondered if they know how long it is possible to be infectuous for.

Hope everyone has a good day

Looks like there is a very good chance that you have had it if you have not might your gp explain what you have had bet they can't I went through a and e obviously I couldn't get a lot of sense over the phone from my gp but that was when they didn't understand what was going on with little sugar now I feel they know a bit more because I'm not sure how long ago maybe 4 weeks my virtual hospital doctor told me that the little sugar was confusing even them I would say you like the rest of us are suffering pvs post viras syndrome and you gotta stick with it and beat it Gary

Dont think we can be infectious now - saw the people still testing positive or testing positive again was the dead cells of virus still being picked up by test - test couldn't differentiate between live cells and dead cells as test very sensitive and they were getting a positive result weeks later.

Will update later but sorry Stuart you had relapse am sure the relapses are shorter maybe only a day or evening - Ive had couple of bad evenings and thought here we go but have passed more quickly than a couple of weeks ago. Anxiety is a big deal I felt in bed last night the panic starting its always a what if ... am trying to stay in the now and not think too much but easier said than done.

Gary the phlegm is a problem I too get it caught between throat and lungs and no amount of coughing will clear it - will def be asking about this.

Catch up later have a good day everyone x

Morning Joanne,

A very good question regarding still being contagious.

I have had two tests, one via work 10 days after the substantial symptoms started(1/4/20), which was negative. I asked at the time, if I came back as negative could go back to work if everyone else in the household had isolated for the required time without symptoms. The reply was yes and work contacted me to find out when I was going back. Obviously I wasn't physically capable to return.

The 2nd of May after being taken via ambulance to A&E, I was tested again and I was negative. Both the Doctor and nurses said the test was a waste of time, as the percentage of false negatives were huge, so there was no trust in the test. To compound this they said you needed to be tested within the first 5 days of contraction.

I asked if I was okay to use the rest of the house where my family were and I was told to be careful BUT I shouldn't be contagious anymore?

So in conclusion they've no idea, which isn't their fault, no one knows.

I hope everyone has a good day and continues to improve.

Last nights vast six hours of total sleep was a fluke by the way.

It looks like I'm destined to only have five!

Boo.

Jim.

Hi Steph

yes will ask about palpitations too - I have a very small glass of wine with dinner have done all along it really relaxes me for an hour or so which makes me realise some of how I feel is anxiety as it comes back as soon as it wears off but nice to have a break from it!

have a good day x

Thank you for all your help and that you are willing to ask a specialist all of our questions. I had a good four days and yesterday bought a air physio device to help with mucus, I didn't have to get it as I mentioned i didn't have any cough for four days. It made it all worse and now i have a lot of inflammation on my lungs and a lot of mucus. Therefore I'd would like to kindly ask you if you could ask your specialist if forcing ourselves to coughing if maybe it makes it worse and interrupts with natural healing process, please? And maybe if there are any supplements that we can take to help our lungs?

It is crazy, how long it takes to recover from it. My only symptom that I have are my lungs.

Thank you once again.

hi Macy sorry to hear that, you I'm the same. yesterday slightly better, quite dry! today woke up very mucus on lungs,breathing not so good. keeps changing constantly.if I didn't cough it up I wouldn't be a life to breathe. went to medical hub testing station yesterday doc confirms unfortunately long changeable road to recovery. im on 10 weeks feeling s**t. can I ask any of u, do u have a thyroid problem? underactive? I do n just heard there could be a link to the duration of virus . take care x

thanks Gary, yes I know I must have had it. The paramedics said I'd probably got it when they came when I was having breathing problems. Of course everything was ok when they came, except for a slight temperature. I didn't really have much luck ringing gp and 111, they weren't sure whether I'd got it or not.

Just a bit concerned in case I need dental treatment, I know they probably won't see me, but having tooth problems.

Enjoy your day

Think you got that spot on Jim that there is definitely a lot they have to learn I also tested negative twice and was also told basically the same thing about the swabs I went to see my kids yesterday and stayed in the garden with them for a few hours had to come back to mine had anxiety and dehydration on the way back not good but great seeing the kids obviously got the weekend to try and get a bit more sorted out so hopefully we will all get back on track Gary

Thanks Gary. I must be feeling a bit better as I'm back here on the forum. Yesterday I didn't even have the energy to write which sounds a bit pathetic but I guess my mood was pretty low. I've come to accept that I will have a dip after days of improvement, it's just become part of the deal. If I can limit the dip days and have more good days I'll be happy. Let's see what happens today. I hope you're feeling okay. Its no surprise that work knocked you out. I'm amazed you managed to go at all. Top marks for trying. Get well soon Gary, we'll beat this little (bleep)!!

Hi Jim

yes it's very confusing, I suppose even if you have a test you can't totally trust the results. I'll just have to hope I don't need dental treatment for the next few months.

Hope everyone has a good day, and thank you Lulu for asking questions for us

Hi Wendy , sorry to hear you still feel like s**t 10 weeks in. I'm nearly 7 weeks and am pleased to say I've been having more gd days than bad. I too have an underactive Thyroid so thanks for passing that on. Did they give you an indication of when we'll start to feel normal again ?

Thanks Lulu, I'm hoping it's a short relapse. I'm better than yesterday but let's see how the day goes. I'll update here.

