Anyone with long covid experience?

[Piggysmalls22]

Hi, I had Covid about a month ago. I had the usual symptoms of a cold, fever and aches.
I had about 2 weeks of sickness then finally felt I was on the mend. Couple days later it started again, cold symptoms etc.

Now it’s been a month and I still feel congested. Complete brain fog out of it. Exhausted like I could pass out. Racing heart feeling, hear it in my ears and constant ringing in ears, shaking and weak.

Some background info, I’m 30 with relatively good health no underlying issues and didn’t get any vaccinations.

Does this sound like long covid? I can’t seem to shift whatever it is and wondering whether to visit the doctors?

Unfortunately yes it sounds like the start of long Covid. 3.5 years on from Covid with no vaccines either (and mostly now better) i’d advise as much rest as you can initially and when you feel slightly better return to work / any activity really very gradually. You’ll know very quickly if you can’t manage it.

The worst thing you can do with long Covid is make the mistake of having an ‘ok’ day and thinking you’re better / recovered and going back to previous levels of activity. Basically take it very very easy and then start at like 10% of what you used to do and slowly build up.

the GP can’t do a lot except refer you after 8 weeks (I think that’s how long it is) to LC clinic and that takes months and truthfully it’s not much help in my experience but things like ‘pacing’ can help manage those initial symptoms and stages.

I work with people with LC now and I want to reassure you that people do improve and recover but it can take a very long time. My own experience was it took me about 2 years and I’m now at 90% old self. It was awful and you have my full sympathy.

someone will undoubtedly come along soon to tell you if you’d had a vaccine you wouldn’t have long Covid. Again my experience currently working with those suffering is that many who have been vaccinated do still get it. Maybe it reduces the frequency - I don’t think there’s evidence either way.

I have had it OP but unlike you mine all turned into neurological issues, migraines, weird buzzing in fingers and legs, dizziness, very sore burning eyes, a weak leg etc - I did see a neurologist who said she has seen this a lot and it's either affected people neuro wise or heart/breathing

I had my 4th vaccine and then covid very close and it triggered it all off

A year later I'm much improved but not 100% right. I'm left with the sore eyes and a slightly weak leg and a bit of arthritis in my neck (which at 61 could just be coincidental)

My regime has been vast amounts of water, gluten free, much lower carb and a daily cocktail of multi vits, omega 3 and extra magnesium and vit D

@Atissue123
@Crikeyalmighty

Thank you both for your replies. Unfortunately I’m a full time mum to a 1 year old, as you can imagine taking it easy is not always the easiest.

I will start looking into ways to help myself and get in touch with the GP, even just so I’m on their radar anyways xx

It can take a while to recover from Covid so I wouldn't necessarily assume it's long Covid at this stage. It isn't classed as being long Covid until after 12 weeks.

Try to rest as much as you can to give your body a chance to recover. It's easy to trigger a relapse if you push too hard too soon.

Sorry to hear this. Please, please, please rest as much as you can (try to ask for as much help as you can from family/friends).

I got covid in March 2020.

Prior to March 2020, I was a deputy headteacher and very active, busy and fit.

I'm only in my early 40s but still signed off sick from my job in a primary school. After 3 and a half years of long covid, I am completely housebound (can't walk up/down one flight of stairs from my flat) and on most days I wouldn't even be able to type this message. This is a good day that I'm able to hold a phone (I came onto Mumsnet today for first time in months to see if there might be any threads about long covid that might have some 'magic' treatment/answers).

Sorry to jump on your post - but if anyone has any stories of recovering from long covid (especially if you got it pre-vaccine in Spring 2020) I'd be keen to hear of anything that might help?

OP - Please, please, please rest as much as you can. X

11/2 years in for me. It could be the start of long covid or it could hopefully just be taking a bit of time to get over. They still class long covid at 3m+ I think. As others have said rest as much as you can. More than you think you need.
If you can afford it, get some help now, to try to maximise recovery.

@Sunflowers82 ive found acupuncture incredibly helpful. Proper Chinese stuff, from a TCM practitioner.

Nearly 3 years on for me. Long Covid and POTS post Covid. Back at work PT with adjustments. Took a long time to get to this point because I didn't stop and rest enough in the early days (I have three kids, DH was hospitalised with Covid and has Long Covid too). In my area GP's will refer to the Long Covid service at 4 weeks post- infection. It used to be 12 weeks, but in reality the waiting list is so long that if you are still symptomatic and meeting the criteria for Long Covid at 12 weeks you still aren't seen in the clinic for a while anyway. Early referral means less time on the waiting list.

In the meantime there are things you can do to help at home.

https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/

https://longcovid.physio/resources

https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/fatigue-education-course/

This series on YouTube is very useful in breaking down pacing.

https://www.potsuk.org/