Covid Twilight Zone

[Elizabeth181183]

Hi all

Sorry to sound all 2020 on your all, but...

A couple of weeks ago, I had a cold - it wasn't too bad but I felt a bit under the weather and had extremely swollen glands. About a week later I felt much worse, like I had a sinus infection (I get those a lot). My back was aching and thighs, and just felt exhausted and fluffy.

I then got a positive lateral flow for a few days, but four days later it had pretty much faded. I'm not sure if I perhaps caught the end of Covid?

Anyway, this week, some 14 days later, and I feel worse. Although my sinuses and whatever godforsaken gunk was in there is finally shifting, my limbs feel like cement and I'm dizzy. While food tastes OK, it somehow isn't enjoyable (like during those first weeks of pregnancy, and I'm aching on and off. Every time I stand up, the room spins.

I'm 36, so didn't get a booster (I can't remember last time we were boosted, but a while ago). I've also had Covid twice before, and it never presented like this.

I have a 3 year old, so 'relaxing' is pretty hard - but trying the best I can.

I'm a bit confused if this is all Covid, particularly as I only had a positive for four days, so presumably after I'd had it for a little while.

I wondered if anyone else is now drifting through this twilight zone and has any tips on getting through it? I don't want to bang on about it as I feel a bit late to the Covid party, but it's also been a bit of a magical mystery tour in terms of symptoms and everyday surprises me.

Any advice is most welcome!

I think Covid isn't something to be underestimated and sometimes you think you are getting better then you go downhill again. It is frightening because it gives symptoms that aren't familiar and this latest strain seems to be really vicious. After having it recently I feel quite well one day and then the next exhausted, palpitations, lightheaded, slightly queasy. It is hard to know what is down to covid and what isn't.
I would make sure you are drinking plenty to keep hydrated and if you feel lightheaded eat something salty in case it is due to low blood pressure.

Thank you! How long did it take until things evened out? Like you I'm extremely lightheaded a lot and nauseous. I guess I forgot what Covid was and saw it as just a cold, so I felt a bit better and marched back out there, probably prematurely. I blame the toddler!

I'm still only a couple of weeks in but really don't feel anything like normal. In fact I am starting to wonder if I will ever feel well again! Talking to some other people they have said it took 2-3 weeks to feel right. My husband was up and about after two days so I really think it just depends on the individual. I know it is hard with a toddler but try to rest when you can. No point trying to push through it.

Thank you! Yes my husband is fine and confused why I am still putting my head between my knees when climbing the stairs. I really hope you feel better soon, thank you for the reassurance.

Sorry to hear this. A positive test is a positive, so you definitely had COVID. Tests are not very sensitive and often don't show positive till day 4+ of symptoms.

Please try and avoid catching anymore illnesses as COVID weakens your immune system so you are now going to be more vulnerable to other viruses and bacterial infections (or another COVID variant). More illness will not help your recovery. I recommend masking with a tightly fitting mask indoors and avoiding crowded or badly ventilated places. If your toddler goes to nursery consider keeping them off so they don't bring illness home. Rest as much as you can, for as many weeks as you can.

Data from Canada shows that the risk of long COVID lies at 38% by the third infection, so take good care to rest.

'Data from Canada shows that the risk of long COVID lies at 38% by the third infection, so take good care to rest.'
It really doesn't