Covid and AF

[Camelia23]

Apologies if I posted this earlier. Despite countless jabs against covid (I am 79 ) and escaping the virus the past three and a half years I succumbed to the latest variant last Sunday 10th Dec. At first I thought it was just a heavy cold with a cough. Also I was thinking that I was more susceptible to colds as we had not mixed with so many people for a while. Daughter queried why I hadn't taken c test so Tuesday I did with positive result. I've rested, tried to eat well, postponed appointments and a couple of social gatherings. I feel worse today: more tired, coughing slightly more. AF kicked in 8 am,not surprisingly. Do I need to do anything in particular? Am I just being impatient?

[BobD Volunteer]

Stay well hydrated and rest as much as possible. Paracetamol if fine for fever.

[Camelia23 in reply to BobD]

Thanks, Bob. I have to remember this is now, not March 2020. It's difficult to stop and rest!

[petmice in reply to Camelia23]

Rest is how your body heals, so don't feel guilty for "doing nothing". It's hard to be patient but it really will pass. And, if you have one of the milder variants, count your blessings because it could be so much worse - that said, if you have extreme symptoms do NOT hesitate to seek medical care.

Our household all tested positive for covid on December 20th last year. We missed all the festivities, but feel blessed because no one was hospitalized and, while we were miserable, we weren't dangerously ill.

I'm hoping you're mostly just annoyed by your symptoms and that they pass quickly.

[Camelia23 in reply to petmice]

Thanks petmice. Sounds like good advice. I tend to be impatient but after all these years I'm learning!

[Rainfern]

As Bob suggests and I’d add rest some more after you’ve rested and when you think it’s time to get moving take a blanket day!

[Chinkoflight]

Hi, sorry to hear you have the BUG! I was ill end of October on the day I was booked for my jab. Tested +ve the next day! I had come through everything without catching it 'til then! 14 months on from my previous jab. Not the usual symptoms, severe dry temperature for two days, slight itchy throat then washed out for a further three days then Okay. No noticeable HR issues. Carried on statins and Edoxaban meds, drank plenty and unusually for me stayed in bed the better part of one day. Upside is, maybe I have better immunity going forwards! Vaccinated now - bit late! If you have access to your NHS App and records you can enter the test result if you scanned the kit. Without testing, it's the only way the Department of Health can track the course of the virus. You should be better soon. If not contact your GP and ask for advice.

[Camelia23 in reply to Chinkoflight]

Thanks. I will go on nhs app. I looked this morning but got bogged down reading my records! Bit of a waste of time!

[Chinkoflight in reply to Camelia23]

But it's useful having them there eg blood test results etc, Consultants letters. Down the track I have found it helpful, a different unrelated medical condition requiring a surgical consultant was helped by me knowing my record!

[Beeflower in reply to Chinkoflight]

I’ve just had it as well , drink plenty , honey& lemon and paracetamol and rest x

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Camelia

I had Covid last year alongside pneumonia, caught it going back and forward to A&E to get help with my pneumonia. Ended up spending 4 days in the covid ward. I wasn't seriously ill, but my AF rate went sky high. Lost my sense of taste and had severe diarrhoea, was on a drip. I had to wear like a huge child's nappy. I discovered the lady in the bed next door to me was wearing one too and we laughed so much about it. In fact we laughed so much I guess that's why I was sent home after 4 days. Took me ages to pick up and get my appetite back. I lost a stone in weight, whether that was due to Covid or pneumonia I don't know. I coughed for at least a few months afterwards.

When I saw my cardiologist earlier this year and said how tired I felt, he said he thought it was from having covid. He'd had it and felt the same.

Take care and only eat and drink when you feel like it. Let your body guide you with what you need.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Jean

[Camelia23 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks, Jean. Your case sounds so much worse than mine. I must stop fretting! Good advice about eating and drinking

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Camelia23]

I watched an American doctor telling John Campbell (YouTube poster) he thought it was only necessary to eat and drink as you desire so that the body can concentrate on healing. Don't know how true that is, but as long as you have some fluids daily there's no need to go overboard with them and drink when you don't feel like doing so.

