General Discussion

htuttle

(23,738 posts) Thu Mar 26, 2020, 06:42 PM Mar 2020

First hand account of a 29 year old's struggle with COVID-19

There are some fairly detailed descriptions of their self-care routines down thread. The author is a writer for the NY Times.

Link to tweet

Eliza Shapiro
@elizashapiro
I was mildly sick for a few days w/ covid symptoms. Then my 29 yr old healthy boyfriend got really sick. 13 days later, after a relentless fever, awful nausea, pneumonia in both lungs + a reluctant trip to ER, he is finally turning a corner today. Some things I learned:

...

When he started to deteriorate at the 1 week mark -throwing up pills and pretty much stopped talking, eating, drinking, we went to an urgent care. Better 1st option than ER if you are not in critical condition. Docs there found pneumonia on an Xray, told us to go to ER.

...

Here's the regimen that worked for him: Tylenol extra strength every 5-6ish hours, prescription anti-nausea + cough medicine, pulse oximeter to check oxygen levels at home, Pedialyte for hydration. Z-pack for pneumonia has helped. Congee is good for nausea.

Take this for what it's worth. Not a doctor. But there aren't many doctors available right now in many places.

8 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

First hand account of a 29 year old's struggle with COVID-19 (Original Post) htuttle Mar 2020 OP

Wow. FM123 Mar 2020 #1

Rec and Kick for visibility. Mike 03 Mar 2020 #2

Note she says to take Tylenol. DON'T TAKE MOTRIN OR ANY IBUPROFEN. SunSeeker Mar 2020 #3

I've read that in a number of accounts htuttle Mar 2020 #4

WHO did say to avoid it, you got that right. Brainfodder Mar 2020 #5

Good to know. I read that earlier and just tried to order some enteric coated aspirin and other smirkymonkey Mar 2020 #6

I got my Tylenol from CVS; they also have CVS brand acetaminophen. nt SunSeeker Mar 2020 #7

Thanks! Just tried CVS and was able to get what I needed, although they were out of smirkymonkey Mar 2020 #8

FM123

(10,054 posts)

1. Wow.

Reply to htuttle (Original post)

Thu Mar 26, 2020, 06:52 PM

Mar 2020

This is what it has come down to now: I kept 2 hospital to-go bags on our door every night for last 2 weeks

It isn't enough to fill your med cabinet with tylenol & cough drops in case you get sick at home - you better be prepped and ready to be taken to a hospital.

Mike 03

(16,616 posts)

2. Rec and Kick for visibility.

Reply to htuttle (Original post)

Thu Mar 26, 2020, 06:57 PM

Mar 2020

SunSeeker

(51,634 posts)

3. Note she says to take Tylenol. DON'T TAKE MOTRIN OR ANY IBUPROFEN.

Reply to htuttle (Original post)

Thu Mar 26, 2020, 07:00 PM

Mar 2020

Ibuprofens make the lung inflammation worse in Covid-19 patients.

htuttle

(23,738 posts)

4. I've read that in a number of accounts

Reply to SunSeeker (Reply #3)

Thu Mar 26, 2020, 07:02 PM

Mar 2020

I think WHO may have just advised against it, but it's been confusing to track (opinions have varied).

But why take the chance?

Brainfodder

(6,423 posts)

5. WHO did say to avoid it, you got that right.

Reply to htuttle (Reply #4)

Thu Mar 26, 2020, 07:06 PM

Mar 2020

I've read ZINC can be helpful also toward fighting this one too.

Likely in most multivitamins?

GOOD LUCK!

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)

6. Good to know. I read that earlier and just tried to order some enteric coated aspirin and other

Reply to SunSeeker (Reply #3)

Thu Mar 26, 2020, 09:35 PM

Mar 2020

pain meds from Amazon, but they are out of delivery dates - which only go out for three days. I have to wait until a date opens up to get something. Advil is all I have.

I have a slight cold and I think a sinus infection, but I get frequent tension headaches and usually use Biofreeze, SalonPas patches and Advil since it affects my head, neck and shoulders.

Anyone know any place that is shipping pain reliever?

SunSeeker

(51,634 posts)

7. I got my Tylenol from CVS; they also have CVS brand acetaminophen. nt

Reply to smirkymonkey (Reply #6)

Thu Mar 26, 2020, 10:05 PM

Mar 2020

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)

8. Thanks! Just tried CVS and was able to get what I needed, although they were out of

Reply to SunSeeker (Reply #7)

Thu Mar 26, 2020, 10:47 PM

Mar 2020

a lot. At least for delivery. Many things were only available in store, but I could get pain reliever, Benadryl and SalonPas patches.

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