Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Long covid skepticism

122 replies

Ohalrightthen · 09/10/2020 15:32

According to my doctor father, "long covid" is basically nonexistent in under 18s and over 65s. He was amused by the coincidence that the only people who seem to be experiencing extended symptoms and effects of the disease are those who are "likely to want a decent reason to call in sick to work"

Not sure how much i believe that, but it does seem weird that kids (who've been off school anyway) and retired people don't seem to be getting long covid. Is there a medical reason that it's only affecting people 20ish-60ish?

OP posts:
KatySun · 09/10/2020 21:27

For me, it was not post-viral fatigue though. It was excruciating chest pain, a cough, nausea and a headache when I looked at a laptop, brain fog, and fatigue for around 14 weeks. In fact, I did not feel like I was post-viral, more like I was still ill. I also don’t consider my symptoms mild. Now, six months on I have some symptoms which feel post-viral (some chest pain and dizziness and some fatigue), but the actual illness lasted a good three months and a bit more. It is different from post-viral fatigue. My doctor used the words ‘long covid’ to describe my illness.

My DD who is 17 had covid more mildly and suffered fatigue for weeks afterwards. That fits to me more the description of post-viral fatigue. She does have some intermittent chest pain.

In other words, from my own experience, ‘long covid’ is not post-viral fatigue, it is an illness which can last months.

KatySun · 09/10/2020 21:28

*six months on from the onset, although thinking on it, it is almost seven months.

wheresmymojo · 09/10/2020 21:40

@Khajit

Isn't post viral fatigue a recognised thing? I assumed long covid was just the same as that.

Yes, post viral fatigue is a thing.

No, long COVID is not that as there is demonstrable damage to the lungs and heart seen on MRIs.

jimmyhill · 09/10/2020 21:42

Bollocks. Aren't under 18 sometimes keen for a reason to avoid school?

And there's plenty of 65+ who work.

So.... bollocks

MaxNormal · 09/10/2020 21:43

@wildthingsinthenight were you given any medication like antibiotics when you got covid?

Ecosse · 09/10/2020 23:28

Your doctor is absolutely right that long COVID does not exist. A very small number of people (less than 1%) do suffer post viral syndrome- but this is the same as all viruses.

It is not anything new at all. ‘Long COVID’ is simply the latest device used by the scaremongering lockdown fanatics to frighten us all to death.

CountessFrog · 10/10/2020 00:00

are there any medics on this thread?

Haenow · 10/10/2020 00:18

@Ecosse

Your doctor is absolutely right that long COVID does not exist. A very small number of people (less than 1%) do suffer post viral syndrome- but this is the same as all viruses.

It is not anything new at all. ‘Long COVID’ is simply the latest device used by the scaremongering lockdown fanatics to frighten us all to death.

You’ve contradicted yourself. Long Covid is a post viral illness. Yes it affects a small percentage and no, it’s not new. The problem is that many previously healthy people are getting this illness in large numbers due to covid spreading through younger people at the moment.
Boracora · 10/10/2020 01:38

My doctor father has absolutely the opposite opinion. He’s glad Long Covid is getting attention and hopes it helps some people take other issues such as chronic fatigue syndrome more seriously - especially doctors who dismiss such conditions.

Pachonga · 10/10/2020 01:59

He can talk to my neighbour’s youngest if he likes. He’s moved back in with his parents in May to recouperate from Covid. He was never hospitalised, his life was never in danger, but he lived alone and couldn’t care for himself properly so he’s moved back in with his mum and dad and they’re caring for him. We have lots of steps up to our houses and it was ages before he could manage them and go into the outside world. I’ve seen him very slowly and gingerly walking round the communal garden and it looks like an effort for the poor lad. That said, he is loads better than when he first came back. He’s in his mid-thirties and was of above average fitness for his age. I live in New York City where Covid hit us very bad and long Covid is a real thing.

musicposy · 10/10/2020 02:11

Your father is an arse who needs to educate himself better.

I have long Covid. Six months on and it’s much better than it was at three months, but I’m still not right. I’m in the 18-65 age bracket but I am self employed and have had to struggle through work day after day since the moment I could possibly manage it, which was around 7 weeks. I finish for the day and collapse into bed. I have energy for nothing else but I have to pay my bills.

I have nothing to gain from being unwell and everything to lose. I am on a support group for long Covid sufferers and know many others in my position, and people who have lost their businesses, everything, through long Covid.

Luckily my doctor is supportive because she has had long Covid too. She is also working through. She can’t help much, because there isn’t much help available, but I am thankful she is less ignorant than your father.

mrshoho · 10/10/2020 08:02

@Ecosse

Your doctor is absolutely right that long COVID does not exist. A very small number of people (less than 1%) do suffer post viral syndrome- but this is the same as all viruses.