Sorry about your anxiety. You're right about living in the now. Looking too far ahead and thinking about ifs and buts are a waste of energy but as you say, it's easier said than done. I've kind of learned to put it out of my head when I recognise it. I imagine a chattering annoying parrot on my shoulders constantly going on at me. I simply imagine I put a blanket over his head to shut him up. It's an actual anxiety management technique called 'the poison parrot'!! it works for me. Try it. Anyway enough of my meanderings, I wish you lots of luck and health today. All the best.

Hi Macie, I spoke to a respiratory nurse who gave me exercises to help my breathing and to try to clear a blockage on my lung. I can't post the exercises here as the mods won't allow it, but i can pm them to you if you want. All the best.

Too right Stuart we will beat the little sugar you gotta remain positive I tried running before I could walk won't be doing that again got an extended two weeks to try and get on top again we are and will get there you never know he may let us alone for a while 😂

Let's hope u can find some answers for us all lulu💜

Yes please, that would be awesome. I just wonder if I'm not causing more damage than bad by forcing the phlegm out if it doesn't want to go out easily. I noticed that I feel more sore and burning in my chest when I do it. It is different than any other illness therefore I'm not sure. I'm looking forward to hearing from lulu, hopefully she will have some answers.

Morning Jim

Sorry to hear you only got your 5 hours sleep again.

I actually slept for 9 last night!

Can't say I feel better for it though actually feel worse than when I had only 3.

I did decide to be kind to myself last night ,I took an Epsom salt bath (apparently good for insomnia) drank some fennel and mint tea and played some calming meditating music,which I fell asleep to .This could also have been a fluke but we'll see.

Also interested in whether we are still contagious, colleague tested positive again after 5 weeks ,she had already recovered from mild symptoms and returned to work,after result yesterday they sent her back home to isolate for 7 days again.I guess they just cant take that chance .

Hi Macie, I find that whenever I cough for an extended period I feel sore and inflamed. I think it's pretty normal although unpleasant. I spoke to the nurse again to ask about it and she said it's normal to cough after the exercises at it loosens the mucus and coughing is the only way to get it out. But she did say to slacken off with the exercises if it leaves me too sore or hurts too much. Listen to your body I suppose. You might want to wait and see what Lulu comes back with or chat to a professional if you're not sure, but I will send them anyway.

Get well soon.

Would you please be so kind and send me these exercises, please?

Hi Wendy

I'm 52 and have had an underactive thyroid for 15 years. It's called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and is an autoimmune condition. I thought I was getting better (approx 8 weeks I'll) but my breathing has worsened. Very tight chest with weird wheeze on expiration. Even going to loo makes it worse. I ranted at my GP yesterday and said I need to see the resp specialist ASAP. They had made a non- urgent referral 2 weeks ago, so could be waiting for weeks. I'm not prepared to do that, so complained and asked for it to be expedited. GP said hell try, but I don't have any faith it will happen. BBC News today has section on immunity and number of T cells people have. My brother has immune factors missing in his blood, so maybe next step is to enquire about being referred to immunologist.

I feel very low. Sorry folks.

Hi Lulu

If you see this in time, could you please ask about immune system in terms of low numbers of T cells? It was on BBC news today.

Are you going to Addenbrookes? I live near Bury St Edmunds and my local hospital is the West Suffolk Hospital, but would ask for referral to be at Addies. Will be very interested in what specialist says.

Mary x

Hi Mary,

I read the article too. Very interesting and hopefully the powers that be will seize the information and sort helping not only critical patients but our cohort too.

Fingers crossed.

Jim.

Hi Jim

I can feel a battle ahead with my GP regarding being referred to immunology. GP surgeries get monies for reducing number of hospital referrals they make. Feel a bit hopeless today, which isn't what anyone wants to hear I know.

Mary,

More than likely but he who shouts loudest is heard.

I would be interested in the excuse they use not to refer you.

If that's the case you could always take it up with the practice manager.

Jim.

Every day Mary get back on to your gp that's what they are there for they are hardly busy seeing patients so they should at least be doing something for those over the phone mine isn't much better probably why I spent so much time in a and e last nurse in there said you should really be going through your gp I said chance would be a fine thing even she laughed gary

Jim/Gary

I will shout loudly and will ask the reason for not referring me, if that is the case.

Take care👍

I really sympathise with you Mary. No words I say can do much to help but don't give up. Your gp is there to help you not cause more stress. Is there any one else you could speak to there for a second opinion?

Good luck Mary! Hopefully you get in there soon!

As far as testing goes, I keep hearing from doctors and nurses in the USA that the test is only 70 percent accurate. I tested positive at first, then negative 3 weeks later. However a family member who recently started getting the same weird symptoms as me tested negative twice in two weeks. So weird.

I am still feeling the after effects (weird chest pain on left side, but clear xray ECG and no plegm) and recovering, but hope to be back to work by next weekend. Doctor says I should be good to go, but even after all of his assurances, I definitely feel the anxiety that lots of others are mentioning. It is definitely a traumatic experience that we are all going through and it is natural that it will take us a little time to get back into the swing of things. Like I said before, reading all of your similar experiences has definitely helped. We can do it!

Exactly Mary ask for reasons why they should at least be able to give you an explanation of why not go for it girl and give em hell 👍gary

Glad you are recovering rufio and hopefully you will go back to work and everything goes well for you didn't for me I too thought I was feeling a lot better had a nagging doubt was right little sugar put me back on my back side so I now have another two weeks to try and sort it out my work has actually been great and let me go sick again so I got two weeks to try again Gary