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Any experience with Post-exertion Malaise (PEM) symptom of Long Covid?
Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 | Last Active: May 6 9:02pm | Replies (35)Comment receiving replies
With PEM, mostly pacing, getting enough sleep (including naps), eating well (covid can cause new food intolerances), and finding fun distractions from LC. I got covid in March of 2023, was vaxed 6 mo. before, but exposed to a high viral load. LC was mostly PEM and cardiovascular. I had to step back from aerobic exercise until the heart issues ended, about 8 mo. It is helpful to keep a journal, to see what level exertion causes you to bonk on that or the next day. Before, I biked +100 mi/week, now I take short rides and walks, with a lot of breaks to control my level of exertion. Resistance training doesn't cause PEM in me, so I lift weights and other strength building. One possibility with PEM is that the virus makes changes to the mitochondria, the energy centers of cells. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9383197/
Replies to "With PEM, mostly pacing, getting enough sleep (including naps), eating well (covid can cause new food..."
To kayabbott —
Thank you for the link to the NIH article about PEM. I read it with interest, for 2 reasons:
1. PEM is my primary LC symptom, I’ve had it for a year, now.
2. In a clinical trial in 2024, I periodically completed some of the same questionnaires that are discussed in the article.
I was happy to learn that resistance training doesn’t trigger PEM, for you. I’ll try it (cautiously).
— friedrich
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Thank you. Walking has always been my exercise-5 miles per day for 5 days per week for over 20 years. I tried walking last week…wonderful to be outside…bit over half mile and by afternoon, I was in bed with debilitating fatigue and there for three days. I am learning. I think I have three levels of fatigue. Started a journal this morning….sleep remains a problem for me even with meds. Beginning a pacing system as well. Thanks again, it so helpful to hear from others.