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Respiratory issues post-COVID

Posted by mama.aloha @mamaaloha, May 19 7:49pm

Has anyone suspected respiratory issues...but chest x-rays are clear and pulse ox is also normal?

I still have a slight wheeze that has been resistant to treatment so far. Earlier in the post-COVID phase, I had thick phlegm in my throat but that has since gone away. I wonder if I have a phlegmy chest instead? Occasionally have pressure in my chest but in general feel like I'm not getting a full breath ever. Also have mild headache all the time and fatigue with any minimal activity, so wonder if that's respiratory related too. Would appreciate hearing about other people's experiences because I'm starting to feel a little crazy!

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | May 19 9:46pm

God Bless You. I hope some of my information helps you.

I had double pneumonia & asthmatic bronchitis & sinus infection with the first case of COVID. I was later diagnosed with long COVID.....fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, chest pain, high heart rate & thick phlegm in the back of my throat & my joints ached more. I had COVID again last year....not as severe...but the fatigue worsened with it and I was diagnosed with chronic asthma last summer.....very humid here....along with pneumonia in one lung, asthmatic bronchitis and sinus infection that lasted 2 1//2 months during the summer. I had never had pneumonia in my life until COVID.

A rescue inhaler (Albuterol --prescription) helps greatly with shortness of breath. I also was put on a nebulizer 3 times a day with Albuterol as well. Once I got past the hot, humid summer, I was able to stop the nebulizer and only use my Albuterol Rescue Inhaler. Have you had your heart checked? Please do so if you haven't. My 02s were normal as well and my Echo stress test was normal. It was all from COVID. It eventually calmed down and I am so grateful.

The shortness of breath from the initial COVID in 2022 hung around for about 3 months due to me having pneumonia. The fatigue was brutal and I still battle that. I have had to learn to pace myself. I take naps so I can function during the day.

I wondered the same thing about all that phlegm in my throat, but, that wasn't the case of it going into my chest per the Pulmonologist and having a PFT test done by her.

Nobody has been able to diagnose the phlegm....I had a culture done. If I eat salty or sweet foods, it gets worse. If I get a sinus infection it gets worse. It is better some days than others, but, it never goes away completely. I gargle with warm salt water, drink hot lemon ginger tea, use Colgate Peroxdyl mouthwash and I scrape my tongue in the mornings.

Praying for you. Hugs & Blessings...

REPLY
1 reply
mama.aloha | @mamaaloha | May 20 1:27am
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "God Bless You. I hope some of my information helps you. I had double pneumonia &..." + (show)
@covidstinks2023

God Bless You. I hope some of my information helps you.

I had double pneumonia & asthmatic bronchitis & sinus infection with the first case of COVID. I was later diagnosed with long COVID.....fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, chest pain, high heart rate & thick phlegm in the back of my throat & my joints ached more. I had COVID again last year....not as severe...but the fatigue worsened with it and I was diagnosed with chronic asthma last summer.....very humid here....along with pneumonia in one lung, asthmatic bronchitis and sinus infection that lasted 2 1//2 months during the summer. I had never had pneumonia in my life until COVID.

A rescue inhaler (Albuterol --prescription) helps greatly with shortness of breath. I also was put on a nebulizer 3 times a day with Albuterol as well. Once I got past the hot, humid summer, I was able to stop the nebulizer and only use my Albuterol Rescue Inhaler. Have you had your heart checked? Please do so if you haven't. My 02s were normal as well and my Echo stress test was normal. It was all from COVID. It eventually calmed down and I am so grateful.

The shortness of breath from the initial COVID in 2022 hung around for about 3 months due to me having pneumonia. The fatigue was brutal and I still battle that. I have had to learn to pace myself. I take naps so I can function during the day.

I wondered the same thing about all that phlegm in my throat, but, that wasn't the case of it going into my chest per the Pulmonologist and having a PFT test done by her.

