I haven’t posted for a while as I haven’t suffered AF or even tachy for some time.
I thought I’d tell you all this though:
I’ve been very unwell since Sunday.
I do work in an independent primary school where Children cough on me daily and travel all over the world in each school holiday
I have not gone into a shop, restaurant or similar for 3 weeks. Food delivered. The most I’ve done apart from go to work is put petrol in and take shopping in off the step.
My husband and 26 yr old son live here with me and are both self isolating (son) working from home(husband)
It’s important to tell you now that I have an annual flu jab and have not had a single day off for over 18 years so I’m no wimp.
I’m 60.
I’m on no meds.
On Saturday my throat and mouth felt a bit ‘fiery’
On Sunday I was laid up with 38.5 temp and the sorest throat I’ve ever experienced. A banging head, achy and a hot face. No cough of the kind spoken about. Just a little cough here and there.
I didn’t/couldn’t go to work on Monday.
Can’t concentrate on much, no reading, no tv. But I still mostly ‘have’ control Of my head, if that makes sense.
My temperature was 37*C for a short while this morning but back up now in the 38s again.
My HR(have Kardia) has been 20-25bpm over my normal.
It’s been 92 ish and regular, no palps that i can sense.
Usual HR 65 ish.
I’m still at least as ill as I was on Sunday and cannot remember being this unwell.
Have I got it. I would like to know as if I get ‘it’ while I’m low from this it’ll be a double whammy.
☹️
Pat
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So difficult to say isn't it! I think I've read or heard somewhere that if it's coronavirus, it can suddenly get worse around 5 days. I'm sure with the way you're feeling I too would be thinking I had it.
It's nonsense that people like you can't be tested, but then how long would that result take to come back! Have heard of people waiting a week. Be poised to call 111 for help if you get any worse, or don't start feeling better soon.
Here in France if you have a fever you can be tested. However I think they are really concentrated on people who have difficulty breathing AND a fever. Have you still got your tonsils? It could be tonsilitis which is very painful and gives fever.
You should call 111 and tell them your temp and how you feel they will advise you then ,,,anything over 37 is normally saying fever / infection of some kind ,,,, you may just need antibiotics but best check ,especially if underlying health issues
Thanks Truckerclark but the message is not to contact them unless you’re having difficulty breathing and I’m not. I know what to do for a high temperature and if I couldn’t get it down myself by any means, I’d definitely phone 111.
Only real way to know is by testing & that doesn’t seem to be generally available.
Personally I would err on the side of caution which according to recent announcements means your whole household needs to self isolate for 14 days.
My sympathies & hope you recover very soon. Do keep in touch & let us know how you go & very encouraging that whatever you have had hasn’t triggered arrythmias for you.
So sorry you are facing this illness and uncertainty Pat. It sounds as though you are doing all you can at the moment - remember to keep well hydrated and rest. Best wishes. 💐
John, since posting I had a temperature of 39.3(sorry although I’m old I’ve got used to Celsius now) took 2 paracetamols which took it down to 37 for half an hour only then I could feel it was back up and it was 39.3 I then laid in a very cool bath for a while and kept adding cold water. That made me feel so much better. Temp still high at 38.5 but I feel a bit better.
I’m used to colds, coughs and other viruses but I plod on with them, this feels different.
I hope you feel better very soon. Can I ask you if you’ve had a burning sensation in your chest and throat (not heartburn). I have lots of symptoms like you, but not heard anyone say this one. I feel like I’ve smoked 100 cigarettes and I don’t smoke lol
It began with a sort of burning feeling in my mouth/throat. I don’t get heartburn so wasn’t that. I feel lucky up to now that my breathing and chest feels ok. I am coughing a bit now but I think it’s because I’m avoiding swallowing as it’s soooo painful, like razor blades, then that triggers a coughing spell.
I’ve looked this up and 60-80% have the dry continual cough, not everyone.
Had a bad sweaty night last night, very uncomfortable . Bed covers and hair all wet.
The fever is nature's reponse. The raised temperature is the body's reaction to kill viruses and bacteria. Taking paracetamol to reduce it actually prolongs the body's battle with the virus. Before the days of paracetamol and ibuprofen the response to fever was cool cloths on the head and sponging the body with cool water so your idea of a cool bath was probably the best response.
