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Any tips to help recovery for a COVID Long-Hauler?

Posted by Cilla21 @cilla21, May 13, 2021

I was diagnosed with COVID-19 at the end of Feb 2021. Nearly three months later, neither my taste nor smell has been fully restored. My husband also tested positive and was completely out of it for one full week. He could not even get out of bed. My case seemed to be mild. Though I felt ill, I was not bed-ridden nor did I feel debilitated. Most of my activities (household and work) were not halted. My husband has zero lingering effects from his infection, meanwhile I am still experiencing chills, headaches, fatigue, and body aches on and off weekly. Additionally, I'm undergoing testing for heart valve issues. It's becoming increasingly difficult to tolerate these lasting symptoms with no end in sight. Any suggestions/tips to aid in a faster recovery would be welcomed and very much appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 22, 2022
In reply to @prancer20 "I tested positive for Covid on Wednesday, Dec 7, and finally negative on Monday, the 19th...." + (show)
@prancer20

I tested positive for Covid on Wednesday, Dec 7, and finally negative on Monday, the 19th. I feel better of course, but still suffer from on and off fatigue as I try to gradually transition into my normal activities. I assume this is a normal part pf recovery for some people. Is there any average amount of time that it may take before I feel more "normal." How long is the recovery before they call it long Covid?

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@prancer20, I'll let other members respond with their experiences with fatigue. It can take a while.

It can take up to three weeks to recover from a COVID-19 infection. Mayo Clinic defines post COVID-19 syndrome as symptoms that continue four or more weeks after the start of a COVID-19 infection, identified by either symptom onset or a positive COVD-19 test. Others define long COVID anywhere between 4-12 weeks after infection.

I think you'll find some tips and answers in these related expert blogs:
- 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/
- Early Care Tips for COVID Longhaulers https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/post-covid-recovery/newsfeed-post/early-care-tips-for-covid-longhaulers/

REPLY
RR | @rachelr | Dec 22, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome, @juni888. I moved your message to this existing discussion: - Any tips to help recovery..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Welcome, @juni888. I moved your message to this existing discussion:
- Any tips to help recovery for a COVID Long-Hauler? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/long-hauler/

Reading through the discussion is a good place to start and to connect with others. You may wish to browse through recent discussion in the Post-COVID Recovery group too https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/post-covid-recovery-covid-19/

What is your most challenging change? What helps you recover?

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Just about every other day, I have flu like symptoms. I feel tired, on & off headache, nausea & fatigue. On the good days, I feel like I am truly getting better. January 5th will be 4 months since being diagnosed with COVID. It is a slow process. I drink ginger tea for the nausea & am eating only healthy foods- lots of fruits & vegetables( cooked) and wild fish. It is pretty much the Mediterranean diet.
RR

REPLY
1 reply
sunny8 | @sunny8 | Dec 23, 2022
In reply to @rachelr "Just about every other day, I have flu like symptoms. I feel tired, on & off..." + (show)
@rachelr

Just about every other day, I have flu like symptoms. I feel tired, on & off headache, nausea & fatigue. On the good days, I feel like I am truly getting better. January 5th will be 4 months since being diagnosed with COVID. It is a slow process. I drink ginger tea for the nausea & am eating only healthy foods- lots of fruits & vegetables( cooked) and wild fish. It is pretty much the Mediterranean diet.
RR

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Try to exercise. Total 30 min per day. To chase the covid symptoms away.
It will strengthen your body to fight it.

REPLY
2 replies
RR | @rachelr | Dec 23, 2022
In reply to @sunny8 "Try to exercise. Total 30 min per day. To chase the covid symptoms away. It will..." + (show)
@sunny8

Try to exercise. Total 30 min per day. To chase the covid symptoms away.
It will strengthen your body to fight it.

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I bring sneakers & walk 30 minutes every day over my lunch hour. Some days I can do a nice walk no problem, other days it is a struggle. I have so many long haul symptoms including nausea, dizziness, exhaustion & neuropathy. The symptoms come & go. The headaches & brain fog have gotten much better, but I feel flu like often. It is a very strange virus.
Thanks for the reply.
RR

REPLY
joansmurphy | @joansmurphy | Dec 26, 2022
In reply to @sunny8 "Try to exercise. Total 30 min per day. To chase the covid symptoms away. It will..." + (show)
@sunny8

Try to exercise. Total 30 min per day. To chase the covid symptoms away.
It will strengthen your body to fight it.

Jump to this post

Got Covid Thanksgiving of 2021. Slept 16-20 hours a day, ate minimally. The summer humidity caused severe shortness of breath. I go to PT 3x/ wk. since the end of September. The first couple months, I got stronger but it didn’t translate to my daily activities. I was still exhausted all the time. December has been a turning point. Getting a lot better. Still have to build up my stamina but finally feeling like myself again. My physical therapist helped me so much, so much more than my 6 different doctors (internist, pulmonary, cardiology, neurology, GI & rheumatologist. Find a good patient physical therapist. He saved my life.

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