Bouncing back after Covid

hungrywombat · January 2021

It's been 3 weeks since I tested positive for Covid and I'm still on bed rest, too exhausted to move around for more than a few minutes at a time. It's been a rough few weeks. I know it's going to take a while to recover and I'm lucky it wasn't worse, but it's hard to go from 20,000+ steps a day to this.

Anyone who has had Covid - how long did it take you to feel fit enough to resume normal exercise?

elisa123gal · January 2021

I have not had it.. but my daughter and her friends have.. and it was so different for each of them. One of her friends was still feeling bad when all the others were back to normal. However, she kept herself in a doctor's care..and I would suggest that would be the best thing you could do.

ReenieHJ · January 2021

Hope you turn that corner soon and feel better!!! Keep doing what the dr. tells you and have hope.

Theoldguy1 · January 2021

Good timing. Was just about to start a thread like this

Hope you are feeling better @hungrywombat. I tested positive about the same time you did, have been off isolation a bit more than a week.

I think I have had an easier time with it than you. Had a 99.6 fever for half a day (only day of fever) and felt like sleeping, that was the key to getting tested. I am working from home and have worked 8-10 hour days (5 days a week) at the computer ever since getting tested. Have felt tired at times when working even with sleeping 8 hours a night but pushed through (no napping). Toward the end of the isolation time felt good enough to go out walking a bit.

I've been to the gym once since I left isolation (normally a 5-6 day a week person). Strength wasn't bad but felt draggy. Have also gone out and did a few 4 mile or so walks. I eat (because I need to obviously) and taste things fine but really don't care if I eat or not. This morning was bad. Had a solid 8 hours of sleep, got up ate a bit, got half way to the gym was yawning, turned around and went back to bed. Slept for another 4 hours. Going to go out for a hour or so walk now.

My wife also had it at the same time I did. She's basically going through the same things I am. Tiredness it the biggest deal.

AnnPT77 · January 2021

Without intending to be discouraging, I think this can be a slow thing: It will be good to be patient and kind with yourself. Realistically, it's going to vary by person.

This may be more discouraging than encouraging, I dunno, but I'm going to share this write up from one of the top athletes in the world in her sport, talking about her Covid experience. (She was rated in the top handful of rowers internationally not long ago, is on the US national team, a multi-gold-medalist in international competition.) She says it took her about a month to get back to normal training, and this is someone who's used to working within discomfort and injury rehab. She also says she wishes she'd taken more rest time early on. She also mentions some of her teammates' experience (the virus kind of ran through the team in the early weeks of the pandemic in the US).

https://medium.com/classroom-champions/my-covid-experience-dae2cade00c3

Wishing you a speedier than average recovery: Your previous levels of fitness can only be a help in that, even though they may also be a source of frustration as you compare your current state to what's been your normal. Virtual hugs!

rosebarnalice · January 2021

A friend of mine is involved in administering a clinical study on COVID recovery, and her observation is that there is a great deal of variation in recovery time among the patients she's tracking. Relatively fit people in their 20s and 30s seem to clear the big flu-like symptoms faster, but then they plateau about 2 weeks out and get this lingering exhaustion that she describes as being similar to mono symptoms. She's seen that lingering phase last anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months, and her patients report that it make working out really hard because they tire so easily

LisaGetsMoving · January 2021

I have one friend who, after 9 months, is still not back to her old self. She is a covid long hauler. Hopefully, that is not the case for you.

Chef_Barbell · January 2021

My hubby got it back in March 2020... it took him a full 2 months to get back to normal.

rgec58 · January 2021

I got it twice. Once in March and again in November. The first go round took 10-11 days before I was able to get up. The main thing, don't over exert yourself when you first think you feel fine. I relapsed. Took me over a month to even be able to ride my bike again. The second go round in November was just like a cold, only 3 days. I am out of shape and gained over 34 lbs since March. I allowed all the limitations and cancelations of cycling and running events to get me down. I have started my training again and am logging my meals. I've found MFP logging is very beneficial and I am hopeful events will resume soon.

hungrywombat · January 2021

rosebarnalice wrote: »

A friend of mine is involved in administering a clinical study on COVID recovery, and her observation is that there is a great deal of variation in recovery time among the patients she's tracking. Relatively fit people in their 20s and 30s seem to clear the big flu-like symptoms faster, but then they plateau about 2 weeks out and get this lingering exhaustion that she describes as being similar to mono symptoms. She's seen that lingering phase last anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months, and her patients report that it make working out really hard because they tire so easily

Yeah this is what worries me. After a month I'm still getting a heart rate well above 100 from really basic things like chopping a couple of vegetables for dinner. Considering my resting heart rate is usually around 50, it's a pretty big difference.

