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

Hey Stuart,

My new doctor said the chest is likely costochondritis, inflammation of the tiny muscles behind the ribs. It occurs after viral infection and can sometimes last up to a year. She gave me a natural antiimflammatory which I will try. Also a pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on the chest. After one try, it felt better, even if only because a doctor actually did something other than tell me to rest and not to worry.

Also, I am stunned at how long it takes folks on here to see a specialist. I can go the same day if I want to. Why is there such a difference?

Hi Rufio, thanks for your reply. I'm pretty sure my rib pain is from my cough. I've been coughing a lot these last few days, quite violently, and it's only since then that the pain has started. It's on the left side going round under my arm directly under my chest muscle. Intercostal muscles are the ones that I have strained I think. It's the first time in 12 weeks that I've had this but I seem to be coughing a lot more, suddenly.

Here you can see a private specialist pretty quick but it costs more than many can afford, but most of us have to wait for the national health service to get time to see us. I think we have very different health services in the way they are funded and run.

I like the sound of the electromagnetic field therapy. It's not mentioned here, no idea if we have it.

Hope you feel better soon and that the chest inflammation heals quickly. A year sounds pretty bad, but as long as it eventually goes that's the main thing.

All the best.

Hi Stuart

Thanks for feeding back but sorry to hear you're still suffering. Just to say I've just posted a message to Lulu on page 59 and mentioned that if people don't mind could they post on this page, just so we don't miss any messages. I'm coming up to week 9 and still battling with breathing issues. I've also had swollen glands , this virus certainly keeps us on our toes !!!

Sorry to hear you've had another downward turn Stuart.

Think we are all a bit fed up with the whole thing by now!

My chest tightness is terrible today.

Have been reading though that H2 Blockers used for acid reflux may have helpful effects in symptom reduction of tight chest and cough. There's been a small positive study and they have also used these in china for people recovering so I think I may give that a go as it's OTC.

Who knows if it will work but it can't be any worse than the antibiotics which have done f all.

I was told by my GP not to confuse the Covid chest tightness cough with asthma and not to use my husband peak flow as it would just make more breathless so clearly different people have different ideas on that so couldn't possibly comment as to which would be the right course for you but understand the frustration.

Hi Steph, nice to hear from you. I'm pretty disappointed to be honest as I'd been doing pretty good previous to the last weekend. I'd had mostly good days (8/10)for two weeks with an occasional day feeling off. Can't understand the sudden reoccurrence and the added intercostal pain is something I could do without. Anyway, sorry to complain, I have had it easy in comparison to others. Sorry you've got gland trouble. This virus really has glitched our systems hasn't it?

Thanks for mentioning the message page. I'm confused as to what is going on with the forum now. I don't get notifications anymore unless it's a direct reply to me, and I have tried setting my preferences, but no change.

Anyway, thanks Steph. I really hope you improve soon. All the best.

Hi Res, I'm very sorry you're still here, although I mean that in the nicest possible sense!!! Good to hear from you though . Thanks for the info on H2 blockers. It's got to be worth a try and yes, I don't get the point of antibiotics if there's no definite bacterial infection, they're just making us low and possibly killing off the good stuff in our systems.

I'm not convinced on the asthma thing either, I think the nurse, who is very attentive and nice, is just trying to help me. She has referred me to the specialist which is great (at bloody last) and she said he/she may tell me to stop taking inhalers and will test my breathing strength too, so I think I'd rather wait.

Thanks for your input on that one, it helps me to make a decision.

All the best to you.

Stuart, just to say we all received an email from the patient forum to say they would no longer be sending emails every time some one posted a message. That's the reason you're no longer in the loop lol. Hopefully we'll all be on the same page soon so that we can support and help each other through these dark times. I'm sure we'll all get there and hopefully get to enjoy the summer be it the new norm, but for now we've got to concentrate on getting better the best way we can. My doctor prescribed me an inhaler for my breathing but I've found it makes it worse. All my GP appointments have been over the phone so how can they gauge what's going on with us !!! I've had an chest Xray early on in hospital and they keep referring to that saying it was ok but how do they know that now !! So frustrating suffering like this.

I got that email Steph but Mr NoBrain here didn't really understand it! 😂😂

Concerning inhalers, yeah I had a ventolin one to start with, but it was useless. Now the nurse wants me to try a brown one that's a steroid inhaler, but she said it will be two weeks before I see an improvement and I must take it for two months at least. I'm not convinced, and will wait to see the respiratory specialist although that could be weeks. Whether I'm making a bad decision... I don't know.

