Post viral fatigue

[Cloud44]

Any anyone experienced fatigue after a virus recently? How long did it for you to feel back to normal? Any tips ?

I had covid last summer and it took 2 months to fully recover.

This year I had covid again but it wasn't so bad, but an awful sinus infection where I have never been in so much pain before, it dragged on for weeks but I was functioning. As pp mentions I had lost about 20lb since last years covid and taken up running 3 times a week so think that helped.

Thank you. I'm normally very active and worried that starting back to any exercise would make me worse. Not sure what to do.

If you are having any post viral fatigue the very most important thing is to NOT push on through.

I did and ended up with chronic fatigue for over 4 years. It was hell. Still not 100% 25 years on

Rest up until you are better. Eat well.

Hope you all feel better soon.

Exercise at this point should be gentle 20 min walks and nothing else. Shorter if that feels too much.

Thank you. That was my feeling, but so many people say how good exercise is for you. I couldn't do any at the moment mind you!

I agree do not push through, as frustrating as it is, the tiredness means that somewhere you are still healing. I usually excercise quite a bit, so find not doing it hard. I tried to adjust my mindset, movement is important and fresh air, but not excercise like I did before. I built it up in the end with gentle yoga and saunas/cold showers at the gym instead of my usual classes. Yoga was a godsend because I got a sense of having done something

This is really good advice.

thank you that sounds so sensible
I am not naturally very patient,finding this extremely challenging!

I know this is an old thread but I'm just coming onto look for help with my post viral fatigue I had for a couple of months following infection . Interesting to see what people have found helpful.. and getting pretty desperate- how are you feeling now OP?

Really sorry, I’ve only noticed this now as the thread has been awakened! I have had burning mouth syndrome, sleep apnea, globus sensation, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, random bouts of unexplained pain around my body. Still suffering but it continues to improve gradually. It’s been almost a year 😭

Thank you, I have some of those symptoms too. Goodness me, this explains things. Thanks

@OliveK @rubyslipperss how are you both feeling now? Coming to terms with the fact I probably have post viral fatigue after having lots of neuro checks. Worried about getting worse and how to get myself better as there’s been no advice from GP who had prescribed antidepressants. Any help much appreciated 🥲

I have tried some additional things since my last update, the re-awakening of this thread prompted me to share. I take a supplement called Quercetin, this helps modulate the immune system, I started having lots of immune symptoms like dry or watery eyes, mild sore throats, every time I get an actual virus the dizziness is so bad, so it's immune triggered for sure. Anyway the quercetin has helped, just don't take it when you drink alcohol as it can hinder the breakdown of alcohol and cause major hangovers. Trust me!

I also went Keto, which after a week helped massively, keto forces your body to use a different fuel source and if your issue Is related to the normal glucose pathway then it helps. I cycle on and off it now because....I like bread. But it genuinely helped.

Maybe it was those 2 things, maybe it was time, but I have been feeling a lot better lately I hope you find something for you!

If you do take antidepressants I suggest a SNRI, I had depression before chronic fatigue/long covid whatever this is. I've tried SSRIs and SNRIs and only the second helped with the fatigue

@SJmumofamonkey thanks for replying I really appreciate it. Keto is interesting. Fuel definitely influences how well I feel or manage, as does stress (I think), and sleep (I think). However there’s not really ryhme or reason to mine. I managed 10 days abroad on holiday with two young kids - with symptoms - but I managed, even had a nice time. Back home I tried to return to work, managed two days and then day three my body was shaking, I couldn’t focus on conversations. So physically - I would’ve said the holiday would have been more difficult but I’ve managed worse here. Do you mind me asking how you managed to find out what you could and couldn’t manage activity wise? As in, how long after did you crash? Part of me is wondering whether im truly post viral or suffering from some stress or immune response to it all

Unfortunately I think there is no substitute for time. I recovered from 4 years of significant post viral fatigue (feeling of no energy, sore throats, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, muscle cramps, low-grade headache, low-grade fevers, brain fog). I tried pretty much everything and while some things seemed to help a bit, there was no substitute for time.

However, things I think definitely helped me were:

• pacing: staying within 80% of perceived energy to avoid 'boom and bust' cycle
• getting as much sleep as possible
• EFT tapping
• The audiobook 'Mindfulness for Health' by Vidyamala Burch and Danny Penman is really good for helping come to terms with chronic health issues and reducing some of the secondary stress and suffering caused by them
• low dose naltrexone (LDN). It's an immunomodulator and reduces neuroinflammation. If you have a CFS diagnosis you can get it on private prescription for about £30/m from Dicksons Chemist in Glasgow
• CoEnzyme Q10
• Good quality fish oil with plenty of HPA and EPA
• Good vitamin B complex (I really rate Biocare Methyl Multi)
• Magnesium glycinate (particularly if you get muscle pain / cramps)
• L-Theonine for reducing wired nervous system symptoms
• Valerian for improved sleep

Problem with CFS is that it's rich pickings for quacks and snake oil sellers, because people are desperate and the NHS has almost nothing to offer in terms of treatment. You need to learn to be your own advocate, and do your own research, which is so hard when the one thing you don't have is energy!

Thanks for replying. I’ll take a look at all your recommendations. I also think another problem is that it’s a catch all diagnosis, doesn’t really matter what else might be going on. I’ve you’ve had a virus and haven’t recovered that’s it.