Post Covid exhaustion - please help

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I first tested positive 24 days ago and had a cough, snot, headache and exhaustion for about 2 weeks. I’m a single parent and couldn’t get my dc to school during this time so it was pretty hard work.

I’ve been testing negative for a week now but I am still just beating exhausted. I was supposed to be taking dc on holiday last Friday but cancelled as I genuinely do not feel safe to drive the 90 minutes to the airport. During the school holidays I’ve been taking them out for a couple of hours in the morning and then coming home and falling asleep for 3/4 hours. Absolutely dead to the world sleep, yesterday I came in and just lay down on the sitting room floor and fell fast asleep still in my shoes and coat for 2 hours. When I wake up I don’t feel any less tired. I’ve spoken to my GP and had a blood test but I’m not anemic and I’ve just been told it takes time to get over.

My house is an absolute disgrace. I have to sit down on the toilet to brush my teeth as I’m too tired to stand up, I was sitting down in the shower but I nearly fell asleep and now stand up but need a 20 minute lie down afterwards.

I’m at the end of my tether. I have no help. I can’t do anything and my children are basically being neglected as they’re being stuck on screens for hours while I’m fast asleep.

Has anyone else had this? Did it fade? When? Anything at all that I can do?

Rest as much as you can. All the initial research into Long Covid and post Covid issues in general seems to be leaning towards resting during the initial post viral period being the best strategy, and that tracks with other post viral issues. Do not try to push yourself at all. The DC can cope with screens and basic food for a few more weeks while you rest. Infinitely better than pushing yourself into full blown Long Covid.

Get groceries and anything else you need delivered.

Use convenience foods.

Don't worry about any kind of beauty upkeep at all unless you can do it lying down.

Rest after everything, and ask the DC to help you with jobs for a bit (eg putting away grocery delivery).

Don't exhaust yourself going out. Focus on recovery for now. See if they can go out a bit with their friends' parents.

It might have been coincidence but a nurse friend recommended taking a regular maximum dose of electrolyte supplements - I used the High 5 Zero sugar tablets and had 3 in a glass first thing in the morning and I felt a lot less tired.

@Jules912

I did see the doctor, and he was lovely and said that sometimes it does just take this long to recover but so long as I'm improving, no matter how slowly, I should eventually get better. He recommended resting as much as possible, and to do gentle exercise like walking but don't push it.

...

This is so important I think. I went out for my first gentle walk after 10 days yesterday, took my oximeter with me to check on things as I was a bit worried (sats have been at 92% on and off) - and found my heart rate at 105bpm!

Just a gentle walk on flat ground.

That's from someone who usually has a resting heart of 60, normally climbs a lot of stairs, walks, swims, etc.

I think running especially until fully recovered is a really bad idea and keeping heart rate below 100 if possible

I had this and it did just take time. The NHS site when I last checked it said it can take up to 12 weeks to recover. It was probably about 10 weeks for me until I felt perfect. But it did get better each week and the main thing is to never push yourself. Do a little less than you think you're able for. A big effort, even if you feel able for it, could set you back. If you have to parent via ready meals and TV for a few weeks then do it.

As someone who has had ME for years I am going to very loudly shout. DO NOT PUSH YOURSELF. Having been ill for nearly 20 years I have done so much research into this subject. I think post viral fatigue is there to make you stop and let your body recover ignoring it it can trigger long term illnesses. Your kids are old enough to survive a few weeks of too much telly. It absolutely doesn't matter if your house is a shit tip. Call in favours. Ask my friends to have them over for the weekend for playdates say you will make up to them when you're better. Rest, rest rest. It will take about 6 to 8 weeks to get better probably as long as you let yourself rest. Otherwise it can be years. I don't want to be a doom monger just don't want you to get ill long term

@FusionChefGeoff Almost certainly not coincidence, there's a big overlap between POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and the post viral syndromes. Increased intake of electrolytes is a first line treatment for POTS.