"Long" Covid

[PaulRosedene]

I had Covid and was off sick from work for six weeks from the end of March. After the fever, fatigue and headache cleared, I had a cough for six weeks that did not respond to pred or anti-biotics. I did not need hospital admission.

Apart from the persistent cough, my chest wasn't too bad. My energy gradually recovered over the six weeks and I thought I had gotten over Covid. But during last month and this I have had repeated episodes of exhaustion. This is more than fatigue. Its like the brain is not functioning and I have to sleep.

Is anyone else experiencing ongoing symptoms weeks and months after Covid has apparently cleared ?

[AirIsUnderrated]

Poor you. It’s miserable isn’t it?

I had Covid symptoms back in March before testing. Low grade fever for 3 weeks and breathlessness that is still with me after 5 months. As I respond to Ventolin I’ve been put on Qvar (which does help) and given an asthma diagnosis. The resp nurse still says it’s post viral and that I can keep trying to come off it, but every time I try it comes back again.

Fatigue has definitely improved, but if I do too much I get more breathless the next day not at the time. And that’s very post viral apparently.

Are you a member of any long Covid groups?

[PaulRosedene in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

Hey there, Thank you for your post and support. I love your moniker. Where would we be without air ?

I am wondering whether HealthUnlocked have a long covid support group. I have just looked up HU on the internet. They are an interesting company.

I just checked long covid support groups on the internet. There is a long covid website and action group hosted by the UK sepsis trust.

I am wondering if long covid is different from other post vital conditions. My daughter came down with chronic fatigue after a virus, when she was 13. She hasn't fully covered 10 years later. A friend has chronic fatigue after a virus over 20 years ago.

I must check how you track down the different groups within HealhUnlocked. I could join the eczema one, but there aren't enough hours in the day !

[Glty]

It's horrible isn't it?

I came down covid at the end of March and I'm still struggling with shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, tachycardia, peripheral nerve issues, post exertional malaise, muscle weakness and trembling and hand and foot cramps on top of significantly worsened asthma. I am improving and I'd say I'm now 75% functional. I did have really bad brain fog and that's now gone.

My GP said it may be a year or more till I'm fully recovered but that seeing gradual improvements is a good sign.

Key things for me are pacing, and lots of rest, looking after my mental health and having a couple of electrolyte drinks every day. If I do too much, I end up back in bed for 3-4 days with sore throat, headache, swollen glands and muscle aches.

I hope you feel better soon, its a very strange illness. Try to give yourself some time to rest and recuperate. I've found the "positive path of wellness" long covid group on Facebook really helpful.

[lovedisney]

Hi PaulRosedene,

I am sorry to hear you have been struggling like this. I can absolutely understand how frustrating and scary it is. I have not had COVID19 but have ME/CFS and the symptoms are VERY similar. Almost identical. I have been living with it since 2013. I have many of the symptoms and others that you have described the crippling fatigue, aching body and what I call brain fog (can’t think properly, very poor memory & can’t process info). I have good days and bad days and have learnt to pace myself. If you are looking for advice or help I would check out actionforme.org.uk or meassociation.org.uk both have loads of useful info that might help you. Action for me also has an active forum where lots of people will reply to your question and give great advice. I do still work but only part time and even that is struggle sometimes. The more I push myself the worse I feel. I still after all this time sometimes struggle to manage my energy and feel rubbish as a result. I hope you continue to feel better. My advice don’t push yourself too much it will make you more unwell. Take care xx

[PaulRosedene in reply to lovedisney]

Hi Love disney, thank you for sharing your experience. My daughter also has ME. Have you found anything that helps ? Some people says it just goes away as mysteriously as it arrived. is that your experience ?

[lovedisney in reply to PaulRosedene]

Hey PaulRosedene,

The only thing that really seems to help is heat and sun. When I am abroad it’s definitely not as bad and I have more energy. It also helps if we have a long sunny spell. (But I live in Scotland so it doesn’t happen often here. 🤣😂) Sadly it hasn’t gone away. I have good spells and bad spells. If a catch a cold or something it floors me. But if I am careful and manage my energy and don’t over do things that helps. It’s a constant challenge and impacts every part of my life. I am only able to work part time for example which is very frustrating. How is your daughter? Take care xx

[PaulRosedene in reply to lovedisney]

My daughter manages most things. She is 23 now. I guess Scotland is not the best climate for you. Somewhere sunnier ?

[lovedisney in reply to PaulRosedene]

I am really pleased to hear that. Sounds like a fab plan living somewhere lots more sunny. But I would miss friends and family so so much. FaceTime is great but you can’t give a hug.

[hilary39]

I have heard similar things from people who've had covid, it does seem to have intense lingering effects on a lot of people.

I had it in April and have had heart inflammation and tachycardia ever since. And I was SO fatigued for a few weeks during my recovery, it was like a crazy kind of tired I've not experienced other than when I had mono. I remember one day I ran 1-2 errands and collapsed into bed when I got home and couldn't move the rest of the day. I also had the brain fuzziness you mention, like I actually don't remember the 3-4 weeks of my sickness very well. I can remember conversations I had of course and some of the movies I watched but it has this underwater far away feeling like I was half asleep for it.

What does your GP say? So sorry to hear you're feeling so off but do know it seems to be normal(ish) for a lot of people-

[PaulRosedene in reply to hilary39]

Some of the after effects of Covid, like the ones you have mentioned, are pretty serious. I haven't spoken to my GP about the fatigue. I have had it just for a couple of months. I'm not they can do anything for fatigue ?

[hilary39 in reply to PaulRosedene]

It sounds like it would be good to check in with a nurse on a hotline or your GP just to make sure your symptoms, bloodwork, vitals etc. are normal and that you are on the mend. It sounds like it's been debilitating and I feel like it's always good to check in with doctors when that's the case (even when they're swamped like they are with covid). I was in a long covid group on Slack and I read a number of people talking about the feeling of brain fog and fatigue you describe. I think part of it is just your body recovering from having taken a beating. It's a harsh virus and I've read that in some cases the body keeps fighting it even after it's cleared up because it triggers such a strong immune reaction.

[PaulRosedene in reply to hilary39]

Hi Hilary39, your last comment is very interesting. With those who are seriously ill with Covid, there is a large element of the immune system overreacting. It hadn't occurred to me that this might be continuing.

I will probably speak to my GP if it continues. I think I have discussed fatigue before in relation to asthma. I feel there is not much they can do.

[Lien-Ju]

Hello Paul, I had covid in March/April. I still have issues, mine are:

- Tiredness

- Wheezing when I exhale

- Narrow throat

[PaulRosedene in reply to Lien-Ju]

Hi Lien-Ju, I'm sorry to hear that. Are these all symptoms you didn't have before ?

[Lien-Ju in reply to PaulRosedene]

Hello Paul, indeed all the symptoms I have today and since march I didn't have them before covid.

I used to train and eat properly as I am an athlete but my performances have decreased a lot because of covid. For now I don't have any explanation, my exam are good and I don't have anything wrong with my throat/lung showing on the scan.

[PaulRosedene in reply to Lien-Ju]

Wow. This is serious for you as an athlete. Do the medics have any solutions ?