How soon after isolation ended did you return to work

[AThroneOfLies]

Coming to the end of my isolation and although I generally appear well I am absolutely exhausted.
Job is quite a busy one and worried how I’ll cope (full time, also single parent)
If you went back to work straightaway how did you manage?

I went back on Day 11 bursting with energy. I had a short day that day followed by two longer days - those two days I was exhausted. Followed by being exhausted all weekend and having to nap. I’m day 16 and keep getting dizzy spells. I had minor symptoms when I was positive with the exception of one day, and got my negative on day 11.

Days 11,12 and 13 have been shocking for me. Extreme fatigue and my chest/ asthma isn't happy. And I've done nothing since going out with the toddler on the morning of day 11.

I've decided take this week as I don't know what's going on with my chest and I've not spent a day upright yet.

I've made the mistake of pushing through before. Im peri and only recently started hrt; fatigue is an issue there anyway. Im not just going to rest though, pace myself and try to get used to being active.

I'm a teacher and the anxiety of being seen as a wimp is strong but I know how draining it is. If I can't do a day with my kids at home, how can I cope at work? We push through to end up in bed all weekend and I'm not prepared to do that this time.

It’s 2 weeks to the day since positive LFT and PCR. Tested negative days 5 and 6. I’d planned to go back to work today but I can’t.

Haven’t slept for days due to coughing, chest is tight and got aches and pains in back and hips again. I too am worried about work but they have said to not go back until I’m ready.

@BeenToldComputerSaysNo

I've heard of people going back as they feel pressured / almost guilty like they're lying if they stay off until better, trying to put a show on of feeling better than they are (not just for financial reasons). There is so much disparity between how people feel. There's obviously data on hospitalisations and long covid, but I don't know what the split is for other elements of the spectrum - e.g. asymptomatic/a 'cold'/feeling floored within isolation period / feeling floored post isolation period. Has anyone seen any data on this type of thing? Presumably some exists for it to be said that 'for most it's just like a cold' etc.

That would be interesting data. I did fill out some symptoms when doing test and trace (I think that was it) and I suppose the symptoms I filled out would have suggested a cold but the fatigue side of it really floored me and I’ve had symptoms that started towards and are still around 2 weeks later, like limbs aching all day. The fatigue is still there and gets worse as the day goes on. I find it hard to concentrate at the end of a day of work - like really cannot think clearly at all. Make a decision to do something, then find my self staring into space however long later trying to work out what it was I was planning to do. And other people really do just have a runny nose and find it hard to comprehend quite how rubbish it is for others, even at the milder end of the spectrum. I think a lot of people think, “Well I was fine…”

I went back to work on Day 7 (wfh) but with 3 yr old at home too. We're another 2.5 weeks down the line and I'm still shattered after doing not very much. Better by the week though so hopefully will shake it soon. Not sure how you teachers are managing with the days being so full on!

I worked from home during isolation and went back in on day 11. Pretty much everyone in our work place has done this ( children's social care/ mental health service). We've attended meetings via Teams/ got on with admin etc..

I went back too soon,I’m on day 12 and went back when I became negative. Shouldn’t given it some thought and tested.
I’m pretty tired and very congested.