Struggling 35 days with Covid and pleurisy

[HectorInspector]

I’m trying to understand if the level of fatigue and feeling so very poorly still, is normal after 35 days! I started with classic Covid symptoms , slight improvement on week 1, crashed badly week 2 and 3, started to come out of it week 4 and then crashed again week 5 with pleurisy symptoms. I’ve been assessed by paramedics at home re breathing , by my GP over the phone and in the last 3 days by a medic via 111. I’m self triaging at home taking all my vitals which I’ve been able to give to the health professionals . They all conclude that I’ve had it but cannot be tested outside of hospital. They don’t want me to go to hospital unless I decline but I feel so poorly all the time .

I can hardly stand and when I do my legs are like jelly, I live alone and have cats so I do have to get out of bed to get food etc but I’m so weak and there seems no let up? I’m on Doxycycline for the pleurisy but it could well be viral, my temperature is a 1/2 degree higher than normal and I have intermittent pain with the pleurisy which comes and goes throughout the day, hurts when I cough etc. I can cope with the pain from the pleurisy but the weakness is frightening. I’ve also had bloating which is there most of the time but does increase as the day goes on and puts more pressure on my diaphragm. I’m sleepy most of the time but despite resting for 5 weeks I’m still not improving. I’m wondering if anyone else is struggling in this same way?

I’m eating and drinking well and my oxygen levels are between 96-98% , heart rate is fine and my blood pressure which is normally low is a little lower than usual averaging 103/58. Is it Covid that’s wiped me out so much or the pleurisy or both??

[2greys]

You can expect shortness of breath and fatigue/weakness for at least 6 weeks from the end of the Covid-19 symptoms, pleurisy will also take, what seems along time, to get better as well.

[HectorInspector in reply to 2greys]

Thankyou, so needing to sleep during the day and feeling weak, wobbly legs and wiped out is to be expected? My eyes want to close all the time

[2greys in reply to HectorInspector]

Yes, I am going through the same myself, without the pleurisy (fingers crossed). I have managed to cut my sleeping hours to 16 hours per day by being mentally active.

[Tugun]

Dear HectorInspector - Living alone can be both a blessing and difficult when you are sick. A blessing because you can concentrate on getting yourself better without having to look after anyone else but difficult because you have to get your own food ready and you have no-one there to bring you a glass of water when you feel too tired to get it yourself. I hope you are looking after yourself with regards to food, hydration and extra vitamins and minerals that may help to boost your immune system. Vitamins A,C,E and D as well as zinc would all help. I'm sure there are others as well. Look after yourself and all the best.

[Hidden]

So sorry you are feeling so unwell Hector. I think its good you are getting up and walking about your home, to feed yourself and the cats, although its difficult it will help bring back some strength to your legs and you really need to try and avoid spending too much time in the horizontal position to avoid further complications like pneumonia.

I know it much be so very difficult for you but just do the best you can and know all in good time things will get better. Its a slow process when you have been so ill for so long and we do tend to decondition quickly with illness but a gradual strengthening recovery will be taking place with you doing what you can.

I hope you are getting food deliveries ok or you have been in touch with the local council Adult care - our is called the wellbeing hub maybe you have accessed this already.

Probably what you are experiencing is a combination of both. Your blood gas is good, your blood pressure is a bit low perhaps mention this to your doctor.

Keep on getting stronger day by day and hopefully you will be feeling a lot better real soon.

Best wishes for a good recovery.

[HectorInspector in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, normally a visit to the doctor and further tests would put my mind at risk but that’s not possible at the moment . I have neighbours/friends/family helping with shopping etc but it’s the weakness/fatigue that I’m struggling with. I hope it means my body is putting up a good fight! I’ve never even had a chest infection before so these symptoms are very new to me and a little scary

[Hidden in reply to HectorInspector]

So glad you have people helping you. When resting your body is healing so just allow yourself to rest and also allow yourself walkabouts inside and spend some time in the living room watching tv and then wonder back to bed. If you've not had a lung infections before this will be a shock, the realisation how quickly we can go down hill and the reason we try to avoid contact with people who may be infected with colds or flu under normal circumstances every winter. Whilst it is a slow process to get back on our feet you will do eventually. Keep doing the things that will help your recovery. Don't hesitate to chat with the nurses on the BLF helpline as well for more encouragement and support.

For myself I think I am going to be doing the stay at home every winter for the duration now and hopefully next year won't have to continue into spring and summer.

Take good care and feel loads better soon.

[Mother347]

hello,

Yes, this virus makes you very fatigue and it does comes and go. sometimes you feel like you have recovered but again suddenly it makes you very weak, headache and dizzy sometimes. I was diagnosed with Covid 19 pneumonia. I bought oximeter to check my Spo2, thermometer and incentive spirometer. my Spo2 is normal from 96 to 99%. sometimes I feel like a healthy person but suddenly i sometimes feel very fatigue, headache and feel like someone is stepping on my chest. I do follow up with my doctor. I did my blood test where all the report are normal. So, you are not alone, I feel the same way.