Maybe this is already on the site but a good buddy of mine suggested that I start a forum regarding my experience with getting Covid. I know there are many articles and research from many different experts posting information about COVID. Please read those articles and stay informed. I am not a Dr. but thought if I can help one person become more informed/cautious and not catch this scary virus then great.
I caught a very severe sore throat April 15 and thought no big deal. Just thought it was a cold because I had been in quarantine like most people. The sore throat got worse and my breathing was starting to get sketchy. Shortness of breath had me concerned big time. I was very fortunate that I had another great Ag to lean on regarding all the research and findings throughout this process. My ex-wife. She recommended I go get a Covid test and also have the Hospital run normal test.
I went into Tx Health in Dallas 4 days later. They did a blood test, EKG, and chest x-ray that all came back normal at that time. They sent me home and my COVID test came back positive. I was very fortunate to have already purchased a new Thermometer (mine was an ear thermometer 15 years old) and a pulse oximeter. The pulse oximeter is one of the most important devices you will need with Covid. Every Family should get one. it measures Blood Oxygen Levels and Pulse. They say that Blood Oxygen Levels below 90 are in the danger zone.
I tried to fight off this virus at home like so many have done and are doing. However, 4 days later my breathing was dramatically worse, and my blood Oxygen Levels were dipping. I was getting a bit nervous. Once again, I leaned on my Covid side kick that recommended I go back to the Hospital and have them run the tests again.
My blood pressure was 194 over 145 when I checked in and my normal blood pressure is 125 over 80. They ran all tests again and this time I asked them to run a CT Scan. The CT Scan came back and showed that I had pneumonia in both lungs. The chest X-ray did not pick it up. The blood work results this time were quite different. My white blood count was way too low (can't fight off infection), my liver enzymes were dramatically elevated (one good thing about Covid is no more drinking - ha), hemoglobin counts were above normal, and the D-dimer blood test showed my blood clotting KPI's were severely abnormal on the negative side. Meaning I was a candidate for a major blood clot that could cause a stroke, etc. I had no idea Covid contributed to all of this.
They checked me into the Hospital to observe and make sure nothing serious was going to happen. They put me on blood thinners, oxygen (as precaution - 2 Liters per minute), pulse oximeter machine, IV (for hydration and vitamins), and heart monitor. The first two days were the scariest for myself and my family. You have NO control over what this virus does to your body regardless how heathy you may think you are. I also had GI systems with a distended stomach the entire time I was in the Hospital (8 days). I found out that about half of the Covid cases involve GI issues. They ran another Covid test 4 days prior to my exit and it was still positive (day 14 after first symptom).
I checked out of the Hospital May 2 (now day 18 since my first symptom) with countless amounts of different drugs (vitamins, blood thinners for next 12 days, cough suppressant pills, etc.) and have been home since. Have not left my house at all since for anything. I have been very fortunate that many friends and family have been able to go to grocery and pharmacy for me. Thank you all.
I am now on day 37. During this entire process I had an issue with Gout in my foot. I thought initially it might be a blood clot, but the Dr. at Texas Health informed me that it was Gout. He did not feel it was related to my Covid. Gout is a function of Purines (mostly red meat, protein, etc.) in your diet and I am thinking that I went crazy with eating some great food when I got out of the hospital and most likely overdid my protein consumption. Ha. What is interesting is that he put me on prednisone (steroid) for the Gout. The entire time I was on that drug my cough was nonexistent. The day I stopped taking those pills my cough came back, so my Physician prescribed an inhaler that is steroid based. Cough mostly gone.
I plan to go in tomorrow to run another Covid test to make sure it comes back negative. My physician recommends having at least two tests to confirm. Apparently many who have contracted Covid think they contracted it twice but never got a negative Covid test prior to their second Covid test that came back positive.
I did read about Hydroxychloroquine (old Malaria drug) and actually got the drug prescribed with the plan to use it early on in my process. However, two days later I read many articles from various experts globally who all claimed it did nothing to help with the symptoms. I am not a fan of most if not all drugs so chose not to take it. Not sure if it makes a difference or not. I am taking zinc lozenges that seem to make a bit of a difference.
This virus for me was nothing like the normal flu. No runny nose, no drainage, no mucose, etc. I did run a fever (high about 102) which is not normal for me. I typically do not get a fever even with the flu. It was a blood, respiratory, and heart related virus. Scary.
Many asked where I think I contracted it. Who knows? I did not get out much, but I did go to grocery, basic errands, etc. However, I was not very diligent about wearing a mask, washing my hands, or touching my face. It would be very easy to touch a grocery cart that someone with Covid had touched and then touched my face without washing my hands first. I strongly encourage everyone to be diligent about washing your hand and not touching your face/mouth. You do not want to catch this virus.
