How long until I feel less unwell? (How long is a piece of string??) Feeling truly shitty.

[PunishmentRoundupWithJoon]

Tested positive a week last Thursday, felt like I had a very mild cold - really didn't feel 'ill'. Progressed through various symptoms and am now, having tested negative, feeling like death warmed up. Really ill, low level nausea and just can't carry on with my usual activities.

My appetite for all the usual foods has totally disappeared and the only things that I can face eating is stuff I don't generally eat - oven chips and baked beans is becoming a staple! I'm also incredibly hungry a lot of the time. My diet has completely changed. finding it hard to drink water, just can't face it, and I've developed an aversion to the squash I sometimes have so can't even get more water into me that way.

I realise this illness affects everyone differently, but if anyone else has felt this way after having the virus, how long did it take you to begin to feel a bit more human again? Not to feel so utterly wiped out?

In all honesty I felt actually 'ill' (as in couldn't get out of bed) for about 4 days but the bone crushing tiredness lasted for 6 weeks. That was the worst thing about it for me. I hope you start to turn a corner soon.

I had it in February and my sense of taste still isn't quite what it was.

Oh gosh - am probably in for the long haul then. Thanks @EllaPaella. Have heard a lot about the sense of taste, but mine seems to be ok at the moment. Can taste all the junk food I'm eating! It's as if my body just wants carbs and fat. Haven't seen a vegetable in days.

It's so worrying.

In bed for 6 days couldn’t get up other than to be sick. 2 weeks before I could do normal stuff and about 8 weeks to feel properly well again and not exhausted all the time.

Oh god, and I've just booked a holiday for end of June. Typical..

Had the worst of it two weeks ago - crashing headache, palpatations and fatigue and spent the following week in bed.

Another week on from that and I'm up and about. My appetite is very strange...yes, carbs and sugar seem to be the thing and I have also had the low lying nausea. I've also had the period from hell (heavy and long) which has added to the exhaustion but thankfully seems to be easing off now.

It looks like the exhaustion might continue for a while judging from other peoples experiences. I have various aches in my limbs which haven't disappeared either.

@Thebluefield - That's really interesting what you say about the carbs and sugar. It seems to be changing every day, so the things I fancy on one day make me feel sick the next, so have to find something else. I think it's the not knowing that's so depressing. If someone could tell me that in a week, or two weeks, I'd be on the road to normal again I'd be ok with that. Just to have an end date.

At the moment I'm only able to sit up for short periods, and today will be the first day that I don't go out, even for a 10 minute walk, as I just don't feel up to even washing and dressing. Due to depression in the past, getting out every day symbolises that everything is ok, so this is a huge departure from the norm for me - slightly worrying but can't be helped.

Always helpful to hear other people's experiences - thank you.

Oh yes I had awful muscle cramps in my thighs and buttocks, started about day 10 and lasted a good week. Forgot about that little joy. Covid is the gift that keeps on giving 😞

Yes, I understand what you mean about having an end date op. I feel really frustrated and wishing time away (something I never usually do). Now into third week for me and still low energy, having to pace myself for anything I need to do. I am getting better but it still wants to hang on (cough remains and I can tell it's going to be around for a while yet).

I have found I've struggled with my mental health too - feeling low and isolated. Like you op, I'm usually out and about most days so this has really impacted me.

Definitely - Covid is the gift that keeps giving! I'm worried I'm going to get it again and then be unwell for weeks again - unlike a cold where you tend to bounce back much more quickly.

Ok I had my dads funeral on Friday. My best friend then told me she had covid the next day. I had 3rd vaccinated beginning December and have never had it before. My temperature is 38.6 but LFT still negative so far! Anyone triple vaccinated who managed to shake it off quickly? Fraid I’ve been run down of late with one thing and another. I’m 51. I hardly spoke to my friend which is the weird thing!

@Lushmetender - so sorry to hear about your dad. Hope you manage to avoid covid - you don't need that on top of everything else. I know some people who've tested positive and barely had any symptoms so hopefully if you do end up with it, it won't lay you low.

TY. Have a faint positive on LFT and a temperature and tickly throat! Guess we’ll see what transpires tomorrow! First time for me though have had 3 vaccinations of which the last was over 6 months ago now! sigh

@Thebluefield - sorry to hear you've struggled with your mental health - it's really hard at times, isn't it? And if the illness is stopping you from going about your daily life, doing the things that keep you on track, you're going to feel even worse. Hopefully, with having it now, it'll give you some immunity so that you're protected from getting it again.