What helps you with managing post-covid fatigue?

[ruthietoothie]

I'm three weeks into covid now and still really struggling mainly with fatigue and very low energy levels. Are others in similar boat? What do you find helps? I'm trying to rest as much as I can with little bursts of activity. Got really bad achiness from low levels of movement. Ugh!

What a bloody horrid virus!

It's horrible isn't it I'm in exactly the same boat, but 6 weeks in. I'm doing the same, lots of resting (napping) with bits of activity in between. I was trying to keep going as long as possible but that wasn't working for me. I'm now up or doing a non-taxing activity eg having a bath for 1-2 hours. Then I lie down and rest/sleep for 1-2 hours. This on repeat means I don't feel ill. If I do any more than this I feel really ill and weak. I don't achieve much in a day though.
I take vitamins but tbh I'm hoping someone will come along with some really useful tips on how to manage as I really want to get back to work and to my normal life.

Sorry to hear that @Budapestdreams sounds really tough. I think one of the hardest things can be knowing how long recovery will take... My sister is an OT and she shared this with me which I found useful... Take lots of care!!

www.rcot.co.uk/recovering-covid-19-post-viral-fatigue-and-conserving-energy

Frequent but gentle activity, always stop before you are exhausted. So instead of pushing yourself and then having to lie down for two hours pace it better.
When resting try to keep stretching and moving your arms and legs to maintain muscles.
If you think progress is slow try to compare with a week ago rather than yesterday. Keep a notebook.

Hi, thanks, that is really helpful. I keep feeling like I should be pushing myself and feel guilty that I cannot do the things I normally can. That information reassured me that resting is the right thing to do and that it could take longer than I think to recover. I agree though, I wish I knew how long it would be before I feel normal again. If I knew I could relax more and make plans. As it is, I don't know if it will be weeks or months.
Hope you feel better soon too 💐

@rade thanks. You're right, I don't notice any daily improvements but can often see small improvements week on week.
Between lying down for naps I am only managing quite gentle activities. Do you think I should be lying down to rest more often or less often? TIA

Hi OP I have a diagnosis of M.E/post viral fatigue from a different virus. From speaking to friends with long covid and doctors they are basically the same illness. For me the ache from lack of movement was terrible, I ended up getting some spikey ball things and a mat with spikes on from Amazon which did help a lot, along with some heat patches on my lower back for my hips, and tiger balm. How is your digestion? I was only 17 so still living with parents and didn’t need to cook, but I would say slow cooker meals that are full of veg like chicken casserole will be easier in your stomach. When I stopped having caffeine I felt much better as I didn’t use all my energy up in one go and then absolutely crash in the evening. I also stopped eating a lot of sugary foods, including bread that wasn’t sourdough or homemade. Something about cheap bread didn’t agree with me so I’ve not eaten it since. Taking vitamin D is a must. I wasn’t leaving the house much, and I couldn’t afford a deficiency. Don’t bother going to the shops, order it all online and have it delivered. Anything you don’t have to do, do not do. If you have the money for a cleaner get one, or let your partner pick it up until you’re well if you have one. Ignore anything that isn’t 100% necessary.

Bearing in mind that I had/have M.E for years , a lot of these were long term changes that were implemented over months. At three weeks you really have a much higher chance of getting better. The number one priority for you is rest. Rest. Number two is good nutritious food. Give yourself as much grace as humanly possible. Get well soon OP xx

I don't have long covid but I was very ill with covid and in hospital a week. The doctors told me to expect 3 months for full recovery so while that seemed an awful long time at least it gave me a target.
They gave me breathing exercises and directed me to this website.

I was much improved by 8 weeks and fully recovered by 3 months.
They don't call it long covid unless you are still having symtoms at 12 weeks.