Hello

[BarbaraPym]

Hi, I am just about to start my 4th week of C25K. I’m 66, and believed I was pretty fit for my age, a regular runner, walker, and busy grandma. I had recently been getting my parkrun time down to under 30 minutes. Then one day, about six months ago I woke up and could barely get out of bed. After lots of tests, the only thing the doctor could suggest was post viral fatigue. . I am slowly improving, but still have issues with balance, clumsiness and fatigue. C25K is helpful, because it’s building my confidence gradually. Just wondered are there any other post viral fatigue sufferers around, and does anyone have helpful hints?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome and well done you... Its is a real shame that you are feeling under par. What did the GP think that the Post Viral fatigue originated from?

We do have a few folk here who have, and are ,experiencing that fatigue from having had Covid. I had Covid the week before Christmas, and although the actual Covid was not as severe as the flu in my case, the week after I tested negative I was wiped out...

I have built back very very slowly and for me that is the only way,,, I am 7s on April 3rd... just starting with walks and lengthening them and then the shortest of runs, again no pressure and stopping when I felt like it... I am back up to 7K now ( I have been running for 8+ years though),

You may find some info in this post useful ? The NHS link to getting back to exercise after Covid has some really helpful tips, which could be transferred to the fatigue you are getting maybe?

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto......

yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/i-...

We are not medical experts so, if you are still struggling with the issues you mention, maybe it would be a plan to see what advice and further support there may be available for you from the folk in the know?

This is so worrying and annoying for you as you have been so active... do keep us posted please?

[BarbaraPym in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, the doc assumed it was a virus, but I tested negative for Covid and had not felt ill as such, just maybe a bit off, so it was a shock to wake up to inhabiting a body that hardly worked! Just have o stay positive and believe that eventually I’ll recover fully.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to BarbaraPym]

Right..well check some of the links out. I think you may find some really useful comeback ideas. ?

I think those of us who have gone through this,as MissUnderstanding says, find pacing yourself, listening to your body and easing back as needed, is the way.

Some days are fine and some, you feel as weak as a kitten.. Take your time and be kind to yourself...you'll get there. X

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

Sorry you’re going through this. I’ve had post viral fatigue before and it’s miserable. The fact you can’t have a positive test for it and only diagnose it by ruling out other things is difficult. I hope your GP did a really thorough set of tests and that you keep improving. Please go back if you feel you need some more support or investigation.

From my experience, I found pacing was the best thing to manage my fatigue. It was really hard not to do too much on good days then feel awful for the next few days. That yo-yoing was really demoralising. Doing a bit less than I felt capable of while I felt well was better than the crushing tiredness after a day of pushing it too much. Over time, what I could do on good days increased and bad days got further apart. I’m fully recovered now although it still takes me ages to get over any bugs.

Couch to 5k could be good because of the gradual build up. You might find you need extra rest time. It’s a good idea to be ready to repeat runs if you need to, and some days you might decide it’s best to cut runs shorter and come back to them another day. I wouldn’t try to follow a strict schedule-if you’re tired it’s better to walk or rest instead. Just listen really carefully to your body and go steadily,

Wishing you a full recovery ❤️

[BarbaraPym in reply to MissUnderstanding]

thank you for such kind words- it’s nice to talk to someone who’s been through this and gives me hope 👍