I know this. Luckily I’m well aware of all you say. Only taken 6 paracetamols in total and that is saying something for me as I am an avid no tablet taker. I Won’t take ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen dampens immunity. As do steroids. I know many on here take ace inhibitors but there’s a connection with them being unhelpful with coronavirus.
Luckily I have kept my head and knew to have a cool bath.
I would rather my body fought this by itself and do not want to mask symptoms with medication. Know your pain.
Sorry for telling you something you already know! Many people don't know this including it seems doctors as bringing fever down with meds seems to be universally recommended these days. As a floxie I regard ibuprofen as poison anyway and only succumb to paracetamol when my hip arthritis pain is unbearable. I read a French website that is basically a gang of heretic docs and they have just put out an advice article in which they point the finger at the "sartan" class of blood pressure drugs as well as the "prils". They also say low dose aspirin should not be taken either. They have unearthed some interesting figures out of Wuhan showing that patients with very low LDL cholesterol did worse than those with higher LDLc. Even more interesting a study done pre covid 19 that showed that those who had flu jabs were 36% more likely to be infected with the existing coronaviruses that cause colds and upper RTIs !
Forgot to say, I do have a flu jab😐 I pay for one. Self employment was the decider there.
I too have hip arthritis and like you, still resist the dreaded ibuprofen despite dreadful pain sometimes. Incidentally, staying in bed has not been good for it. I’m better when active.
Just before lockdown I went to my GP for the referral letter for the surgeon to get a hip replacement. I have not rung up for the appointment as though medical visits are permitted I do not fancy sitting in a waiting room and anyway the hospitals need to be kept free for covid 19 patients. I will not die of an arthritic hip and I can still garden though I have to be very careful as my balance is not very good. Walking is not much fun so I tend to count my 2 + hours a day gardening as my exercise. I haven't had a flu jab since 2011 and rely on a very high level of vit d and n acetyl cysteine. Since taking the NAC I have not even had a bad cold ( 4 years).
After a lot of changes of information it seems that the one definite symptom of CV is a very high temperature. Trying to cool yourself down is good. The advice is to seek help from 111online if no improvement or getting worse after 7 days. Best wishes 💜
It’s difficult to say. You can get some flu even after the flu vaccination, but it is usually mild. On the other hand, you don’t appear to have any respiratory symptoms. So I would think that even if it is coronavirus it might be a mild form of it.
I know they have taken on extra staff at 111 surely you should ring them, your history of not having time off work etc speaks volumes!! We are all reading and hearing different things, I heard that not everyone gets a cough, we are all so very different so why shouldn't it affect in slightly alternative ways. My doctors surgery sent an email last night saying we now have to use the online LIVI ( speak to a doctor on line ) as they have 5 doctors off in self isolation, maybe that might be worth checking out. Hope you feel better soon.
They don't know if we gain immunity from it. So not worth assuming we do at this stage. 111 won't do anything for you because there is nothing to do but rest and stay home. It only kicks in if you get breathing difficulties. You are doing the right things. Let the fever burn to do it's job and avoid the Ibuprofen meds which they are telling us can make Covid-19 worse.
Hi, I have been exactly the same. I am 29 have AF and narrow complex tachycardia. I started with a sore throat and high temp Saturday night. I was really poorly on Monday and Tuesday feel much better today and my temp has calmed down finally. I have had 2 palpitations and a few dizzy spells. I have got a slight cough it’s not horrific but it’s there. My husband said I was breathing funny on Monday night whilst asleep. But luckily I am much better today so I’m over the worst.
I did phone 111 and they told me to self isolate so it’s not worth phoning if you have the symptoms you just have to self isolate the whole household for 14 days. She said if my symptoms got worse to phone straight away. There is a phase 2 of CV after around 5 days apparently but most people don’t get this which is breathing difficulties. So I’m convinced I have had it and sounds like you may have too.
This is the downside of school 'closures'. My wife is in a similar situation to you. Effectively pressganged into 'babysitting' some children so that services can go on and grandparents are not exposed to infected but symptom-free children. However, her school is in a deprived area where many grandparents are in their 40s / early 50s and she's almost 60.
