Covid diary: day 2

[the_siobhan]

Things that are already improved: muscle aches are much reduced, headache is gone, still snotty but not as bad as yesterday.

Things that are worse: Last time I can remember my throat hurting this much was when I had strep. I sound like Tom Waits with a cigarette hangover. I'm honestly afraid to look at it.

Things that are unchanged: Wet cough (ow), vertigo, just want to sleep all the time. Foggy of brain.

I barely ate yesterday and today my body has this vague idea that food is a thing it normally does, but it's like - the signal is coming from outside the house. I put together a plate of humus on toast and some cubes of cheese and apple, just things I can vaguely poke at whenever I'm awake.

Water, on the other hand, I cannot get enough of the stuff. I am constantly thirsty. Also constantly in the bathroom, but you know. Humans are just water's way of getting around.

And the lovely and talented bcholmes dropped off some butterscotch flavoured hard candies. They're doing a reasonable job of making my mouth taste slightly less like I've been licking robot assholes.

Comments

[sylvanwitch]

I had the most intense craving for Gatorade while I was sick with Covid, and I ordinarily cannot drink the stuff. I went through at least a case of 12 in probably 2 days. Maybe my body needed the electrolytes? Anyway, this is to say that I can relate to drinking so much, though your water sounds the healthier choice by far!

[elusis]

Gatorade is a wise choice. Too much plain water while not eating much can result in hyponatremia which was a problem for the molly ravers back in the day, so "all I want to do is drink fluids" is the absolute use case for electrolyte drinks.

[sylvanwitch]

This is good information to have. Thank you!

[houseof9cats]

On Gatorade, here's a homemade version that's less gnarly (recommended for ppl with severe dry eye syndrome + also runners use it + diabetics can't have Gatorade): equal parts sea salt and NoSalt (potassium chloride), lime juice, stevia drops, water. There are a lot of recipes online. Some use honey, which sounds nice. I use 1/4 t salt + 1/4 t NoSalt per litre. Do not use or consult doctor first if you take meds for blood pressure. Some recipes call for baking soda, which should be consumed only occasionally. I use this twice a day, so I leave it out. /enjoying the info sharing, if not the topic of illness

[sylvanwitch]

Yet more excellent information! Thank you for the recipe. While I hope never to be that sick again, I can definitely imagine a time when I might need this. It happens that we use NoSalt instead of salt in our house already, so it is the table salt I'll have to get in for emergencies. :-)

[immournia]

Yay for butterscotch flavored candies! I'm glad you have people able to check in on you.

Still wishing you a speedy recovery ♥

[cornerofmadness]

Glad you're already feeling marginally better. Hope it runs its course swiftly

[elusis]

I gather cinnamon candies and Jolly Ranchers also help with the mouth stuff.

Hydration seems good but do watch your electrolytes - if nothing else, 6 teaspoons of sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt to 1L water. I don't know what Gatorade flavors go best with Paxlovid mouth but I'd assume something sour. Don't worry about the food if it doesn't sound good - your "shove in face if awake" works fine.

Warm salt water gargles for the throat pain.

[greylock]

Following up the Gatorade thing (I mean, I'd go old school Lucozade), I have Hydrolyte in my COVID kit. Should do the same thing.

(Also, I have packets of crackers. Dry, plain crackers. I assume I got them because they were recommended).