Tested positive but need to get out, is this okay?

[Puffler]

I’ve tested positive for Covid-19. I don’t know where I’ve got it from as I’ve followed the rules rigidly. I wonder if one of my children is an asymptotic carrier.

I feel quite rough but I’m not in bed. One thing I always do is a lot of exercise. I walk or run about 8 miles a day and without it my mental health deteriorates rapidly. I paced round and round the house and our tiny garden to do 10k steps today and the thought of trying to do that tomorrow is making me anxious.

If I set the alarm for 6am, do you think it is acceptable to go out for a walk? I live rurally so can take a head torch and go down lanes and tracks where I’m 99% sure I won’t encounter anyone and there is no need for me to touch anything, no gates etc. I will wear a face mask. DH says it is too risky in case I have an accident of some sort (I’m not sure how) or need aid. He thinks that would be putting others in danger. He does agree the chance of seeing anyone is very remote.

What would you do? I have to stay in don’t I?

Wishing you a speedy recovery op!

Stay in. The law is clear. You're not a 'murderer' if you go out, you're an idiot.

@AnotherNameForChristmas

Legally, no. In practice, if you are quite sure you will encounter nobody and touch nothing used by others (eg gates etc), I don't see a problem.

FFS, It's irrelevant whether you see a problem or not, the law is quite clear she can't go out.

FFS, It's irrelevant whether you see a problem or not, the law is quite clear she can't go out

Yes, I acknowledged that. And she isn't going out.

Hope you feel better soon. You could have a look for a YouTube video on stretching, that would be pretty gentle to do and help keep you supple for when you can run again
This guy has some really interesting movement videos which could keep you occupied!
https://instagram.com/rob_movement101?igshid=1w00f0w5gx7vi

Definitely stay in. Other than anything else, when I had it, I went from feeling a bit rough to feeling very unwell quite quickly, and this happened several times when I thought I was getting better and then felt very poorly again. If this had happened to me I wouldn't have been able to get home from wherever I'd walked to, which means you'd have to phone someone to help you - absolutely not fair on them.

I'm glad you're not going out,OP. But it's ridiculous you were even considering it. Yes,your garden is small but at least you have one.

Stay in even if you feel better for the 10 days because it's the law.

I work for NHS and there are huge numbers of people on ventilators right now. Breaking this law is comparible to having that one extra drink and then driving cause,"you only live up the road,it's late, no one about, only one extra glass" then killing someone who was walking home that night from their late shift.

In both instances the odds are very low but the potential outcomes horrific - why is ok to break one of these laws and not the other.

I'm glad you're staying in, even though chances of transmitting anything is minor.. but more for your immune system and to give it chance to fight it.

I'm glad you're not going out,OP. But it's ridiculous you were even considering it.

What is even more ridiculous are there are selfish twats who encouraged her to go out 🤬.

Hope you feel better soon OP.

Now the warning. It's quite common w COVID to go through a feel better/feel worse pattern. If you push it physically on the "good" days you risk making yourself much worse. I was on the lungs threads in spring and several v fit mumsnetters tried to get back to normal too quickly and really set themselves back. You need to take things easy for a few weeks.

There is some quite interesting science happening right now around why runners are disproportionately likely to get long COVID. Be careful.

@Puffler

Just to be clear, I am staying at home.

For those who don’t understand, do you understand when people are afraid to leave their house, or huge crowds of people? For me, staying home is like throwing someone suffering with the opposite onto a tube at rush hour (pre-Covid!). For me seeing a vast space and very distant horizon calms me down.

I do a lot more than 10k steps a day, more like 20k but I feel anxious until I hit the 10k. It’s not the exercise itself but the being out and I can’t do that on a treadmill or by doing a class.

But to be clear, I am staying home. I’ve not broken any Covid rules at all throughout the year. It’s been hard, very hard at times. Two very young children, homeschooling and two adults trying to do full time jobs from home... but I know it’s been hard for everyone and we are the lucky ones to still have jobs and to be able to WFH. We’ve had to be very careful because I’m classified as vulnerable - I’m not going to out myself with my medical history, but it’s where this probably stems from.

I feel really bad right now and physically wouldn’t be able to run, I am struggling to catch my breath. I obviously won’t leave the house.

Get well soon, @Puffler

You should not exercise with a fever full stop. Stay home.

Rest up OP, hope you turn a corner soon

@MinnieJackson

She's gonna go for her run I think...

Just to be clear, I am staying at home

Looks like you thought wrong.

@Susanwouldntlikeit

You could have caught it from parcels or post, unless you are leaving them untouched for days?

Utter nonsense and been proven untrue.

Sorry yes, what I forgot to add was - if the Postperson is positive for Covid and you don't wash your hands after handling, what the Postperson has just touched.

There is some quite interesting science happening right now around why runners are disproportionately likely to get long COVID.

That sounds interesting. Are there any links?

Omg people really don't RTFT nowadays do they?

OP I hope you feel better soon, best wishes.

I don't know damn well actually @Retiremental thank you for educating me.

@Ginfordinner is you google NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) and COVID you should find the links. I must admit I couldn't follow it all as cellular biochemistry isnt my thing but NAC is routinely prescribed for COVID patients in the States.

Just to update:

I feel fine, thanks to those wishing me well. After getting up for a shower I felt totally normal.

The reason I got a test was because I had a strange pressure feeling and was catching my breath and started to cough. DH told me to go and get a test right away. My symptoms lasted less than 24 hours. I am considered vulnerable, but I am also fairly fit and healthy.

My GP is aware of my MH issues. I am on medication and had counselling. I don’t think it’s an exercise addiction, I run a lot and walk a lot but it’s about seeing the horizon. I live on the coast and spend hours wandering the cliffs looking over the sea. It’s why classes or treadmills don’t work.

Equally in my head if I don’t do 10k steps I feel I’m going to get really ill. I do suffer from OCD. I’m just a bit of a basket case I guess. I have taken my Apple Watch off today.

I spent some time in the garden clearing out the dead sweet peas. I have rested. I have not been out.

I wasn’t sure if I could wrap Christmas presents for people but thought maybe I should wait if it hangs on surfaces.

Thank you to those who have been kind and understanding.

Have a gentle arm squeeze from me.

Hope you feel better soon op

Glad you’re feeling better.

You mention that being outside de/seeing the horizon is what’s important to you. Well, going outside into nature increases both your serotonin and dopamine levels. (Exercise also affects them).

You also mention OCD, which is connected to serotonin and dopamine levels. I’m taking from your post that you think the 10k steps is a manifestation of that rather an exercise addiction? And I’m taking it there is likely an SSRI in your medication?

Could you try some other things known to affect serotonin and dopamine levels whilst you are quarantining? Might help you find some things that are useful to you at other times.

Some things that spring to mind are:

(Apologies if you’ve tried such strategies already)

A SAD lamp- bright light can really help mimic being outside
Listening to music, especially some more ambient type things (lots of things on YouTube labelled “healing frequency” that are pretty pleasant)
Looking at cute animals online
Meditation
Massage- from your partner or a massage device
Essential oils- use to stimulate smell and simulate outdoor scents
Try a gratitude exercise e.g. write down or think of three things you’re grateful for and why everyday

Might help take the edge off whilst you’re at home.

Take care

Here are some webcams of the sea - you could look for some from Northumbria too, the sky seems to go on forever there www.skylinewebcams.com/en/live-cams-category/beach-cams.html

This is not "I came back from abroad and am supposed to be isolating" or "someone in my school bubble of 200 people has it". You literally have covid. Stay in.