5 things learned recovering from severe Covid-19

I tested positive for COVID 19 on January 2, 2021, with my only symptom being fatigue. My family commenced medical management and we went into isolation for what I thought would be a 2 week period…

My husband and I developed symptoms and mercifully our son did not. Through that week we did well: going for short walks, eating well, hydrating, resting, and then…

On Day 10 I developed shortness of breath. As a physical therapist, I knew something was wrong when my oxygen saturation (Sats) dropped to the low 90’s. I called my PCP. We decided my husband would drop me off at the emergency room but I passed out before this could happen. He called 911. I was admitted and diagnosed with COVID Pneumonia.

Progression of my hospital stay

This admission evolved into a 10-day hospital stay. I was managed with Remdesivir, anticoagulants, antibiotics, oxygen for breathing support. COVID 19 is not straightforward and affects us all differently. I went from holding my saturation levels on 6 l/min O2 on binasal cannula on Day 13 to a sudden change in status, yet again, on Day 14 when I was put on Facemask at 10 l/min O2(FiO2 40%). I was discharged on Day 20 and transitioned home on Jan 19, 2021, with supplemental oxygen at 3 l/min.

Takeaways from my hospitalization:

1) Mobility is key. Out of bed to the chair and choosing to move my body and work my lungs with deep breaths that hurt. Movement throughout the awake hours in all positions as I was able, including prone, with the understanding of slow transitions using the breath to pace the movement.

2) Reading and journaling were my greatest challenges especially with the mental fog but these activities kept me grounded and focused on my routine especially since COVID 19 patients are isolated in their rooms for such incredibly long stretches.

3) Faith. My strength has always come from my faith and family. I believe harnessing these intrinsic motivations helped me mentally fight and stabilize my slide towards continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). If you are a healthcare provider talk to your patient about their intrinsic motivators and if possible advocate for that patient to receive a personal item. It does make a difference.

4) Moderation of activity. This is one case you can’t push too hard or too fast because your breath will let you know it. I spent most of the day in a chair versus the bed. The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion is a good measure of how much to do in terms of physical activity and breathlessness during activity was my cue to STOP, REST, and RECOVER and then start back up. Activities such as bathing were initially done sitting down with oxygen used as needed.

5) What’s in My Toolbox? My incentive inspirometer and pulse oximeter are useful and objective measures to concentrate on the work of breathing and are giving me the confidence to wean off oxygen under the supervision of my medical provider. I tracked my endurance weekly using a 6-minute walk test.

Conclusion

My skill set as a physical therapist helped me navigate my severe COVID 19 during acute care, through to transitioning home safely, subsequently wean of oxygen over a two-week period, and regaining my endurance to go back to work under limited conditions. I believe that physical therapists are optimally positioned as healthcare providers to help COVID 19 patients fight the viral attack from acute care to beyond.

If you are a patient struggling with your post-COVID 19 recovery please consult your healthcare provider. Be informed that your physical therapist has the knowledge to help you improve your endurance, manage your breathlessness and provide you with the coaching/treatment to return to your optimal fitness.

This article is written by Marsh Naidoo, PT

Marsh is the founder of Teletherapy Services LLC, a private physical therapy service that provides rehabilitation services at the clinic, in the home, and via telehealth. As a patient who recovered from severe COVID 19, she understands the patient perspective and offers a COVID recovery program via telehealth for individuals seeking treatment in Tennessee. You can contact her at marshnaidoopt@gmail.com.