Hi, I'm new here and just wondered if anyone has experienced anything similar to me after having Covid 19. I tested positive Five weeks ago. I was unwell for around Ten days, tried going back to work after around Two and a half weeks on sick leave, but am now unwell again and off work for the second time.
I have congestion in my chest, a cough that won't go away, a bit of vertigo, and I feel tired a lot more than I used to. I feel lucky to have gotten over the worst of the virus, but it seems to be taking such a long time to go, and I just feel vaguely unwell most of the time. I have Asthma and I'm late 50's.
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Pipestrel
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Welcome Pipestrel, good to meet you. I would like to say that personally I don’t feel 5 weeks is very long to recover from Covid. It’s such a destructive virus and everyone seems to be affected differently.
Given your asthma I would contact your GP and tell him how you’re feeling. Try and rest as much as possible.
Thanks Sassy59, I work for the NHS in mental health, and because we are so busy, I guess, I feel guilty about being off work, for such a long time, and am pressurising myself to go back.
I spoke to my Doctor last week and have upped my preventer meds, he's been great really. Having covid has been a bit of a wake up call, as regards my health. It certainly stops you in your tracks and it's made me not take health for granted. I will get in touch with my Doctor if these symptoms continue for longer. 😃
Please don't feel guilty for being away with still being unwell. You need to be properly better before you go back in to the fray.
You're doing the right thing by keeping your gp abreast of your lasting symptoms, they all need to be recorded on your medical records just in case it turns into long covid. All you can do is rest and nurture yourself with healthy food and I'd be taking loads of vitamins to rebuild immunity which must be shot to pieces. Wishing you all the best for a gentle and full recovery. Peege
I'm sorry to hear about you testing positive and how unwell you are feeling, take things very slowly, as others have said it takes ages to recover from this.
One of the paramedics who came out to me when I was unwell recommended Berocca every day to build up the immune system.
Get lots of rest and keep warm, we will get through this and have better times ahead.
I’m sorry to hear you are still suffering after this time. It’s definitely worth a chat with your Gp. You do an amazing job but please don’t feel guilty for needing time for yourself too!
Welcome to this forum. As others have said it is a vicious disease and you need to be gentle with yourself. You must give it guilt-free time. Your colleagues will support you.
These are stressful times even without having Covid-19 been sheilding for a long time . Have COPD long winter indoors most of the time . But off to Spain like a shot soon as I can 72 now had my first jab
Better climate warm swimming pools . Less stress and anxiety
Be strong think positive hope you feel better soon
Perhaps u have a chest infection or flare up if wheezy etc,secondary to covid if mucous congested.id talk to dr.the viral cough can stick around for weeks. Drink plenty of fluids + use ventolin puffer more to stretch airways,which may help with symptoms too.i was on steroids for 3mths
Hi Pipestrel and welcome to the site. The only thing you can do is rest up and look after yourself. I wouldnt go back to work before you are better, otherwise you will just keep having time off and delay the recovery. Take care x
Thank you so much for your kind and supportive comments, it means a lot to me to receive this support as I live alone and we are in lockdown, so it's socially isolating feeling unwell during this time. I have been fortunate, in that I have worked for most of the pandemic at the hospital and being with my co- workers has kept me going and definitely kept me sane.
I tested positive a week after having my vaccination, around a year after all this started, so many people have been unwell in the NHS, thank God most have had their first vaccine now.
I sincerely wish everyone good health and thank you again for your support.
This seems to be happening to a number of people and has been reported in the press as "long covid". I dont know how it is treated but try looking for info on this term.
I have read that even people who had no initial symptoms have been found to be suffering like you
True, Covid itself only had mild symptoms but 2 chest infections later in rapid succession and ongoing fatigue. Feel ok one day then pretty yuck the next. My hospital is doing a Post Covid Syndrome Clinic which I've been asked to attend next week
Hi my brother is a paramedic he caught covid early in the pandemic. He is slightly younger than you with no comorbidities and he struggled for many months before he was able to go back to work. He as told me that there are still people off after 6 months. Personally I would speak to your GP about your problems there are now specialist clinics for long covid. However it as only been five weeks which in reality is only a short time. There are a number of viral infections which can cause post viral complications which can takes many weeks or months to recover from. As my brother's doctor said a good diet, rest and then more rest. I hope you begin to feel better soon.
I have a family member who we believe caught covid in Dec'19 when the world was only just hearing about it. There were no tests available at that time but they had all the classic symptoms of covid and prior to this they were fit and healthy. They have struggled ever since to try and get various GP's to take symptoms seriously and have found solace in a Facebook group called long covid support group. If nothing else they have been able to speak with others in the same situation and there are plenty of people working in the NHS on there or similar roles in other countries, all of whom seem to be struggling just the same. I think it's going to take time for the medical profession to catch up as we are only now beginning to hear of long covid but there would appear to be a postcode lottery in terms of how much help and support is available. I know my family member has found this group invaluable to them if only for a source of validation, information and sharing stories on what symptoms people have suffered and how best to help each other. I've been shielding for over a year now and have kept myself away from it but I do feel for those that have not been able to do so and I applaud all those workers who have done their best to keep us safe and to keep the country going. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Hi sounds like you have long covid symptoms persist on and off for 6 months or more speak to your Gp there are NHD services that support people with long COVID-19
Sorry to hear you are still unwell. I belong to an online group called Singing4breathing for people with copd and asthma etc. They are now opening up and encouraging people with Long Covid to join. We sing for about an hour on zoom one day and next day we have a harmonica for breathing group.
Hi Pipestrel and a warm welcome to the group. You will get lots of support and advice on here from our lovely members.
You may like to take a look at our Post Covid Hub webpage. It has lots of information on there you may find useful. Plus we have our dedicated helpline if you would like to chat to one of our nurses for tips on recovery. As others have mentioned, do speak to your GP if symptoms worsen or do not seem to be improving. I have added the link for you below.
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Asthma/ILO (also known as Vocal Chord Dysfunction) and Post Covid Breathing
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