Breathless after Covid and anti-virals?

[Scottishlad]

Admittedly there has been a lot going on in my life , my wife passed away from lung cancer at the end last year, I was involved in a bad accident in March which effectively left me disabled for a few weeks due to severe bruising and strains. Then at the end of May I finally caught covid. Being on Cimzia and methotrexate I qualify for antivirals and started them the day after testing positive.

While my condition improved quickly after starting the antivirals, I was left feeling quite tired.

I have been quite tired and breathless recently. It could of course simply be de-conditioning following the accident but feeling is that is not because I am trying to be active.

I'm seeing the respiratory Nurse at the local surgery next week for an assessment and have been referred to the local sports centre for exercise to build up my fitness.

Has anyone else had long-term breathlessness following antivirals?

[JenniferW]

Hi Scottishlad,

I had breathlessness after covid (right at the beginning before we had locked down, so no antivirals or anything) and it turned out to be asthma, which is also an auto-immune condition. Covid gives your immune system a big shove to overreact. Has the respiratory nurse asked you to do a peak flow test?

Best Wishes

Jennifer

[Scottishlad in reply to JenniferW]

I am expecting a range of tests, the appointment is for 45-60 minutes. As an ex farmer, "farmers lung" needs to be considered, it is 25 years since I was working on farms and usually wore protective equipment.

[hatshepsut]

So sorry to hear that you have lost your wife, and then had all the other problems, I do hope that things improve for you.

I had antivirals in July when I finally contracted covid. I am now recovered, but I have been left with lingering fatigue. It is gradually improving, but still there.

Hope you get over it quickly, good luck xx

[sylvi]

I hope your soon on the mend darling sorry i can't answer your question. xxxx

[Jackie1947]

I had breathlessness following covid which went away gradually . I also had antiviral meds but it was not those that caused it it was covid.

[Scottishlad in reply to Jackie1947]

I'm not blaming the antivirals, rather wondering about other causes.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Scottishlad]

Basically Covid inflicted. One of the long term effects.

[aliplayspiano]

I’m sorry to hear about your wife. I had moderate asthma when I was in my teens and twenties and then it seemed to almost disappear, I just had a blue “reliever” inhaler that I used occasionally. Then two years ago, just before covid appeared, I had pneumonia and ended up in hospital. Since then my asthma has been a lot worse and have been put on preventer inhaler. I also had covid a few months ago which led to a chest infection. It did leave me breathless for a while.

[Leics]

I’m sorry I can’t answer your question but I wish to give you my condolences on the loss of your wife. I’m assuming you’ve been tested for infection and pneumonia? My hubby had double pneumonia this year he’s usually fit as a fiddle and strong too but it’s taken him six months to recover and it wasn’t as a result of covid. I hope your appointment goes well and they get to the problem of the breathlessness and offer some treatment and support to you. It sounds as though you still have some recovering to do from your accident and Covid infection so it may just need more time after all you’re not able to rest your lungs and they’re very lazy organs too. Good luck.