COVID long-termers 14 weeks+

[isitorisntit]

Welcome all. I'm sad that many of us are still here but at least we have each other. The other thread is full, hence this new one.

Welcome anyone else who is struggling with a long recovery from COVID. They're a supportive lot, here.

Thank you for your support the other night. I have now had a GP appointment and having been told three times six months ago that I was suffering from anxiety, my GP now agrees that my symptoms have been very similar to what people are suffering post-covid and that I probably have post-viral fatigue (though in all likelihood a different original virus). I feel so much better just having a Dr acknowledge that it's 'real' and not just me being anxious.

I am being referred further but the wait is likely to be long. I'm interested in any dietary changes that people have found have helped?

I've only quickly scanned through but see some of you have reflux issues. It made me remember that I suffered with reflux for the first three or four months (I had quite forgotten amongst the myriad of other weird symptoms I've had) but this has completely gone now. I hope this might give some of you hope!

Morning

This does look like rather a worrying article (sorry) but it has prompted me to decide to ring the GP today and ask for a referral to a Neurological consultant, as I’m sure the list will be long... maybe others might want to do the same.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/08/warning-of-serious-brain-disorders-in-people-with-mild-covid-symptoms

I read that this morning @Whatapickle78 the weirdest one for me was the woman who saw animals in her house. One day during my initial sickness, I was in bed when I saw a mouse/shrew in my bedroom. At first I just saw movement in the corner of my eye but when I stayed still and watched quietly, I saw it move across the floor at the foot of my bed and go behind a chest of drawers. I got straight up and put down 4 mouse traps. But I never, ever caught one. I don't know if that's because the mouse/shrew came in the open bedroom window next to the drawers (I live in a bungalow) and went back out. Or if I completely hallucinated the whole thing!

@alittleprivacy
That sounds to me like it was probably real
Nice seem slightly too everyday to be imagined don’t they! At least in our house they are...

It did make me wonder about the ‘phantom smells’ Ive heard mentioned too in other reports. I’ve had done really odd experiences with smelling strong women’s perfumes in places where they just shouldn’t be (ie in the woods!) since having Covid

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53269391

Sorry if this one’s already been posted.
BBC News from yesterday: Coronavirus: Thousands say debilitating symptoms last 'for weeks'

*Mice

Bloody hell that Guardian article. I can deal with the wierd neuro stuff now because I’ve assumed it’s temporary. Scary to think there could be long terms aspects.

I’ve smelt burning smoke where there was none and so have others I know with COVID

Anyway thanks for posting it pickle. I’d rather know to expect wierd symptoms than to think I am imagining them.

Catching up, sorry to hear about impact of mental health from your radical rest regime @fedupofbed . I like the idea of really resting properly but like you I think it would impact upon me mentally, so I am trying to keep distracted by radio plays, comedy tv, etc.

I'm also up and about enough to prepare simple healthy meals.

That guardian article about neurological implications terrified me when I read it this morning. I don't know how helpful it is to dwell on this for me, I will be speaking to the GP about any further follow up next week. I am having to wait to speak to my preferred GP, the person I spoke to before was a bit dismissive.

Having a rare day of no work from home today; I've not left the sofa yet!

Nice seem slightly too everyday to be imagined don’t they! At least in our house they are...

I had shrews in my bedroom at the start of winter and mice in January. Both times because someone had left the frontdoor open for ages and they had gotten in and for some reason gone straight to my bedroom. So I initially just assumed it was another invasion! What was weird was that I didn't catch anything. I ended up putting traps all over the house incase they were in different rooms but nothing. So either I hallucinated it, or it was a smart little thing and it went back out the window.

I have full on costochondritis pain today for the first time in a couple of weeks. No sore throat for the first time in a week but a return of the sternum pain just to keep me on my toes!!! I'm going to go to the chemist shortly and get some ibuprofen. I've been managing well all week on ginger, tumeric and occasional ibuprofen gel but today is a day for the hard stuff! I also have a return of the perimenopausal breast pain, which I think irritates the costochondritis or vice versa.

