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I probably made my Covid MUCH worse
Hello,
I currently have Covid for the first time. A friend who doesn't mask at all came to visit; I hadn't realized before she arrived that she takes no precautions at all (despite being 82). I should have been more careful. What a massive error on my part. Anyway...
She arrived on a Saturday. She started showing mild cold-like symptoms on Monday. Tuesday she said "I have a cold". Wednesday I began having similar symptoms - mild, cold-like (a bit of sneezing and sniffling). I didn't feel tired. We continued visiting and taking short, slow walks, etc. I did two RAT Covid tests, one on Wed, and one on Fri, to make sure, and both were negative.
She left on the following Saturday and while I still had some symptoms, on the whole I was feeling fine. So I went for a long, vigorous 6 mile walk after she left (a very typical type of daily exercise for me) and the next day, Sunday, I still felt okay in the morning, so I did some weightlifting. Well Sunday afternoon I crashed. Hard. I was shaking, felt nauseous, headache, etc. Went to bed, woke up with a horrific sore throat, chills, body aches, etc. I called the clinic and got signed up to do a PCR test that day at noon. Felt terrible all day.
Next day, I got the PCR results - Covid positive. I did a RAT test and that too, finally, was positive.
I have been horribly sick ever since. As of yesterday I can get out of bed for a couple of hours but then have to go back to bed for a long stretch. My appetite came back a little bit Th and Fri but I seem to have lost it again today although I've eaten a little. I've lost about 10 pounds this week.
So my question is, three parts:
1) Did I make my Covid much worse by exercising on those two days?
2) Have I made it much more likely that I may never recover by compounding the damage to my body goodness knows how much?
3) Other than total rest, does anyone have any recommendations? My nurse here has been useless and my clinic is currently without a doctor.
Thank you so much
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blueislandgirl, These are my thoughts, ok? I have had COVID twice and I have Long Covid.
1) Personally, I do not think you made COVID worse by walking.
2) Sometimes COVID mimics a cold for some on the onset....others get very sick at the onset. Some people
cannot even tell they have COVID.
3) I rested, stayed hydrated and had very little appetite. I had a horrific sinus infection, headaches, bronchitis and double pneumonia with the 1st round of COVID. Check your 02 levels. If you start hurting in your chest,
have trouble getting full breaths or wheezing, get to Urgent Care or the ER. These were symptoms of pneumonia for me.
4) I took Z-Pack & a steroid taper due to all of my issues.
5) I also took Vitamin D, Vitamin C & Zinc. Some folks find alternating Tylenol and Advil help for body aches & fever. I cannot take Advil.
6) I had pre-existing issues before COVID, so it attacked these weak areas.
7) It sounds like you are in good shape. Nobody can tell you if you will have lasting effects from COVID. I am
praying that you do not. Please don't beat yourself up. You didn't know your friend had COVID. COVID waxes
and wanes and in my area, it is on the uptick again. I wear a mask around folks except family due to my
immune system and having Long Covid.
8) I can't stress enough about rest. Rest is healing with COVID. You may need to nap during the day.
9) You may feel better one day and then feel crummy again the next. It's unpredictable.
God Bless You. Praying right now.
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13 Reactions"they" say - don''t "work out" when you are ill. I think a walk around the block so to speak would be good for your respiratory system. Sleep when tired and try Electrolyte drinks and chicken broth or soup. CVS Clinics, if you are close to one - are good and helpful in terms of writing scripts and providing suggestion. They do testing for COVID and Pneumonia. You need to register for an appointment. They are typically manned by NP's. Feel Better - Prayers flowing your way. Also, I suppose you can always call them.
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5 ReactionsJust rest even more than you think you need to! It is so important to ensure your recovery. Lots of fluid including electrolytes as several people get dehydrated and try to push away any stress. Now is the time to be quiet and let your body recover.
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6 ReactionsBlue, how long have you been sick?
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1 ReactionSo true for now. Sleep and rest seem to be the only way to a cure. Along with NO STRESS.
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3 ReactionsThank you so much!!! This is all incredibly helpful. I spent most of the past few days in bed. Today I'm up for a few hours, which feels really good, but I hear you about the rest. I hope you are doing better.
Thank you! I have been taking short walks around my yard when I feel up to it - very short, very slow. I really appreciate your thoughts.
Sweetwater, I'm on my 12th day from first symptoms, 8 days from the "crash". Today is the first day I've been feeling even slightly more normal. Fingers crossed!!
Indeed, everything I read says sleep and rest. The only stress I have is from the Covid! I have to admit on the worst days, I've had stress lying in bed wondering if I'll have to give up my house if I never recover and don't have the energy to take care of it. Or thinking about all the damage Covid is doing to my body *right now*. Things like that. But I'm trying to push those thoughts away. Thank you.
blueislandgirl, So glad you are doing better....answer to prayer. I am doing better with Long
Covid. It takes time. Thank you for asking. Blessings....
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