After Covid

[ewusia28]

I'm 3 weeks after covid and still have trouble breathing every morning. Is it normal? Thanks for all the answers.

[twinkly29]

From so much I've read and heard about in the last year I would say yes it is.

Other viruses or illnesses like flu and pneumonia and even bad cold/coughs can take several weeks to recover from anyway - like someone might feel breathless 6 weeks after having something.

With covid, an awful lot of the breathing issues (after the acute stage) seems to be not asthma or other breathing issues flaring up or alarming problems - but ongoing less critical stuff. That's not to say it's easy or anything but often needs breathing exercises and so on to retrain the lungs rather than medicines which don't seem to help. It might be worth calling the Asthma UK post covid hub (0300 2225942) for help or advice?

[twinkly29]

That said, if you are using more blue inhaler (and it's making a positive difference) or if your peak flow has dropped as well, keep an eye in case you have an additional asthma flare.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

From what other people have said, I’d say yes. And I also agree with what twinkly said - post viral issues can be a ‘normal’ part of recovery. Have a friend who got pneumonia a few years ago (didn’t need hosp) who has no resp conditions at all, and it took her 6 months to feel properly normal again.

To tag on to help post-covid links, on top of the phone hub that has already been given to you, there is also these websites which are apparently quite helpful!

post-covid.org.uk

homerton.nhs.uk/covid-recov...

covidpatientsupport.lthtr.n...

england.nhs.uk/2020/12/long...

Hope this helps

[MostlyWhiteRose]

it took me a good 3 months to feel anything like normal 😏

[ewusia28 in reply to MostlyWhiteRose]

Thank you for your answer. Did you often have to use the blue inhaler every day?

[MostlyWhiteRose in reply to ewusia28]

I did, soon after my hospital admission though I got an appointment with an asthma specialist who did all the tests he could, amazing I thought, we'll get to the bottom of this, (he was openly shocked at the high reading I got with the FeNo test)... anyway, prescribed Fostair and blue inhaler 'as and when' - i haven't seen the specialist again since due to Covid but to be honest, although I still get the heavy chest feeling on long or fast walks, I've very rarely had a significant wheeze since starting Fostair 🤞 i hope you are feeling much better now (I missed the notification so apologies for slow response)

[Glty]

Sorry to hear you've been poorly, I hope you start to feel better soon. Unfortunately recovery can take quite a while and there is quite a big range in how quickly people recover. It seems we all respond differently. It's a very frustrating virus.

Here are a few tips I wish I'd known in the early days of my recovery:

1. Keeping track of your peak flow can help to distinguish between asthma symptoms and residual covid breathlessness.

2. When you have asthma symptoms, take your peak flow before and then 15 min after taking your reliever - if it goes up then asthma is a factor and you should talk to your asthma nurse/GP about additional meds

3. Normal rules apply: if you're needing more reliever then you should definitely talk to your team and keep following up.

4. The post covid hub helpline no (in twinkly29’s reply above) is well worth a call, they are fantastic.

5. Make sure you are getting lots of rest, prioritising good nutritious food and sleeping well. Recovery takes time so don't push yourself too hard.

[twinkly29 in reply to Glty]

This reply should be on every post covid post! Great advice and nice and clear 🙂

P.S. Hope you're on the mend Glty?

[Glty in reply to twinkly29]

I hope so, still on antibiotics and all the pred 🤪 but definitely feeling better. Hoping to be able to start reducing next week 🤞🏻