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6 months recovering from Covid Pneumonia - Back to work & Jelly legs!

natswright profile image
21 Replies

So, i'm fast approaching the 6 month mark into my recovery, and this week things seem to be changing.

I've been able to drop my morning naps, which i'm pleased at as its no longer a reminder of those limiting things I had to for months, just to have the energy to make a meal.

I have been nursing a horrendously bad neck for the last two weeks, however a hot compress has worked wonders in the last few days, and that's now on the mend. I suspect it was contributing hugely to the way I was feeling.

I've been back at work for 2 weeks now (full time) after a 3 week phased return, so in total 5 weeks. I've started to put on weight at last, which is great as I still eat a balanced nutritious diet. I hope this is muscle mass!

I'm now able to have a normal bed time, yep, I can just stay up till around 11pm, then go to bed. Sleep is improving, although I do have bad nights and often get up to pee. This just seems to be covid, it seems to affect sleep on occasion, even in recovery.

Despite work, i'm only mildly tired in the mid afternoon, between 3-5pm, but its getting less and less.

I'm starting a specialist physio course next week, 8 weeks of support and i'm a lab rat for study! Looking forwards to the mystery of why my legs do not work properly.

I seem to suffer muscle weakness in my legs, but there is no logical pattern to it. I could have been resting, yet my legs feel weak. Conversely, I could go on a walk, and start with leg weakness, yet my legs feel fine once i'm warmed up! I thought it was over use at first, but now I'm not so sure.

It is improving over time, in the early days, I could hardly stand when I got the issue, and often woke with legs in this state.

It could be some sort of post exertional malaise, I just do not know, as the rest of me feels just fine.

I occasionally have slight breathlessness after exertion, but easily catch my breath. For instance I can manage jogging 60 seconds and catch my breath walking. I can move 6 heavy bags of shopping up stairs and put much of the shopping away (a 30 minute task) and only be mildly out of breath.

Anxiety is much improved, which is expected as my health improves. Mindfulness has really helped here, as has CBT and a worry diary.

My hair has at last started to grow back, but needs about a year to grow in fully.

The biggest issue I found with work, was I had to reduce my other activities to compensate for working. I am now building those back up. I'm definitely getting stronger, but think it could be 4-6 months before I get close to my baseline fitness. You never know though, looking at others on various forums, I see none that have recovered as quickly as I have, considering 5 and a half months ago, I was critically ill with a machine helping me breath.

So, I ask you lot on here, any ideas on the mystery leg weakness? Is it just deconditioning? Oddly, rubbing my legs helps a bit as I guess that helps the blood flow. My Physio thinks its to do with the way the muscles take up blood, they just do not know.

I hope my neck continues to heal, as that had me in tears at several points in the last few weeks. I have another physio looking after me for this!

The only other thing i'd say, is that in the last week, here in the UK, it has been really warm and sunny. I've made sure i've been out in the sun for at least 60 minutes each day. I suspect this has really boosted my Vitamin D levels. I already take around 2000Ui a day, this just adds to it

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natswright
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21 Replies
TumbleDrum profile image
TumbleDrum

What an amazing post! Congratulations on your stupendous recovery. I know it’s still underway, but what an incredible accomplishment.

Damon1864 profile image
Damon1864Volunteer

Hi it sounds like you are doing really well which is fantastic. I hope you continue to prove and get the trouble with your legs sorted out, sorry I have no suggestions for you. Please let us know how you are doing, have a good night and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

natswright profile image
natswright in reply to Damon1864

Thanks, i'll keep looking for answers. I suspect its to do with oxygen uptake, and that covid can damage that, equally, it could be the nervous system, as covid attacks that too! I did have muscle weakness in my hands, but that has gone now, about a month ago...

natswright profile image
natswright

One thing I wanted to add is that after exercise, I do feel like their is a slight drain on my oxygen. Months ago, i'd feel very breathless, now it's very subtle. I suspect this is my legs draining a little more. It comes on about 30 minutes after a walk, lasts about an hour, but is extremely slight. I guess its another sign i'm improving.

Damon1864 profile image
Damon1864Volunteer

Please keep us updated on how you are doing ok😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

sassy59 profile image
sassy59

You’re certainly getting there despite the odd set back which I hope you’ll overcome in time. Hope you’re getting all the support you need and I wish you well for the future. Very well done. Xxxx👍💕🌻

corriena profile image
corriena

Sorry I dont know about your leg problems, but it is realy good to hear you are recovering so well. It dose take effort to recover and you are obviosly putting in the hard work. Well done. I hope you can find an answer to your jelly legs

SORRELHIPPO profile image
SORRELHIPPO

It is good to see that much improvement, Getting back to work must have been a great mental boost. I have my legs go like this, when the Crohn's is bad, you would giggle, if you heard me some mornings, sitting on the side of my bed, giving them a pep talk!!

peege profile image
peege

Such good news natswright, well done you for your perseverance, determination and sheer grit in recovering slowly but surely 👏 👏 👏 👏

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew

Dear natswright, I have read all your messages but I don’t think I ever have replied…a bit of my own crazy life sapping my energy. You are amazing though and have done so brilliantly to recover to where you are now! After all you have been through you have made incredible progress! It’s really good to read your encouraging posts! 😊

ladyn profile image
ladyn

Well done on your recovery

ladyn profile image
ladyn

Well done on your recovery 👍

watergazer profile image
watergazer

Your health seems to be improving all the time. A great step forward to be back at work. Hope you find an answer for your legs xx

natswright profile image
natswright

Thanks for the replies guys! One thing to add that still happens a few times a month is an odd sleep issue. I go to sleep, and for an hour my heart races! I'm not anxious either! Eventually, it settles and I get a good nights sleep! Very odd, but sure in time it will improve.

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

You are doing so well. Hope you find what's causing your jelly legs. My legs feel a bit wonky too, but I only had covid for a short time so I never thought it might be something to do with that.

natswright profile image
natswright

Legs have been a bit better today, been for a short walk in the sunshine. Back now, and a little tired, lungs ok, but feeling a bit tired. Pollen seems to affect me more these days!

Jaybird19 profile image
Jaybird19

Natswright . It has been so good reading all your detailed reports post covid and you have worked so hard at improving your life too. Good for you . I hope the Zoe covid app gets all of these details .

Yatzy profile image
Yatzy

Such helpful perceptive information on your progress, natswright. I do hope the sun of the summer helps to take you further on down the road to recovery. You’re doing so well after catching this awful covid. Keep us informed, please, it’s so interesting and sounds so hopeful. We might all catch it yet, it’s spreading so fast.

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

Has your GP checked your iron and folate levels? Low levels of these can affect your oxygen uptake.

natswright profile image
natswright in reply to Ergendl

Yep, my iron is ok!

HungryHufflepuff profile image
HungryHufflepuff

It’s good to see some things are starting to get better for you. Hopefully the situation with your legs will improve before too long. Sending you lots of good wishes 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

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