We are having to consider living in separate bits of the house as I'm knocking on 70 with persistent AF. To add to the mix we have a 15 year old son who will now be pretty much confined to the house for months to come with just an electric guitar to console him from only being able to see his mates and girlfriend by facetime/instagram. What joy that will bring...
I would stress that, normally, my wife would be the first to volunteer, and refuses to take the 'self-isolating family' option as she feels part of a team and will not let her colleagues down.
I know this will come across as a whinge but it really isn't. We're very public spirited and I know we're in difficult times and desparate needs prompt desparate measures. I'm just trying to stick up for teachers whose dedication and commitment are only obvious to their families, and who face hostility and abuse daily. After last night's announcements my wife and her colleagues feel like 'cannon fodder' and were all dreading going in this morning and facing the hoards of parents who have been trained over recent years to view them as scapegoats by a government which has no real respect for public sector workers. Perhaps the next few months will help rebalance that idea.
How are you today? I've been thinking and your symptoms do sound like like you may have the coronavirus. Just been telling my sister about you, she just has a cough.
Thanks Jean. I had a bad sweaty night, duvet wet, hair wet, drinking lots. I’ve had a nice bath this morning and my temperature has been normal all morning. It does this though and can then go high suddenly. Throat as bad as ever. Coughing is not a big thing for me, I’m only coughing if I haven’t swallowed for a while( so painful) hot drinks are less painful to swallow I’ve found. Day 5 today. Thought yesterday was day 5 but decided not to count Saturday when I felt fairly good, not laid up.
Just hoping I don’t get another stage of it- the one with impaired breathing.
Hope your sisters is ok.
Think the big thing with this(if it is this) is the high temperatures- up then down-all over the place. I was worried yesterday when paracetamol didn’t work
Strange how your temperature keeps varying and that paracetamol don't appear to bring it down for long. It sounds like you're symptoms may be a little better today, but I guess time will tell. Please let us know how you get on.
Hi FTP good to 'see' you. I hope you are feeling better today.
I have a really bad chest infection and now sore throat which started about 2 weeks ago and I know exactly where I caught it.
If I get any bug it seems to exaserbate my P-AF and I keep getting short runs of AF when I cough a lot. I had a full-blown episide last week lasting many hours and don't want another so soon.
The instant I get these little runs I lay on the floor and begin diaphragmatic breathing (lots of tutorials on this in the web) and they stop though it doesn't stop a full-blown episode but helps . Maybe something to consider if you suspect an episode is starting
I’m vagal too. The coughing works both ways I suppose. You may or may not remember but I’m an avid magnesium taker. 800mg daily without fail for 7-8 years now-along with other supplements. I swear by them and put my very long spell with no AF, tachy or ectopics(the odd one only) down to them.
...i'm still taking the magnesium too I think with lifestyle changes it may have helped to slow the progression of P-AF but like time it is still progessing..
Pat I wish you a speedy rcovery and continued freedom from AF ...xx
Ring your GP. If you are in Ireland the GP will assess you over the phone and if they think you are at risk they will refer you for testing. Nobody on here can tell if you have it cos we are not medical people. I am currently waiting for a call to tell me where to go for test. Our national stadium have opened their drive through tunnels for testing. You stay in your car and the staff will swab you through the window. Most importantly you need to self isolate now. Im sitting here at my kitchen table working my normal job. We have been sent home last week as we are a frontline service. Dont panic. this will pass.
Not the same here in England. No testing, only for hospital admissions. I Think this is wrong.
Yes I’m isolating. Not capable of doing anything anyway. 3 of us here with one bathroom. Other 2 are fine but also self isolating. Plenty of hand washing, Spraying dettox everywhere,keeping towels, toothbrushes and toothpastes separate and I’m eating from a paper plate but washing my cutlery and glass in the bathroom and keeping in my room. Doing as much as I can.
No. Already had texts from the surgery telling people not to be in touch unless you have breathing difficulties. I can’t see what they could do for me.
Why aren’t you in an emergency room? Omg, l would go to the hospital so fast if l had those symptoms ... what are you thinking? You need professional guidance.
