Does anyone else feel like exercising makes your symptoms worse?

Me, too! I rode stationary bike 15 minutes and did several Nautilus arm machines on Monday and felt great. Got home an my whole body was very weak, especially my legs. After lunch I could not stay awake. Went sound to sleep around 5 PM and woke up at 8PM. I slept so hard I didn’t know where I was at first. Ate something, and went to bed for the night around 10 PM.
I have been extremely tired since, falling asleep while watching tv morning and afternoon.
Today is Thursday, and I am debating whether to go to the gym today or wait til tomorrow.
Before Covid infection October 2021, I went to the gym three times a week, rode bike 20 to 30 minutes, and did full arm and leg Nautilus workout.
I am very discouraged!
Had six month exam with my regular physician this week and all test are normal,
I am 85 years old.

I'm so sorry for your situation. The only good news in all these reported conditions is that we are not alone in our fight against PASC. Staying in touch with others is good therapy.

I’ve read from several posts that if you exercise you will end up crashing the next day. Have to take it slow and easy.

Yes to your question and it sounds like PEM (Post Exertional Malaise). Have read where lots of Long Haulers, including myself, experience. this. -Denise

Yes. I have learned to pace myself. Some days I can walk unassisted, some days I can’t.it can be hard to say stop when you are feeling better, but I’ve learned if I don’t , the next day or days are horrid. Start small, and relish the accomplishment.

All of this is true for me also. I was exercising for an hour 5 days a week and just walking around the house now tires me. I have many of the common complaints of long covid sufferers, but this debilitating fatigue and weakness are the worst. I also am learning I have to pace myself. I attend church when possible and know I will have two days down to recover. I like what someone said: you have a certain amount of gas in the tank each week and you must plan how and when to use it. I am 85. This exacerbates aging. Eight months in. Refuse to let depression take hold. Sharing helps a lot.

I have low grade fever with any exercise at all. And the fever causes malaise/fatigue and disorientation/brain fog.
Covid August 2022 and long Covid to follow and still with me April 2023.
It is my understanding that any increased heart rate causes inflammation, and inflammation causes any of the organ systems one's particular long Covid has affected to jump into action. Cardiac, neuro, respiratory, etc.

I agree. I am one year out from my second round of LC, and have PEM, POTS, and all the other vague symptoms that are autoimmune mediated. I was an avid exerciser, who was running, and doing HIIT classes 5-7 days a week. I am now back to where I was except having to really manage fluids and electrolytes. Yesterday was a bad day. I was already dehydrated from having a few drinks with friends the night before. I did not hydrate prior to my 5 mile run, and paid for it the rest of the day. After several rounds of liquid IV and rest, I felt much better. It will be lifelong I am afraid.

Here this morning i watered lawn where we had a sewer line repair done....spread mole repellent and went to get new tags for camper and truck...As i type this i am breathing heavy and drinking a ton of fluids as my mouth i so dry.
I could barely get those few easy tasks done.
before getting covid i could go from sun up to sundown and now i can only do the bare minimum and have to hire things to be done i used to do myself.
It is a shame to have to budget for things you used to tackle yourself.

I relate to your comments. I guess we just need to do all we can to manage our energy (I used to speed around doing everything) now I have yet yet gotten back up to 1/4 speed.
What a sneaky freaking disease! Sharing with others helps.