Do you have questions about recovery from Covid-19? - £200 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

We're no longer taking questions on this Q&A, Dr Zoe has answered some of your questions below!

Created for Masimo

For some people, coronavirus and other respiratory conditions can cause symptoms that last for weeks or months after the infection has gone. We have invited Dr Zoe Williams to answer your questions on how to ensure a full and proper recovery for yourself or your loved one.

• Everyone who shares a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw.
• One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher.
• Dr Zoe Williams will be back online later to answer a selection of your questions.

About Dr Zoe Williams

"Dr Zoe Williams is a well-known and respected media medic who also has experience in health, fitness and wellbeing, alongside her role as a GP. She is a national advisor to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) GP clinical champion network and also leads on work to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyle with The Royal College of General Practitioners. She is also a new mum.”

Here’s what Masimo has to say

“We know how worrying caring for your children when they’re unwell can be. Our ongoing investment in technology, like the Masimo Masimo SafetyNet Alertᵀᴹ, is driven by wanting to offer peace of mind to those caring for loved ones who are recovering at-home from illnesses, such as covid or RSV, which is why we’re so pleased that Dr Zoe will be able share her wealth of experience and insights with Mumsnet users. Dr Zoe will be able to answer some of your question providing her expert advice on caring for little-ones in recovery, as well as tips for the devices you can use at home to offer reassurance on the journey”

So whether you’d like to know more about the technology that is available to monitor recovery, or you’d like advice on managing symptoms, share them on this thread for Dr Zoe.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

Serial Number: PLLT-11715A

@WoWsers16 to save you waiting for an answer, as I’m sure you must be worried sick, I have heard many people say that back pain was an early symptom, so yes it’s quite likely it’s that. I had it as my first sign that something was up, along with a weird wrist pain! Traditional symptoms followed a few days later. Try and get a PCR as mine didn’t show up on a LFT.

[quote RoyKentsChestHair]@WoWsers16 to save you waiting for an answer, as I’m sure you must be worried sick, I have heard many people say that back pain was an early symptom, so yes it’s quite likely it’s that. I had it as my first sign that something was up, along with a weird wrist pain! Traditional symptoms followed a few days later. Try and get a PCR as mine didn’t show up on a LFT. [/quote]
Thank you so much for replying! Every ache or pain I start to worry but this has been really intense!!
It seems many have had this pain so it is a relief - I have had a positive so presume it's that but have said if there's still pain by Friday (as it's been going on since last Tuesday) then I'll ring up the oncology hospital department xx

Thank you again for messaging and replying! X

Do you know anything about how/why covid affects mental health? I have been suffering with depression since having covid?

Also I had lots of gastro symptoms and these haven't fully cleared up. Is it harder to clear the virus from the gut than from the lungs, for example?

Another one asking about tinnitus- is there anything that will cure this and is it really possible it was caused by covid or just a coincidence?

Does sense of smell and taste ever return?
How soon afterwards can we catch it again?

Another one wondering if my taste will return (it's been 3 months now). Also what is that happens to your system that makes you feel so very tired?

What is known about a return to normal periods post COVID please?

My daughter (now 19) had covid last summer before she was eligible for the vaccination. She still has problems with headaches, fatigue and weird sense of smell. Is there anything she can do herself - I read an article about 'retraining' your sense of smell with essential oils, for example.

I'm trying to persuade her to see if there's a long covid clinic she can go to - would this be through the GP, and what would they be able to do for her?

What is the best way to deal with fatigue?

I'd also like to know about post viral fatigue. What measures do you advise to combat this? Are vitamin or mineral supplements recommended to speed recovery?

Both my daughter and I are recovering from Covid (around a fortnight after infection), and we are both experiencing significant hair loss. My daughter who is 12 has a bald patch the size of a 50p at the front of her head, whereas mine is thinning all over. Clumps are falling out and it's quite distressing. What can we do to stop it and promote new growth?

When do we stop thinking everything is a symptom of Covid. My son has a series of little spots on his back, some occasional tingling etc. Do we assume all this will subside in time?

Why does the referral for Long Covid clinics take so long? My son waited 9 months for a referral, then another 5 months before he was seen.

I would also be interested to know if there's a typical recovery time from LC (or other post viral fatigue) as at the moment there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel?

I hope the expert will have answers for a lot of these questions but I just wanted to flag up an NHS resource. I was directed to it after being hospitalised with covid and it might be useful to some posters.

www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/

Other coronaviruses such as Fcov (feline form) never leave the body fully and can cause long term problems / increased susceptibility to further illness.

This makes me worry about the long term effects of covid even for those who don't appear to have long covid.

What research is being done on any potential long term issues?

I am concerned about the long term effects of Covid on my ability to exercise. I am not particularly unwell (have it now, triple jagged) but I am absolutely exhausted and can't even think about doing any more than pottering.

What do you suggest? I love to walk but don't do much else apart from Yoga / Pilates. Thanks.

I had Covid in March 2020, was very ill for many months. But an enduring problem has been aching legs, and I don't understand why or what to do about it? I am also still suffering from fatigue and shortness of breath.

Would you recommend things like general immune boosting to help with recovery - multivitamins?

If you have covid asymptomatically, is it safe to exercise (at home!) or should you rest even if you don't feel sick?

I've got covid now. Top recovery tips? Rest, fluids, paracetamol. Anything else?

How long do you have to be suffering from Covid for it to be classed as long Covid?
And what are the most common symptoms?

Are children with asthma more likely to suffer complications?

Is there anything we can do to help a child with altered taste post covid?

I have long Covid, my main symptoms are fatigue, muscle aches and pains, brain fog and sinus problems. Are there any particular vitamins you'd recommend I take? Thank you

2 months after a very bad dose of covid I still have trouble breathing with exercise. Will this last forever now or time needed? What can I do to help?