Post Covid-19 chest problems, any help?

[jim_jams]

Hi, just looking for help with issues I'm facing following 6 weeks on from what we believe was Covid-19. (Not tested)

Initially our family fell ill early March with full coronavirus symptoms, our 2 boys recovered within a week, my wife around 3 weeks but myself, 43 year old Male around 7 weeks on, I'm still having shortness of breath and slight chest pain that comes and goes. I'm very wheezy, especially at night and in the morning I cough up some very thick and sticky phlegm that's reddish brown in colour (see photos) The sputum clears throughout the day, but is still thick and sticky. Do we think this is just part of the healing process, should I seek further help? My doctor has spoke to me over the phone and has prescribed me with medication to try and help loosen the phlegm, ajt other advice would be great, I'm self employed and currently too week to go back to work, is there any other things I can do to help my recovery?

I had secondary pneumonia and pleurisy when I was 19, I've had some problems with my breathing and immune system since.

Any advice would be great. Thank you.

[Sash43]

It sounds to me like your doing everything you can, but if you're worried speak to the doctor again or 111 for advice?? I find steam helps me and also a nasal spray, just a saline one for children which is natural and can be used long term, I find it loosens phlegm also??? I understand it can take a while to recover and glad you are over the worst if it? Good luck

[Andie72]

Water..drink lots of water to keep your lungs wet, not enough water and you could have a lot of mucus plugging I had a problem with this and its unpleasant.

Breathing exercise as well helps.

Take deep breath in through your nose so your tummy expands hold 5 seconds and release through your mouth,do this 5 times and on the 5th breathing out give a big cough, it might make you a bit dizzy, another i do is blow up a balloon repeatedly and move around if you can to loosen any phlegm.

Hope you feel better soon.

If this colour of phlegm continues over the next few days demand to see the doctor.

[Jomo46]

Andie says deep breaths, but also make sure your diaphragm goes down and put your hand near your navel to feel the expansion there. If you just use your upper chest muscles, , it won’t work. You can look up the abc cycle of breathing on u tube,

Good luck. i use sterimar salt and water spray from gp, which helps.

I’m on day28 of getting the virus ( or bad chest infection) I got really thick mucus about day 20 but it lasted about 2 days. I always get mucus and have to clear my chest prob twice a day. It seems a very slow progress towards recovery. I get exhausted very quickly , but I am improving. I also get good days and bad days.. if I do too much one day, I’m worse the next. I find it frustrating but lots of water and rest seems to be helpful. I’m immuno compromised so tend to need antibiotics. I’m on 3rd set. This lot seems to be working. All the very best and rest, rest, rest

X jo

[Jomo46]

Ask the gp if you can have a sputum sample sent off to test.

[jim_jams]

Thank you so much for the replies, some very helpful tips, especially on the breathing. It helps to know I'm not the only one with problems. Stay safe everyone

[Highview]

When I had mucus that colour (for the first time ever, I was 56), the doctor said I had a nasty chest infection, it turned out to be pneumonia, I suggest a blood test and chest X ray.