Jean

[VimtoLover]

Hi. I've just had the bug for the second time. Not nice. You'll be fine. Rest up, stay hydrated!!

[Camelia23 in reply to VimtoLover]

Thanks VimtoLover. I'm resting too much but my favourite is honey and lemon. I've left out ginger for a few days as didn't realise it was a blood thinner

[VimtoLover in reply to Camelia23]

hi - I didn't realise ginger was a blood thinner either. Covid seems to be on the increase at the moment so take care. Have a good Christmas!😀

[Camelia23 in reply to VimtoLover]

Happy Christmas to you too. Haven't done shopping yet, food that is not gifts.

[VimtoLover in reply to Camelia23]

I've done most of my shopping but am taking it easy this year as getting stressed certainly seems to kick start my AF!!

[Vonnegut]

We know we are all different but I am a 79 year old female too and have had all the jabs offered but did catch covid on my last birthday! I was far more fortunate as I only tested for it after our daughter who had visited phoned the next day to say she’d tested positive! So I tested and found I was positive. Interestingly even though I take Flecainide regularly an episode of AF did start around the time I must have been infected but it was ended in a couple of hours with an extra 100mg of Flecainide as a PIP. I did have mild cold symptoms but often do so wouldn’t have realised I had it if I hadn’t tested. Interestingly, my husband didn’t test positive until my day 10 and we both tested negative on my day 15 ( his day 5!) I just rested a lot as I usually do ( having chronic fatigue) so sorry that your experience was worse than mine.

[RobertL1956]

You need Paxlovid.

[Camelia23 in reply to RobertL1956]

Thanks. I'll research it

[Camelia23 in reply to RobertL1956]

I read you have to take it within 5 days. It's my sixth day. If I should catch the virus again I'll remember it!

[Camelia23 in reply to RobertL1956]

Good news is I feel so much better today

[brit1 in reply to RobertL1956]

I thought Paxlovid was not good with AF?

[Camelia23 in reply to brit1]

I don't know! I'm open to knowing the facts

[secondtry]

I read that a good nose and throat spray reduces the C-risk substantially so I invested in the guys below (nb I have no commercial interest).

I also understand as we approach the busy social time that the more C-shots the more likely you are to get C, so more reason to take precautions.

bottles

[pusillanimous]

I'm surprised to read of so many cases of Covid in the UK. Here in South Africa I don't know anyone who has had it recently - whether the very poor uptake of the vaccine has created a herd immunity, I have no idea. The government seems to have lost interest !!!

[PurpleRaine]

Hi Camelia.

I’ve also got Covid at the moment - first positive test was Monday, this morning still positive. I had it last November and it was a breeze but this time not so comfortable (differences in latest variant I suppose). I had a very high temperature on Tuesday (39.7C) and was feeling very off balance physically. Even getting out of a chair I had to hold onto something in case I fell. Sleeping very fragmented because of coughing. Last night was the worst because I woke up with a very fast heart beat, not sure how fast as I didn’t have my Kardia at hand and didn’t feel well enough to go and look for it. I take Flecainide and bisoprolol daily so it shouldn’t really have happened. I am assuming covid is the culprit. Have been keeping hydrated so it isn’t that. I have heard of someone who tested positive for 16 days - fingers crossed that won’t be what happens to either of us! Am resting up with the radio (can’t concentrate on books). Look after yourself, hope you’re on the other side of it soon.

Sue x

[Camelia23 in reply to PurpleRaine]

Thanks Sue, fellow sufferer. I feel much better today while husband is slumped on sofa. entured out for first time since Saturday to local post box. Had scarf at ready to cover face. I met near neighbours and stepped away from them to explain. One of them had covid few weeks back. She had it for 14 days so I hope it's not that long. She's about 62 and not had a booster. My sister text to say, it doesn't stop you catching it, it just stops it you dying from it 😒

[Fblue]

hi. Sorry to hear. I am almost 3 weeks out and still have a cough and I’m very tired and some other symptoms. Here in the US on the East Coast there is a lot of Covid RSV and flu is starting. My doctor told me. Be very cognizant of what you take medicine wise, because that can cause a fib, I took Tylenol at the beginning when I had fever and that was OK and then for all the phlegm I took Guaifenesin and that was OK with a fibs as well. Just check your medicines with your cardiologist feel better.

