PEM Post-Covid?

[Anonymous]

I recently recovered from Covid (3 weeks ago). I exercised consistently before Covid (mix of weight training, HIIT, and steady state). I find now my metrics are the same for cardio precovid but I am exhausted after the cardio. It seems to line up with post-exertion malaise (PEM). I literally fall asleep at my desk.

If you had this or experienced the exhaustion after cardio what did you do or when will it go away?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for defining PEM!

[Anonymous]

Give it time. Don't go so hard. Your body is still recovering. And drink a lot of water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently recovered from Covid (3 weeks ago). I exercised consistently before Covid (mix of weight training, HIIT, and steady state). I find now my metrics are the same for cardio precovid but I am exhausted after the cardio. It seems to line up with post-exertion malaise (PEM). I literally fall asleep at my desk.

If you had this or experienced the exhaustion after cardio what did you do or when will it go away?

Yes. I had this problem. Try seeing if you can work up to it. Start with a relaxed 15 minute walk. Do that for two days, then increase to 30 for two days, then 45 for two days. If you can’t do this, set up an appointment with your doctor. It may be you just need more time, or, you may need to have your blood work checked for any issues. My kidneys were stressed for a while after the acute phase, and I had a hard time with exertion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently recovered from Covid (3 weeks ago). I exercised consistently before Covid (mix of weight training, HIIT, and steady state). I find now my metrics are the same for cardio precovid but I am exhausted after the cardio. It seems to line up with post-exertion malaise (PEM). I literally fall asleep at my desk.

If you had this or experienced the exhaustion after cardio what did you do or when will it go away?

Yes. I had this problem. Try seeing if you can work up to it. Start with a relaxed 15 minute walk. Do that for two days, then increase to 30 for two days, then 45 for two days. If you can’t do this, set up an appointment with your doctor. It may be you just need more time, or, you may need to have your blood work checked for any issues. My kidneys were stressed for a while after the acute phase, and I had a hard time with exertion.

OP here. Oh thanks! I appreciate your reply. Yes, I have kidney damage from Covid. I have an appt to discuss my kidneys with a doctor in a month.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you are having PEM and are only a few weeks out from COVID, it is really too early to exercise. I just had this discussion with my doc who advised to wait longer to fully recover before going back to exercise. 6-12 weeks, then try slowly ramping up activity from zero - not from your pre COVID level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you are having PEM and are only a few weeks out from COVID, it is really too early to exercise. I just had this discussion with my doc who advised to wait longer to fully recover before going back to exercise. 6-12 weeks, then try slowly ramping up activity from zero - not from your pre COVID level.

Thank you! I have had zero guidance from doctors beyond “go see someone about your kidneys.” I appreciate you posting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently recovered from Covid (3 weeks ago). I exercised consistently before Covid (mix of weight training, HIIT, and steady state). I find now my metrics are the same for cardio precovid but I am exhausted after the cardio. It seems to line up with post-exertion malaise (PEM). I literally fall asleep at my desk.

If you had this or experienced the exhaustion after cardio what did you do or when will it go away?

Yes. I had this problem. Try seeing if you can work up to it. Start with a relaxed 15 minute walk. Do that for two days, then increase to 30 for two days, then 45 for two days. If you can’t do this, set up an appointment with your doctor. It may be you just need more time, or, you may need to have your blood work checked for any issues. My kidneys were stressed for a while after the acute phase, and I had a hard time with exertion.

OP here. Oh thanks! I appreciate your reply. Yes, I have kidney damage from Covid. I have an appt to discuss my kidneys with a doctor in a month.

OP, how did you find out you have kidney damage? I have been finding cardio tough since Covid as well ( also a few weeks out). I have exercised vigorously for many years and have a strong base but have had to dial back. But the kidneys thing concerns me. Do you have symptoms other than exhaustion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently recovered from Covid (3 weeks ago). I exercised consistently before Covid (mix of weight training, HIIT, and steady state). I find now my metrics are the same for cardio precovid but I am exhausted after the cardio. It seems to line up with post-exertion malaise (PEM). I literally fall asleep at my desk.

If you had this or experienced the exhaustion after cardio what did you do or when will it go away?

Yes. I had this problem. Try seeing if you can work up to it. Start with a relaxed 15 minute walk. Do that for two days, then increase to 30 for two days, then 45 for two days. If you can’t do this, set up an appointment with your doctor. It may be you just need more time, or, you may need to have your blood work checked for any issues. My kidneys were stressed for a while after the acute phase, and I had a hard time with exertion.

OP here. Oh thanks! I appreciate your reply. Yes, I have kidney damage from Covid. I have an appt to discuss my kidneys with a doctor in a month.

OP, how did you find out you have kidney damage? I have been finding cardio tough since Covid as well ( also a few weeks out). I have exercised vigorously for many years and have a strong base but have had to dial back. But the kidneys thing concerns me. Do you have symptoms other than exhaustion?

Doctor did a blood test. I assume (haven’t seen specialist yet) it will improve over time. No clue? And nope, no symptoms beyond exhaustion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently recovered from Covid (3 weeks ago). I exercised consistently before Covid (mix of weight training, HIIT, and steady state). I find now my metrics are the same for cardio precovid but I am exhausted after the cardio. It seems to line up with post-exertion malaise (PEM). I literally fall asleep at my desk.

If you had this or experienced the exhaustion after cardio what did you do or when will it go away?

Yes. I had this problem. Try seeing if you can work up to it. Start with a relaxed 15 minute walk. Do that for two days, then increase to 30 for two days, then 45 for two days. If you can’t do this, set up an appointment with your doctor. It may be you just need more time, or, you may need to have your blood work checked for any issues. My kidneys were stressed for a while after the acute phase, and I had a hard time with exertion.

OP here. Oh thanks! I appreciate your reply. Yes, I have kidney damage from Covid. I have an appt to discuss my kidneys with a doctor in a month.

OP, how did you find out you have kidney damage? I have been finding cardio tough since Covid as well ( also a few weeks out). I have exercised vigorously for many years and have a strong base but have had to dial back. But the kidneys thing concerns me. Do you have symptoms other than exhaustion?

Doctor did a blood test. I assume (haven’t seen specialist yet) it will improve over time. No clue? And nope, no symptoms beyond exhaustion.

Thank you for this info. Good to know. Hope your specialist appt goes well and is helpful!

[Anonymous]

I am a poster that had stressed kidneys; my blood work had high potassium (above the normal range).