Your CT score of 5/25 is mild, and your 98% oxygen level is highly reassuring. Your body is fighting the virus well. Mild chest pain and weakness are common during recovery as your lungs heal. Your prescribed medications are appropriate: Dexona (dexamethasone) and Budecort (budesonide) target the lung inflammation, Calpol (paracetamol) helps manage chest discomfort, and Esoga (esomeprazole) protects your stomach. Asthakind DX controls cough, and Immugard supports your recovery. Please continue to rest and hydrate. However, if your chest pain worsens or you experience shortness of breath, please consult your doctor immediately.

Corticosteroids like dexamethasone (Dexona, Decadin) can significantly raise blood sugar, which is likely contributing to your high reading of 406 mg/dL. Managing blood sugar is incredibly important for your brain's healing after a stroke. While anti-diabetic medications like glimepiride (Metride) and glyburide (Dibeta) help, they may struggle against the steroids. Please contact your physician immediately to review these medications, especially the steroids. For your recovery, starting dedicated physical and speech therapy as soon as possible is also vital.

It is very possible that your past use of Dexona (dexamethasone), a strong steroid, is linked to your current symptoms. Prolonged use or sudden stoppage of this medication can disrupt your body's natural hormone balance, leading to high blood pressure, digestive issues like constipation and fullness, and a weakened immune system, which makes you more prone to skin infections. Since these symptoms keep returning, please do not self-medicate. I highly recommend consulting a doctor. They can safely evaluate your hormone levels, manage your blood pressure, and provide the right treatments to help you heal permanently and safely.

Regarding your medications, please do not substitute Dexona (dexamethasone) 0.5 mg for Medrol (methylprednisolone) 8 mg. They are not equal in strength; 0.5 mg of Dexona is a much weaker dose and may not adequately control your inflammation. However, Pantop D SR (pantoprazole with domperidone) and Rekool D (rabeprazole with domperidone) are very similar acid-reducing medicines. While this substitution is generally safer, it is vital to consult your prescribing doctor before making any changes, especially with steroids, to ensure your recovery stays safely on track.

Yes, both the severe COVID-19 infection itself and some of your medications can impact your calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Specifically, corticosteroids like methylprednisolone and Dexona (dexamethasone) can temporarily alter how your body processes calcium. Additionally, severe infections like COVID-19 frequently cause temporary drops in calcium levels. As your body recovers, it is not uncommon to see fluctuations in both calcium and PTH as your endocrine system works to restore its natural balance. Please share these results with your doctor so they can safely monitor your recovery and guide any needed supplements.

Yes, facial swelling is a well-known side effect of dexamethasone (Dexona), especially when used for weight gain, as it causes fluid retention. Cyproheptadine can also contribute to this. Since you have been taking these medications for four weeks, it is very important that you do not stop taking dexamethasone suddenly, as your body needs time to adjust. I gently recommend consulting your doctor. They can help you safely and gradually taper down the dose to resolve the swelling.