I just wanted to document some items that might come in handy for someone who gets COVID and with it, pneumonia.
1. During the first 7-10 days where I was battling high fever at night especially and trying to rest on tylenol or ibuprofen, I think that the cpap I use possibly pushed the virus deeper into my lungs. No good answer for this, as I can't sleep without the cpap...but I just thought worth noting.
2. Pneumonia might have been minimized if I had been aware of the importance of moving around early during those first 7-10 days. Of course I didn't feel like it, and instead was a complete slug...but anything that worked my lungs a little probably would have helped (including the incentive spirometer that I acquired and will hold onto). Also I lost 20 pounds in the first two weeks (applesauce and water)...my appetite returned with a vengence when fever went away (exactly when I landed in the hospital). I have since gained back 10 of those pounds. My muscles atrophied big time during the process.
3. Getting into the hospital earlier than day 10 from when I tested negative would have got me on good meds earlier, including oxygen. I went to the ER on day 7, but they sent me home because my oxygen was so/so ok. I didn't push staying in the hospital for treatment, but should have. That would have got me on Remdesivir earlier (I think opinions on that med aren't that great), but also I would have gotten on regimen of inhalers, azythromicin, vitamins, and steroid especially. I could have taken those meds at home and even got oxygen, but they really keep you on track and take care of you at the hospital.
4. The hospital never provided lung PT while I was there. The lung doctors gave me verbal recommendations and I used the incentive spirometer, but it would have been great for someone to come by for 15 minutes each day and instruct/guide/encourage me on how hard to push myself and what things to do. I think pneumonia should require hospitals provide that service. I said so on their survey form.
5. There are a bunch of little things in the hospital, that if you can figure out early, you can save yourself some trouble.
a. figure out the bed settings/angles to get maximum comfort - I am 6'1" and didn't figure it out for several days unfortunately
b. figure out how to get a shower and try to do that at least every other day...this requires covering IV areas, disconnect electrodes etc --- easiest path to success is to take advantage of when you have a good nurse on the shift
c. i had to switch oxygen lines from my nose clip to CPAP line -- i had to call the nurse until I figured out how to switch it myself...then life got easier. one lady came in when I needed it switched, I think she wasn't a nurse, ended up changing my oxygen from 4 to 2 -- so you really have to be alert and look out for yourself
d. you need sleep/rest more than anything - on steroids that can be challenging. I ended up taking melatonin which helped...my best days BY FAR were when I had rested - your hours get screwed up
e. you also need fluids, drink water as much as possible (of course)
f. food is good - gives you energy to fight the virus. hospital provided a mix that wasn't necessarily smart (like they would bring coffee at breakfast, but caffeine is a big no no with pneumonia).
6. When you get home, I didn't have much instruction other than printed material from the discharge. In retrospect, I wish i had one of those lung doctors to call with questions. My PCP is a great guy, but I really needed a lung specialist to follow up with. One of the main questions I had was how long to use the inhaler with steroid (prescribed for me when I left the hospital). The steroid makes you feel better, BUT it prolongs true improvement because it is immunity suppressant. I had the good fortune of having a nephew who is an ER doc, who gave me their recommended timeline for weaning off the inhaler (10 days full use, which is 2 puffs twice a day...then 3 days of 1 puff twice a day). As soon as I got off the inhaler I had some withdrawal of dizziness and general feeling less good....BUT I slept better and after three days off the inhaler I really was recovering. The steroids are life savers during the middle of the suffering but I was glad to stop the inhaler when I did. I also took ibuprofen the last several days (and aspirin) to regain the anti-inflammation properties that the inhaler with steroid provided.
Hope this provides some value, strictly my own views of the experience...not to be given more credence than doctors
1. During the first 7-10 days where I was battling high fever at night especially and trying to rest on tylenol or ibuprofen, I think that the cpap I use possibly pushed the virus deeper into my lungs. No good answer for this, as I can't sleep without the cpap...but I just thought worth noting.
2. Pneumonia might have been minimized if I had been aware of the importance of moving around early during those first 7-10 days. Of course I didn't feel like it, and instead was a complete slug...but anything that worked my lungs a little probably would have helped (including the incentive spirometer that I acquired and will hold onto). Also I lost 20 pounds in the first two weeks (applesauce and water)...my appetite returned with a vengence when fever went away (exactly when I landed in the hospital). I have since gained back 10 of those pounds. My muscles atrophied big time during the process.
3. Getting into the hospital earlier than day 10 from when I tested negative would have got me on good meds earlier, including oxygen. I went to the ER on day 7, but they sent me home because my oxygen was so/so ok. I didn't push staying in the hospital for treatment, but should have. That would have got me on Remdesivir earlier (I think opinions on that med aren't that great), but also I would have gotten on regimen of inhalers, azythromicin, vitamins, and steroid especially. I could have taken those meds at home and even got oxygen, but they really keep you on track and take care of you at the hospital.
4. The hospital never provided lung PT while I was there. The lung doctors gave me verbal recommendations and I used the incentive spirometer, but it would have been great for someone to come by for 15 minutes each day and instruct/guide/encourage me on how hard to push myself and what things to do. I think pneumonia should require hospitals provide that service. I said so on their survey form.
5. There are a bunch of little things in the hospital, that if you can figure out early, you can save yourself some trouble.
a. figure out the bed settings/angles to get maximum comfort - I am 6'1" and didn't figure it out for several days unfortunately
b. figure out how to get a shower and try to do that at least every other day...this requires covering IV areas, disconnect electrodes etc --- easiest path to success is to take advantage of when you have a good nurse on the shift
c. i had to switch oxygen lines from my nose clip to CPAP line -- i had to call the nurse until I figured out how to switch it myself...then life got easier. one lady came in when I needed it switched, I think she wasn't a nurse, ended up changing my oxygen from 4 to 2 -- so you really have to be alert and look out for yourself
d. you need sleep/rest more than anything - on steroids that can be challenging. I ended up taking melatonin which helped...my best days BY FAR were when I had rested - your hours get screwed up
e. you also need fluids, drink water as much as possible (of course)
f. food is good - gives you energy to fight the virus. hospital provided a mix that wasn't necessarily smart (like they would bring coffee at breakfast, but caffeine is a big no no with pneumonia).
6. When you get home, I didn't have much instruction other than printed material from the discharge. In retrospect, I wish i had one of those lung doctors to call with questions. My PCP is a great guy, but I really needed a lung specialist to follow up with. One of the main questions I had was how long to use the inhaler with steroid (prescribed for me when I left the hospital). The steroid makes you feel better, BUT it prolongs true improvement because it is immunity suppressant. I had the good fortune of having a nephew who is an ER doc, who gave me their recommended timeline for weaning off the inhaler (10 days full use, which is 2 puffs twice a day...then 3 days of 1 puff twice a day). As soon as I got off the inhaler I had some withdrawal of dizziness and general feeling less good....BUT I slept better and after three days off the inhaler I really was recovering. The steroids are life savers during the middle of the suffering but I was glad to stop the inhaler when I did. I also took ibuprofen the last several days (and aspirin) to regain the anti-inflammation properties that the inhaler with steroid provided.
Hope this provides some value, strictly my own views of the experience...not to be given more credence than doctors