Im so angry right now

[Squidly]

My oncologists office called me last week and told me that my nurse had tested positive for covid. I now have a fever of 100, a little short of breath, achey, runny nose....so I called my dr to see if I could get approved for a test...have not heard back...so I go to the Test Iowa website, do their questionnaire and Im approved to get tested but the nearest test location is over 100 miles away!! I knew that there were 2 locations very close to me so I talk to an online representative and am told that those locations have been closed down....WTF...just as the case numbers are increasing they are closing testing sites???? God forbid that the numbers go up before the damn election!! Im so mad right now!

[TreasonousBastard]

1. I'm confused by "testing sites". Is there a reason why medical facilities can't have test kits and..

just test-- kinda like like they do with usua bllood work?

[Squidly]

5. its to minimize exposure

they are all drive through sites where you do not leave your vehicle. they test you through your window minimizing exposure to you and others from people who may be sick. I know the last thing I want to do is sit in a hospital waiting room where I could pass covid on to others if I have it or contract it if I dont from someone who does. People should stay away from hospitals and clinics right now unless absolutely necessary.

[TreasonousBastard]

26. May be, but there's still something wrong. I just turned on CNN and there's a doctor saying...

the OR was about to remove a brain tumor and they had all the blood work, brain scans,


IV, heart, oxygen and BP hookups and everything else to prep for and do the operation.

Except they couldn't get a COVID test for the patient...

COULDN'T GET A COVID TEST FOR A PATIENT GETTING BRAIN SURGERY!

So they all suited up in hazmat gear and did the opertion.

This is from a very bad movie.

[Maraya1969]

42. I know I am jumping in here but please just go to the emergency room

Exaggerate your symptoms if you have to. Troubled breathing is nothing to laugh at.

Remember they took the orange idiot and gave him 3 different medicines that knocked it out of him. Don't let them tell you to go home.

Be sick and get treated!

[House of Roberts]

2. So, proceed as though you just received a positive test result.

I had what you describe in early February. Tested negative for flu, so they told me to take something for the fever, cough medicine for the coughing, and to ride it out. There were no covid tests then, and doctors really had no idea what it was yet. I missed work on a Thursday and Friday due to the symptoms, then again Monday for dizziness, and went back to work on Tuesday.

[lagomorph777]

3. Yikes - you probably went back to work with COVID!

[House of Roberts]

6. We have no way to know.

Fortunately, I worked on second shift, and there were only a few of us in the shop, and all spread out. I had already been washing my hands a lot more, just from the news reports, and I always ate alone at my workbench. No one else got sick on my shift.

I did fasting bloodwork at the same doctor two days before my symptoms started, so I almost certainly picked it up there.

[Mariana]

30. It's possible but VERY unlikely that it was Covid in early February.

There were a few nasty flu-like bugs going around in the winter and early spring that weren't Covid. If Covid had been spreading in the US in early February, the rise in deaths would have started earlier than it did, which was toward the end of March.

[babylonsister]

41. Evidence for Limited Early Spread of COVID-19 Within the United States, January-February 2020

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6922e1.htm

[Mariana]

47. Yes, exactly.

It's possible but VERY unlikely that it was Covid-19 in early February.

[Boogiemack]

8. Isolate for the next10 days or until you can get a test, whichever comes first. If

you are having really bad breathing problems get thee to the nearest ER as soon as possible.
In the meantime, take you vitamin C, D and zinc. Drink water and clean out your gut if you can.
I have lost quite a few in my family who wouldn't isolate or take their vitamins but hose who did managed to be ok with some lingering ailments. I lost my husband early on when no one knew what was going on and Trump was not telling us. Brokenhearted and angry, I have been trying to help those in my family who are nearby and sending info to those who live in other states.

It's a mixed bag. The younger ones just don't abide by advice and they have lost two dads, one mom and one sister. No funerals, no visits. It's a bitch!

[Squidly]

21. im so sorry

thank you for the advice. And so sorry for your losses.

[MLAA]

32. Sending 💕💕💕💖💖💖💖💖 to you!

You have been through and going through so much. You are an inspiration helping others.

[BComplex]

34. Oh Boogiemack! I'm so sorry to hear about your husband.

There have been so many people who have lost their loved ones, it just breaks my heart.

