Vigorous hard work. Exercise, although not necessarily aerobic, helped me. Big time.
This may be counter-intuetive. I forced myself against my mind's resistance
The result was dramatic I did not have to wait long for feedback. I went to bed feeling better. I woke up like Rip Van Winklie.
Once only? No. The LC comes slowly back so now I am hopelessly addicted to physical activity. Remodelling shovellingg snow. Wading and rowing and fishing
I am not making this up i am not the only one although I am one of the first. I got Covid Mar 2020
You may not like this part. I gave up tobacco (the occasional chew), alcohol and caffeine I was desperate. It all helped a little, although not (nearly) as much as exercise.
I read rumors hear about nicotine. I bought a 6 dollar cigar and enjoyed a chew Boom. 100%
Nicotine makes the body/mind feel better. That's why it's addictive
But this was way beyond that Eexercise AND nicotine essentially cured me. I bought some gum. No more cigars
One pill every morning. Bust my rear end. I feel so so so much better
Fatigue is a big problem for me also. I started taking 10 mg Escitalopram in 2023 and that helped me with my mood and to get moving. This summer I started a supplement called Urgent Energy by Andrew Lessman. It has several ingredients. It took about 6 weeks for me to notice a real difference but even though I still have some fatigue, I have alot more energy.
Vigorous hard work. Exercise, although not necessarily aerobic, helped me. Big time.
This may be counter-intuetive. I forced myself against my mind's resistance
The result was dramatic I did not have to wait long for feedback. I went to bed feeling better. I woke up like Rip Van Winklie.
Once only? No. The LC comes slowly back so now I am hopelessly addicted to physical activity. Remodelling shovellingg snow. Wading and rowing and fishing
I am not making this up i am not the only one although I am one of the first. I got Covid Mar 2020
Stressfuii office work does not work. Rake leaves shovel snow chop wood. Your body and mind will blow an alarm siren. Tell yourself to get lost. Do it anyway.
You will feel better in less than an hour. I am NOT the only one who tells this story.
You may not like this part. I gave up tobacco (the occasional chew), alcohol and caffeine I was desperate. It all helped a little, although not (nearly) as much as exercise.
I read rumors hear about nicotine. I bought a 6 dollar cigar and enjoyed a chew Boom. 100%
Nicotine makes the body/mind feel better. That's why it's addictive
But this was way beyond that Eexercise AND nicotine essentially cured me. I bought some gum. No more cigars
One pill every morning. Bust my rear end. I feel so so so much better
@spittendrigh, like @klf58, I'm glad to read that physical activity really helps you. And in your case, mind over matter was a key ingredient to driving your path forward.
However, it's important to note, that people who are managing post-exertional malaise (PEM) can experience a worsening of symptoms or illness after physical or cognitive exertion. This includes activities that they were previously able to tolerate well before Long COVID.
As always, one size does not fit all. That's why we share our experiences with each other.
@buttongwinette, Mayo Clinic also recommends, when you start exercising post COVID, to start a gradual increase in exercise.
"If you have recovered from mild to moderate disease and have not required hospitalization, then start slowly with a week of low level stretching and strengthening. If this goes well, then try slow walking with gradual increase, or take longer rest periods if the symptoms worsen. Avoid high-intensity training or prolonged exercise initially.
@spittendrigh, you're right that moderate is hard to define and may be different for everyone, depending on severity of illness, age, fitness and activity level prior to getting COVID, presence of other chronic conditions etc.
I admire your commitment to doing what is right for you. Everyone has to listen to the signals their body gives them.
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You may not like this part. I gave up tobacco (the occasional chew), alcohol and caffeine I was desperate. It all helped a little, although not (nearly) as much as exercise.
I read rumors hear about nicotine. I bought a 6 dollar cigar and enjoyed a chew Boom. 100%
Nicotine makes the body/mind feel better. That's why it's addictive
But this was way beyond that Eexercise AND nicotine essentially cured me. I bought some gum. No more cigars
One pill every morning. Bust my rear end. I feel so so so much better
M
Fatigue is a big problem for me also. I started taking 10 mg Escitalopram in 2023 and that helped me with my mood and to get moving. This summer I started a supplement called Urgent Energy by Andrew Lessman. It has several ingredients. It took about 6 weeks for me to notice a real difference but even though I still have some fatigue, I have alot more energy.
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2 Reactionsglad it is working for you. I have severe PEM and can barely drag myself through full-time work. everyone is different
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3 ReactionsI doubt it. Forcing myself to do PHYSICAL work took overwhelming determination.
It starts with you telling your own mind and instincts to take a hike.
What if you had fatigue when a bear was charging? You would find a way. And then a reward.
Stressfuii office work does not work. Rake leaves shovel snow chop wood. Your body and mind will blow an alarm siren. Tell yourself to get lost. Do it anyway.
You will feel better in less than an hour. I am NOT the only one who tells this story.
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2 ReactionsI started nicotine patches 4mg. This is helping my mind and a little energy.
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3 ReactionsI think I read that CDC said moderate exercise better and stay away from vigorous. Anybody else benefit from vigorous?
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2 ReactionsModerate is hard to define. The main thing is do it, even though your mind screams no.
@spittendrigh, like @klf58, I'm glad to read that physical activity really helps you. And in your case, mind over matter was a key ingredient to driving your path forward.
However, it's important to note, that people who are managing post-exertional malaise (PEM) can experience a worsening of symptoms or illness after physical or cognitive exertion. This includes activities that they were previously able to tolerate well before Long COVID.
As always, one size does not fit all. That's why we share our experiences with each other.
@mclelland1958, you may find these articles written by Mayo Clinic to be helpful:
- The Role of Nutrition and Supplements in Managing Chronic Fatigue Post-COVID https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/post-covid-recovery/newsfeed-post/the-role-of-nutrition-and-supplements-in-managing-chronic-fatigue-post-covid/
- Post-COVID Recovery and Self-Care https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/post-covid-recovery/tab/self-care/
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7 Reactions@buttongwinette, Mayo Clinic also recommends, when you start exercising post COVID, to start a gradual increase in exercise.
"If you have recovered from mild to moderate disease and have not required hospitalization, then start slowly with a week of low level stretching and strengthening. If this goes well, then try slow walking with gradual increase, or take longer rest periods if the symptoms worsen. Avoid high-intensity training or prolonged exercise initially.
If you are experiencing residual fatigue, sore throat, back ache, or fever, it is okay to exercise if you only exercise to about 60% of your maximum heart rate (so again no high-intensity exercise), until your symptoms have fully resolved for 2-3 weeks." Read more: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/post-covid-recovery/newsfeed-post/exercise-post-covid/
@spittendrigh, you're right that moderate is hard to define and may be different for everyone, depending on severity of illness, age, fitness and activity level prior to getting COVID, presence of other chronic conditions etc.
I admire your commitment to doing what is right for you. Everyone has to listen to the signals their body gives them.
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6 Reactions