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
lia81391 Res35
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Hi all,
I am writing from NYC/Connecticut. I have also been sick for what feels like a year. I was reading everyone's comments and when I saw the tooth infection I decided I had to add to the conversation because that was the first thing that happened to me in late February. I went to the dentist who prescribed amoxicillin but it did nothing. A few days later I lost smell and taste, then neurological symptoms started. Massive headache, sensitivity to led screens and lights, dizziness, nausea, indigestion. the first 2 weeks I would wake up in the middle of the night sure that I was going to start vomiting but some how I kept it at bay. I thought this was anxiety/vertigo until I started a temperature about 12 days after dentist visit.
Anyway, I started to feel much better about 2 weeks ago but for every 4 or 5 days of good I will get one day of lousy with a side of nausea. Alcohol definitely makes it worse even in small amounts (think less than 2 glasses) and not enough sleep seems to be the main culprit to "relapse" after many good days.
Also I have suffered from Gerd since I was pregnant in 2018 which I found interesting to see the first 2 people commenting also have a history.
Glad I am not the only one that has a prolonged version of this and it's very interesting to see the overlap of symptoms and experiences.
Res35 lia81391
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That's interesting.
One of the people I was around the time i mist have caught it had severe dental pain for several days, in bed with it it was so bad and then it cleared up and she was fine without even seeing a dentist.
I guess Covid does attack nerves.
My infection is gone now thank god but like many I'm having better days but by no means back to normal well.
I literally seem to be having better 'days' as in 11-5 & then the evenings go rapidly downhill and feel awful most evenings.
Feel bit scared of this just going on and on indefinitely and angry at lack of testing for people who are suffering this length of time.
I want to know if I'm still infectious, if this is post viral or if im still viral. cause if it's still viral I'm pretty worried by length of time it's taking my body to kick this.
Am glad to hear you feel mainly better.
Hopefully we all shuffle that way.
I am def feeling better than a couple weeks ago but I feel troubled that it's still around and I turn into a pumpkin most evenings.
mariom Res35
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Res - Better days is definitely a thing, and don't be scared of the duration - it's a marathon and we're ahead of it for now. The longer we keep going, the more time the doctors and scientists have to work out what can treat it. It's important to stay positive as stress hormones can actually work against us - sorry if that sounds cheesy but it's true.
I broke my own advice on Sunday after 3 really good days and had a couple of glasses of wine. Yesterday I was back down the scale again and worried if I would have to call an ambulance in the night. Better this morning but not as good as the weekend yet. It's a rollercoaster but we need to stick to it.
Dee - totally with you. Throat clearing instead of a 'proper' cough, and anxiety too. I have a history of health anxiety following a critical illness some years ago so the first week of this I called a psychologist to try and control my worry. Don't be afraid to reach out to the mental health services in your area, they will help you over the phone.
Julie - a good shout on Dr Sarah Jarvis, I didn't hear that. Do you know which station and what time? She's been a real champion on informing patients.
Stay safe, stay positive, stay hydrated 😉
M
julie35925 mariom
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Hi,
I woukd love a glass of wine but will take others warnings and stay away. I have had 4 good days, but temp is rising today and feeling a bit rubbish. Im sure anxiety has a lot to do with it. Dr Sarah Jarvis is in Radio 2 with Jeremy Vine every lunchtime .
kilburnman Res35
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I began with flu like symptoms on 6th March followed by a shortness of breath, chest pain and severe diarrhoea on the 10th March.. i went to NhS 111 online first before ringing them. The triage nurse said it could not be COVID 19 after I told him I had not been abroad recently. I then rang my GP who said it was not COVID 19, as I did not have a fever or cough.
My main symptoms for over 7 weeks now, are chest pain with a shortness of breath, although it is not as bad as it was. I spoke with my GP last Friday who said my symptoms were very common and my length of time with them was not exceptional either.
i am glad I joined this forum, as it has helped me to realise there are plenty of us with possible COVID 19 symptoms and I hope we will all get better soon.
Res35 kilburnman
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Yeah, the whole fever question is a funny one.
A lot of people have only a low grade fever. For much of the time I've been ill I've had no fever, but the weeks where I had it, it was 38 and no higher. Given my usual body temp is lower middle 36 for me that is a real fever though. For me anywhere from 37 is an unusual occurrence when healthy cause I run quite cold.
I've also not had a plaguing cough. I've had a continuous cough but it's not been the chief feature of my virus.
Think those of us who caught it early March thought it was too soon to be Covid but I was in Paris at the time with someone who just been to Italy so I am almost as certain as I can be that I got it on that trip.