[MustLoveBeagles]

45. I'm sorry for your losses

[hamsterjill]

46. You've been through so much.

Please accept a virtual hug. And my thanks for your efforts to help others cope. I’m so sorry...

[better]

4. Wishing you a speedy and uneventful recovery! (nt)

[Ponietz]

7. It might take 4-5 days to get results and many of those are false negatives

Hope you are well soon.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

9. Ugh! That sucks!!

I was just looking at the number of tests per 1,000 people for various states, and Iowa was the 2nd lowest in the country!
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/testing/tracker/overview

Maybe get a cheap finger oximeter to monitor your blood oxygen levels too.

In the meantime, I hope that you will test negative!

[Ohiogal]

10. I'm so sorry.

I’d be livid if I were you, too.

As long as this virus has been raging in this country, and it’s still extremely difficult to even get a damn test. How screwed up is that! No wonder we’re doing so poorly in comparison to the rest of the world. Just disgraceful.

I sincerely hope you can get tested and feel better very soon. If you’re seeing an oncologist, I’m sure you’re worried about your immunity. I am a cancer survivor as well.. take care and best wishes.

[mucifer]

11. Since your doctor's office put you at risk can they test you in their clinic or get you

tested in the hospital they are affiliated with??

They owe you that. Can't hurt to ask.

Hope you feel better very soon.

[Squidly]

13. Well...

my oncologists office is a 4 hour drive away. I went to where my dr at the Mayo told me to go and only having 1 treatment every 21 days I was willing to make that drive. When you have the #1 dr in the world treating your cancer, you go where he tells you to go. Im very lucky to have the team I have.

[mucifer]

17. Best wishes and I'm glad you have good doctors!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

16. Agreed!

Ridiculous if they don't help in that way.

[Liberal In Texas]

12. That's terrible.

Have you checked with your GP if they do tests or know of someplace closer than a "testing site?" I know my GP has been doing them since March and I have also used an "official" state run site to double check on results from the lab the GP uses. (All neg. so far.)

Also I had 2 tests the day before I had an electro-cardio procedure, done by the hospital. (A quick one and another that took overnight.) There must be some other alternative for you than the official Iowa run sites.

[Squidly]

15. yes

waiting for a call back. its still a 70 mile drive to his office, but I dont have any other option right now. The joys of living in rural America.

[Liberal In Texas]

40. I wish you luck. And hope that your turn out negative.

As mentioned elsewhere, a pulse oximeter available at most drug stores (if they haven't run out) is a good thing to have around. If you go below 90 you need to find help immediately.

You can get them for not that much. Got one on-line and it's a real good one and it now costs $32.

Free one day with prime: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YVGZPRZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[cry baby]

14. Breathing exercises video to help you:

Chris Cuomo on cnn said that these helped him very much.

https://m.

[Squidly]

19. the breating doesnt really concern me at the moment

living almost my entire life with breathing issues...allergy induced..I'm able to relax and not freak out when i cant breathe...I have a pretty good grasp on knowing when I need medical help. but thanks!

[BComplex]

37. So Cuomo said his doctor had him do this, and it helped? This is good to know!!

Thanks!

[lark]

18. Repugs are killing us on purpose by drastically limiting testing.

They want us to be so sick we can't vote and if we die, they get to take our SS $$ - win win as far as the criminal traitors are concerned.

[AnnaLee]

20. The oncologist's office should be taking care of this.

I agree with contacting the oncologist's office. I wouldn't let them brush me off since they must have a testing regime in place for their employees. Also, you aren't the only patient they saw during that infectious period so you aren't the only one wanting to be tested.

[Squidly]

22. read above

its not that easy atm

[Buckeye_Democrat]

23. True.

They're surely testing the employees, so they can test their possibly affected patients too as far as I'm concerned.

[safeinOhio]

24. Went to the ER on May 20 with

a 103 temp and shaking like a leaf. Had 3 COVID test with in 12 hours. All of them negative and it turned out it was sepsis. If I hadn’t gone to the ER I’d most likely be dead.
Went for the drive tru test 2 weeks ago for out patient surgery and negative again.

[LymphocyteLover]

25. So sorry! What a nightmare.

Wishing for the best for you.

