Exercise after suspected covid 19

[Msloverlover]

So I had what I think was a pretty mild case of probable c-19. Mild cough and chest pain for first couple of days then flu like symptoms for about 10 days. Finished 2 weeks ago and have felt physically fine since then. Decided to go out for a gentle jog today. I’m no runner but even after a longtime of not running, I can manage the first 10-15 minutes pretty easily. I got about 3 minutes from my house and my chest started burning. Carried on for another few minutes and it just got worse. Walked instead and it carried on until I eventually sat down. So bizarre as I’ve literally had no other symptoms. Physically, apart from that, I felt fine running so it’s very annoying. I’ve never had asthma or similar. Do have hayfever but had taken stuff before going and have never had a reaction like this. Has anyone had similar? If so how long did it last? Definitely nowhere near as bad as what so many are suffering on the 40 plus thread. Just interested to hear others’ experiences. I was starting to doubt I’d even had c-19 but this has confirmed that I probably did.

[DownWhichOfLate]

Not me but there was someone on here who was a marathon runner and was trying to get back in to running and struggling. Bumping in the hope someone can advise.

[Msloverlover]

Oh great thanks. I’m definitely not a marathon runner but it would useful to know how she got on. I’ll try and find her.

[DownWhichOfLate]

I’m sorry it’s so vague. I can’t even remember which thread. If I do remember I’ll be sure to let you know!

[Throughabushbackwards]

I was badly ill with CV and had serious breathing problems. My GP told me the virus attacks your lungs and that it may take up to 6 weeks for them to fully heal. He said gently increasing aerobic exercise was best. Sound like you overdid it is all!

[sonjadog]

I had what I think was probably a mild case. It took several weeks to return completely to normal after the symptoms disappeared. I would leave it a couple of weeks and try again.

[noodlmcdoodl]

I’ve had what I believe to be mild covid (not tested) which was actually mild compared to yours. It’s essentially been 5 weeks of coughing and a few days where I’ve felt mildly tired - I’m normally bursting with energy. No fever, aches, temperature or other symptoms. DP slightly worse with aches, temperature and headache and then ‘the cough.’

Anyway! The point of this is... we’re both cyclists. Typically doing about 10-12 hours a week. We’re both extremely fit. DP had a week off the bike, me 5 days... I didn’t feel I needed it as such but thought it safest. I’ve had worse colds - typically I’d have a week or so off for cold. Before DS life revolved around training and racing, so I’m very tuned in with my body, know when not to exercise, when to just go easy etc.

I’ve not noticed any burning or aching in my chest. What I had noticed was that it’d make my cough return each time I thought I’d shifted it. So I’d ride one day, cough for a few days, cough eased, then I’d ride again and repeat.

I also noticed I didn’t have the same power on the bike, it’s a hard one to explain, it felt a bit of a struggle, but it didn’t make me unusually breathless or send my heart rate to unusual places.

I’m now 6 weeks on from my first symptoms and yesterday was the first day I felt normal/ strong cycling.

[Casino218]

Even in mild cases you will have some inflammation so just take it easy.

[sonjadog]

I think it took about six weeks for me to feel completely normal too. I have also had days where I just felt wiped out tired for no particular reason. Again, after about six weeks, they seemed to disappear.

[Firef1y72]

I was ill at Christmas, while it may not have been CV it followed the pattern of the illness including the time it's taken me to recover.

It may even have been me my post you read. I am a marathon runner, not fast, but like to think I was extremely fit and regularly ran 13 miles plus for fun.

I first got ill on 23rd of December, whatever I had knocked me for 6, put me in bed barely able to move for 3-4 days and then tired me really quickly.

I first attempted to run on 1st December, slower than slow (think I could have walked quicker), tired really quickly, having to take inhaler couple times (before this illness I hadn't used an inhaler in over 3 years). My heart rate going through the roof.

Tried again a week later, used inhaler before I started, still ridiculously slow and unable to keep going for even a fraction of the time.

Few days later I re-started training with my trainer, she was concerned about my heart rate and wouldn't allow me to do half of what I usually would (and I couldn't have anyway, I tired so quickly and heart rate was going up so high), I didn't even need to rest in Zumba 2 days after running a marathon but was taking several breaks in the class for weeks.

Over 3 months it gradually improved, I still had an alarm to alert us if my heart rate went too high and couldn't push as hard as usual and was still using inhaler. But reckon I was 90% fit by the time the lockdown started.

