How can I get well again?

[DukeofEarlGrey]

I had Delta back in November, nearly 8 weeks ago now. I was very ill and not really able to function for 2 weeks and then suffered from significant fatigue for another 4-5 weeks that was exacerbated by even mild activity (like going for a walk). I had just started to get back to normal-ish in the run up to Christmas when I caught a cold off a family member (fairly confident where it came from because I was social distancing in advance of Christmas) and it has made me really ill again. I spent all of Christmas in bed and can still hardly get off the sofa. If I go for a walk it's basically the main event of the day. It isn't Covid because I test daily and am negative. I can't use a PCR because it would still test positive from having Delta.

Does anyone understand why a cold would make me this ill in the wake of having Covid? I started a new job just before Christmas and am anxious that I still won't be well when I need to go back. I also live alone and am beginning to struggle from a MH perspective from all the isolation and now not being able to get out or even do anything at home. Is there anything I can do to aid recovery? The advice online is so varied and some of it frankly alarming.

NB I am 40, otherwise healthy and triple-vaccinated.

It will be OK. We are all used to quick recovery time as our usual illness is the common cold - this one just takes longer.

Do some yoga. Not high demand stuff but enough to feel as though you are getting a bit of exercise everyday and it will help your MH too.

It sounds like your immune system has been battered by having Covid and then a cold not too long afterwards. Speak to your Gp who will be able to advise you, or prescribe something to aid your recovery.

Thank you both. Gentle yoga sounds like a good idea, maybe at home.

My GP is hard to get an appointment with at the best of times so it hadn't even occurred to me to attempt seeing her during Covid, but perhaps worth a try.

How are you vitamin d levels? When I had low vitamin d I came down badly with every single cold going round.

Vitamin D is ok, I think - I haven't been outside enough due to the fatigue but am still getting some daylight and also take a daily supplement. I don't think a vitamin deficiency could cause this level of tiredness unless it was severe and I generally have a healthy diet.

I think you need to remember that you were very sick. Your body took a battering and ur immune system is probably not at its best. Take the advice from someone who has chronic illness. Take your time. Listen to your body. The more you listen the quicker your recovery will be. Don’t push it past what it is capable off. Slow and steady x