Anyone else not seriously unwell but exhausted?

[QueenofLouisiana]

I tested positive 14 days ago. Honestly, I wasn’t well the day before- but it was very low level and I only realise with hindsight that it was the start of Covid.

In bed for about 4 or 5 days (sleeping, resting, very headachy with muscle cramps and a cough), gentle pottering for another 4 days or so trying to get back to normal. Yesterday I did two slow dog walks (poor thing has had to rely on anyone who could collect him) for 15/20 mins each and WFH on a training course.

Today I can hardly move. So tired, struggling to get dressed. Otherwise no symptoms.

Anyone felt like this and can tell me how long it’ll take to get back to normal? Going back to work on Monday, I walk about 3 miles a day in my job- wondering how I’ll manage at the moment.

My main thing was the exhaustion too! I was fine otherwise, if a bit congested. The exhaustion seemed to actually start toward the end of the virus (maybe day 7/8?) and lasted until about 3 weeks on. It did go away though pretty suddenly. Woke up one day and had energy again. Shit isn't it!

Good to know that it’s not likely to last forever. Walked around a garden centre and had a coffee today, I’m now back on the sofa under a blanket. This is silly!

Don't try to push yourself or fight it. Your body needs to use all of its reserves to fight the virus. I'd call in sick if you can and try and give yourself some more resting time. I'm sure you won't be this bad bit it took me several months.

This is me! Tested positive about 14 days ago now. Started off with a sore throat and feeling achy...then the tiredness kicked in! All other symptoms (apart from a bit of a runny nose) have gone but I'm just exhausted!! Hardly have the energy to get dressed never mind anything else. It's so frustrating!
I'm not rushing back to work (I physically can't even though the expectation is there), I guess my body just needs extra time to recover.
I'm not sure what to do though if it goes on too long... and wonder if there is anything that will speed the recovery up...?

Out of interest, are you vaccinated?

I'm the same. Tested positive 14 days ago and spent several days in bed unwell.

Now I have zero energy and feel low. Even putting a wash on takes all my energy reserves. I'm out of breath when I go up the stairs and I need to lie down frequently.

I'm off work still as I want to take it steady. I don't feel mentally or physically strong enough to handle work.

Yes, I'm double jabbed. Have no under-lying health conditions and am generally fit and well.

I eat healthily and go running often- well I used to! Certainly could not go for a run today!! I don't get I'll often at all but this has wiped me out!
It's very annoying!!

• ill

I'm feeling this too, feel like I could fall asleep at any moment. I hope the feeling ends soon 😞

As someone with long Covid please do not go back to work on Monday if two small walks has knocked you for six. It will come back and bite you and your recovery may be longer if you do not rest in the early stages.

Agree with @Choconuttolata. Don’t rush back to work until you feel you are able.

Remember if you had pneumonia you would be out of work for weeks. Even a flu would take a good bit of recovery. Covid is a serious illness so listen to your body and take lots of rest. I am on Day 14 since symptoms began which was mostly exhaustion. I am definitely feeling stronger as can get out of bed but have to take it very easy. Rest really is the only answer. Forget work as there is no way you can go next week. Even when you feel better at home work demands a different level of energy. I am taking vitamins too hoping to increase energy. Mind yourself.

I'm recovering from Covid and the exhaustion is unbearable. I tried to do a little cleaning and nearly killed me.
Yesterday I sneezed and my gosh my lungs were on fire.
This is no joke. 20 kids in my ds school had Covid including him.
Wishing you all a fast recovery.

I've had 'proper' flu 3 times. Took me a couple of months before felt totally normal. Was exhausted for weeks. It's the same with various other viruses as well.

@dreamingofbeaches2022

I've had 'proper' flu 3 times. Took me a couple of months before felt totally normal. Was exhausted for weeks. It's the same with various other viruses as well.

Hope you’ve booked the flu jab this year!

Almost at week 7 for me, I went back to work too early and relapsed. I tried to work through it but failed. I'm a HCP so should know better. Currently off work and the school run is as much as I can do right now. Don't go back, you need to off to rest especially if you have an active job.

This is me too! Got positive PCR over two weeks ago, and at first it was like a bad cold, but I did stuff like paint the front door and tidy up the house. Then gradually the weird exhaustion set in.

Can't walk faster than a shuffle, odd 'quivery' feeling inside, feel 'metallic' and sick if I do too much, anxious, yet can't actually sleep very well. It's shit! I'm never ill, and it's so frustrating.

I only started a new job at the start of this term, and have now had three weeks off (inc 10-day isolation). I'm only a TA, so it's not taxing, and I hate feeling like I'm taking the piss.

... Oh, and a racing heart, and odd pains in my chest. It's altogether a joy.

Sorry to hear that herbaceous.

I had heart rhythm issues which have mostly resolved (dysautonomia) and GP sent me to A&E for an ECG. I know people who have had peri/myocarditis after COVID, get the racing heart and chest pain checked out just to be sure.

Re: insomnia/anxious feeling, I also had this early out and breathing/relaxation exercises along with only drinking one cup of tea with caffeine in the morning helped. Also reducing screen time in the hours before bed. It is common post-Covid.

www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/your-wellbeing/sleeping-well/#:~:text=Many%20people%20recovering%20from%20COVID,t%20get%20back%20to%20sleep.

This was me (pre-vaccination ). Annoying cough and fatigue. For about two weeks I had enough energy to get up and dressed (then I needed a rest), prepare food and clear up afterwards, and about 20 minutes of something else. Other than that, it was mindless telly and snoozing.

Then I suddenly started to improve. Took three weeks to get back to my usual energy levels. Everyone is different and it may take you shorter or longer. But don’t push too soon, or you will regret it.

I do feel like I'm more affected by both caffeine and alcohol. Feel very jittery after coffee, whereas before I'd just be awake, and pissed as a fart after a g&t, whereas before it hardly touched the sides.

Less caffeine certainly a good start.

I probably should get the heart checked out.

I'm now on day 16 and still feeling wiped out after simple tasks like cooking or washing.
I feel like DH thinks I'm just being lazy but I honestly have no energy.

This all sounds very familiar. I’m on day 14 and struggling to realise how little I can do. I had to abandon the school run yesterday as I couldn’t walk that far - it’s 5 minutes away. Today I feel awful again and haven’t even tried. I am doing nothing round the house. It’s shit, isn’t it.
Good to hear @PuzzledObserver got better after 3 weeks - that gives me a bit of hope.

@Rosinadelathorne that’s three weeks after the original two weeks, mind, so five in all.

DH’s symptoms started a few days before mine, but we waited till my isolation ended before we went out. We had been in the habit of walking 1/4 mile to the racecourse, 1.6 miles round, then home for a total of 2.1 miles. That was our daily exercise during lockdown.

When my isolation ended, I drove to the supermarket, got a few days’ worth of food, drove home and was wrecked the rest of the day. DH told me he had been for a walk. Got half way to the racecourse, then had to sit down on a wall for five minutes to summon the energy to get back.

Each day it got a bit better. But the key was, if we felt tired, we stopped.

This is still me!! When will I get my energy back??!!
I'm an impatient patient, am getting frustrated plus feel guilty about not being in work...
It's boring too!

I still have a runny nose so I think the guidance is to still isolate? It's the fatigue though that is really getting me down.