Absolute exhaustion

[FuckingFabulous]

I am just exhausted all the damn time! I had Covid about ten weeks ago (by the doctors best guess) and I've developed those Covid nails everyone's gone on about, plus I had shingles about seven weeks ago due to a wiped out immune system. I didn't get any classic Covid symptoms- I thought we all had a stomach bug except DH who was then positive for Covid five weeks ago. Anyway. It was only after developing the weird nails a few weeks ago that I put two and two together and spoke to the dr about it all.

Before I had Covid and then shingles I was regularly fatigued at the end of the day, but over the last week or two I am constantly absolutely wiped out. Like I can't muster up the energy to do anything at all. I even find myself debating whether or not to get up for a glass of water or just sit here thirsty and uncomfy. The dr says it's likely post viral fatigue but because of my fingernails (you can see my pulse in them all the time- reddening and blanching constantly) she wants to check my heart function. My best friend says my B12 ought to be checked because post viral fatigue is normally as soon as you're recovering and not developing in the weeks after. My sister thinks it's allergies as my eyes are often streaming, my chest sometimes feels tight and i feel sniffly.

Has anyone else had this? Does anyone have any decent suggestions? I still can't see a dr face to face and I don't want a million phone chats where they umm and ahh over what to do. I'd like to have a good idea and suggest tests or something.

There are a few long Covid forums so look up those, you should get advice on most effective things to try and links to early research articles. But otherwise there is nothing doing other than them working through tests to see what’s up - it will take some time, so just get used to pushing and putting up with the umming - it’s all new and everyone is finding their way. The forums will give you strength and support so do join.

OP I'm sorry you are having to deal with this and my first piece of advice is 'not' to push yourself and to make sure you get sleep and plenty of rest, as and when you need it.

While I'm not about to diagnose because I am not trained to do so, I've had Myalgic encephalomyelitis for almost 20 years and as soon as I read your post I could have written your words all those years ago.

www.statnews.com/2021/08/22/delay-british-chronic-fatigue-guidelines-setback-for-me-cfs-long-covid/

ME/CFS is now (thankfully) a little better documented and I'm hoping that since Covid it might be better understood and treatment options developed. Don't be surprised if it is difficult to find a doctor who understands ME and can guide you. I was fortunate in that I found a GP who actually had it himself and he was able to help, but as he lived several hours away I wasn't able to see him again because I was always too tired and exhausted to travel.

Hope some of this helps and while I was never in favour of 'treating myself' that GP suggested it was something I should do and I discovered he was right, but this was only after he had diagnosed my condition, so at least I had confirmation of what I was dealing with as no other doctors knew what it was.

Truly hope you have something milder that is treatable, but as you asked for suggestions thought I would toss this out there for you to investigate. Wishing you all the best.