Disclaimer: This blog post is based on my personal experience in the U.K. I am not a Specialist Medical Professional. Please consult your Local Health Medical Practitioner & Emergency Guidance including the World Health Organization (WHO) guidance. I did what personally worked for me including following my Hospital Consultant and General Practitioner Service, medical guidance. I am sharing for educational purposes, to raise further awareness and as a lesson learnt process. Lastly, also as an opportunity to connect with people who may have experienced similar symptoms as mine.
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on my personal experience in the U.K. I am not a Specialist Medical Professional. Please consult your Local Health Medical Practitioner & Emergency Guidance including the World Health Organization (WHO) guidance. I did what personally worked for me including following my Hospital Consultant and General Practitioner Service, medical guidance. I am sharing for educational purposes, to raise further awareness and as a lesson learnt process. Lastly, also as an opportunity to connect with people who may have experienced similar symptoms as mine.
"You have to believe you will be okay, you will recover and
must try not think the worst"
- Emergency NHS Medical Doctor
On 27th March 2020, I
started frantically calling the U.K. National Health Service (NHS) number 111, which resulted in me being connected to 999 Emergency Services. After nearly 8-9 days of trials and tribulations of attempting to cure myself through
homely remedies, including following General Practitioner (GP) advice and NHS 111
Medical Guidance. I progressively started feeling worse within a short space of time from mild cold/flu symptoms to moderate/high persistent breathlessness,
chest pain, chest pressures and congestion symptoms.
Although, I maintained mental and physical calmness during my ordeal, I was becoming exhausted by self-medicalizing and trying to control my own symptoms, which appeared to become progressively worse each day. I was becoming slightly mentally and physically exhausted with having to cope independently without specialist medical input through the attacks and in overcoming the periods of breathlessness. Thankfully prior to the calling 111, by the divine intervention of the universe, I was encouraged by my brothers in Canada to go hospital, consequently their words prompted me to contact 999. I had reached the stage of requiring emergency guidance before my symptoms became potentially worse.
Furthermore, I was self-diagnosing
based on past experiences of suffering with similar pneumonia and bronchitis ailments. Also reacting more emotively based on hearing dire and deadly global corona virus pandemic news. Instinctively, I feared being breathless more than any other symptoms and the impact the viral infection was having on lungs. I chose not to prolonged matters with family input by waiting until last minute, when my condition could have potentially been more of a high-risk emergency incident.
MY PERSONAL JOURNAL
& EXPERIENCE:
In the back of my mind I
suspected corona virus could be reason of my symptoms but chose to hang onto an
optimistic outlook rather than overly panic. I was also conflicted by NHS and
World Health Organisation Guidance, in terms of whether my symptoms were associated with the corona virus
or something else such as a chest infection.
According to the WHO, “The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever,
tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal
congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually
mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any
symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the
disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who
gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older
people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure,
heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People
with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.”
MY SYMPTOMS:
- Upper chest pain with sensations of persistent pain, pressure and congestion. At times wheezing and sensations of feeling like the air in my throat was closing in.
- Back pressure contributing to breathlessness, pressure, pain and as though I was being deprived of oxygen.
- Sore throat, dry mouth, dry lips and minor coughing, sneezing.
- The viral infection triggered Fibromyalgia flare up symptoms such as numbness sensations in my hands and legs and feeling of loss of circulation. Including fiery sensations musculoskeletal chronic pain sensations and brain fog (includes cognitive issues such as limited concentration levels and headaches).
- Intolerance to exposure to cold temperatures, including drinks and food.
WHAT MY SYMPTOMS FEEL LIKE:
Medically, my symptoms are not seen as being severe nor fall into the NHS category of high-risk person with a persistent unbearable cough with high temperatures.
According to 111 NHS Guidance these are the symptoms that we need to look out for in the U.K. which are related to the coronavirus.
- “Do you have a new continuous cough?
- New: means a cough that you've not had before, or if you usually have a cough, it's got worse.
- Continuous: means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.”
As a personal experience, it felt like a survival game of endurance in being able to overcome viral infection attacks thrown my way.
- The viral chest infection feels like an attack on my lungs and chest. A pressure as though something is pushing against my chest, filling up my lungs and restricting my breathing. If felt as though something was trying to test how long my immune defense mechanism can cope being afflicted before it stopped.
- It felt as though being tested for mentally patience, calmness and tolerance. Also, physically to see if my body could cope and persevere through it before it attacks again.