Now, 4 months later I'm gradually building my distance back up. Would say I'm 99% where I was before I got ill.

Again I don't know what I had and if it wasn't CV then it just shows that other things are just as nasty.

[Firef1y72]

Sorry no way to edit, first tried to run 1st Jan

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

I’m 7 weeks after first symptoms and 4 weeks after developing fever and cough - it was always quite mild but I still can only do light exercise (gentle walk, light gardening) without it setting me back.

My DH had it too but has been able to return to vigorous exercise with no ill effects.

[Msloverlover]

Thanks all. God it’s a weird one isn’t it. I’m not really worried it’s just bizarre how much it must have affected my lungs without me really realising. I’ll stick to walking and yoga. I definitely need to be doing something active each day though as otherwise I really struggle to sleep.

[BreathlessCommotion]

I'm 3 weeks on from first symptoms of what I believe was COVID-19. I'm a runner and went for a gentle run with ds the other day. I was wheezy and chest hurt a bit for a day or so after Went again today and again wheezy, and this afternoon my resting heart rate suddenly shot up to 110!

I so want it to go away. I am really struggling without doing proper exercise.

[faithinnature1]

I haven't tried to do cardio exercise at all since being unwell, it's just over five weeks for me and I have found if I do a long walk or lots of housework even that has set me back. It's incredibly frustrating as I was active before this. There's a guardian piece today about the long road to recovery emphasising the need to rest. I am impatient!

[BreathlessCommotion]

I've just read that article @faithinnature1. It is really frustrating. Running is like meditation for me, but I'm definitely suffering now. My chest hurts again.

I need something that I have to to do on my own, otherwise the kids bloody come with me. A walk is OK, but they usually try and come. Yoga hasn't worked in the house because the TV is always in use and a small child tried to talk to me all the way through, which isn't exactly relaxing.

[DownWhichOfLate]

@Firef1y72 - yes! it was you! Well spotted

[Spacecadetagain]

It’s nearly six weeks since I first fell ill .. I still feel wiped out and suffer from chestyness and breathlessness along with painful ribs.. if I exert myself .. I feel like I’ve literally been punched in the chest and the next day will be spent in bed

[j712adrian]

I had two sets of three days of exhaustion about four weeks ago, with the only other symptoms a runny and bleeding nose. I had been in London and Brussels in the three weeks before so not surprising if I'd got it.

I'm still not back to normal. I think with any virus it leaves you week in up and down patterns.

Listen to your body and don't overdo it.

[j712adrian]

*weak

[Bloatstoat]

I was quite unwell with covid-19 symptoms, 6 weeks later I haven't attempted any exercise as walking still leaves me breathless. My DH had no symptoms, he's a keen runner but didn't run for about a week while I was really unwell. The first time he went for a run afterwards he did about 5 minutes before he had to come home unable to breathe properly and with his heart rate sky high. No other signs of Covid-19 at all for him, but he must have had something, it's taken about a month for him to be able to run without breathlessness.


A work colleague of mine who had mild symptoms and is really into cycling has had similar problems, fine except during exercise.

It's a really odd virus and it definitely takes much longer to recover than we were originally told.

[faithinnature1]

@BreathlessCommotion the only thing I have found I can do that feels like it is maintaining something in the meantime is some weights and squats etc. Build a bit of strength without exerting too much. And yes has to be upstairs using a tablet for any online class/instruction as totally impossible with kids around!

[faithinnature1]

And yes my DH had possibly the mildest symptoms, barely noticeable but he found himself tight chest and more breathless than normal after a run. It's the oddest virus and feels horrible being a sort of test case for it, so little advice about the long term recovery

[WanderingLost167]

Cycling keeps crashing my system and I get flu symptoms again. So trying to do hour long walks instead. Fingers crossed

[Frenchfancy]

I was ill for about 3 weeks and still have burning lungs after 6wks.

Dh had no symptoms, but went for a run and really struggled with breathing. He's just getting back to normal now.

[Kitcat122]

Hi everyone, I was ill about 7 weeks ago. Feel good now but still have no lung capacity. I'm OK going for walks but can't go up steep hills or lungs burn and sob. It's a weird feeling not breathlessness like being unfit but feels like my lungs are too small and are stretching too much. Very frustrating as usual run and do HIIT 5 times a week. Husband had illness first but only minor chest pain and sob. Was exercising fine after 1 week off.