Thanks for the replies, it's reassuring to know that I'm not alone. Even if it is very frustrating to have to take it so slowly.

ruqayyahsmum · January 2021

I caught it in December from my kiddos
My 5 year old (non verbal ASD/ADHD) was calmer than normal, no bouncing about for 5 days with one super aggressive day which I think was likely pain related and then he was back to normal

My older vulnerable child had horrific headaches, few days of cough and took a month to get her energy back

I was actively unwell for over 2 weeks and even now 8 weeks on I tire easily, trying to do the cleaning leaves me exhausted so I've not started exercising yet

joyanna2016 · January 2021

I had it in the summer and for me while I got to feeling 90% better in about a week, it took me about a month to recuperate that last 10% with not every day being the same feeling of wellness. Please know ..... attention women ...... your hair will thin ..... a lot ....about 2 months after you have covid!! I was totally taken off guard by this and was so scared that my diet was causing it. So, don't be alarmed when that happens. And about the time you think you are going to have to buy a wig, it will stop. That's my public service announcement for today 😁

hungrywombat · January 2021

joyanna2016 wrote: »

I had it in the summer and for me while I got to feeling 90% better in about a week, it took me about a month to recuperate that last 10% with not every day being the same feeling of wellness. Please know ..... attention women ...... your hair will thin ..... a lot ....about 2 months after you have covid!! I was totally taken off guard by this and was so scared that my diet was causing it. So, don't be alarmed when that happens. And about the time you think you are going to have to buy a wig, it will stop. That's my public service announcement for today 😁

What! Wow never heard that one so thanks for the heads-up. Covid is just the gift that keeps on giving isn't it.

netitheyeti · January 2021

joyanna2016 wrote: »

I had it in the summer and for me while I got to feeling 90% better in about a week, it took me about a month to recuperate that last 10% with not every day being the same feeling of wellness. Please know ..... attention women ...... your hair will thin ..... a lot ....about 2 months after you have covid!! I was totally taken off guard by this and was so scared that my diet was causing it. So, don't be alarmed when that happens. And about the time you think you are going to have to buy a wig, it will stop. That's my public service announcement for today 😁

as someone who already has thinning hair due to PCOS that is terrifying! Just spent years trying to grow it out with better care and a healthier diet after I had to chop literally all of it off due to thinning (it was literally maybe an inch long for a while)

haven't had covid myself, but a coworker did, she's still feeling super tired, dizzy, coughing etc a month and a half later - an otherwise healthy 28yo

DiscusTank5 · January 2021

My husband and I got it from our 12-year-old. She's over it; we are supposed to be out of isolation after tomorrow. I've had horrible headaches and nasal congestion; the hubs has not but his temperature is at 101-102. I have no sense of taste or smell and I feel tired constantly. A few days ago was the worst: I slept 10 hours during the night, though not a sound sleep, got up for a few hours then went back to bed for another 4. On that note, I think I'll go take a nap! Get well, everyone.

AnnPT77 · January 2021

I'm going to take a chance on posting this here, hoping the OP won't object to the semi-digression:

The US National Institutes of Health (government agency), where an epidemiologist I know works, is seeking people in the US who have had (and tested positive for) COVID-19 for a research study. They want to analyze DNA and health history of these people, and use the data to find biomarkers that influence the severity of symptoms.

There are some basic eligibility criteria, and those selected would need to provide blood or saliva samples, complete a health history questionnaire (phone or online), and share symptom/health info for a period of 30-60 days. Compensation up to $70 may be provided. More info here: https://service.cancer.gov/covidcode

I'd ask those not interested to scroll by, please don't spam-flag. This info was spam-flagged on another Covid thread here, so I requested moderator review myself, and the spam flags were removed. From that, I'd conclude that sharing this information on Covid threads here is acceptable under MFP terms of service.

Thanks for your patience: I hope all of us would be interested in scientific research that contributes to better understanding Covid, whether we're personally interesting in participating in a study, or not.

hungrywombat · January 2021

AnnPT77 wrote: »

I'm going to take a chance on posting this here, hoping the OP won't object to the semi-digression:

The US National Institutes of Health (government agency), where an epidemiologist I know works, is seeking people in the US who have had (and tested positive for) COVID-19 for a research study. They want to analyze DNA and health history of these people, and use the data to find biomarkers that influence the severity of symptoms.

There are some basic eligibility criteria, and those selected would need to provide blood or saliva samples, complete a health history questionnaire (phone or online), and share symptom/health info for a period of 30-60 days. Compensation up to $70 may be provided. More info here: https://service.cancer.gov/covidcode

I'd ask those not interested to scroll by, please don't spam-flag. This info was spam-flagged on another Covid thread here, so I requested moderator review myself, and the spam flags were removed. From that, I'd conclude that sharing this information on Covid threads here is acceptable under MFP terms of service.

Thanks for your patience: I hope all of us would be interested in scientific research that contributes to better understanding Covid, whether we're personally interesting in participating in a study, or not.

That sounds really interesting - the more data there is, the better we will understand it. I'm not in the US but am going to look into similar studies here. I feel like more data is needed on the young-ish/healthy/struggling category.

Theo166 · January 2021

After COVID my main side effect was to easily feel winded or short of breath. I was only going for moderate walks before and after, not a serious exercise routine. I'd say it took 4 wks after I recovered before I stopped feeling like there was an impact.

Bouncing back after Covid

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