- The most heightened stages of these attacks are early evening hours, during the night and early morning. During the day, I was able to still manage some of my daily living tasks. I had already adapted a slower pace lifestyle as a result of living with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue for the past four years.
Therefore, as a result of pre-existing underlying condition, was not able to distinguish whether aches, pains, tiredness symptoms where related to Corona Virus or Fibromyalgia.
TIME FRAME OF SYMPTOMS:
Over two weeks ago, I started experiencing minor seasonal cold/flu symptoms followed by
chills. I brushed off the symptoms as something that would eventually go away.
At this stage, I was not coughing repeatedly, or presenting with high
temperatures. I was presenting with low to moderate temperatures, until
recently where I’ve had on and off episodes of high temperatures. Mind you,
this was based on a gaussmeter of checking how hot my chest and back was (NHS
Guidance). I have been waiting for over three weeks for my
thermometer delivery order to arrive due to shortages.
Up to this point, I was
self-assessing and medicalizing at home and trying not to think the
worst. I have been completing my NHS GP Service online self-assessment forms for my own sanity and medical history records. Also, as a means for GP Health Professionals to keep track of my health progress.
I decided to be
proactive and take matters into my own hands, rather than wait and be left out
when the U.K. Government starts testing the general public. Currently, testing
in the U.K. is limited to patients in Hospital, Health Professionals and some
Dignitaries.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING IN
SHOPS HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED YET:
I started to keep my distance and be mindful of crowds prior to developing a minor cold. As, I knew that I could potentially be compromised due to my weakened immune system. I also didn’t want to sit around until the viral infection hit me, to find out what impact (if any) it would have on my underlying conditions of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigues and Hypothyroidism.
I was in full-self lockdown mode, just a day or two before I started to develop cold symptoms. I made my last trip to the post-office, pharmacy and supermarket over 16 days ago. During that time, I was
also surprised that the most business owners had not implemented physical
distancing in their shops. As
much as, I tried to keep myself safe, it was becoming increasingly
harder to maneuver around people who seemed oblivious to potential risks of being close. The only person, that I could control was me by taking
myself out of the social community equation.
Initially, we were
informed by U.K. Government to wash our hands regularly and to be mindful of
surfaces. So, most of us carried on, with our social habits, as though there no
pending high-risk health concerns.
If we washed our hands and were being mindful of surfaces and refrained from shaking hands, we would be mimimise risk of exposure.
Initial U.K. Health Guidance
The other reason, I
chose to start implementing physical distancing at the time was due to the lack of clarity about the potential impact of the viral infection on people with underlying chronic illness health conditions such as mine including weak immune systems.
I didn’t need to sit
around to test out whether I could
survive this virus, or not (herd immunity). I already knew based on previous experiences of
affected by seasonal colds and flu's that it took me longer to recover. More so, after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. You can refer to my previous
blog post here of my concerns for people living with chronic illnesses.
PROGRESS TO DATE OF MY SYMPTOMS :
I am now on day 15-16 since experiencing my initial symptoms. I am starting to lose count of how many day's
I've been in self-isolation as every day has started to look and feel the same. Yesterday, I started to feeling as though I had recovered, which turned out to not be the case during the night. During the night,
I started to develop familiar symptoms of persistent breathing issues until early
morning hours. I continue
to still experience uncomfortable minor breathing issues, which have woken me up from
sleep and kept me awake.
Initially, I thought my chest
infection would clear within 7-10 days, but that hasn't been the case. I didn't expect to experience unbearable prolonged
periods of breathlessness, with at times seemed to occur instantaneously. Nor being woken up during sleep from wheezing as though
my wind wipes were closing in.
The symptoms have also been confusing at, as I have felt as though I recovering and well a few times. Only to start feeling adverse impacts later in the evening until early morning hours. I have now become
accustomed to the symptoms patterns and time frame of potential attacks, which usually start off as minor before
quickly escalating, into a full-blown unbearable experience.
My homely remedies
consisted so far have consistent of the following routines:
- Hot water steaming with Vicks Rub to clear my airways/lungs (early morning and evening time, including regular intervals during the day if required).
- Drinking Hot/Warm water at regular intervals to maintain hydration; usually mixed with fresh ginger, lemon and vinegar. Occasionally, I drink lukewarm soda water with lemon.
- I have also been mindful to maintain healthy nutrition and eliminated alcohol intake. Mainly sticking with warm or hot foods for now.
