Coping during the Coronavirus outbreak

[Sophie_M]

We recognise that many of us here in the community are feeling scared, worried and overwhelmed about Coronavirus (COVID19). 

As a result, we created this thread to allow people to come together here during those difficult times and encouraged those wanting to share or seek support to do so here in this space. 
 
It was important with this thread that we maintained perspective and supported each other as best as we could, medical, scientific and public health experts around the world have and still are working hard to contain the virus and treat those affected. 
 
The Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. 
 
There are some other helpful discussions taking place here within our forum community that you may find helpful to read or participate in: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/hi-there-i-only-just-joined-and... 

This thread is now closed for further posting. Users are still able to read through and find support through already existing posts.  

[That Other Guy]

I am also triple vaxed. I am also not paid if i don't work, but I work from home and actually did work with covid, which I got 2 weeks after my vax.

It seems to me the main issue here is that there is too much precarious low paid work nowadays.... We are in the same situation but I am better off because the system is not fair....

[Guest_1584]

Hi Guest and thanks very much .

l'm fine in the C department, other life issues atm, isn't there always eh. Covid wise it's hard to believe it's still reeking havoc tbh though. Thankfully where l am well, it is around but no ones too fussed anymore and just getting on with life. So when l hear reports of numbers in the capitals though and things going on, same with OS reports, it's always a bit of a surprise and also pretty disappointing . l'd hoped going on pasts, this thing would be fizzling out by now. Hope your doing ok.

Hi Paul and thanks very much for the kind words. l hope your doing alright and things have been traveling not to stressfully with your sis and mum.Take care.

RX.

[Fiatlux]

I worked from home for 2 years and did work through a bout of Covid in January this year.

I have returned to working from my office space in March and don’t really want to return to working from home again.

I have noticed that my home power bills have halved since returning to the office.

Honestly it’s not even the money situation that I dread getting Covid again, it’s being sick that really sucks. Recovery took a couple of months.

I used to pride myself on being fit and healthy in past. I have never had the flu. Now I seem to be constantly exhausted.

[blondguy]

Hi Fiatlux

Thankyou for the excellent posts...and for saying 'Covid isnt over yet' You are spot on! I am triple vaxxed and even though fit and active I dont want want these vile symptoms

I still wear my mask when I go to Woolworths as I feel its necessary. The rep that visited your office was triple vaccinated and you had a notification that he returned a positive for covid yet your employer still promotes a mask free workplace?

Only if you wish...could you outline the covid symptoms you experienced as I think that it would be very helpful to provide awareness? If not nor worries at all Fiatlux

Im glad I came across your post as I now will continue to wear my mask...Thankyou so much 🙂

I hope you are doing ok

Paul

[Fiatlux]

It’s now Thursday and I am starting to feel Covid symptoms again.

Sore throat, headache, body aches. Exhausted already.

I am anticipating a weekend in bed.

Going to soldier on and struggle through Friday and hope that this will be better by Monday rather than worse.

[Guest_342]

Any fellow Victorians or friends in NSW, or perhaps further afield, who are still trying to find themselves following two years of on-and-off lockdowns?

I'd love to hear your experiences adjusting e.g. getting back to the office (and commute), socialising, managing emotions and resilience. Or perhaps it gave you time to reflect and consider a more meaningful direction to your life?

I'm not adjusting as I had hoped - I frequently want to cancel social appointments, don't see any sense in commuting for an hour each way to work when I can do the same at home, I have bad sleep hygeine, diet and exercise habits and I'm suffering more easily from stress. I had my first migraine today and thought I was having a stroke or brain bleed, as I didn't recognise the symptoms - all good now but I feel like I'm constantly in flight mode and lack resilience.

I honestly feel traumatised from having lived in Melbourne the last two years and also feel deflated because the city doesn't look pretty at the moment and many of my favourite city businesses have disappeared. I hate that I have to feel bad because these seem like 'first world problems' - they're still problems that affect how we feel.

I also feel frustrated at the eye watering levels of debt that I and future generations will be paying off for the rest of our lives.

I'm angry that lockdowns robbed me of two potential child bearing years. Time stood still but I still aged.

Thanks for listing 🙂

[Fiatlux]

Hi Guest_342

All the terrible things you’ve noted in your post and then some, I have experienced and continue to experience.

I absolutely feel like I have been stuck in some awful parallel universe.

Retuning to my office to work this March and my work pc had 2 years of unread emails on it. Thousands of them.

My health and well-being has suffered. I have been suicidal at times. My health continues to suffer. I still feel that if things aren’t going to get better soon, then I am out of here.

But then again I have 3 children and their 20’s and they are also suffering in many ways. So I keep going for them. I don’t see much of a future for me, except more pain, suffering and health issues.

Yesterday my shoulder started hurting so bad about 2pm for no apparent reason. I have not injured it in anyway. It still hurts this morning. I was unable to shower today and was barely able to dress myself. Still can’t lift my arm without pain. This pain will eventually ease and it will remain a mystery as to why it hurts now.

I haven’t seen a GP face to face for 3 1/2 years and I think what for now, I will probably die anyway. My regular GP has left the clinic and I don’t have the will or energy to find a new one. They will tell me the obvious. I am getting older, I now need to loose weight and exercise etc.

Life is strange and it will take some time for things to change back…

[Guest_342]

Hi Fiatlux,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response.

How is your shoulder today?

I'm sorry to hear about how you've been feeling. I can imagine the thought of having to start with a new doctor - it takes a lot of power and courage to open up to someone and to develop a relationship with them over time and some of that goes when they leave, and you might feel you have to start from scratch. Have you considered asking your clinic for a recommendation for someone new or maybe, if you do find someone else, you could ask your old clinic to share your file with the new clinic so you need not start at square one?

[geoff]

Hello Fiatlux, I know someone close to me that had the same problem with a sore shoulder, then wrist, back, legs etc, so they had blood test after blood test and finally after many weeks the doctor gave them an inflammatory drug which solved the problem.

The doctor wasn't sure why they would feel like this, and they were tested for covid twice, but perhaps this could help you feel better.

Geoff.

[Fiatlux]

Thanks Geoff,

Thank you so much for your advice.

I have taken some anti inflammatory medications and the pain is slowly improving.

I now recall having terrible joint pain during and recovering from Covid. I have had mystery knee pain, wrist pain etc.

I put it down to terrible posture, sitting at the pc all day, using a mouse etc. But it all coincided with Covid.

When I think back to 2019 and even 2020, I used to walk and even jog to work and back home again as I lived close enough. I thought that after lockdown ends that I would be doing this again.

The on and off lockdowns in 2021 have really taken its toll.

TBH, I have gotten frustrated with those who say that they breezed through Covid. Don’t get me wrong, I am relieved that some people barely feel it, but I and many others are suffering from long Covid.

My daughter and son in law got Covid in May 2019. In the early days when a vaccine was nowhere and little was known about the virus. So two relatively healthy 20 something year olds where very ill for several weeks. My daughter took 6 months to really fully recover.

Today however I think I have flu. I will do a rat test tonight but I think it’s a weekend in bed for me again.

My immune system has taken a real battering.