It was January 20, when I started hearing about new disease COVID -19. A lot has been changed since then. I have experienced everything from Corona Virus Anxiety to Corona Virus Disease itself. In this post I an going to share with you my experiences with COVID -19.
My COVID - 19 Experiences
I got tested positive through RT - PCR test on 28th September 2020. The COVID-19 RT-PCR test is a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in upper and lower respiratory specimens (such as nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs, sputum, lower respiratory tract aspirates, bronchoalveolar lavage, and
nasopharyngeal wash/aspirate) collected from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider (HCP), as well as upper respiratory specimens (such as nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs, nasal swabs, or mid-turbinate swabs) collected from any individual, including for testing of individuals without symptoms or other reasons to suspect COVID-19 infection.
Symptoms of Corona Virus (COVID - 19) Infection
My symptoms started with mild cough and headache. In couple of days it converted in muscle pain or whole body pain. It was different pain which I never felt earlier in my life. I was feeling like I have swelling in my whole back and whichever part touched the bed, I felt pain there.
In couple of days; above symptoms were gone with some pain killers, antibiotics and anti allergic medicines.
Trigger for COVID - 19 positive test
It was Day 5 and I felt perfectly fine. But Corona Virus was doing the work of multiplication inside my body. It corona factory was at its full production. In the evening I felt loss of taste. My taste buds are extremely good. By eating anything I can figure out which spices are used in preparations. It was shocking for me that suddenly I found everything tasteless.
Next day morning I called nearest health center for test. Unfortunately there was no testing being done due to Sunday (Weekly Off). Since I was not having any major problem except losing taste, I decided to get tested on Monday.
By night, when I was having my dinner I felt that I had lost my taste buds. Immediately after dinner I took out my perfume bottle and sprayed on my wrist. As expected I had lost my smelling sense also. These were only two symptoms I was feeling at that time - Loss of taste and smell.
It was 28th September 2020, Monday morning. I went to nearest Government Dispensary (Health Center). It took a bit long time of 3 hrs for getting tested. I was tested through RT-PCR test and my swab was collected from my tongue and throat.
The critical time
I came back to home and took some rest. That was the time I started getting some temperature. Unfortunately it kept increasing with time. By the evening; I was having temperature 104⁰ F and pulse got raised to 248. It was the time; I felt helpless.
I called my family doctor and updated him about my health status. He advised couple of medicines and sponging. It reduced my body temperature to 100⁰ F.
In the morning; HR CT Scan was done. In couple of hours, the reports were out . The report showed a score of 12 out of 25, which indicated my lungs were moderately infected. I shared this with my doctor and he advised me to get hospitalized.
That afternoon, RT-PCR test reports were out and I was reported positive. I called up at City COVID -19 Control room and requested them for hospitalization. They enquired about my SpO2 level and if I have breathing status. Based on that they refused to admit me. According to them CT Scan score is not criterion and I had pretty decent oxygen saturation levels of 96 % .
The treatment began
Well, I reported back to My family Doctor and he started my treatment advising all precautions required for home isolation.
I packed myself in a room with attached washroom. All essential things like thermometer, Pulse Oximeter, advised medicines, sanitizers and of course my mobile phone were available in room.
Next day; I gave sample for all blood tests i.e. CBC, CRP, D-dimer, LDH and Ferritin. CRP levels were pretty high 96 mg/L. Platelets count was down at the level of 80K.
In just couple of days, I started feeling breathlessness. It increased with time to the level that I was not able to speak for even just for two minutes. I kept taking doses of antiviral, antibiotics, anti allergic, cough syrups, anticoagulants and COPD medicines etc. as advised my my pulmonologist.
Along with medicines I was also relying on steam inhalation, turmeric milk, chyavanprash and hot water. These helped me in faster recovery.
Day 6 COVID -19 experiences
It was Day 6. My doctor advised to repeat all previously done blood tests again. He also included blood sugar and ESR. To know the conditions of Lever and Kidney I included LFT and RFT test.
CRP improved to level 66 mg/L. Platelets count came back to normal levels 1.40 Lakhs. ESR was 35 mm/Ist hr . Blood Sugar levels went up to 324 mg/dl in fasting and 464 in random.
Shared all reports with my doctor and he asked to continue the same treatment.
I stared improving after day 11. Though the coughing, fatigue and breathlessness and high sugar levels were still there.
By this time; I improved on my overall SpO2 levels to 97%.
My doctor eliminated antiviral drugs and antibiotics on day 15. I did six minutes walk test and my SpO2 levels did not go down. Well, I am still taking Anticoagulants, multivitamins and COPD medicines .
I am still on medications and in recovery mode.
I will update my health status as I experience in coming days.
Medical Disclaimer
I am not a medical advisor or doctor. The information in this post is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, available through this post is for general information purposes only.
