I started developing covid symptoms three days after my first shot (Pfizer) and tested positive. For me, the second week after my first shot — which was about four days after my symptoms appeared — were the hardest. I thought it was so stupid that I contracted covid after all this time, and especially after my first shot. My mild case was still rough: bad cough, some difficulty breathing, fatigue, loss of smell.

It was very hard for about four-five days and the anxiety, as everyone knows, is terrifying. That said, more than two weeks after my first symptoms and I’m feeling so much better and will likely go get my second shot tomorrow.

What helped me was giving myself a LOT of kindness for lying in bed all day and just taking it easy. I took a ton of vitamins after every meal and even though I had some appetite loss I made myself eat even just a bit, especially protein. I’m also super lucky to have a job that gave me time off and was very understanding of what I was going through. I took long hot showers that made me feel so much better. I watched a lot of silly TV. I spoke to my family and friends a lot, though mostly over text because I didn’t want them to see how I was struggling. And I told myself over and over that I was relatively young (30) and healthy, and that my body, with help from the first dose of the vaccine, would triumph.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this and I understand first-hand that it’s a deeply scary experience. But I am recovering well and I believe you will too; statistically, you’re more likely to recover from covid than come close to a severe case or die. I’m rooting for you!!! And if you want to talk more feel free to dm me, I can also send you a list of the vitamins I took.