Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Post-Covid, feels so good

48 replies

Bulblasagnes · 07/12/2020 23:44

Anyone been through covid, out the other end with no on-going symptoms, and feeling so good about it?! I know the doom mongers will be on saying we could catch it again, we’re not necessarily immune etc, however most people do get a good few months of immunity which should more or less get you to the point of vaccination. I just feel like I can heave a big sigh of relief and just relax a bit now, it’s such a great feeling, especially after being cooped up inside feeling miserable and stifled for 2 weeks bored out of my mind.

And another 6-9 months down the line we will all be feeling like this hopefully!

Please share your feel-good stories about life post-covid! I now feel relaxed about getting my hair done and seeing the dentist, much needed treatments!! I’m looking forward to going to museums and galleries again with the children, day trips on public transport, the lot! It’s wonderful!

OP posts:
miimblemomble · 08/12/2020 05:27

Well, not really.

  1. As a healthy 40-something, i wasn’t particularly worried about catching it in the first place as, statistically, the chances of ending up in hospital or dying are really pretty tiny. So - lockdown rules accepting - I’ve gone for haircuts and meals out as and when I could anyway. Nothing worth a day trip is open where I am and I’ve been working in a school and using public transport since August anyway.
  1. There are no real benefits in terms of daily life - I still have to distance, wear a mask at work / outside, and we are all still living in lockdown where i am. So the rules are the same for me and DH - despite the fact I’ve had it and he hasn’t. The pubs aren’t opening just for post Covid people, sadly!
  1. I don’t know how immune I am to reinfection. No one does. There’s no antibody testing programme and although I could go get a test, the numbers wouldn’t mean much as the research hasn’t been done.

Before I had it I thought I would feel “done and dusted” after, or that it would be over and done with, but it isn’t and I don’t. The only advantage I can see is that as I was one of the first among my family, friends and colleagues to catch it, they have been reassured that it’s quite a mild illness for the majority of people (see 1 above) rather than the life threatening killer portrayed in the media. DH said that before I had it, he was really worried - and now he’s not so much, which is a good thing. Ditto my health anxious sister.

gingerbiscuitandacuppatea · 08/12/2020 06:11

I still have difficulty breathing and lung pain, recurring headaches and other symptoms 9 months on. I'm now on asthma inhalers and can't talk for long or go out in the cold air without feeling worse.

No benefits for me

iVampire · 08/12/2020 06:28

How nice for you, OP

Unfortunately as CEV I cannot share the exuberance, for catching Covid may or may be happily mild, and if I get it badly, 1/3 of people with my underlying condition die

So fingers crossed that it’s vaccination for me, as there’s a good chance that there would be no life if I caught it

CEV have had it tough this year, what with all the extra isolation. And it’s going to be a long cold winter of worry

I’m not a ‘doom monger’ btw. Just someone who is online a lot as so much of RL is too hazardous, and who knows when vaccine priority 4 will be reached.

I hope you will in your new happiness still be meticulous about distancing and masks. The last thing we, the still exceptionally vulnerable, is for society as a whole to abandon these measures. Not everyone who thinks they are immune will actually be so.

nether · 08/12/2020 06:30

I feel a touch of the Pythns coming on

'Only 2 weeks - you lucky lucky bastard' !!

Goatinthegarden · 08/12/2020 06:38

We’ve been taking the antibody tests as my school and several members of staff who have had no symptoms have shown positive.

Instead of feeling relieved that they seem to have had COVID at some point over the last 7 months with no ill-effects, many actually feel concerned and guilty that they have been symptom free and could perhaps have unknowingly passed it on at some point.

You’ve gotten off lightly, but plenty of others haven’t. I’m not sure I could feel quite so breezy knowing others had fared much worse.

Theworkwitch · 08/12/2020 06:43

I totally get you, op. I haven't had it yet, but always wonder about the psychology of knowing you've had it, you've come out the other end, and that window of freedom (however small it may be). Enjoy feeling a bit lighter in yourself!

