Dr Ro Smith

Cannot stress this enough: if you think you have Long COVID: DO NOT EXERCISE.

I know it feels like you can, but post-exertional malaise means that the damage you do when you exercise you may not feel for a day or two. Exercising makes you WORSE. It causes damaging chemical reactions. And the first six months (when you probably haven't got a diagnosis) are your best shot at recovery, but only if you REST. Completely.

I despair when I see people say they think they have LC and then go jogging.

Aug 29, 2023 at 5:50pmWeb
Show threadDr Ro SmithAug 29, 2023

You are ONLY hurting yourself. I know it goes against everything you've been taught about exercise, but DO NOT exercise.

This is coming from someone who was encouraged to keep exercising and has now been sick for 11 years.

Don't do it! Whatever little bump you think you'll get as a benefit isn't worth it! Do. Not.

Show threadcrockettAug 29, 2023
@Rhube I had CFS/ME and I strongly suspect it was caused by not resting after a viral infection and that the only reason I got better was that I did manage to get prolonged rest eventually. I've heard that only about 5% of people with CFS/ME recover.
Show threadDr Ro SmithAug 29, 2023
@crockett Yup. That sounds about right. I'm trying to negotiate some rest with work now, but it's likely too late for me, 11 years in.
Show threadcrockettAug 30, 2023
@Rhube I had it for several years before recuperating, so it could still be possible?
Show threadNazaniAug 29, 2023
@Rhube
What about stretches? Tai Chi or other non-aerobic limbering?
Is it safe to use a incentive spirometer?
Show threadDr Ro SmithAug 30, 2023

@Nazani I have no idea what that is. I'm sorry, as I say, I am not a medical professional I have shared a summary of what I know in response to others and pointed to th RemissionBiome Twitter account for more info. They have a huge number of links and accessible videos with information.

Th important thing to recognise is that th bodies of people with PEM start behaving like they are doing high-stress anaerobic exercise at th drop of a hat. Normal, non-exercise activities like reading and>

Show threadDr Ro SmithAug 30, 2023
@Nazani >sitting up can trigger it. If your heart rate is 15 points about your resting heart rate, you've likely entered the PEM zone. So, for my money, I wouldn't risk it. Get a heart rate monitor and make your own judgements. But if you are flabby for 6 months and not bedridden for 12 years, that is worth it.
Show threadLisPiAug 30, 2023
@Rhube I feel like lack of an early detection might cause some serious issues in averting this scenario.
Show threadDr Ro SmithAug 29, 2023

this has gone outside my circle, so just for info: my doctorate is in philosophy, my medical knowledge comes from having had ME/CFS for 11 years and long COVID since April 2020, and reading a lot of research this year.

Follow RemissionBiome on Twitter for frequent detailed info about LC and ME/CFS research. haha, yes, I know, Twitter, but they won't come to Mastodon - a lot of disabled people have entrenched communities over there and not a lot of spoons to learn about 'instances' etc.

Show threadDr Ro SmithAug 30, 2023
I'm muting this thread now.
Show threadCharlieGAug 30, 2023

@ifixcoinops

Everyone’s experience is different, but I’m not sure this is good advice.

Here’s an article examining the issue:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9170595/

Return to exercise post-COVID-19 infection: A pragmatic approach in mid-2022

PubMed Central (PMC)
Show threadSeán FenianAug 30, 2023
@Rhube Thanks for the heads-up. DID NOT know that.
Show threadJeffrey GoldbergAug 30, 2023
@Rhube @lydiaschoch, I mostly go napping.
Show threadPatrickleeAug 30, 2023

@Rhube my dad had Covid before Covid was a thing.

He’s dead.

Show threadJohan PaulAug 30, 2023
@Rhube When you say "causes damaging chemical reactions", what do you mean more specifically?
Show threadeena meena meAug 30, 2023

@Rhube i did fuck the first six months i got Covid first.

The second time around, i was "fine" after 3 months.
So, my body has mostly recovered, and my brain is mostly Swiss cheese.

Show threadPseudandry Aug 30, 2023
@Rhube I got covid the first time and was able to rest. No issues 6 months later. Caught it a second time and had to return to work within the month at a very physically active job, and 2 years later I'm still feeling the effects of that mistake