Fatigue

[SanG55]

Hi all, I tested positive for Covid on 14th February after carefully avoiding it for almost three years. It has really knocked me out. I work 3days a week and have been unable to return since Covid diagnosis. I am so, so tired and having at least two naps a day. I feel Covid has exacerbated all the existing health issues connected to PMR. At the moment I can’t imagine ever going back to work and am finding this hard to explain to them. Any experiences on whether this will improve (I do realise we’re all different) or on how to explain to work? Many thanks in anticipation 😊

[SheffieldJane]

I am astonished that you have managed to hold down a job with this condition, I even had to give up my voluntary position. Covid striking, as it did it a bad blow. We are hit hard by viruses, emotional upset, accidents and the like. Illnesses seem to drag on for much longer than with the healthy. I would want a raft of blood tests at least, to ensure that nothing else was going on. I would seriously consider whether retirement on health grounds was feasible. The resting you are doing is sensible. I wish I could offer something more encouraging. Get better soon.

[SanG55 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you SheffieldJane 😊

[Nextoneplease]

Hi SanG55 😊

I’m sorry to hear you feel so bad. My first question re work is, do they know about the PMR? If so, it should hopefully be easier to talk to them and explain that the Covid has perhaps hit you harder than most.

Whatever the situation, I do feel you must rest (has some of this exhaustion been building up prior to Covid??). I hope you’ll get some more specific advice soon but I just wanted to say hang on in there, give your body what it needs and hopefully you’ll be back to work soon.

Hugs xx

[SanG55 in reply to Nextoneplease]

Thank you Nextoneplease. My manager has Fybromyalgia and seems to think it’s a contest about who is dealing with the most. I don’t generally share (medical) things at work although they are aware I have PMR, but I’m not sure how much they have taken in from what I have told them. I work in a children’s hospice, so it has it’s own challenges, not least the staff dynamics! I have got quite good at only dealing with necessary things and leaving unnecessary dramas to others who like that sort of thing 😂. My BiL died in November so I have been supporting my sister and nieces and I think my body thought (when I got Covid) she’s stopped, let’s keep her at zero pace! 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SanG55]

You'd think in a children's hospice there wouldn't be a lot of place for personal dramas ...

[SanG55 in reply to PMRpro]

I have never worked anywhere with so many personal dramas! It makes me wonder about the sort of people attracted to the work and if I am one of them😂. Don’t think I am but I suspect none of them do either 🤔 I think I’m too old for it now 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think it is very fair to say that Long Covid and PMR are very closely related - and Long Covid would very probably mean something to your workplace. The question arises whether already having an autoimmune disorder means you are more likely to suffer more with either after Covid. My daughter was saying yesterday that she still hasn't got over her last batch of Covid and that was a while ago. She also has an autoimmune disorder and it has been worsened by the Covid.

DIscuss it will your doctor and find out about Long Covid processes.

[SanG55 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro. I’d love to have proper conversation with GP but they pretty much leave me to get on with it, which I can only do with the input of this forum and knowledgeable people like yourself. 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SanG55]

Yes - but you haved an added-value diagnosis here with potential Long Covid.

[SanG55 in reply to PMRpro]

True, I need to request an appointment, thank you 😊

[whitefishbay]

I hope it is just lingering fatigue. My covid experience wasn't too bad. Lasted ten days then back to work. The fatigue is annoying. I hope you slowly get back to normal.

[SanG55 in reply to whitefishbay]

Thank you whitefishbay 😊

[Hopingsail]

Thanks for sharing this SanG55 - your experience mirrors mine in Covids timing and aftermath…

I was feeling quite smug in having slowly reduced to Pred 5mg - and getting back to voluntary (but demanding) activities and a more normal level of active living. Wham! 2 weeks of testing positive and then fatigue, fog, intermittent blurry eyes and bits of muscle pain. Last week I decided to up Pred to 7.5 which has helped a bit - and wonder if I need to go up a bit more…. I would be interested to know what meds level you are on and if you have increased to deal with after Covid?

Other opinions / experiences welcomed as ever!

[SanG55 in reply to Hopingsail]

Thanks for your reply Hopingsail. I am at 7.5/7mg of Pred at the mo and maybe I do need to up my dose, my brain fog had taken that option away from me 😂

[PMRnewbie2017 in reply to SanG55]

Brain fog is also a complication of Covid not just from Pred!

[WaltzG]

I had covid over Xmas and it is still lingering tho very mildly now. I was fortunate enough to be able to rest till the worst passed. Try to rest, take time off if necessary.....combination of PMR medications and covid is bound to tire you ....wish you better

[SanG55]

Thank you SharonY

[cranberryt]

It took about 6 weeks for me to get over the lingering effects of covid. I took 1 week off work and then just took it slower. I work from home though so I had flexibility to work when I was at my best. My main lingering symptoms were hard breathing and exhaustion after walking up or down the stairs. I did need an antibiotic to get past it all.

[SanG55 in reply to cranberryt]

Thanks cranberry 😊

[Sharitone]

I am impressed that you managed to carry on working at all with PMR! I guess it's early days for the Covid recovery. My husband had it quite lightly, but it took weeks for the dry cough to disappear

[SanG55 in reply to Sharitone]

Thanks Sharitone 😊

[SanG55]

Update. Called GP at 8.29, “please call back at8.30” Hung up and refilled and was number 26 in queue, requested call back which I have just had. No appts left today, call at 8.30 tomorrow. Me,” I might have same result as today?” Receptionist, “Yes, that’s all I can suggest, I’m sorry” So really, no update!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SanG55]

What a horlicks…….

[SanG55 in reply to DorsetLady]

Exactly 😂

[SanG55]

Redialled NOT refilled 😂

[SanG55]

Update: Spoke to a locus GP who spoke to rheumatologist (I’m not seeing one). Advised blood tests and to keep on same level of medication until results are back. I did feel listened to and that she had some knowledge of PMR and acknowledged my concerns. No blood test appointments available until April 6th. Thanks for all your replies and advice 😊