I have seen a few CEV come through it now with mild/non existent illness, and no lingering effects, and wonder about the elation/relief they must feel, knowing how frightened they've been for months.

JillyCareful · 08/12/2020 06:47

A few people at work have come through it. Some relatively unscathed, others are still suffering fatigue and breathlessness weeks later. And they don’t somehow magically have all their social lives restored- the Restaurants etc are closed to everyone, regardless of whether they have already had it.

rc22 · 08/12/2020 06:50

I was knackered for 4 weeks after I had it but after I got over that I felt bizarrely healthier and more energetic than I have in years. I had it in June so went through the whole summer relaxation of lockdown feeling great and not worrying about catching it doing eat out to help out and all that!! I still worried alot about family members getting it though. Now I am at the six month mark I am quite upset that my immune period is probably over!!

nearlynermal · 08/12/2020 06:51

That's a happy thing, OP. Great that you have no lasting effects. I haven't had it, but am hopeful that I can socialise a bit more freely with friends who have, now.

joystir59 · 08/12/2020 06:51

All the shops cafes and restaurants are open where I live (tier 2)

Grobagsforever · 08/12/2020 06:52

Good for you OP, nice to read a positive post

kgal · 08/12/2020 07:02

I've been wondering this OP. I'm on day 6 since testing positive and wondering how I'll feel when I'm out of isolation. Obviously important to still distance and wear masks etc but might be nice to go Christmas shopping and feel somewhat relaxed during the process!!

SaskiaRembrandt · 08/12/2020 07:15

I can't say my life massively improved once I'd had Covid. I still had to abide by the same restrictions as everyone else, it's not like I got to go to special 'I've had Covid' events.

The only upside is I now get to tell people how my toes turned purple, something many find fascinating for some reason.

CarinaMarina · 08/12/2020 07:17

I had it and was horribly ill - almost went to hospital but swerved it, I said as my oxygen sats weren't too bad someone else needed the bed more than me.

I have never felt so ill in my entire life, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. However - I appear to have been lucky enough to come out unscathed with no long term effects. For that I am eternally grateful and yes, I feel that bit "lighter" for having faced it and been ok. DH has also had it but much more mildly.

But I do think there's a long way to go, and having been that sick as a relatively fit and well person, I hate to think how it could effect someone older or with an underlying condition. Let's get these vaccinations rolled out so we can start thinking about unclenching a bit.

CarinaMarina · 08/12/2020 07:19

Saskia my covid claim to fame was that the top half of my body was bright red and burning hot like fresh sunburn, and my gums PEELED

SaskiaRembrandt · 08/12/2020 07:26

Ooh, Carina, that sounds horrible! You poor, poor thing Flowers

Covidwoes · 08/12/2020 07:31

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and relieved I won't now get it just before, or while baby is being born. DH has also had it too, so we don't have that worry with him either! We only had it 3 weeks ago, so very recent. However, I still have no taste and smell (the former of which is extremely annoying) and I'm really tired quite a lot, but I suspect the latter is mostly pregnancy related. Baby was scanned a day after I came out of isolation and she was ok, touch wood! They're scanning again in a couple of weeks just to double check.

Favouritebauble · 08/12/2020 07:34

@miimblemomble

Well, not really.
  1. As a healthy 40-something, i wasn’t particularly worried about catching it in the first place as, statistically, the chances of ending up in hospital or dying are really pretty tiny. So - lockdown rules accepting - I’ve gone for haircuts and meals out as and when I could anyway. Nothing worth a day trip is open where I am and I’ve been working in a school and using public transport since August anyway.
  1. There are no real benefits in terms of daily life - I still have to distance, wear a mask at work / outside, and we are all still living in lockdown where i am. So the rules are the same for me and DH - despite the fact I’ve had it and he hasn’t. The pubs aren’t opening just for post Covid people, sadly!
  1. I don’t know how immune I am to reinfection. No one does. There’s no antibody testing programme and although I could go get a test, the numbers wouldn’t mean much as the research hasn’t been done.

