1. < Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19

62 years old, living alone and I have COVID-19, no family or friends

Posted by potterylady @potterylady, Apr 3, 2020

I am on day 2 with the virus and I am concerned because I live alone, what if the symptoms become more than I can handle. I hear that it can get bad fast, so I am reaching out here in the forum for suggestions.

I am 62 years old, with otherwise good physical health except for my obesity. I am bipolar 2, more depression than mania, and severe anxiety disorder. I receive SSDI due to my mental illness

I haven't had the flu in more then 10 years, and I only get minor colds about once a year. I don't run fevers when I am ill, my normal temp is 97.1 to 97.4. This is the first year I have had a flu shot.

Currently I am having general body aches and chills, bad joint pain, occasional headaches, some throat congestion, minor sore throat some pressure on my chest and curiously I am experiencing a feeling like water in the ears from swimming(?)

Of course I am not allowed to be tested, since my symptoms aren't severe enough and there aren't enough tests, but I will call my doctors office today to request a telehealth appt so they will have a record of this.

Any ideas for me being alone through this with only family support over the phone?
Thanks and Stay Safe

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

potterylady | @potterylady | Apr 3, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "@potterylady You seem to have thought of a lot of things and know who to take..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@potterylady You seem to have thought of a lot of things and know who to take care of yourself. Here (yet another) article to help you know what you might expect, although everyone is different.
- What happens to your body when you have COVID-19? https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-happens-to-your-body-when-your-have-covid-19/

Here are some of things that I might get set up if I were coming down with a flu and alone:
- Arrange for a neighbor to be on call to shop for food or medication if necessary
- Have plenty of liquids on hand, like water by the beside, tea making items out on the counter, thermos flask to keep tea warm
- Ensure pathways between kitchen, bedroom and bathroom are clear and unobstructed to enable easy mobility
- Have extra blankets on hand if you get chilled
- Keep your phone charged and near you at all times in case you need to call someone or 911

I hope you hear from your doctor today, so that you can create a plan together of what to do if the symptoms worsen and need medical attention beyond what you are able to provide for yourself. Be sure to ask her which symptoms require her attention or emergency attention.

Do you have any previous or underlying lung issues, such as asthma, allergies or anything lung related?

Jump to this post

Hi Colleen,
No I don't have any lung/breathing issues normally.
Thanks for all the great suggestions
Alexis

REPLY
1 reply
potterylady | @potterylady | Apr 3, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "Potterylady, I'm glad you shared your post about what you are experiencing right now. There are..." + (show)
@fiesty76

Potterylady, I'm glad you shared your post about what you are experiencing right now. There are many of us in "like" circumstances and I applaud the steps you've taken.

You sound like another very talented person whom I can admire. Took an elective class once for pottery and to my sorrow, it was not a good match. Smiles.

Jump to this post

Hi Fiesty76, thank you for your kind words☺

REPLY
mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Apr 3, 2020
In reply to @potterylady "Hi Merry, I did call my doctor and had a video appt with her, she diagnosed..." + (show)
@potterylady

Hi Merry,
I did call my doctor and had a video appt with her, she diagnosed my symptoms to be consistent with Covid 19. I will continue to monitor my symptoms and let her know if they worsen.

Jump to this post

Wishing you a speedy recovery!! Keep us informed, we are here for you.

REPLY
1 reply
potterylady | @potterylady | Apr 3, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "Wishing you a speedy recovery!! Keep us informed, we are here for you." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

Wishing you a speedy recovery!! Keep us informed, we are here for you.

Jump to this post

Thank you!

REPLY
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Apr 3, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "@potterylady You seem to have thought of a lot of things and know who to take..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@potterylady You seem to have thought of a lot of things and know who to take care of yourself. Here (yet another) article to help you know what you might expect, although everyone is different.
- What happens to your body when you have COVID-19? https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-happens-to-your-body-when-your-have-covid-19/

Here are some of things that I might get set up if I were coming down with a flu and alone:
- Arrange for a neighbor to be on call to shop for food or medication if necessary
- Have plenty of liquids on hand, like water by the beside, tea making items out on the counter, thermos flask to keep tea warm
- Ensure pathways between kitchen, bedroom and bathroom are clear and unobstructed to enable easy mobility
- Have extra blankets on hand if you get chilled
- Keep your phone charged and near you at all times in case you need to call someone or 911

I hope you hear from your doctor today, so that you can create a plan together of what to do if the symptoms worsen and need medical attention beyond what you are able to provide for yourself. Be sure to ask her which symptoms require her attention or emergency attention.

Do you have any previous or underlying lung issues, such as asthma, allergies or anything lung related?

Jump to this post

Great suggestions, Collen, for all of us who live alone. Thank you.

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 3, 2020
In reply to @potterylady "Hi Colleen, No I don't have any lung/breathing issues normally. Thanks for all the great suggestions..." + (show)
@potterylady

Hi Colleen,
No I don't have any lung/breathing issues normally.
Thanks for all the great suggestions
Alexis

Jump to this post

@potterylady, if I may add one more suggestion.
- Keep your device handy and let us know how you're doing at least once daily. Because you know we will worry. 🙂

REPLY
1 reply
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Apr 4, 2020
In reply to @potterylady "Hi John, I did call my doctor and had a video appt with her, she diagnosed..." + (show)
@potterylady

Hi John,
I did call my doctor and had a video appt with her, she diagnosed my symptoms to be consistent with Covid 19. I will continue to monitor my symptoms and let her know if they worsen.
I am good on groceries for probably 3 weeks, then I will get things delivered from Wal-Mart
Alexis

Jump to this post

Good to hear that you will stay in touch with your doc and be in touch with her if needed.

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 4, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "@potterylady, if I may add one more suggestion. - Keep your device handy and let us..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@potterylady, if I may add one more suggestion.
- Keep your device handy and let us know how you're doing at least once daily. Because you know we will worry. 🙂

Jump to this post

@potterylady,- Checking in to see how you are today.

REPLY
potterylady | @potterylady | Apr 7, 2020

Uodate:
The chest pressure that I was experiencing has stopped. Most of the time I feel like I have the flu, and then I get an attack of severe muscle and joint pain, it comes out of nowhere, then a low grade fever for a while then back to fly symptoms. Hopefully I have a mild case, I am on my 6th day.
I will give another update soon

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 7, 2020
In reply to @potterylady "Uodate: The chest pressure that I was experiencing has stopped. Most of the time I feel..." + (show)
@potterylady

Uodate:
The chest pressure that I was experiencing has stopped. Most of the time I feel like I have the flu, and then I get an attack of severe muscle and joint pain, it comes out of nowhere, then a low grade fever for a while then back to fly symptoms. Hopefully I have a mild case, I am on my 6th day.
I will give another update soon

Jump to this post

So good to hear from you, @potterylady. It must be a relief to not have the pressure on your chest anymore. I hope you're drinking lots of liquids. Take care.

REPLY
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