- Implementing breathing exercises and Yoga/Pilates, via YouTube videos to maintain calmness through the storm.
- Ordered a Salbutamol Inhaler to alleviate wheezing and breathlessness. I have used inhalers in the past.
- Advised by my GP Health Professional to take Paracetamol: Initially, I uncertain about taking Paracetamol due to Hospital Consultation Guidance (re: Fibromyalgia Management). I refrained from taking it, including Anti-Inflammatory Painkillers. I started taking paracetamol days before, I rung 999 out of panic and feeling hopeless in being able to alleviate my symptoms. Prior to this, I had taken 1-2 antibiotics as a last result (previous prescription for similar severe chest infection relation symptoms), which I found in my medication box. I prefer to refrain from taking antibiotics to protect my immune system, as much as possible.
- Prior to the pandemic impacting us in the U.K, I started searching online for additional supplements, homeopathy medication (homely remedies) in advance preparation of the eventual impact of the deadly virus afflicting us.
As far as I am currently aware,
there is no definitive solution to curing this current viral infection. Aside
from alleviating symptoms, in order for the immune system to fight the viral infection off on its
own.
There hasn’t been an equal number of good news on how many people
are managing to recover and fight through their viral infections. I have yet to come
across people who have experienced similar chest pain symptoms.
By now you might be
wondering why I didn't into hospital?
If you are in the U.K.,
you will know why. If you are not, the current situation is that we can no
longer go to the hospital, or our local GP Services. We must follow a triage
system and process, which includes contacting our GP services, or 111-service (out
of hours) followed by contacting 999 for emergencies only.
EMERGENCY SERVICES CALL ON 27th March 2020:
I fortunately managed to
get to speak to a 999 Emergency Doctor, who informed me that, I was
presenting with symptoms (breathlessness, chest pain,
congestion and other symptoms) which were similar to 95% of
people in the U.K who have reported their health concerns during to emergency services.
I was relieved at the same time to know what was causing me to feel so ill at the same time reality began to sick in. I become emotional and started to cry.
I was relieved at the same time to know what was causing me to feel so ill at the same time reality began to sick in. I become emotional and started to cry.
I cried in order to let go, let be and to come to acceptance of what is.I cried because he was there at my most vulnerable moment and was being empathic. For the first time, I felt the enormous distance between me and my immediate family who are in U.S. and Canada.
I cried not because I thought the worst, or about dying.
I cried because, I needed a moment to simply cry and cleanse my soul for the first time ever since this surreal and life challenging pandemic started to cause its global affliction.
“You have to believe you will be okay and that you will recover and not think the worst. You have to remain calm due to your Fibromyalgia as you don't want your symptoms to flare up.” These were the reassuring words from the Emergency Services Health Professional during the call.
He was compassionate and empathetic. He took his time to
listen to me and to understand my symptoms and to also calm some of my
anxieties (which stemmed from fear of the unknown). He understood my Fibromyalgia Flare Symptoms without me needing to explain, which I didn't even suspect at the time. Such as numbness and feelings of deprivation of air circulation in my arms and legs, which I thought where to do with my chest infection and/or coronavirus.
He waited to ensure that I had taken paracetamol during the phone call. He patiently and repeatedly informed me of the adverse symptoms which, I needed to look out for and what to do if I could no longer manage being at home. At this stage, I was also experiencing brain fog, which at times makes it harder for me to retain or remember detailed information during conversations.
He also told me
honestly, the stark reality of hospitals being at full capacity, including how
medical professionals were prioritizing high risk patients. Also, that it would
be better for me to remain at home, rather than potentially becoming sicker in
hospital, or infect others.
To be quite honest the last place, I wanted to be was in the
hospital. All, I could imagine was sitting in a crowded emergency room for endless
hours. I also needed to keep warm to protect my chest infection and minimize Fibromyalgia flare up due to intolerance to the cold.
For the first time his
explanation made sense to me. Prior to this, I felt as though the national
government message had not been very clear or simple enough. If someone had
explained it to me in the basic terms the Emergency Doctor had explained it to
me, I wouldn’t have entertained thinking the worst of what could potentially
happen.
THIS IS WHAT I
UNDERSTAND ABOUT OUR CURRENT UK HEALTH SYSTEM & SUPPORT:
1.
There is no cure or
vaccine yet for this viral infection.
2.
The hospital staff are
not doing anything different from what a person who is well enough to cope with
their symptoms is doing at home. Such as meeting nutrition needs, medication
treatment and care needs of those who need it most. With the exception of the ventilation medical care they are providing for those at high risk and unable to control their breathing on their own.