[58Sunliner]

27. I'm so sorry. Lots of good advice here if you need it.

I drink elderberry tea-supposed to be an anti-viral. Try sleeping at a 45 degree angle-it can be easier to breath, and you might consider breathing in steamy air and coughing up any mucous that you can. Can your oncologist get you tested? It seems like he should have had one on order when he knew you were exposed. I have not been diagnosed with covid so I don't know what they are recommending for treatment. An Sp02 meter would be good, and a flutter valve, which helps move secretions from your lungs. I see you have a history of asthma so you might be familiar with a spirometer. It would be good to use as well. If you look at the protocol that CF patients cope with to get rid of lung secretions, part of their routine is to use an inhaler/nebulizer using saline on a daily basis, and stimulating coughing. Covid can paralyze the hairs that move mucous out of the lungs, in addition to other issues. Don't let your fever go above 102-103 without seeking medical treatment. If you have antibiotics like amoxicillin which can be used for lower lung infections, I personally, would start taking them. Tractor Supply carries amoxicillin in stock or order online from Amazon who sells Thomas Laboratories supplies. It is called FishMox. The inflammation and secretions can cause secondary infections leading to sepsis. It can happen before you test positive. People have symptoms for days/weeks before they test positive. If you know someone who has a CPAP on hand-you might consider using it if your breathing gets problematic and you don't have other options. Just make sure the pressure is set low, like 4-6. Check back.

[barbtries]

28. omigawd.

what about a drugstore near you?

your doctor needs to get back to you asap.

i'm so sorry this happened to you. hoping you have a mild case and recover asap.

[marble falls]

29. Thank your executive federal government. I'd head to the emergency room.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

31. I'd keep after the oncologist. how did the murse get tested?

And I'd contact your local newspaper to get the word out.

So sorry this happened to you.

[Dreampuff]

33. So sorry you are going through this

Could you contact your insurance company and ask them how to proceed? I would guess it isn't the same in Iowa, but the companies in this area originally sent out instructions as to how to proceed if you think you could have Covid.

Is there anywhere else in your area who might be testing? Something like a Walgreens or CVS?

The testing has slowed down tremendously for several months and it came soon after the Tulsa rally where the orange man said the reason we have so many cases is because we do so much testing and we need to stop our testing. As usual, he rambled on about he keeps telling his experts to slow the testing down.

There are several articles were people think the virus was already here in January and of course, in February. Our numbers are way low both in cases and in deaths. As one example, my area had a horrific amount of cases and deaths in nursing homes and the tracking was very poor mainly because they wanted to keep it under wraps. Since there was a lot of confusion on the Death count, His Highness ordered that no one has to worry about the nursing home death count and suggested not even counting it until after May 10th.

I wish you well! Definitely contact your oncologist and call your local emergency room or Urgent Care and also your insurance company. Hopefully someone will give you a simpler answer and driving a hundred miles for a test.

[Klaralven]

35. Try a google search for "Covid testing in Iowa"

There appear to be lots of testing sites.

[Squidly]

39. they closed a lot of them down...two that were in my town.

im headed to Des Moines. sucks I have to travel so far just to get tested. I know, thank our rethuglican governor for wanting to keep testing down for her "boyfriend"

[BComplex]

36. In North Carolina, we can get a test from every doc-in-the-box. Plus our doctors' offices have them.

There's no excuse for not having testing available. Republican governors are responsible for so much death in this country! I'm pissed, too!

Sending you a hug because I can't send you a test.

[lillypaddle]

38. No Doc in the Box where you are?

Urgent care places do them here in KY.

[live love laugh]

43. Lots of closures in Chicago too. Insane. nt

[MustLoveBeagles]

44. I'm sorry you're going through this

Take care of yourself and please keep us posted.

[Demovictory9]

48. Horrible..

[flamingdem]

49. If you stay at home I suggest getting a Pulse Oximeter

These are critical with Covid to see if your blood oxygen levels are falling.
That would be an indicator that you need to go to the hospital. Don't count on feeling a lack of oxygen since many report lack of symptoms. Super easy to use just clip on the end of your finger and it will read out after 20 seconds.

Here's one on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Zacurate-Fingertip-Oximeter-Saturation-Batteries/dp/B06Y2FFQB9/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=pulse+oximeter&qid=1603258477&s=hpc&sr=1-4