Post exertion malaise

[Delatron]

Anybody else had this following a virus?

Had the awful virus (maybe Covid) that has been going around in Nov. Previous to that was fit and healthy running around 25 miles a week.

I was exhausted for about 6 weeks so didn’t attempt exercise. Felt better so started trying the odd run. Whenever I do anything high intensity my symptoms come back. So tight chest, fatigue, pain. It’s so frustrating I had so many running races planned. I run for my mental health as well as physical.

I know the obvious answer is don’t run or do any high intensity exercise but for how long? I have had all the blood tests at the doctors and apart from showing I was fighting a virus (back in Nov) everything else was fine.

Just looking for any stories from people who have been through this. I’m wondering if it’s a mild version of long covid. Rest doesn’t actually seem to help. Just overdoing it makes me worse.

I had this after I had Covid years ago. Honestly felt like the biggest effort to lift my feet up a kerb at times, it sadly made me lose my love of running as I just didn't enjoy it anymore. I'm slowly getting back to it, but honestly I've never been the same since. That's not very encouraging is it, sorry. I'd probably start with fast walking for a while and build up, don't just push on through like I did.

Thanks @Thethruththewholetruth sorry you’ve suffered from this too.

Ah it’s so frustrating. It’s the one exercise I love but right now I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus if I attempt to run.

I will go back to basics and try and build up. There’s so little advice out there in how to deal with this.

Hi I caught EColi (STEC) back in 2022 since then I’ve had all these symptoms and more bloods come back fine and normal doctor said malaise but can’t get to the bottom of why I feel like I do I’m 25 and I can’t enjoy the things I used to before I caught this I was ill for 9 weeks but not been the same since

Hi, I have had similar and can sympathise. I had Covid at the beginning of October and ended up being referred to the cardiac unit of our local hospital. To be honest, they didn’t really know what was going on as all my tests were coming back normal. However, I had chest tightness, pain, palpitations and a racing heartbeat and fatigue. The conclusion was that I had inflammation in my chest due to the virus and the advice was to basically wait and see.

I was used to doing 5 classes a week at the gym and I have had to freeze my membership until March, when I hope to go back…slowly! So what I’ve done is work out a little programme for myself, just walking every day, but increasing the minutes every week. I’m slowly building a little fitness back and my symptoms seem to be ok so far. I keep a daily diary of how I feel and what I have done, plus any symptoms.( You’re right about there not being much advice out there. The British Heart Foundation have some case studies where you might find one that you can relate to, I think there is one where the sufferer has an intense fatigue following a virus.)

This has helped me to feel positive about my fitness and feels as though I’m in control of my body rather than vice versa. I was really worried about long Covid but I can slowly feel my body healing itself. The trouble with viruses is that they can bring all their friends along to the party!
So try and keep hopeful that you will get better a day at a time, it’s baby steps but hopefully you’ll get there! X

Thanks both.

I think it’s a good idea to keep a diary of symptoms @JosieRay . And building up slowly. I keep feeling better then going out for a run. Then back to square one.

@ForLimeRaven That sounds frustrating. It’s so annoying when doctors can’t get to the bottom of it or help.

Hoping for improvements for all.

I was a runner and got long Covid. Last time I did any exercise was August 2023. I'm still waiting to get better sadly. You can't rush this, it's a. nightmare. I really miss running.

Oh @GreenAlien I’m so sorry.

I really hope there’s some improvement for you soon. I’m taking running off the table. It’s so heartbreaking when something we love doing is taken away from us. It’s the only exercise I like and I’m good at!

Bloody Covid. Aren’t more and more people going to be affected by this? If 10% of people get long covid with each infection and it just keeps circulating every year…

I hope there can be more research in to it.

I have MECFS after covid. Be very careful is my advice. There are specific blood tests to do before you can get an MEcfs diagnosis. Don't know if it applies to long covid but I've seen figures and info from the ME Association that say many cases of long covid end up as MECFS.

PEM is your body telling you it doesn't have enough energy to function properly. If you keep trying to exercise and your body doesn't cope, then you can make yourself permanently worse.

I used to do long walks. I can't anymore.

I'd say symptom tracking is good. Listen to you body. Rest isn't what you think it is. Proper rest is lying down without stimuli.

As I say, not sure exactly about long covid v MEcfs but I've been living withine for 3+ years and you have to learn pacing.

I use a gadget called visible which helps with this.

Sorry I wasn't v clear. No blood test to diagnose only to rule out other causes.

Thank you @MewithME sorry you are living with this.

Very good advice - I’ll take rest more seriously and stop trying to push the exercise. It’s so hard. I can feel completely better to decide to go for a run and then it’s only the following day my body tells me it was too much.
I’ll start symptom tracking too.

It’s all very frustrating and upsetting. Sorry for all those suffering.

I had lots of blood tests before Christmas and they ruled out any other causes.