Covid 19 has it worsen your ME/CFS symptoms?

[theia]

Good morning all! I was wondering if any of you caught Covid 19 that made their ME symptoms worse. The reason I ask is that I am pretty much still "terrified" not to wear a mask and to travel just in case I get covid. I discussed with my GP they advice the as my mom lives in a sunny place I should go and visit her so I get some sun but still feel very afraid. So the question I have is if covid 19 has worsen your ME/CFS symptoms and or if you are aware of any research that answers this question.

Take care everyone xx

[ButterflyPrincess1]

Hello Again,

I'm inclined to say that (in my own opinion, at least) nobody can predict exactly how COVID is going to affect them because we're all individual.

Also, it would further depend on a number of different factors (such as age, any underlying health conditions, whether you've chosen to be vaccinated or not (I would personally never judge anyone else on their decision, either way) and potentially whether you are a healthy weight or not (again, I'm not judging) to name just a few things that spring to mind.

I've (so far) managed to avoid catching the Coronavirus. However, the price I pay for this is very steep, in that I lead a very restricted life.

I also have close Family members who have had the misfortune to catch COVID twice.

They were both affected very differently (in fact, one showed no symptoms, at all).

Personally, I'll continue to wear a mask (non-negotiable in enclosed spaces, in my own mind) and will use hand sanitizer when needed (especially where there's limited access to soap and water.)

[theia in reply to ButterflyPrincess1]

Dear ButterflyPrincess1, Thanks for taking the time to reply and share.

All the best😀

[peege]

Hi, I agree with ButterflyPrincess1, there are so many factors to consider. I've CFS also asthma and Small Airways Disease so I've been very careful about hand hygiene, masks, decontamination shopping/food deliveries & wearing latex gloves everywhere since January 2020. Amazingly I've avoided it so far even though I live in a town & have all essential shops very nearby. But (a huge but) I caught a virus over Xmas with family. It wasn't covid however it completely floored me and still struggling to get back to my normal after three months. December 31st to end of January in bed with fevers, incessant asthma coughing and as is usual for me developed into a bacterial lung infection. I feel that it may as well have been covid, how I feel now feels like long covid may feel. My personal opinion is that for us, long covid is the big risk 🤔. Only my opinion/guess.

I'm left with really hoping that in time I can intermittently rest & pace back to at least how I was before Xmas but at the same time afraid that this is my new 'normal'.

If I had ME I'd still be using all the above precautions and getting out & about as much as CFS allows - I went on a bus once in 2021, it was horrifying with the person behind me eating, huffing & puffing into my air space although I did get away with it. Not to be repeated anytime soon. I occasionally go to the local film club and/or a posh cinema where the seats are huge & well spaced. Kind regards, P

[theia in reply to peege]

Dear Peege,

Thanks for taking the time to reply and share. I hope you start feeling better soon.😀

bw

[Fificakes2 in reply to peege]

So I have M.E but maybe mildly and I caught COVID just before Christmas and it's developed into Long Covid, but I am very slowly improving and I will get better. I don't think I would change any of my behaviour before because, I'd begun to live life like normal and no mask wearing, just pottering on. It's really bad, being very disabled but I found it worse not being able to hug my friends.

I think that there's a lot of stronger viruses going around partly because of isolation and masks, so our immune system is weakened.

But I think my body is reacting same way as when first caught M.E from a virus. It's a new virus and my body over react like with glandular fever, but I'm certain that I'm not as ill now as the first time. I hope this made sense.

[theia in reply to Fificakes2]

dear Fificakes2, I am so glad that you started feeling better! I have been much worse than you one, being mostly bed bound for the last 6 years, which is the reason I am much more reserved. I hope you continue improving! Take care

[Fificakes2]

I hope that you are starting to feel more positive about your health and catching Long Covid? And can stay well.