NAGGING POST-COVID COUGHS

[Irishgreek]

I was diagnosed with COVID sixteen days ago. My second time this year (2022) but not requiring seven days in hospital as I did last January. I took Paxlovid for five days and was told to stop Calquence and heart medicine (for PVCs) which is Metropolol. I resumed the Calquence and heart medicine (taken ONLY because of Calquence) a week ago. Now, sixteen days later, my shortness of breath is as severe as ever and so is my chronic fatigue and bone wearying tiredness. I fall asleep at the table, in a chair, during family visits at least three or four times a day. I am 40 pounds overweight and working on losing that. My blood oxygen level stays low like 92% to 94%, but nothing really bad. My heart checked out as strong and sound. I am still coughing and cannot talk more than a few minutes without getting into a coughing jag or fit. Any ideas or sugestions or what I should check next? Sleep apnea? Narcolepsy? Is this just as good as it is going to get?

[JerrysGirl3]

I am off Zanubrutinib until my Covid symptoms go away. I used to have a great immune system. That's fine since i started Zanubrutinib two months ago. I have to say I feel much better off the meds! Sleeping through the night. Lower BP. No cramping anymore especially at night. And the shakes in the morning. All gone! Of course I have no clue what's happening with my labs - last ones on 8-10-22 which CLL doc thinks is fine. I disagree totally. In two months of being on Zanubrutinib I think I had a total of three sets of labs! Not happy. But what do I know?

How did you feel when you were off the meds while taking Paxlovid which in my case made me feel great! But i rebounded worse! That's when i stopped the Zanubrutinib until I can get my Covid under control.

Kerry

[Irishgreek in reply to JerrysGirl3]

Thank you!

[Davidcara]

not saying this is what you have, there is something called post covid airway sensitivity. The airway tissues become very sensitive and are easily irritated by things such as cold air, allergies, a deep breath ect. The cough is a response to the airway irritation. Can last months, this is what was explained to me regarding my cough and shortness of breath. Again, not saying this is what is happening to you, just my personal experience.

[Irishgreek in reply to Davidcara]

I will look into it, thank you!

[JerrysGirl3 in reply to Davidcara]

yes I've heard of long term dry cough symptom!

[SofiaDeo]

I had a pneumonitis that took a good 6 months to clear up. They tested for Covid, was negative. I did have some ground glass opacities in my lungs. It was finally decided it was caused by some enviromental factors (wildfire smoke, air pollution ozone up to "unhealthy for sensitive groups", construction dust from window replacement in house, coolant leak in car air conditioner). Once the inflammatory cycle starts, it can take a while to calm down. Covid lungs take a long time, even after the initial disease clears up:

hopkinsmedicine.org/health/...

This major US medical research university says 3 months to a year.

[Irishgreek in reply to SofiaDeo]

I had not heard of pneumonitis. Thank you.

[whmk]

I have had SOB not due to COVID but due to CLL. I have excess pleural fluid that needed to be drained which helped with the SOB.

[Irishgreek in reply to whmk]

That is a helpful lead. Thank you.

[LeoPa]

I know of a quick way to quickly lose40 pounds. Or 80.

[Irishgreek]

Thank you for for the diet advice.