It's good to hear your story. Seems there's lots of us in same boat kind of just waiting for it to go away and getting a bit depressed and anxious when it doesn't follow the pattern of most other illness.
kilburnman Res35
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Thanks Res, until I joined this forum I was getting a bit concerned about the length of time that I still had symptoms but I now realise there are many of us with similar symptoms. Both NHS 111 and my GP said I could not have COVID 19, as I had no fever at all but I said what might I have then and my GP replied "it was possibly another virus" but not one he could put a name to. It is day 53 for me today and I have chest pain with a slight shortness of breath, which I hope will go away soon.
ellie38433 Res35
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Hi Res, thanks so much for starting this group!! I've read through everyone's messages here from the beginning, and I'm sorry to hear everyone is so unwell and having such an awful time! Although it's reassuring to know it's not just me, and I'm so pleased we can all message here!
I've also been unwell now for 5 weeks, I'm having a very similar experience to everyone here it seems. I started off with a sudden fever one afternoon, like someone flicked a switch! I've had nothing over 38 but similar to you my usual body temperature is on the cooler side. Straight away I had a tight feeling in my chest, dizzyness, headache, shakeyness, I was in bed for a week - never felt so ill.
I felt a bit better for 2 days, thinking I was over it, but it came back - fever came back and the second week was when the breathlessness started. I had quite a few frightening episodes where I was severely out of breath in the night. For the last few weeks I've been having some better days, some bad days, when I wake up I think I feel better but it doesn't take long before the symptoms are back. Now going in to week 5, I don't have a fever anymore but I still have chest pain, breathlessness and extreme fatigue - some days it's the most I can do to empty the dishwasher!
Last week my new symptom was my heart racing, for a couple of nights in a row it felt like I'd been for a run but I was lying in bed! I felt better for a couple of days last week, but today I'm in the third day of feeling awful again - it's like it's all come back. The shakeyness, racing heartbeat, chest pain, breathlessness etc... it's so disheartening I'm starting to feel very weak and low about it all.
I'm glad to hear your tooth ache is better now, that's something at least! But similar to you, I've been having worrying thoughts about how long this is going to go on for, and what if it suddenly comes back really bad again! I've no idea if I'm post viral either, but because my symptoms seem to have all come back I think I might still have the virus!
I'm most worried about my heart now, did you say this virus has also caused you heart problems too?
I really hope everyone here starts to feel better soon - this is a nightmare!!
Ellie
dee89889 ellie38433
Posted
Hi Ellie
My main symptoms have been nausea, stomach pain and racing heart. As I had no fever or cough, both my GP and 111 were sceptical about a covid diagnosis However, it was my heart rate (went above 130) that got me sent to A&E - I called 111 and they took me through a number of questions and told me to get to A&E within the hour . I had an ECG which showed a normal rhythm albeit fast - A&E Dr was also sceptical about covid. Had bloods and chest x-ray which showed as normal. Suggestion was more likely anxiety. No test as I wasn't kept in. My GP has put me on beta blockers which has calmed my heart rate. It might be worth a trip to A&E to get this checked. Take care x
Res35 ellie38433
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yeah, I still get odd resurgence of symptoms.
Today's is a burning ,tight fiery chest again.
No rhyme or reason to this virus.
I see they are looking at Convalescence plasma...I hope that trial goes well enough that they will take it out to the community cause this is just unbearable and of course, anxiety producing, which can't help the situation.. but who wouldn't be anxious with an unknown virus that's killing people when you still have bad symptoms after 5 week!😂
It's a tough ask to keep morale up.
Lulu2020 ellie38433
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Hi Ellie
It is so disheartening and makes you feel so low. I am also just starting fifth week - have had all the symptoms except the temperature. It seems from here that is just takes time and you get good days and bad days and you just can't tell what it will be when you wake up. I find it can change very suddenly but do think some of that is anxiety as I always start feeling panicky at night. I have found a hot bath and peppermint tea or any hot drink (without caffeine) helps before I go to bed and some breathing exercises to calm down a bit. I also bought an Oximeter which is reassuring when you feel panicky it also takes your heart rate you can buy on Amazon if you don't already have. I think it is the not knowing what is going on that is so hard and as you say whether the virus is still active or whether you are in recovery. You are not alone and thank goodness we found this forum it has really helped me today. Perhaps we can update tomorrow. Take care x
richard53574 Res35
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hello every one I am coming to you from NJ USA I live about 45 miles south of NYC one of the worlds hotspots Iam a 66 year old retired contractor living with my wife of 30 years who is an RN on the front lines of this pandemic The ironic thing is i am pretty sure i have contracted covid 19 though i cant be 100%positive as i have not been tested.My symptoms started on the 5 of april uncontrolled shivering elevated temp.and a strange tightness in my chest The shivering stopped after a couple of hours,the other symptoms continued in for about two days and just like that they disappeared.Three good days followed and then the beast appeared on the third night. Extremely rapid heartbeat ,prestroke blood pressure and slight shortness of breath.luckily ive been on a beta blocker for years for afib and having those pills that night i believe saved me from a hospital visit.Fast forward 24 days ad the shortness of breath has gone away but about one a week the rapid hearbeat comes back with a vengence.I have been reading all the posts and i thank god for this great site.the irony i mentioned ealier is my wife has no symptoms at all though she is well protected at work.Please keep posting everybody because i am very concerned about your welfare and how your recovery progresses.Good luck to everybody
Res35 richard53574
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Thanks Richard.
