Covid caused cardiac issues 31 years old/previously healthy. 1 month Delay in long covid symptoms

[scm21]

looking to meet people who can relate. hopefully this forum can bring me some sort of assistance in a really difficult time or I can be assisting to someone else.

I've had heart issued for the last 6 weeks or so. was totally healthy 31yo prior. cardiologist said I had covid around Xmas time as I was pretty unwell at that time but wasn't tested. beginning of Feb I started getting chest pain and then it just got worse from there. heart palpitations no sleep. NHS basically left me, didn't care even though I was in agony struggling to breathe,couldn't sleep and weak. (they did however tell me to get sleep leaving me with a heart rate over 100 up to 155) I got so fed up I ended up paying to see a private cardiologist and was diagnosed with pericarditis which is damage to heart lining usually caused by infection (such as covid). the symptoms of that is chest pain and tachycardia (fast heart rate) the only way I can describe it is AWFUL. even now when I write this I'm up because I can't sleep due to pain. hence my midnight trial for a forum so I could find others like me, they claim rest will make it go away on its own but its not. there are nights when I physically cry myself to sleep in pain if I am fortunate enough to do so. night's like tonight I will stay awake to the point of exhaustion and pass out at some point. its been like this for weeks now. I've been put on beta blockers to reduce the heart rate and honestly speaking that has helped but only after 2 weeks of intense side effects.

the joys of this pandemic seem to be endless. I just live in hope that it will get better

[Vw101]

Hi, I just wanted to say that I’m in exactly the same position as you and I was diagnosed just last week with pericarditis and effusion due to previous infection (possibly Covid). I’ve just turned 40, previously fit and healthy and exercise daily. I’ve also come on here to get advice etc and be of support to anyone that needs it.Have a search through the forum for pericarditis and there is some good advice on here. From what I have read on this forum, everyone’s journey is going to be different, some heal faster and others it takes time. I’m finding it hard not being able to be active but I want to get better as quickly as possible so I’m doing everything I can to let my body rest and hopefully speed up recovery long term.Hopefully someone with more experience than me will be along soon to offer some advice, as I am a bit of a newbie to all of this too. Take care and rest up.

[scm21 in reply to Vw101]

it's so nice to relate to someone. that's been the most difficult thing for me because unless you're going through it,, you can't explain it and it's just been so distressing so last night I was an emotional wreck and thought let me see what I can find on here. thanks for the advice ill look on here. if you don't mind me asking what are you using for the pain?

[Vw101 in reply to scm21]

Thankfully my pain hasn’t been too bad, just difficulty when getting to sleep and certain positions during the day, but I read some advice on here about sleeping positions which has helped hugely. Hopefully someone with more experience will be along soon. So sorry your going through this. Has your cardiologist offered any advice on pain?

[scm21 in reply to Vw101]

that's good to hear. thank you for your kind responses I'll keep you updated if I see anything of use to you, but I think because this is all new, we may just be the experienced ones...... I sure hope not

[Hidden in reply to Vw101]

Hi I too previously very fit karate instructor keen cyclist had covid last march April abandoned by the nhs had to go private got pericarditus and pleurisy nearly one year on still have chest pain cant exercise for any more than 15 minutes still cant get anything out of nhs but hopefully time is the healer

[scm21 in reply to Hidden]

it's just so sad and distressing to hear. there seems to be no support for us out here.

[MissCS in reply to Hidden]

Hello...were you given any medicine by the private doctor? At least l can suggest to my GPs. The chest pains are awful and they come with extreme fatigue, shortness of breath...it's crazy.

[Hidden in reply to MissCS]

He gave me colchicine and a short dose of ibuprofen even though I'm on aspirin and it did work to bring pain down

[MissCS in reply to Hidden]

Thanks a lot. My situation is really difficult because they haven't diagnosed the pericarditis...but then l continue to have the chest pains. Hopefully things will improve for all of us. Much love.

[scm21 in reply to MissCS]

maybe throw out the word pericarditis to the doctor they may refer you to a cardiologist .. u know most GPS wait for u to tell them what to do

[MissCS in reply to scm21]

That's true. I will mention the name to my GP and hear what he says. This is a good idea. Thank you so much.

[Wayne12]

Hi ime 42 and ime from stoke on trent I've. Been healthy uptilk now now ime on a spray for my heart and aspirin dnt no what is going on had covid in September last year and since then I've been ill

[scm21 in reply to Wayne12]

so sorry to hear that, honestly its just so hard to deal with the aftermath of it and there doesn't seem to be much help out there. if you don't mind me asking what kind of symptoms are u getting? here to talk if you need a chat

[Snorkeller]

Hi. My husband previously healthy don't think he had Covid but maybe he did ! was recently diagnosed with Pericarditis. I've found two Facebook pages Pericarditis UK and an international one Global Pericarditis Support Group. Hope this might help you.

[scm21 in reply to Snorkeller]

thank you so much

[MissCS]

Hello..l share your pain. I had Covid in mid October. Spent 2 weeks in hospital. Came back home and I am battling with excruciating chest pains since. The little things l do knocks me down with chest pains and my stomach also starts to hurt. I have severe asthma and uncontrolled so l am really struggling. I have been to the a&e like ten times since November so l have put pressure on them and my GPs. I have done all the tests you can think of...CT scan, xray, echocardiogram, blood tests but all fine they said. I continue to have the chest pains even if I move a little and it comes with extreme fatigue nothing l have experienced before. I have taken 3 courses of steroids which haven't helped the chest pains but the shortness of breath is a bit better so am hoping and praying the chest pains will also gradually leave me alone to get back to my life. The doctors say the same thing to me...rest, rest, rest 😡 but for how long....it's crazy. Do you take cocodamol....it's the only thing that eases the chest pains a bit. We will get better for sure. Take care dear ones going through this devil of a virus which never goes away and keep lingering in our bodies. 🤞🙏

[scm21 in reply to MissCS]

so sorry to hear what you're going through. it feels like we all are really feeling it without much help. I created this post as its just nice to vent to people who understand what you're going through. I will definitely try cocodamol.

I think for most of us it's been a lot of hoping and praying. have they given you a diagnosis yet? if you ever need to have a moan feel free to msg me.

I'm the same wondering how long... but I think because this is all new they actually don't know. we all have to stay strong and try to fight it. hope it isn't affecting you too much mentally. as I know for me when the pain hits it makes me feel quite low

[MissCS in reply to scm21]

No diagnosis and it is lingering in my body. Everyday is a struggle. Thank God for this group. At least we can come here and listen to each other and share ideas. Much love to you all and let's continue to be there for each other. 💕💕💕

[Casey_87]

Sorry to here what your going through, I can relate slightly. Back in later December 2019 to feb 20 I had symptoms of covid (wasn’t aware of the symptoms then) since then I have suffered uncontrollable asthma, breathlessness, fatigue, aches and pains and chest pains. Iv been admitted for suspected blood clots thankfully this was negative and had CT, X rays and an echocardiogram all come back normal. I’m not waiting for respiratory physiotherapy to help with my breathing Iv been diagnosed with dysfunctional breathing, I even started back running to try and get back to my normal self but this has made me feel worse especially chest pains, palpitations and fatigue, I was a healthy 32 year old. I hope you get the support you need

[scm21 in reply to Casey_87]

hi thank you for your message, its really annoying tbh because everyone seems to be experiencing the same thing but nobody knows when it will end, if ever and I think that's what we all are waiting on, recovery stories so that we can see an end in sight. I went for a long walk and I think that was what exacerbated the pain so I guess it's just rest rest rest bit ot would be nice to know when normality will come back