3. If you can manage your
own health and well-being even though unbearable than usual symptoms. Such as being able to clear/alleviate
your airways and other symptoms,
4.
My understanding now
also is that people who have additional complex conditions, can also be
supported with easing and managing their pre-existing conditions.
6.
My GP Service Doctor has
informed me that there are some people who start to show signs of improvement
after 4-5 days of experience the worst symptoms.
For the first time ever, I am much calmer about my future prospects in being able to
battle through this viral infection more than before. Even though there is still
uncertainty about the future and including impact the viral infection has on our internal
organs.
For the first time ever, I am much calmer about my future prospects in being able to
battle through this viral infection more than before. Even though there is still
uncertainty about the future and including impact the viral infection has on our internal
organs.
Although I am not fully
recovered yet, I have choosing to hang onto an optimistic outlook and to focus on what I can control. I am choosing to believe in hope and the possibility of a full
recovery.
Had I not experienced being afflicted with a chronic illness prior to this viral pandemic; I may have had a different outlook and thought the worst would happen. I may not have been as calm and optimistic as I have been (even though I've experienced moments of slight fear these moments haven't been long lasting).
Being afflicted with a chronic illness has opened me up to so many life and death existential life lessons, including the importance of slowing down, calming down, being grateful and being mindful of my overall well-being. The importance of being in tune mentally and physically with what’s going on with my chronic illness symptoms (so that they don't escalate). When you are confronted with life changing news about your own mortality, life going forward and your perspective changes.
Being afflicted with a chronic illness has opened me up to so many life and death existential life lessons, including the importance of slowing down, calming down, being grateful and being mindful of my overall well-being. The importance of being in tune mentally and physically with what’s going on with my chronic illness symptoms (so that they don't escalate). When you are confronted with life changing news about your own mortality, life going forward and your perspective changes.
Lastly, I would also like to
emphasize that I have not been tested yet. I have only been informed that I am presenting similar
coronavirus symptoms based on what 95%
people have reported so far. Regardless of whether I have the symptoms or not, I am choosing to hold onto hope. I am choosing to continue focusing on listening to positive information; and to embrace fun things including mindless scrolling through Social Media and watching Netflix.
people have reported so far. Regardless of whether I have the symptoms or not, I am choosing to hold onto hope. I am choosing to continue focusing on listening to positive information; and to embrace fun things including mindless scrolling through Social Media and watching Netflix.
Laughter is the best natural medicine
I am not closing my eyes
to the absurdity of life and the grave global challenge we are currently being
confronted by. It is a very saddening and devastating reality, which is
awakening most of us to the fact that we are not invisible to life adversities. I
was prepared mentally of potentially being impacted by this viral infection. So,
when it did finally impact me, I was not overly fearful.
As an Existentialist, I
am choosing to live life in the now, for today and nothing more. Tomorrow is never promised. I
am choosing to not focus on external forces, that I cannot control and to focus
on creatively what I can control.
To end, I hope somehow
that by sharing my personal journey, you can relate on some level. If
you are in self-isolation and practicing social distancing, I hope you are
focusing on feeding your soul, mind and body with feel good factor things,
which will continue to service you well and help you mentally and physically.
This too shall soon eventually pass.
Stay Safe
YOUR POSITIVE OUTLOOKING
VIEWS & FEEDBACK DO MATTER!
- If you have been impacted and are experiencing symptoms, I wish you a speedy recovery and overall well-being. I wish for everyone to continue to remain safe as this viral infection is no joke and I would not wish anyone to experience what and so many other people globally have experienced so far.
- Many thanks to all Health Care and Frontline Key Worker Heroes for your best efforts in meeting essential needs of many people, under extraordinary and very challenging circumstances.
- I cannot thank my family and friends enough, including the positive and optimistic social media network of Creative Entrepreneurs which I belong to.
- Lastly, I would like to acknowledge families and people that have unexpectedly and tragically lost a loved due to this deadly virus. I cannot begin to image what you must be going through. May the souls who have passed on, rest in eternal in peace.
- What is your experience? How are you managing through this surreal experience of the pandemic?
- Have you been experiencing similar symptoms I have been experiencing, especially those associated with chest pain, pressure/congestion and breathlessness? I would like to hear what your experience has been life.
Feel free to connect
with me via my Social Media Accounts:
Tiktok: @chikomatenda
YouTube: Chiko Matenda
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