All my appointments have been on the phone too. It's not ideal. And I agree about the Xray, how can it be taken as accurate after all this time? Really you should be getting a fresh one to make sure.

I had one too that showed a blockage or collapsed area on my left lung. Like you say, that might be temporary and gone now, or maybe there is more. No idea, but my next Xray isn't until middle of July. It doesn't help one's piece of mind but I am trying to stay positive. I live in hope that tomorrow will always be better.

Take care Steph.

Hi Stuart

Nice to hear from you!

Yep we are all over the place on here ! Sorry about the relapse I too have been feeling better but still get bad days when chest is heavy and breathing painful and still coughing up phlegm 😫 my GP gave me a blue inhaler right at the very beginning which I didn't use and when I checked with respiratory consultant about using it he told me not to - he said lungs are very inflamed and hyper sensitive and should not introduce anything into them - he just recommended steam inhalation but obviously check with your guy when you get to see him. I really think they are stabbing in the dark and because the symptoms are similar to asthma they go down that route.

Anyway here's hoping it is only a small blip and you will feel better soon.

Lx

Hi Stuart sorry we've been on a different page sorry about your relapse we all know what that is like just gotta get back up again its hard enough dealing with it at home as well I tried to go back to work myself too early as well put me on my back side again I'm lucky work will wait until I'm OK otherwise I would have to go like you hopefully something will come out of talking to the nurse I'm hoping you have some good days now because I'm week 12 tomorrow and I'm still having bad days may be my gp and lulu were right we gotta be looking at 4 months gary

Yes, the new system is very confusing. I'm not getting more than maybe one notification through a day!

Res, I read about the h2 blocker, they mentioned specifically famotidine or pepcid ac, really want to try that but it's not available in the uk. I'm anyway suffering heartburn and like you said it's otc, but can't find anywhere.

Yeah, i couldn't find that one either as is apparently now prescription only.

I found the last two packs of rinitadine though at my local pharmacy which is another H2 blocker that is sadly being discontinued due to safety issues with long term use as it has traces of some chemical in it that can be dangerous above an acceptable level .

I just want to road test it for a couple of weeks though and see if it helps. Short term use is fine by me!

Hi Lulu, thanks for your reply. Sorry you're still suffering with this damned thing! You and I sound pretty similar. What week are you at now?

Thanks for the inhaler info. I think that pretty much seals it for me. I won't be bothering with the inhalers. The steam sounds good. Do you add anything to it like menthol or olbas oil?

All the best Lulu, have a great evening.

Hey Gary, I see you're still fighting Little Sugar! 12 weeks for me too tomorrow. Maybe we should throw a party to celebrate!

Don't worry about the different page, I should have come looking. I'm so grateful for this forum but it's not the most intuitive site I've been on.

We all need some positive news I think Gary, something has to happen. I'm not giving up though. Nice to hear from you.

Have a good evening.

Don't think it's even available on prescription 😦

Getting really down with all of this...week 12 and just checked, got a low fever again.

Can't take a deep breath in now, chest feels achy, eyes a bit stingy, heartburn...

Hope it gets better soon for all.

Hi Stuart thanks for replying yes still fighting little sugar should have called it big long sugar yes we should throw a party lulu is about the same 12 weeks as well you enjoy your evening too Gary

Stuart, why don't you go to a and e to get an x ray done? On the spot and results straight away.

I've lost count lol! Ask Gary! Think we are going into week 12? He said just steam don't add anything because of the sensitivity of lungs - made sense to me. Friends kept telling me to use the inhaler but I just had a feeling not to and was so glad I waited and checked.

Hope you are back on track soon.

Lx

Hi Dane, I did have one a few weeks ago which showed some damage and I'm told I need to wait two months for another to give it time to see if it has healed. If I get worse I will do though. The rib pain is due to violent coughing, pretty sure. Thanks for your concern. Take care.

Oh I see, then yes best to wait as the lungs do take time to heal.

Gosh hope your coughing settles down.

Stuart,

If your up to it Dane's suggestion is a good one.

Turn up give them your symptoms and they'll do bloods, xray urine etc.

Myself, Gary and Lulu are all Week 12 on Monday too. Sucks!