Nobody has been able to diagnose the phlegm....I had a culture done. If I eat salty or sweet foods, it gets worse. If I get a sinus infection it gets worse. It is better some days than others, but, it never goes away completely. I gargle with warm salt water, drink hot lemon ginger tea, use Colgate Peroxdyl mouthwash and I scrape my tongue in the mornings.

Praying for you. Hugs & Blessings...

Jump to this post

Thank you. It's helpful to know I'm not the only one going through this. Having post-COVID certainly makes me feel isolated and alone....and crazy! Hope you heal completely and soon. Wishing you all the best.

REPLY
cjm58 | @cjm58 | Jun 2 10:28am

Had covid 2 1/2 years ago with severe shortness of breath for months m.
could only walk 3-4 feet before I was out of breath.
Pulmonologist prescribed
Albuterol inhaler, initially 2 puffs every 4 -6 hours, then as needed.
and
Advair Inhaler (fluticasone & salmeterol- (for lung inflammation)

And I went to PT who was familiar w covid)m-
Worked on techniques to strengthen diaphragm, core, and rib muscles,
And exercises for vagus nerve .

4 weeks- able to walk dog again-1–2 blocks, - using techniques I learned.

Breathing stable for 2 years.

REPLY
1 reply
gracevu | @gracevu | Jun 7 5:44am
In reply to @cjm58 "Had covid 2 1/2 years ago with severe shortness of breath for months m. could only..." + (show)
@cjm58

Had covid 2 1/2 years ago with severe shortness of breath for months m.
could only walk 3-4 feet before I was out of breath.
Pulmonologist prescribed
Albuterol inhaler, initially 2 puffs every 4 -6 hours, then as needed.
and
Advair Inhaler (fluticasone & salmeterol- (for lung inflammation)

And I went to PT who was familiar w covid)m-
Worked on techniques to strengthen diaphragm, core, and rib muscles,
And exercises for vagus nerve .

4 weeks- able to walk dog again-1–2 blocks, - using techniques I learned.

Breathing stable for 2 years.

Jump to this post

It is really great to know your experience.
Can you share a bit more on how to “Worked on techniques to strengthen diaphragm, core, and rib muscles,And exercises for vagus nerve”?
I desperately want to learn🙏.

REPLY
janetlbhughes | @janetlbhughes | Jun 8 7:53am

You are not crazy. I’ve experienced a similar journey. (COVID 11-2020). The phlegm is a constant, sometimes better than others. The “cocktail” I take each night of Pepcid and Walgreens brand “allergy relief D, Sinus and Allergy, chlorpheniramine maleate 4mg/antihistamine-pseudoephedrine HCI 60 mg/nasal decongestant-maximum strength” has been the best thing I’ve found. You have to request it from the pharmacy. My phlegm is not completely gone, but much better. Without this, it really increases. Good luck

REPLY
1 reply
mama.aloha | @mamaaloha | Jun 9 6:41pm
In reply to @janetlbhughes "You are not crazy. I’ve experienced a similar journey. (COVID 11-2020). The phlegm is a constant,..." + (show)
@janetlbhughes

You are not crazy. I’ve experienced a similar journey. (COVID 11-2020). The phlegm is a constant, sometimes better than others. The “cocktail” I take each night of Pepcid and Walgreens brand “allergy relief D, Sinus and Allergy, chlorpheniramine maleate 4mg/antihistamine-pseudoephedrine HCI 60 mg/nasal decongestant-maximum strength” has been the best thing I’ve found. You have to request it from the pharmacy. My phlegm is not completely gone, but much better. Without this, it really increases. Good luck

Jump to this post

My PCP has a similar idea; I'm currently on a high dose of levocetirizine. I would have much more respiratory difficulty without it.

REPLY
marie1992 | @marie1992 | Jun 10 11:45pm

Does anyone have hypoxic brain damage from covid? I have a low heart rate, I'm on oxygen all the time, I'm always dizzy & have frequent falls and I can't drive or work anymore either and I need hearing aids because of covid too. It feels like I'm getting worse instead of better. I feel so isolated!

REPLY
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