Glad you are a bit on the mend and that you had your beta blockers handy!
My husband too had no real symptoms to speak, just no taste or smell, otherwise he was fine.
I'm being sent to a cardiologist, by video conference, as they think I may have developed an arrhythmia over the course of the illness. Scary little virus this!
Lulu2020 Res35
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So glad to have found you! I have been exactly the same. Unwell for over 4 weeks and still have chesty cough and breathlessness. Some days I feel like Ive cracked it and others I feel so weary and tearful that cannot cope with it any more. I have pain still in my chest and lungs when I inhale/exhale but the message from the doctor seems to be if it is not getting worse just bear with it. It is such a terrible illness that you cannot explain to someone who has not been there. Has also given me terrible anxiety especially at night as there were nights when my chest felt so tight I couldn't fill my lungs completely. There seems to be little support for people who have had "moderate" symptoms (this is how it is classified if you are not hospitalized). I feel I am slowly getting better but by the end of each day my throat is sore again and I feel panicky about the breathing. I bought an oximeter and that helps. I wish everyone better I am up and about so maybe I am doing better than I think but it is the not knowing or having any support which is just so hard.
julie35925 Lulu2020
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Hi Lulu,
We sound quite similar. This is starting week 5 for me. I am up and about, feeling good for a few days and then back down again. For some odd reason my throat and neck become really sore by the end of the day, one day my chest hurts, next days its fine. It is very depressing as there is no one able to tell you that this is going to be ok, but the more time goes by the better, im sure, we will all be. I wake up in the middle of the night with panic attacks, but its just a case of getting through them. Hoping more information/treatment will be available soon
Lulu2020 julie35925
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Hi Julie
Yes we seem on similar paths. I have found talking too much on the phone makes a huge difference to my throat by the end of day so am now limiting to one call a day now! I had terrible pain in my right lung last week which has now subsided (too scared to say gone!). I literally feel the anxiety rising as it gets dark and have been sleeping in spare room as I toss and turn all night - checking on my breathing/chest pain and eventually fall asleep at around 4.00 in the morning. I do think the anxiety exacerbates some of the symptoms but it is hard not to feel anxious when you are on this roller coaster and no idea what the day is going to bring. I do quite a bit of yoga and at the moment literally just lie on my mat and breathe. I was also told by my doc to drink neat lemon juice for the Vit C hit and to cut through the gunk in my throat. I hope today is a good day for you and things improve.
joanne82424 Lulu2020
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Hi Lulu
sorry you are so unwell with this virus. I'm in week 6 and have some of the same symptoms as you. I started with a very sore throat, then developed breathing problems, a sore/tight chest, and my nose became completely blocked.
Nights are the worse time and I have to sleep sitting up because of breathing difficulties. Often I have to get up for a bit which seems to help.
I am unable to speak much on the phone, mainly because of breathing problems now, as my sore throat seems to be almost better.
When my chest is sore I find a warm compress is giving me some relief. Breathing exercises have helped me a lot with breathlessness, nose unblocking and relaxation.
I hope you will start to feel better soon, it happens so gradually though, and is a mixture of good/bad days
gemma26100 Lulu2020
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Hi Lulu. You will get there. It's horrible. All your symptoms the way you describe was exactly how I have been. I felt it was never going to go.
Breathing at night was hard and frightening, I just wished for morning again.
I am now on my 5th week but I am glad to say I can finally say I am feeling better. The last two days I have noticed the change and am able to breathe more clearly and easily...what a relief it is!!
I still lack energy but each day its coming slowly. I am just wanting to reassure you all, you will get there. As I say, thought I'd never get to this stage. A week ago I was sitting in a hospital bed in A&E thinking the worst, now feeling like the last 4 weeks just been one big blur!! Keep persevering, you will get better. xx
Lulu2020 joanne82424
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Thank you it has made me feel so much better hearing from everyone - I felt so alone with this and thought maybe I was just not coping well but reading these posts is just so reassuring.I also had my nose completely blocked just at the time when you need to breath through it.
Lulu2020 gemma26100
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Thank you Gemma, that is so reassuring I have been feeling so low and worn out with it but today has been quite good so far. I am not too worried about the tiredness but it is the breathing that has been freaking me out but hopefully having heard from so many lovely people who have taken the time to reply I will relax a bit tonight and manage to get some sleep. The anxiety at night definitely makes things worse.