Covid Pneumonia - Recovery!

[natswright]

This is maybe my final post, and its now around 18 months since I was landed in hospital with covid pneumonia. Please read my other posts for my journey.

I was recently featured on BBC look north, so hope the message gets out there that you can recover.

Since Christmas i've been cycling and doing lots of walking, pretty much activity every day. My legs have finally responded and are functioning normally, other than my quadriceps tendon, an old injury!

I still have a little neck pain too, mainly mild muscular issues.

However I'm now fit enough to resume running and can put this chapter of my life firmly in the past.

18 months ago, I could not walk unaided. It took me 15 months to get regularly walking again, with cycling on an ebike playing a huge part in my recovery.

I've just completed week one of couch to 5k, and am running again! Life is getting back to normal for me and i'm training so I can resume hill walking in the summer. I can still get more tired than normal on occasional evenings, however I think I actually push myself harder these last few months, so maybe that is why.

I can comfortably walk 3 -4 miles now, with a heavy backpack, and do lots of other activities.

To those struggling, you can do it, but it takes time, a hell of a lot of time. Long Covid, in my opinion is essentially post viral fatigue. Thats not to down play long covid, but any serious illness can cause post viral fatigue.

Bit by bit I pushed and pushed and slowly got better. Many told me, no, you must rest, to avoid the crashes, and while rest is important, so is exercise.

In effect, I was unable to even walk more than a few minutes for 6 months post illness, till I started using an e-bike. 4 months of that and I could just about manage 2 miles of walking. 5 months of walking, building from 1-2 miles a few times a week, built to 2-3 miles 7 days a week.

As I got fitter, I felt better.

Fitness is crucial.

I hope what I have posted here helps others who suffer any form of post viral fatigue after pneumonia. Very few doctors will prepare you for just how long recovery takes. I still remember one doctor telling me i'd be back on my feet in 3-4 months

How wrong he was!

[sassy59]

l remember your journey and what a remarkable story you told. I’m so pleased you’ve recovered as well as you have. All credit to you.

Wishing you all the very best for the future.

Take care xxx❤️

[Kpacific]

Congratulations! I’ve read your story and remember, when you couldn’t make it up the stairs to your apartment with your groceries. You’ve come such a long way. Your inner strength and perseverance are to be commended. Best life you you!

[B0xermad]

That is absolutely amazing to hear that you are embracing each day and getting back to feeling better each day. Well done for pushing your self.

[LissacFrance]

Brilliant!! Couch potatoes tend to go mouldy, exercise never hurt anyone, says he, who has only just got out of bed. My wife regularly reminds me that I need to take more exercise which does not include unwrapping another chocolate and, as my doctor said you need to drink more and, when I asked f that meant more pastis in the water, his reply was NO, just more water. I`ll try to remember your advice and more importantly, act on it.

[Snowdrops_17]

Thank you for your post natswright 👍❤️What a long journey back to health 👍❤️ Wonderful determination! 👏👏👏👏

I haven't been much on the forums here due to family death last December, traveling twice to Germany in 2023, plus working! Then a nasty head cold caught me a few days ago from which I am slowly recovering! 🤧🤒😷🤯😏 Still feel a little rough!

Your post is a great motivation for me at the moment and I will be more determined to get back on my feet! Yes looking forward to dryer months so I can start walking again and overcome that vascular disease causing me pain in my calves! Bless you NatsWright 👍❤️💕 Have a wonderful day please 💕💕💕🌅

[Ergendl]

Well done! Your persistence has paid off. All the best to you as you return to your former active way of life

[Mooka]

Well done. Good luck going forward.

[peege]

This is fantastic to read natswright 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 well done you! You could write a little book on your journey of long covid recovery from the patient's point of view.

I'm so pleased for you and thank you for sharing it with us.

[ks1966]

Well done 👍👍👍

[Karenanne61]

Well done! You really have come a long way, I remember earlier posts when you were unable to climb the stairs to your apartment! You've worked hard and deserve to be fit again. Good luck!

[Alberta56]

Thank you Natalie for sharing the various stages of about your journey. It's good that you are now able to enjoy all your old pursuits again. Well deserved for your hard work and persistence. You've been an example to all of us to persist. Enjoy that hill walking!

[watergazer]

Thank you natswright for your accounts on your road to recovery they were enlightening. I wish you well. Take care xx

[Thinkhealthy]

your progress is just wonderful to read and your battle will inspire many to make that extra effort and try more to get more out of every day.

[Morrison10]

many congratulations for overcoming nasty disease, your determination has certainly produced your recovery. Best wishes for your future. Jean x

[r0yalalbert]

What a success you have had, with much determination , I remember how you struggled, but you won in the end , Well done lovely to here and good luck for the future. Rose x.