I am so damn tired

Sadly extreme exhaustion is part of Long COVID. To manage it, I take low dose naltrexone that helps me have deep sleep when I can sleep. I also limit my activity. I do no more than 20 minutes at a time. When I say activity, it could be washing dishes, doing laundry, cooking if I can stand the smell and actually crave food. The more you push, the more your body will fall apart. I tried pushing through this for a long time. I just ended up bedridden and miserable for days. It does really help to limit your activity. Good luck. I am sorry, you are going through this.

I had it after covid in March. It took 8 months, but I'm now back to normal (69 yo female who was an exercise fiend). Covid resulted in exercise-induced fatigue and cardiovascular problems. The cardiologist had me take baby aspirin to thin the blood (microclots). Check with a doctor first. I only did aerobic exercise in small bits with 20 minute rests between (short walks, cleaning...) and didn't start to ramp up workouts until a few months after covid and I was better. Resistence exercise didn't seem to be hit (weights are good for keeping muscle).

When you are tired, rest. Covid is a nasty disease and it is a waiting game. It helps if you get enough sleep, keep a food log (some folk get food intolerances after viral infections), stay hydrated, and try to escape mentally as much as you can (apocalypse movies not so good). Here are NIH and a PBS articles on long covid exercise intolerance: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10310058/ https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/01/09/1223077307/long-covid-exercise-post-exertional-malaise-mitochondria

emhottch, Boy does COVID do a number on your energy level....I understand. It took me a few months to get energy & for the brain fog to get better. I would do a few things.....rest.....do a few things....rest. Doing a load of laundry was exhausting. Loading the dishwasher and wiping down the sinks & countertop was exhausting. I also had double pneumonia, asthmatic bronchitis & sinus infection with COVID. I have never been so tired in my life. I turned the ringer off on the phone and would take several naps a day. Guess what? Little by little, my energy level picked up. I was diagnosed with Long Covid last year and I still feel the effects of COVID. Energy wise, I am stll not 100%, but, so much better. It was a fatigue like I have never felt before with COVID. I compare the fatigue to how you feel after anesthesia from a long surgery. Exhausted. Praying for you. It's going to get better. It just takes time. Blessings for the New Year!

I was diagnosed with Covid on the 27th of Dec. I don't remember Christmas Day, the 26th, the 27th or the 28th. When they found me I was unconscious, pneumonia, sepsis and starting organ failure. I was intubated for 4 days and now home. I'm 75 and doctors tell me they don't know what I'm doing but to keep doing it as I'm doing so well. Well, don't feel so well. The exhaustion is overwhelming at times. I have no interest in TV, and use to play games to keep my mind sharp but that's gone now. I am trying to read and my son who knows pulmonary docs told me to walk so I do walk alot and try and keep busy. Thank God I'm still interested in my hobbies as that keeps me busy. Has anyone tried finding a long term covid doctor. I have appointments with cardio, pulmonary, GI, etc. but feel like having a doctor who understands more of what's going on would be better. Also read something this morning about how they now know what it affects in the brain. I use to be a go getter and always running somewhere...now just taking it easy and enjoying life even with all the side effects as I was told another 1/2 hour and I would have died. My thoughts to everyone who is going through this. Plus I had 5 covid shots and my doctor told me my case was the first she's seen since she worked in NYC.

Thank you so much for giving me some hope!

This helps so much. I have been terrified that this will never end. It's only been 7 weeks since I was so sick and on my own to even try and feed myself. I needed the reminder to stay hydrated. Even that is a struggle. I'm gaining hope from those who have answered!
I have even stopped watching CSI before bed😊

Thanks so much. I've had fibromyalgia for 30 years and it took me so long to learn not to push myself, that is the best advice I've been reminded of now!

I was a high energy, go - go - go person. This was really hard to come to terms with. I am glad I have. I am researching my family history which is something I can do while sitting but find interesting and can put down and walk away from whenever. Whatever you can find to do to make you happy the better! I wish you luck. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, neuropathy, POTS, gastroparesis, and on and on. My good days are when I have to deal with the least amount of symptoms, pain is less, and I can eat one meal and enjoy it. These days keep me going. It is amazing how much pain and other issues you can learn to live with.

Yes, having fibromyalgia, I have learned to live with a lot of discomfort. These post COVID symptoms piled on top of chronic illness are a weight hard to bear.
I do beading so have started making simple jewelry just to feel like I'm accomplishing something.

I’m in my 4th year of long COVID. I’m exhausted all the time. I miss my old life so much! I was an avid hiker, and now walking a mile or so exhausts me. At this point I feel like I’m never going to recover and be myself again. I’m sure many of you can relate.