Thanks for listening. Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions.
I caught a very severe sore throat April 15 and thought no big deal. Just thought it was a cold because I had been in quarantine like most people. The sore throat got worse and my breathing was starting to get sketchy. Shortness of breath had me concerned big time. I was very fortunate that I had another great Ag to lean on regarding all the research and findings throughout this process. My ex-wife. She recommended I go get a Covid test and also have the Hospital run normal test.
I went into Tx Health in Dallas 4 days later. They did a blood test, EKG, and chest x-ray that all came back normal at that time. They sent me home and my COVID test came back positive. I was very fortunate to have already purchased a new Thermometer (mine was an ear thermometer 15 years old) and a pulse oximeter. The pulse oximeter is one of the most important devices you will need with Covid. Every Family should get one. it measures Blood Oxygen Levels and Pulse. They say that Blood Oxygen Levels below 90 are in the danger zone.
I tried to fight off this virus at home like so many have done and are doing. However, 4 days later my breathing was dramatically worse, and my blood Oxygen Levels were dipping. I was getting a bit nervous. Once again, I leaned on my Covid side kick that recommended I go back to the Hospital and have them run the tests again.
My blood pressure was 194 over 145 when I checked in and my normal blood pressure is 125 over 80. They ran all tests again and this time I asked them to run a CT Scan. The CT Scan came back and showed that I had pneumonia in both lungs. The chest X-ray did not pick it up. The blood work results this time were quite different. My white blood count was way too low (can't fight off infection), my liver enzymes were dramatically elevated (one good thing about Covid is no more drinking - ha), hemoglobin counts were above normal, and the D-dimer blood test showed my blood clotting KPI's were severely abnormal on the negative side. Meaning I was a candidate for a major blood clot that could cause a stroke, etc. I had no idea Covid contributed to all of this.
They checked me into the Hospital to observe and make sure nothing serious was going to happen. They put me on blood thinners, oxygen (as precaution - 2 Liters per minute), pulse oximeter machine, IV (for hydration and vitamins), and heart monitor. The first two days were the scariest for myself and my family. You have NO control over what this virus does to your body regardless how heathy you may think you are. I also had GI systems with a distended stomach the entire time I was in the Hospital (8 days). I found out that about half of the Covid cases involve GI issues. They ran another Covid test 4 days prior to my exit and it was still positive (day 14 after first symptom).
I checked out of the Hospital May 2 (now day 18 since my first symptom) with countless amounts of different drugs (vitamins, blood thinners for next 12 days, cough suppressant pills, etc.) and have been home since. Have not left my house at all since for anything. I have been very fortunate that many friends and family have been able to go to grocery and pharmacy for me. Thank you all.
I am now on day 37. During this entire process I had an issue with Gout in my foot. I thought initially it might be a blood clot, but the Dr. at Texas Health informed me that it was Gout. He did not feel it was related to my Covid. Gout is a function of Purines (mostly red meat, protein, etc.) in your diet and I am thinking that I went crazy with eating some great food when I got out of the hospital and most likely overdid my protein consumption. Ha. What is interesting is that he put me on prednisone (steroid) for the Gout. The entire time I was on that drug my cough was nonexistent. The day I stopped taking those pills my cough came back, so my Physician prescribed an inhaler that is steroid based. Cough mostly gone.
I plan to go in tomorrow to run another Covid test to make sure it comes back negative. My physician recommends having at least two tests to confirm. Apparently many who have contracted Covid think they contracted it twice but never got a negative Covid test prior to their second Covid test that came back positive.
I did read about Hydroxychloroquine (old Malaria drug) and actually got the drug prescribed with the plan to use it early on in my process. However, two days later I read many articles from various experts globally who all claimed it did nothing to help with the symptoms. I am not a fan of most if not all drugs so chose not to take it. Not sure if it makes a difference or not. I am taking zinc lozenges that seem to make a bit of a difference.
This virus for me was nothing like the normal flu. No runny nose, no drainage, no mucose, etc. I did run a fever (high about 102) which is not normal for me. I typically do not get a fever even with the flu. It was a blood, respiratory, and heart related virus. Scary.
Many asked where I think I contracted it. Who knows? I did not get out much, but I did go to grocery, basic errands, etc. However, I was not very diligent about wearing a mask, washing my hands, or touching my face. It would be very easy to touch a grocery cart that someone with Covid had touched and then touched my face without washing my hands first. I strongly encourage everyone to be diligent about washing your hand and not touching your face/mouth. You do not want to catch this virus.
Thanks for listening. Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions.