Difficult to Treat, Better Lying Down

[Challiefan]

Hi Everyone,

I'm 68. I caught Covid in April 2022. I don't have long Covid. Rather, my body is affected by what happened to it during Covid.

Since then my asthma has become considerably worse then it was before the infection. I'm on 250/10 Flutiform, 2.5 Spiriva Respimat, Montelukast and Salamol. I'm waiting for an appointment with a Respiratory Physiotherapist.

I'm very worried. I can't shake the symptoms off.

But here's the thing - I'm far better lying down than I am sitting, standing, or moving about. Why is that when advice suggests it's better to sit up. Is it indicative of something specific to my illness, or about something I could be doing to help me feel better?

Will I return to the way I was before I caught Covid?

Many thanks. Any thoughts will be *very* gratefully received!

[Itswonderful]

I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling so much post covid. I can only say that the Respiritory physiotherapist helped me hugely. We can be breathing “all wrong” without being aware of it so trying the techniques given may help you to get a bit more of a handle on your breathing. If you are referred to speech and language too, I would recommend taking that too. In the meantime it sounds as if you can get some respite by spending some of the time lying down, though I understand you don’t want to do that all the time! Have you had any treatment apart from your usual preventer meds?

[Challiefan in reply to Itswonderful]

Thanks very much for replying, and for the confidence boost regarding Respiratory Physiotherapy. I pretty much know I breathe with the upper part of my chest, rather than the diaphragm. It will be good to correct that. I don't know anything about speech and language. I'll look them up.

I've had no treatment apart from the preventer meds, and Carbocisteine - which really is a miracle drug. Do you have any other treatments in mind? Anything that helps really would be wonderful!

Thanks again

[Itswonderful in reply to Challiefan]

have you been given a rescue inhaler? I find humidity very helpful. It thins the mucus. Also drinking water plus other fluids throughout the day (and water when I wake in the night) is really beneficial. You really do have to drink much more than your body tells you to because thirst is a poor indicator of hydration levels. I always have a Nike sports screw top bottle with me the entire time. I use this particular one because it’s the only one I’ve found that doesn’t leak and I can put in the dishwasher. I also find swimming very helpful because it’s humid. I can just take a slow swim which is exercise but also relaxing. I’ve changed the way I eat as well. I eat less overall but no refined foods. Instead lots of fruit and veg and homemade soups and of course they have a very high water content. I hope you feel better soon.

[Challiefan in reply to Itswonderful]

Thanks again. I'm gradually finding life style changes that help. I agree about remaining hydrated. It makes a very real difference. I've been given so many meds and inhalers over the past few months I hardly know if I'm coming or going now. The good thing is that my Surgery are clearly taking my situation seriously. I should take comfort from that, but the difficulty in finding treatment that works does make me very anxious. Hey ho... Thanks for your reply.

[Itswonderful in reply to Challiefan]

sometimes it takes awhile to get the right combination of meds that work for you so don’t be disheartened. Best wishes.

[Oldandgray]

I’m in my 70’s and had Covid in February. The first three months of the year are usually my best but I coughed and coughed for nearly six months post Covid. I also had a chest X-ray at the end of last year and in June this year. My heart has gone from normal to enlarged. Is this due to the Covid or something else. I don’t know but suspect it’s Covid.

[Challiefan in reply to Oldandgray]

In my case there's no doubt my issues are consequences of Covid - especially as the Coronavirus was followed by a pretty severe bacterial chest infection. (Always happens to me - viral infection, followed by bacterial infection.) I hope it's all settling down for you. Fingers crossed...

[eleanordigby in reply to Oldandgray]

I don’t know the answer to your question but it wouldn’t surprise me. Covid is a sneaky devil! You could phone the British Heart Foundation and chat to them? I looked up their number it’s 03003303311

[Challiefan in reply to eleanordigby]

Thanks. I have 'phoned them, and the nurse was very helpful. Scared the bejasus out of me, but very helpful ;). Fingers crossed, eh...!