Back in 2023 I had a really bad bout of bronchitus over Easter. Felt really, really ill during that. GP tried treating it firstly with anti=biotics, and then with anti-virals. I was then 81 years old.
I did recover, slowly, but from then onwards was totally fatigued so much of the time. Would get up, have breakfast and then fall asleep in my risere/recliner chair for an hour. Wake up and dress, have a couple of hours, then start yawning and feeling tired. Early light lunch and would then fall asleep for a couple of hours. Had a further two or three hours to do anything - but once having eaten mymain meal of the day - again would just fall asleep.
This pattern was daily - and although I told my GP, etc no-one took any real interest. Always put down to 'my age'.
Went on for over a year, even my eldest daughter - who had dismissed my concerns, re-acted when I fell asleep in my wheelchair when out with her for the day and waiting for her to finish looking in a particular shop. she thought it was sleep apneoa, as I did snuffle and snore a lot. I actually fell asleep sitting around the table at a committee meeting,.
All I can say is that after about eighteen months it slowly started to improve. Then I raised the head part of my bed so no longer slept flat (as I always had), and the improvement increased.
I expect at my age, to need more sleep than I did when I was younger (after all, my body is wearing out after nearly 84 years of usage), and I still need a sleep after my lunch, but only for about 30-45 minutes. Another short power nap after my tea, but no more than 30 minutes. I am now back at going to bed just before 10.00 pm and doing puzzles and listening to audio books until elevenish. I get up at 7.50 each morning.
I am now pretty certain that I had some sort post-viral exhaustion (similar to Long Covid). And that has taken eighteen months. Do find GP's are often far too quick at putting everything down to 'age', but then know that tests, etc cost the surgery money!!!!