And look. People reporting a link between menstrual hormone fluctuations and costochondritis flare ups!

www.reddit.com/r/costochondritis/comments/f5vx9u/ladies_costco_flares_with_hormonal_fluctuations/

Jeez, I'm glad being a woman made me less likely to die of this virus but it sure does drag out the recovery!!!

@alittleprivacy
Mice (and moths here too) = last thing we all need to be dealing with right now!!

That's really interesting about the chest and sernum pain/hormone fluctuation.

I'm taking HRT for perimenopause and I have DEFINITELY noticed a worsening of symptoms a week prior to my period, which is when I take my extra progesterone. As soon as I stop it it calms down again.

I've literally just stopped the progesterone today and I already feel far more energetic and my chest is completely normal.

Seems like it's a week of new studies and more and more mental validation for us

My dd had costochondritis ages ago and then thinks she had it again after having covid mildly.

I missed three periods and was hoping that I had finished but have just had another.

I'm fine with running and walking but come the afternoon I am feeling more tired these last few days.

I also think I can smell burning when dh can't and just thought I was imagining it or his nose wasn't as good.

It feels like we need a thread for weird symptoms that we don't realise are covid related.

I went on HRT patches for a bit last year then came off them, and still have some supplies left over. I'm actually wondering if I should start taking them again?? Would more oestrogen help??

In other news I shared the long covid SOS vid on Facebook with a little message and consequently 'outed' myself. I'm getting lots of lovely messages but it feels so odd everyone knowing as I'm quite shy. It also means I've been glued to my phone all day!

Spoke to the GP again just now, was now told it should all resolve by the 6 month mark.

@Moodgie my doctor originally said at the 8 week mark, then it changed to the 12 week mark now she says 6 months like pneumonia. At this point I will take that. Even though its 2 months away! I just want to know that I will get better.

@Kitcat122 Same here on all of these points.

Have you got any fatigue? Mine hit me this week. With a bit of brain fog and slight fainty feelings when up. Anyone?

I’m sooo glad I found this thread ... I have just seen mention on here of COVID Calfs... I had all symptoms of Covid late March and the body aches were the worst I have ever experienced, especially in my legs. Still have the weariness but the calf pain in my left leg is chronic.. some numb fingers too. I’ve had hospital tests for DVT which were clear. I’m convinced this is COVID related but think GP will overlook it... any advice? It’s at the point where it’s hard to weight bear on leg.. really getting me down.. x

Who did the really good list of frequently used words a few threads back? @godhelpusall @fedupofbed @Moodgie back 3-5 threads ago?

@LetsBeSensible was it @Lightsabre ?

Hi
Thought I would check in. Back at work full time now teaching four days a week and a day prepping while the school is cleaned between bubbles. Been very tired and my body aches especially my back at the top , legs and fingers and wrists. Cough still here on and off and I have had the sore throat back. Other than that coping but going to bed when very tired early in the evening. Brain fog is definitely lifting day by day and sometimes I actually feel my brain is back to where is was before and then as I get tired it becomes harder again. Been ill since 16th March and had the cough and loss of voice and sore throat 2 weeks before that. Moving forward but it feels so slow but I am getting there.

@LavenderBee welcome I have very achy calves too. It started in week 3 and now at 14 weeks it’s getting less... but it’s still bad in the morning.

@Meercatmama good to hear things are on the up!

@Moodgie the six month anniversary is two months away for me too. Whilst I'm not thrilled at this news, just to know I will get better is heartening!

@fedupofbed I did the same thing! Have told very few people about this but now everyone knows. Surprisingly, there's been little interest in the video. 😔

@LetsBeSensible, sorry not me but I do remember it - think it was on one of the Lungs 7 threads. Would love to know how those posters are getting on now.