Before I had it I thought I would feel “done and dusted” after, or that it would be over and done with, but it isn’t and I don’t. The only advantage I can see is that as I was one of the first among my family, friends and colleagues to catch it, they have been reassured that it’s quite a mild illness for the majority of people (see 1 above) rather than the life threatening killer portrayed in the media. DH said that before I had it, he was really worried - and now he’s not so much, which is a good thing. Ditto my health anxious sister.

I agree with this completely. It has been reassuring for friends and older family to see me have it as a relatively mild illness (it still knocked me sideways for 3 weeks). But now out the other end I feel resentful more than anything else as having being stuck in tier 3 since time began, the only place I am still able to go is work and my DC, having also had it, are still being affected by having to isolate from school.
Original poster
Bulblasagnes · 08/12/2020 09:35

It almost feels like you’re not allowed to be happy about anything on this board! Of course there are people who are still worried or suffering long term ill-health. But does that mean those of us fortunate enough not to are not allowed to celebrate getting through unscathed and out the other side of this? If I chose to take a more cautious approach previously about hairdressers and dentists, am I not allowed to be happy that I can feel more relaxed about doing these things now? Sheesh

And yes I am still following the rules in my area, tier 2. We have friends who have also recently had it and it feels wonderful to socialise without worrying.

OP posts:
AlphaJura · 08/12/2020 09:42

I wish I knew for sure whether I'd had it or not. We think we may have, before the first lockdown, because we were all ill and so were my dp's colleagues at the time. One of their family got tested and was positive, but at the time, they weren't testing people who didn't end up in hospital. The antibodies don't last forever (even if you are immune). So it's too late now to ever find out.

Original poster
Bulblasagnes · 08/12/2020 10:49

You might be able to get a T cell test done eventually: www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-53764640

OP posts:
MrsBennetsnerves · 08/12/2020 11:36

I had a nasty bout of covid with multiple symptoms, but I was not a hospital case. I ended up with long covid which persisted for a few months and left me needing an inhaler. However, I understand the OP's feelings as I also felt elated that I was still alive and able to sit in the sun in my garden. That feeling didn't last longterm and now that it is winter I am now desperate for things to get back to normal. I also suspect that I'm probably not immune at this stage as I first became ill in March. Enjoy the feeling while it lasts.

PrivateD00r · 08/12/2020 11:54

I like your positive post op Smile

I am a bit negative about my experience though (sorry)! I found the experience really traumatic as I was really unwell and felt very isolated and afraid. I think about it in bed and struggle to sleep. I am upset I got it and worry that it will have caused me long term harm. I am 6 weeks in and still have a chesty cough, my cycles are totally messed up, still very tired etc. Maybe if I felt totally well I would be ok. I wasn't anxious about covid before, I work in the NHS and assumed it was inevitable that I would get it, so I don't know why I feel as I do. I was lucky to get a positive antibody test and will have the option of the vaccine very soon so I know I should be feeling positive. I was also lucky that I didn't spread it round, we hadn't been near any family and the DC were off school at the time, so I don't have guilt of spreading it or causing any disruption. I didn't have any contacts outside of our own home (I was wearing PPE in work so that means anyone near me doesn't get named). No one caught it from me as far as I know, not even my husband.

I hope to feel like you soon. I know I have a lot to feel positive about.

MrsGradyOldLady · 08/12/2020 12:00

Actually I feel better than I have in years too. I was tired for a couple of days but only other symptoms were loss of taste and smell and a banging head the day before I got tested.

I've been taking vitamins though for a few months - the main reason was to boost my immune system. I take a multivitamin with iron, vit c d and zync, collagen, vit d3 and then a few herbal ones to supposedly help with the menopause. Might help others?

AlphaJura · 08/12/2020 12:04

Thanks @Bulblasagnes