THREAD: I'm on day 13 of #COVID19 isolation. I'm not an expert but I have recovered. So I want to offer some tips, especially for those who live alone.

Don't wait to contact your doctor. Do it the moment you start running a fever and have a hunch that you may have #COVID19. Most practices and urgent care facilities have telemedicine and secure email systems. Even if you're unable to get tested you should have a physician.

Contact at least three people who live closeby and you trust who will check in with you and are willing to leave their phone on at night. You may not need to call them but it will bring you some comfort. Also, having people nearby means they can bring you items in an emergency.

This is a tricky virus. After a couple of days, you may think you're on-the-mend. Your fever, aches and pains may subside. This is the time to prepare yourself and your home for really serious illness. I didn't do this very well.

You're going to feel awful again a few days later, most likely worse than before. The minute you can manage -- around day 3 or 4 -- make that soup, change your sheets, wash some underwear and pjs in the sink, get groceries delivered. Food prep will make a huge difference.

Have a table at your bedside for essentials. If your bed is not near an electrical outlet then place an extension cord somewhere so you have a way to plug in your phone and laptop next to you.

Keep the following within reach: Tissues, a small trash can, acetaminophen, guaifenesin, thermometer, plastic cup, a large insulated bottle filled with water so you don't have to keep getting up for more water, hand cream, petroleum-based moisturizer.

Things may get scary on days 6 to 8. Be in touch with your doctor then. Take acetaminophen regularly to keep the fever down. I took 1,000 mg every six to eight hours.

Around day 7 I began to experience some chest pain. This was when I reached out to my doctor again to assess the severity of my illness. The challenge is that chest pain is scary, which causes anxiety, which makes you wonder if your lungs are working properly.

I was lucky that my illness didn't go beyond a lot of chest inflammation but it's hard to parse out what's happening when you're sick. That's why you need a doctor. It's quite amazing what a good doctor can do over video chat.

Warm showers will help ease many #COVID19 symptoms, but make sure you are steady enough to get in your shower and have a mat to prevent slipping. Or take a bath or sit on the floor of your shower. Keep your phone within reach. (Basically, have your phone with you at all times.)

If you have any preexisting conditions consider reaching out to the specialist you see. Doctors who handle heart disease, diabetes, COPD, neurological and autoimmune disorders are learning how #COVID19 can affect the specific population they treat to prevent more complications.

I have temporal lobe epilepsy and had neurological symptoms including severe insomnia from #COVID19. My neurologist prescribed a small dose of clonazepam (fast-acting anticonvulsant also for anxiety). It provided extra seizure protection, alleviated headaches and helped me sleep.

If you're having trouble sleeping discuss it with your doctor. Sleep will heal you and it will also help you pass the awful time. This is what you need most to recover from #COVID19: SLEEP and TIME.

Finally, earplugs. Laying in bed at 3 a.m. unable to sleep with a relentless fever and the constant sound of ambulances is definitely one of the most terrifying moments in my life. Yes, I live in New York City.