[Camelia23 in reply to Fblue]

Thanks Fblue. Not sure what Guaifenesin is but will look up

[Fblue in reply to Camelia23]

In the US it’s called Mucinex.

[Peacefulneedshelp]

Viruses are smarter than the scientists. the mutations will never end just like the common cold and regular flu. alway mutating. the good news is you can't catch the virus more than once, the bad news is there are hundreds of mutations.

[Camelia23 in reply to Peacefulneedshelp]

Wise words, Peaceful

[Mouchkin]

I tested positive on Wednesday night. I do feel rough. I am 84 and have escaped Covid until now. My husband died last year so I am alone but my daughter is popping in twice a day. I hope you feel better soon.

[Camelia23 in reply to Mouchkin]

Mouchkin, I'm sorry you feel rough. It must be particularly virulent strain. Glad you have your daughter popping in. I walked to post box by myself, not very quickly but feel much better today. Hope you feel well soon.

[Mouchkin in reply to Camelia23]

Thanks. X

[Fibber222]

I had Covid a month ago but not very badly. However, I didn’t test negative until 15 days in. I felt very fatigued and had a horrendous cough for about a month in all. Do rest and take paracetamol and lemon and honey strepsils if needed. You may feel fine one day & wiped out the next but it does get better. Take care of yourself.

[Camelia23 in reply to Fibber222]

Thanks, Fibber. I hope I make progress. Going to be very careful when I go into a shop next week or meet people. I've postponed a few meetings with friends or hairdresser etc. I will wear a mask and no hugs. I hope I'm able to get out!

[DiyChas]

What I have learned about Covid is try your headrest to not get it more than once.I am almost 79 and have mild Afib and mild asthma and always got the vaccine (7) but finally got Covid on a flight to a river cruise. Coughed a little and felt very fatigued for the whole cruise.

I didn't know it was Covid until I tested after returning home.

The data for subsequent long term issues with each subsequent bout of Covid is overwhelming.

Avoid gatherings and carry and wear a N95 type mask whenever you can't!

[Camelia23 in reply to DiyChas]

Thanks DiyChas. Think I've learnt my lesson 🙂

[marcyh]

I've had a couple of shots and got C anyway. I took vitamin C, D, quercetin , zinc, nasal rinse and oil of oregano. My fever didn't go very high so I let it do its normal thing - fight the virus. That was during the Omicron days and I got over it fine. By now, the virus has mutated down to the extent that there is hardly any concern anymore. I don't see a point in testing, I would treat it like a common cold. I would stay away from Paxlovid. And if fever gets high with rasping, I would do what we always did: take additional steps, talk to my pharmacist, and maybe get a doctor to listen to my lungs. Best wishes!

[Camelia23 in reply to marcyh]

Thanks marcyh. I wondered if I was taking paracetamol too readily. Now I take it only if I feel really uncomfortable. I thought leading a fairly healthy lifestyle I would shake this off quickly but not yet.

[Ppiman]

You’ll be over it in a fortnight almost certainly. Long covid is a worry and I don’t know if you can do anything except to get treated early if anything shows up as the months go by. Be aware of any generalised “inflammatory” feelings like fatigue, brain fog or general aching - anything odd.

The jabs will most surely have prevented you from getting the serious immediate form of the disease which is when it moves from the upper airways to become a serious and generalised blood platelet illness. We can be thankful for those jabs!

Steve

[Camelia23 in reply to Ppiman]

Steve, I am very thankful for those jabs. When I had my first in January 2021 it felt like winning the lottery. Thanks for the tips about long covid!