Frump to Fab 2023

sugarbaby125

Purple pixie, it is hard to get Covid really badly and pneumonia. I believe you then had Long Covid and may still be suffering from it. 

The same happened to me and 2 of my sisters. 

I still suffer from extreme exhaustion at times, which seems to be the longest lasting effect of Long Covid. I had 10.5 hours sleep last night and still woke up feeling like I had not slept at all. 

The brain fog and the other symptoms that I suffered after having Covid, the Long Covid have gone, so take heart. For some of us the struggle is a long, hard road, but eventually we get to a place in our lives, where we feel like our old selves once again. 

Purple Pixie, the best thing about Karaoke, is that the ability to hold a tune is not necessary. The singers of all abilities are applauded and cheered at Karaoke. If anyone has the guts to get up and attempt a song, they deserve respect. 

thepurplepixie

Sugarbaby it is the tiredness that is so awful isn't it.  I slept for ten hours yesterday and then 3 hrs this afternoon.  My doctor says it is a balance of trying to do enough to keep a certain level of fitness without doing so much that it makes you exhausted.  The problem is everything seems to make me exhausted. 

It is encouraging that you are feeling a lot better.  Did you have any medication?   I'm currently having high levels of vitamin D and also folates but my iron levels are high which is weird as I've been anaemic for most of my life.  I'm also taking something for allergies as I have unbearable itching, it is driving me insane and nothing seems to help, I've had various creams but nothing seems to help and there is no rash.  

I don't think I've got the guts to get up and sing, the nuns did a number on me at primary school and convinced me I shouldn't and couldn't sing.  I probably need therapy.

sheilavw

just catching up. So sorry to hear about the long covid and pneumonia Purplepixie. I too had brain fog after I caught covid in March, but seem ok now. I am back to work tomorrow, tbh l like the routine. Looking forward to filling my calendar. I started today with a coffee with an old school friend. I have a meal booked Wed. Another friends asked if I want to go to a Northern soul show at the local theatre towards the end of the month. I am always glad when Winter is over.

sugarbaby125

Purple Pixie, I had to have a short course of a high dose of vitamin D last year. 

It is extreme fatigue, which is different to just being tired or normal exhaustion. I have got used to it and no longer allow the fatigue to dictate what I can do. 

Since having Long Covid, I have developed a severe allergy to king prawns and to mixed nuts. Never had an allergy to either before 2022, I only used to suffer hay fever and not even every year. My sister H, is completely plagued with all types of allergies now, despite being referring to a specialist allergy consultant in the NHS. I realised when I came out in severe itching and blotches on my body, that I was having a severe allergic reaction, so I took 2 of my normal antihistamines that I just buy from Poundland and they stopped the reaction. The mixed nuts reaction also caused swelling in my throat and left me fighting to breathe, but again 2 antihistamines did the job, it just took a bit longer than when I ate the jumbo king prawns in a home made stir fry. 

My sister H was at a family funeral last year and forgot to pack her prescribed allergy medication in her handbag. She started to have an allergic reaction at the wake, so I gave her 2 or my antihistamines and they worked so quickly for her, she was shocked. They worked far more effectively than the much more heavy dosage she had been prescribed by the allergy consultant. I never go anywhere without antihistamines in my handbag. I have to be prepared.

My brain fog was so bad that I despaired of ever being able to read again, let alone write again, yet last year, I was able to do a playwriting course and I can enjoy reading a wide range of books, magazines and newspapers. 

It is great that the NHS doctors and consultants are collating information about Long Covid and understanding that those of us who are suffering are reporting our myriad of symptoms accurately. 

Abbafan1972

Does anyone have any suggestions please to beat the January blues? 

After a long Christmas holiday, I do feel really down going back to work! 

xx

Treacle_Toes

Hi, I’ve been reading each year’s thread over the past few years so I thought this is a good time to join!

My aims for the year are to improve my running and to loose a stone - i’m not big to start with but I wobble where id prefer not to.

I love charity shopping and i used to go to them a lot as used to resell to make a bit of pocket money when I only worked part time.  Then just over a year ago I was made redundant after 25 years with the same company.  Fortunately I found another role with a wonderful charity (not in a shop) only 4 weeks later, but it is full time and as a result my side hustle hit the back burner.

I’m pleased to see the end of 2022 - my MIL passed away very suddenly 2 months ago and it has hit my DH very hard.  I’m hoping 2023 is a better year.  We have a lot going on - both will be 50 and our DD will be 16 and take her GCSEs in the summer.  She also has had a rough year - her BF of 2 years dumped her by text when we were on holiday in Dom Rep - we did not see that coming and it really put a dampener on what should have been a holiday of a lifetime.  Everyone has to go through heartbreak at some point, but it was very hard for her being such a long way away.

Today I’ve taken down the decorations, done some strength work and walked the dog.  Back to work tomorrow.

TT

thepurplepixie

Sugarbaby I will have a look when I'm in poundland.  The long covid symptoms are all very strange aren't they.  The exhaustion is way beyond tired isn't it, sometimes I feel like just sitting down and crying.  I hoped when I passed the 1 year anniversary that things would pick up but it is still dragging on, I do have to remind myself that it is better than it was so it is onwards and upwards.

I don't know anyone in real life with long covid so it can feel lonely.  I have taken part in an Oxford Uni study and they were really supportive which was nice.  When I was asked I was happy to do it, anything that adds to our knowledge has to be a good thing.

Abbafan1972

Aww sorry to hear about everyone’s health problems. Hopefully 2023 will be much better for everyone. 

@Treacle_Toes sorry to hear about your MIL and what happened to your daughter - what an awful thing for her boyfriend to do. 

xx

Watty1

Thank you for the welcome.  My hair is beyond volumising products I think as it is so thin in places.  Later this year I will try and find some shops where I can try on wigs and toppers.

Having joined in I decided to see what I could do to make a start and decided to clear the drawer out beside the bed, sort out medication and start taking that properly.  That made me consider the bedroom and en-suite.  I spend most of my time there when the ex is in the house (long story that one) and I felt it could be more hotel like, so I tidied up and found some perfume for tomorrow.   Went out so grabbed a dress from washing bin, would have done washing but the boyfriend is using the machine to do his mothers laundry and now I have her wet washing everywhere.   I realise he wanted to return it dry but suggested he take most of it back and dry it in her tumble dryer.    I felt uncharitable but there is a limit to what I can cope with right now and whilst is mother is undoubtedly ill there is a fully functioning washing machine and tumble dryer in her kitchen and they could be used there.

Washing and putting clothes away ready to be worn is on the agenda for tomorrow along with sorting out those that no longer really fit.  Those need to be sold or donated as they are making me feel worse as they remind me how much weight I have gained.

cinnamon123

Abbafan1972 said:

Does anyone have any suggestions please to beat the January blues? 

After a long Christmas holiday, I do feel really down going back to work! 

xx

I think one of the quickest ways to change your mood is music. I won't offer any suggestions as everyone has their own tastes but putting on some upbeat music and doing a little dance can lift the mood pretty quickly (okay to do it when you are alone if you don't want anyone to see you moving and shaking ). 

Another suggestion is to ask around for some comedy suggestions (movies and sitcoms) and sprinkle those throughout the month. I find that watching older comedy movies (produced 15+ years ago) that I've already seen and know that I liked can really boost my mood.