Asthma or Covid-19?

[Bexuk]

Any advice last week I developed shortness of breath which lead me to Amu unit. All stats were normal, ECG was clear, chest x Ray clear, Doctor said I didn't have covid lung, bloods taken, all fine except raised d dimer (blood clot) of 538. Had ultrasound scan on left leg no clot found. Doctor said probably no clot but possibly mild case of covid as they are finding covid is raising d dimer results or my asthma from childhood has returned. Peak flow was around 400 Prescribed fostair and a blue inhaler which is helping but still short of breath occasionally how long will this last? And what's the likely it's covid or asthma?

[twinkly29]

Did they test you for covid?

[Bexuk in reply to twinkly29]

No they said they are only testing people who are being admitted to the wards because they don't want to admit people and then they get covid once they are on the ward. The doctor who diagnosed my asthma at the hospital said she only had a cough and cold and she tested positive for covid, so they are going with 'suspect' covid...

[twinkly29 in reply to Bexuk]

Not sure how they can diagnose asthma based on that one visit to be honest. Shame they didn't swab you then you'd have known. Guess all you can do is assume covid for now and see how it goes.

[Bexuk in reply to twinkly29]

When I phoned my gp said suspect covid and that she can't see me now for two weeks because of that, but she will do some spirometry as soon as she can, the fostair is definately helping and my breathing has improved massively, I'm not struggling for breath like I was

[twinkly29 in reply to Bexuk]

I'm glad it's improved and that your GP is ready and waiting for when you can do some tests. I understand the testing for wards, been there myself, just it's frustrating that they wouldn't test you anyway then at least it could have been ruled out. But anyway it's good things are better than they were.

[Poobah]

Did they check your oxygen levels? With Covid-19 they would be low, in the 80s. It's a good indicator of Covid-19.

If it is Covid-19 then be aware that blood clots are a post covid complication. So if you have pain or severe breathing difficulties don't hesitate to seek emergency treatment.

In the meantime use the medication prescribed and follow up with your family doctor to carry out tests for asthma once the quarantine period is over.

If you can, get hold of an oximeter in order to check your oxygen levels if the breathing difficulties return or get worse. Anything in the 80s should be an indicator to seek emergency treatment.

All the best.

[Bexuk in reply to Poobah]

Hi yeah they checked all my stats and they were bang on, oxygen was 100%, heart rate and BP were normal. Ecg was normal. Chest xray was clear they said I didn't have covid lung. And my peak flow was 450. It's so bizarre. I've been using the fostair which seems to have helped and the doctor prescribed me a ventilin inhaler too for when I was really struggling and all seems to have worked. My breathing is returning back to normal each day

[Poobah in reply to Bexuk]

Excellent!! Stay safe.

[Bexuk in reply to Poobah]

Thankyou you too

[Lizale611]

Hi, I have had a similar experience albeit with no increase in my d dimer results. I have had minor asthma alL my life, only needing my reliever at certain times of the year and heavy excerise. However I was unwell about 7-8 weeks ago (sore throat/ low temp/ exhaustion) so there is a chance it was covid but wasn’t tested.

Since then my breathing tightened and have a shortness of breath which resulted in a trip to A&E two weeks ago for tests like you. But all completely clear including a covid test! The docs think it could have been covid initially that made my asthma worse but that it could also be made worse by the extreme pollen. Also there is less pollution and I am not commuting so near trees all day. I had a course of steroids for 2 weeks. Am now on Fostair 2-3 times daily, montelukast at night and using blue when needed and also taking fexofenadine for hay fever even though I have no other hay fever signs. It has got better but still not back to normal...sorry for not better news

[Bexuk in reply to Lizale611]

I find the fostair has really helped and my breathing is getting back to normal with each day now which is a good thing hope your feeling better

[JLcovid]

Hi there, I have asthma and got covid recently. I made a day by day video log over two weeks, feel free to watch if it helps rule anything out!

youtube.com/playlist?list=F...