Post-virus Health

[MitziK]

OK, so there aren't a huge number of people out the other side yet - but there are some, and I think it's worthwhile having a thread to mark that.

I've had the 'mild' version. It only felt like I'd been kicked in the chest by a pony and then, at its worst, like the pony had decided to stand on me for a bit. Fortunately, that feeling eased, I have no temperature, no cough and I'm out of the self isolation period now.

I'm not the fittest person in the world normally, but it's a nice day, it's quiet out and I took a slow walk to see if there was anything in the shops as we needed/wanted a couple of fresh things.

My fitness tracker recorded 1km/1500 steps in total.

Fuck me, I felt like I'd tried to sprint a bloody marathon. My heart was pounding, it was impossible to talk and walk and I'm now plonked back on the settee working again, quite content for that essentials shopping trip to count double/as daily exercise.

How are people finding the post virus period and what could we be doing to gradually get back to normal strength/fitness or even improving ?

Government advice isn't going to be talking about post infection recovery/mobilisation for a very long time, as they've got far more urgent things to be thinking about.

I'm on day 11 (I think). My Cv symptoms have disappeared apart from the fatigue and brain fog. If there is any background noise I can't have a conversation - almost impossible with a four year old and six month old in the house. It's left me in the tears feeling so overwhelmed.

I've also picked up a secondary inner ear infection which I'm now on antibiotics for and my mouth is covered in ulcers for being run down for so long. I'm on immunosuppressants and it's just floored me.

Fatigue is a big part of my second week of this virus. I'm certain that we ought to go back to activity levels very slowly. In the old days didn't people go on long convalescence holidays after illness? there must have been a reason that was a thing

Are you all medical tested comfirmed?

I'm on Humira plus lots of steroid injections over the last year, so I understand that, @BillyAndTheSillies

I'm feeling like I've dodged a bullet compared to how it could have been, though.

Is it possible that your ear infection is making it difficult to cope with background noise? Part of my autoimmune bollocks is inflammation related tinnitus, so I'm crap at it at the best of times.

Yes im wondering if u guys have been tested too?

@mitzik sorry don't mean to sound offensive but how do you know you had it? Were you tested or did NHS 111 say you had it

I’m on day 15, not medically confirmed, but highly suspicious.

I still have a very annoying cough and sore throat. I still get tired easily but that’s it.

My doctor said flu season is generally over and that anyone who thinks they have coronavirus right now, probably does.

NHS 111. Based upon the symptoms and my job, where I'd been dealing with multiple sick people, including people who have been confirmed (that was a joyful email to receive).

As I wasn't quite at the point of needing oxygen (I know what that feels like, as I've had Pneumonia - and severe Chickenpox whilst pregnant), I wasn't about to use up an ambulance crew's time.

Oh, and I was handling 35-40 people a day with influenza back in November, but didn't have so much as a sniffle (thank to the Flu vaccine), so it's unlikely I had influenza - especially without any flu-like symptoms other than muscle pains or any cold-like ones.

Symptoms milder today (day 11) but feel utterly exhausted. More tired than before.

I love the idea of a long holiday or period convalescence , didn't people go to Italy. That was often for TB though.

I suppose for some of us whose workplace is closed, a long period of convalescence is exactly what we've been gifted.

Hopefully, as measures start to reduce issues with food availability (there was actually chicken, bread, eggs AND some fruit & veg in the Co-op today!)

(hit return and Ctrl by mistake!)

...it'll be easier to eat healthily as well.

@MitziK I swapped from Humira over to Stelara last year just before I fell pregnant so it's good to hear from someone in practically the same boat!!

Not medically confirmed, I spoke to 111 on Sunday because I had a very tight chest and in so much pain from the ear infection and just needed to know if there was anything I could do. The nurse I spoke to told me my cough was textbook but to not go to A&E unless I practically couldn't breathe.

In terms of how I felt on Sunday, I was treated for a pulmonary embolism during my second pregnancy and the breathlessness and tight chest was similar to that.

Having spoken to a GP to get my antibiotic prescription sent to a pharmacy for the ear infection she also agreed and as did my consultant for my medication.

This doesn't/didn't feel like any cold/flu/cough I'd ever had before. If I hadn't been aware of CV I would have gone to the hospital or at least seen a doctor about my chest.

This post-illness phase is something I'm very curious about, too.

I've had Post Viral Fatigue after a bout of flu, and I have family members who developed auto-immune conditions a few weeks after recovering from viral illnesses like measles and mumps (yes, all up-to-date with the immunisations available at the time).

The difference between me and them, of course, is that PVF passes after a few weeks, whereas T1 diabetes, IBD and RA do not.

They were talking about switching me over to that for PsA- well, until they cancelled all appointments from this week, at any rate.

Needless to say, I've not had this Thursday's jab.

If you're floored by PVF, a good rule of thumb in the post-viral phase is only to do 75% of what you actually can do. In other words, rest before you get knackered. I had to nap like a baby for about 3-4 weeks in order to get through the day.

I’m on day 9, obviously not confirmed, but symptoms make me think I was (also seeing the progression in my children who had a milder version).

Although I am thankfully no longer in acute pain, and of course I am grateful that the respiratory symptoms never got too scary, I am in the post viral fatigue phase and feel like death.

I have ME, fibromyalgia and PoTS, since 2012. The last couple of days have felt like coming down with those things all over again. I’m scared about how long this will take, how bad it will be.

I feel ridiculously weak. Sitting up is exhausting. My legs shake when I stand up. Everything hurts, and feels heavy like it’s been replaced with lead.

(You’ve reminded me I started a thread last night on this which I must return to, thanks!)

Perhaps you would benefit from something like a bath or sit down shower, @LaneBoy? I know that with ME, fibro or PoTS (there is a definite suspicion that I have that to add to my PsA and EDS, as not all of my usual difficulties correlate to arthritis) that could be a huge effort to undertake, but if you could rest again straight afterwards, maybe it could help some of the pain?

OP please take it easy and try not to boom and bust.
I was 37 when I got severe pneumonia, and ended up in CCU for 4 weeks had to have a chest drain, oxygen the lot very touch and go.
I developed post viral fatigue, which (as I had no choice financially) ended up with M.E very bad for 8 years. I still get relapses now so this period of resting is vital to your long term health.
Be kind to yourself and do what you need to do at 60% capacity building up gradually until you feel fully fit. If you walk for 30 minutes rest for at least 15 minutes etc.
Breathing exercises are good to for lung function.