5 weeks later

[allupsidedown]

I caught Covid at the end of August. Despite being double vaccinated, it got bad pretty quickly. 48hrs after the first fever I had a cough, gasping for breath, no energy, banging head, sore throat, no taste, no smell and I was unbelievably sweaty.
Beginning of September I was admitted to hospital for a few days for oxygen. I had phoned 111 after noticing my fingers and toes were blue/black. I got out a couple of days later with some steroids.
I've been taking it easy since getting home. Lots of sleep, very little else. After my isolation ended, I knew I wasn't ready to return to work but I thought I would at least manage to drive the kids to school. Getting to the car made my chest tight so I called the gp for an inhaler.
I realised after another week that I still am not ready for work so called the gp again. I got another dose of steroids and told to rest. I am resting. I'm doing nothing but!
That is the second course of steroids completed and I am completely exhausted. I feel like I have been hit by a bus. I've now developed a new symptom. I ache. I ache to touch even.
I'm just wondering what other people's experiences are. I know it is bizarre and appears to affect people in so many ways. I think this is still just Covid and not long Covid but I am miserable, shattered and sore. I may also be feeling sorry for myself. I am so glad that I am vaccinated and dread to think how bad it would have been had I not been. It sounds dramatic but I feel grateful to still be alive.
What are your experiences in the weeks after the initial infection?

My friend had to have another 4 weeks off work after her isolation finished. Her breathing and chest tightness was the lingering symptoms she had. She was given steroids and antibiotics, which helped her.

There is a long covid thread on here which might help OP.

My personal experience was very mild. I had cold symptoms for a couple of days and that's it. Did lose my sense of smell and taste for about a month. No tiredness or lasting effects. I was straight back to work after my 10 days isolation. 31 and single vaxxed when I caught it.

Sorry to hear you've had it so rough, it really is so random how it affects people.

Fucking hell, op, this is awful. I'm so sorry you're still suffering so much.

When I first had covid I was proper sick in bed for 3 weeks then felt like utter crap for another month. That's not unusual unfortunately. I did go on to be diagnosed w long COVID but I know many who didnt who still took weeks and weeks to get better.

Thank you all for your replies. I know it is early days really but I have just felt so awful today. Other friends are recovering much more quickly and I'm a bit impatient. I just want to be able to look after my kids without needing to sleep all the time. Maybe tomorrow will be a little better.

Sorry you're still feeling rough. I started with covid early August and like you spent time in hospital. It was a long slow job but I was nearly back to normal 5 weeks after coming out of hospital so 7 weeks from testing positive.
I haven't got school age kids so I really did nothing, I bet you are doing far more than that because it's impossible to properly rest with children who need you.
You'll get there. Best of luck.

How are you doing now OP?