The advice here is no, in no circumstances go to an emergency room - that will only spread the virus & as Pat says - no treatment available so unless you have serious respiratory problems - in which case you ring for help which comes to you - you and your whole family self isolate for 14 days. I think we need to be ready to be self reliant & fall back on old fashioned treatments such as cooling the body rather than reliant on pharmaceuticals. It’s going to be some time before treatments & vaccines are going to be available.
There are not enough medical staff and resources to treat anything other than the sickest patients so we must be mindful of others who really need these services.
We are near lockdown here with many self isolating and social distancing - all schools closed, all sport cancelled, busy cities are empty & life as we knew it had changed completely.
My 9 year old grandson has just developed these symptoms which means whole family are now housebound & daughter in law has been told not to bother going back to work - because there may not be work to return to.
I hope you all fare better in the other side of the pond. Best wishes CD
No, why? What emergency treatment do I need? I’m self managing Just fine at the moment. Just have to sit this out unless it affects effective breathing.
If this virus hits your area you may find that changes very fast. You cannot see a doctor face to face in my area - all consultations are telephone or email or video conferencing and I completely agree and support those decisions as we cannot afford for our doctors to have to go into quarantine for 14 days.
My friend died of virus pneumonia a few months ago - I fought it off without really succumbing to it. My resting heart rate (from my Apple watch) went down for a few days 54 to 50 bpm - and then went up to 60 for three days.
I have had a slight headache, tickling the throat and very slight chestiness for a week or so - but my resting pulse has been low.
I lent my digital medical thermometer to my late wife - and now I cannot find it.
If we are asymptomatic, we get no symptoms - but I suspect that raised pulse rate and temperature might be first or least symptoms.
My AF is in remission, my pacemaker stops my pulse-rate going much below 50, I am 70. I like to think that losing five stone, not having diabetes, being a life-long non-smoker, walking 30 to 40 km a week and fasting 20:4 for the last two years might make me resistant to covid-19?
Sounds as though you’ve been doing all the right things, especially the losing weight and never having smoked.
I’ve never smoked either.
As for having a high temperature, if you don’t have a thermometer you have to go with how you feel. When my temperature was at its highest, my head was banging and I felt very hot in the face.
Pleased to hear you're feeling better. Sounds like you did the right thing sitting it out, but I'm sure you must have wondered how this episode was going to turn out. You are a good role model for us all. Stay well. Jean x
Briefly had a 38.4 temp last night- I could feel it in my face/head. 10 mins later it was normal.
Isn’t that strange?
Still feel weary and tired just doing nothing.
Yesterday I thought sore throat was gone but today I can feel the roof of my mouth, right at the back, is sore on swallowing.
I’m still waiting for a few more days before thinking I’m over ‘it’.
Worried in case it’s not ‘it’ and I’m yet to get ‘it’.
The awful thing is I have to go back to work, possibly next week😟 a key worker.
School have made a 2 week staff rota to be in 5 full days one week then a week at home.
We have 23 key worker children in school as from today. Supposed to carry out Social distancing somehow, at the same time.
This is worrying me, I don’t want to do it but can’t get out of it.
To top it off, Our boiler stopped working yesterday. We have an emersion heater to use and a couple of oil filled radiators, but our house is self isolating- plus, I don’t want anyone coming in to fix it anytime soon.
Might have to stay this way til this is over.
That would only have been a small thing to deal with a couple of months ago.
Good news is I have 3 Ocado deliveries in the pipeline.🤗
You've had bit of a nightmare time and it certainly sounds like you had the virus. Take care that it has really gone and doesn't go to your chest now.
My sister is fine, think she just had a normal cough and cold, but who knows! It was her workplace that told her to go home and not come back for 14 days because of her coughing. She lives in outer London and works for one of the Priory clinics where they had a patient with Norovirus. She had part of a lung removed because of cancer about 4 years ago, so would be vulnerable if hit with the virus.
I have just posted back an antibody test(a lab one with 100% sensitivity) to see if I have covid 19 antibodies🤞🏻. It’s not a scam or a ‘stick’one and I’ve paid what I think is a huge amount. At least I should know one way or the other if I’ve had it or at least whether I have the antibodies. I would feel so much better back at school if I have them.
I will post my results when I get them which could be by the end of the week.
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