So, i'm fast approaching the 6 month mark into my recovery, and this week things seem to be changing.
I've been able to drop my morning naps, which i'm pleased at as its no longer a reminder of those limiting things I had to for months, just to have the energy to make a meal.
I have been nursing a horrendously bad neck for the last two weeks, however a hot compress has worked wonders in the last few days, and that's now on the mend. I suspect it was contributing hugely to the way I was feeling.
I've been back at work for 2 weeks now (full time) after a 3 week phased return, so in total 5 weeks. I've started to put on weight at last, which is great as I still eat a balanced nutritious diet. I hope this is muscle mass!
I'm now able to have a normal bed time, yep, I can just stay up till around 11pm, then go to bed. Sleep is improving, although I do have bad nights and often get up to pee. This just seems to be covid, it seems to affect sleep on occasion, even in recovery.
Despite work, i'm only mildly tired in the mid afternoon, between 3-5pm, but its getting less and less.
I'm starting a specialist physio course next week, 8 weeks of support and i'm a lab rat for study! Looking forwards to the mystery of why my legs do not work properly.
I seem to suffer muscle weakness in my legs, but there is no logical pattern to it. I could have been resting, yet my legs feel weak. Conversely, I could go on a walk, and start with leg weakness, yet my legs feel fine once i'm warmed up! I thought it was over use at first, but now I'm not so sure.
It is improving over time, in the early days, I could hardly stand when I got the issue, and often woke with legs in this state.
It could be some sort of post exertional malaise, I just do not know, as the rest of me feels just fine.
I occasionally have slight breathlessness after exertion, but easily catch my breath. For instance I can manage jogging 60 seconds and catch my breath walking. I can move 6 heavy bags of shopping up stairs and put much of the shopping away (a 30 minute task) and only be mildly out of breath.
Anxiety is much improved, which is expected as my health improves. Mindfulness has really helped here, as has CBT and a worry diary.
My hair has at last started to grow back, but needs about a year to grow in fully.
The biggest issue I found with work, was I had to reduce my other activities to compensate for working. I am now building those back up. I'm definitely getting stronger, but think it could be 4-6 months before I get close to my baseline fitness. You never know though, looking at others on various forums, I see none that have recovered as quickly as I have, considering 5 and a half months ago, I was critically ill with a machine helping me breath.
So, I ask you lot on here, any ideas on the mystery leg weakness? Is it just deconditioning? Oddly, rubbing my legs helps a bit as I guess that helps the blood flow. My Physio thinks its to do with the way the muscles take up blood, they just do not know.
I hope my neck continues to heal, as that had me in tears at several points in the last few weeks. I have another physio looking after me for this!
The only other thing i'd say, is that in the last week, here in the UK, it has been really warm and sunny. I've made sure i've been out in the sun for at least 60 minutes each day. I suspect this has really boosted my Vitamin D levels. I already take around 2000Ui a day, this just adds to it
Recovering from pneumonia
Recovering from pneumonia
Mucus from one lung after 6 months smoke free
