Post covid fatigue - any tips for coping?

[Schlerp]

I had what my GP called suspected very mild covid (crippling headaches, sore throat, fatigue, hot & cold, no taste, cough etc) two weeks before Christmas (but tests were repeatedly inconclusive so isolated for 10 days) since then my mood has sucked, although it is slowly lifting but the persistent fatigue is flooring me. I’m CEV and due to not knowing if it was definitely covid I have to behave as if it wasn’t. I live in fear of getting covid and finding out it’s even worse than what I experienced.

I have no idea how I am supposed to live like this. There’s nothing in my blood tests to indicate why I should be so fatigued. Even thinking tires me out.

GP says I just have to wait it out but that is unrealistic. I need to look after my kids and I need to earn a living to feed them and pay the bills. At the moment I’m unable to do any of this.

Does anyone have any non wacko and realistic suggestions to ease up this fatigue? I’ve tried berocca and the likes. I take antihistamines at the suggestion of my GP. It’s not gluten or dairy related either. I’m not even in a position to try to implement pacing as it’s 24/7 fatigue right now.

Anyone else feeling or felt like this? How long did it last?

Could you afford an antibody test to see if you have covid (not vaccine) antibodies?

Do you have low iron or low vitamin D? I’ve had both in the past and the fatigue has been crushing.

Iron levels can be a pain to get up, but Vit D is relatively easy.

OP I experienced this after having Covid in early November (Delta), followed by a terrible cold/flu virus over Christmas. I was genuinely becoming distressed by the extent of the fatigue until about a week ago and was really anxious that it would be long Covid. However, tonight I have just been to the gym for the first time since first catching it and I'm so happy about that I finally seem to getting back to normal - I thought it would never happen!

I do think time has been the main healer but I also started to take recovery very seriously a couple of weeks ago. This has meant eating extra fruit and veg, taking vitamins, and taking rest seriously. The rest thing was the newest thing to me - I read that real rest means doing nothing, i.e. sleeping, meditating, taking a bath etc. but not watching TV or browsing the internet, etc. So mental rest rather than just physical. I have also been rebuilding strength through very gentle activity (walking) and not pushing myself otherwise.

I hope some of the same can help you - I really recognise what you are saying and want to give you some hope that it does pass!

Sorry OP this all sounds really tough. I have felt really fatigued but it has been in waves, similar timescales to you

Check out Gez Medinger on YouTube, '5 ways to avoid long covid'. First one is rest but others might be more achievable. He has long covid and seems to have done his research- there is a growing evidence base for some supplements that may help- need to check contraindications etc but they include niacin, selenium, quercetin - also look at Dr Tina Peers stuff on long covid. Low histamine diet is another possibility but think that is quite hard in practice.
It helped me to have some practical things to focus on when feeling like crap. Good luck

Thanks all.
Bloods all fine @MsBananas so no anaemia. I take Iron and vitamin d anyway.

That’s really good to hear @DukeofEarlGrey - I’d love to return to exercising but it seems so far away when loo trips need meticulously planned at the moment.

I’ll check that guy out @Gaagaa thank you.

I’m thankful for the responses !