It is not anything new at all. ‘Long COVID’ is simply the latest device used by the scaremongering lockdown fanatics to frighten us all to death.

Wrong. Long covid is officially recognised by the NHS. www-standard-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.standard.co.uk/news/health/nhs-to-officially-recognise-long-covid-a4564086.html?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&amp&usqp=mq331AQHKAFQCrABIA%3D%3D#aoh=16022724739601&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.standard.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fhealth%2Fnhs-to-officially-recognise-long-covid-a4564086.html
wildthingsinthenight · 10/10/2020 08:06

MaxNormal I was given a short course 2 months in for a secondary chest infection

LeanishMachine · 10/10/2020 08:11

I think it's entirely possible only working age people "need" a diagnosis. If you've got all the time in the world to rest, you probably just do that.

I also think there's been a lot made of something that is actually mercifully rare. Whilst there is an element of dismissing lots of news around Covid as hype there is also definitely an element who want to insist it and it's overall effects are worse than they are.

mrshoho · 10/10/2020 08:20

@LeanishMachine

I think it's entirely possible only working age people "need" a diagnosis. If you've got all the time in the world to rest, you probably just do that.

I also think there's been a lot made of something that is actually mercifully rare. Whilst there is an element of dismissing lots of news around Covid as hype there is also definitely an element who want to insist it and it's overall effects are worse than they are.

You say it's rare but medical profession say there could be 60,000 currently in the UK. A new virus so long term effects can only be studied as we go on and why most medical and science professionals advise caution. This is one reason not to dismiss this virus as harmless to 99% of the people who become infected.
Kitcat122 · 10/10/2020 08:46

If it doesn't exist what has been causing my terrible chest pain and shortness of breath for 7 months?? Previously a fitness freak but now can only walk. Mid forties never previously ill. No medical conditions. I work full time and have 4 children so also have nothing to gain from being ill. It's not post viral fatigue as I am luckily not fatigued.

ScrapThatThen · 10/10/2020 09:20

I have come across a fair few patients who have fatigue conditions following Swine Flu. And lots for unknown reasons. I hope one good thing to come out of this might be more understanding and research to help people with these poorly defined but hugely debilitating conditions.

knittingaddict · 10/10/2020 12:30

Op not come back then? I'm shocked.

catanddogmake6 · 10/10/2020 12:48

@wildthingsinthenight it might also be worth looking into Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It has very similar symptoms so the advice and treatments may be of some help. Most cases of CPRS are caused by injuries but not all. There is also research coming out suggesting it has an autoimmune element. Not that it is well understood either - another one ascribed by poor doctors to laziness or “eggshell personalities”. Hope you get some relief - it’s rubbish.

ArcheryAnnie · 10/10/2020 12:53

@Ecosse

Your doctor is absolutely right that long COVID does not exist. A very small number of people (less than 1%) do suffer post viral syndrome- but this is the same as all viruses.

It is not anything new at all. ‘Long COVID’ is simply the latest device used by the scaremongering lockdown fanatics to frighten us all to death.

Where's your evidence for this?

I wish it didn't exist - I am in month seven and have days when I am fine, and days like today when sitting at the computer for half an hour is about as much as I can manage. I've had weeks when my legs and feet are a mass of unexplained bruising, I've had weeks when I feel nauseous when I don't eat and have stomach pains when I do, I have had weeks when my dramatic drops in blood pressure have seen me hospitalised.

You should be frightened. My whole life is different now, and I am so sick of being ill.

wildthingsinthenight · 10/10/2020 19:14

Thank you catanddogmake6

Heartbroken21 · 10/10/2020 19:36

Your dad is probably one of those who called M.E yuppy flu too, right 🙄

Heartbroken21 · 10/10/2020 19:40

Ahh I see lots of other posters beat me to it with the M.E thing. Sorry, I responded before RTFT Because as a sufferer it really pisses me off that dr’s are still so ignorant.

Shame on your dad OP and if I were you, I wouldn’t be bragging about his attitude.

Gingerboom · 12/11/2020 20:15

@scaevola

Or you could try BMJ Online

Maybe with this article

www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3026

and from that you can navigate to others

Great link to SoundCloud discussion within the article quoted also. Thank you for sharing! Have liked Trisha Greenhalgh’s input so far
Mintypylonsfryingsurplus · 13/11/2020 15:27

Thats what we all need in Doctors like this. If he is NHS doctor all the more disgusting as we are all paying for his shit bedside manner and lack of medical curiousity. Oh thats why we should all be back to work pronto despite being ill.
I have diagnosed Long Covid on medical records. Its called Long as it lasts months.
Its horrible would give away every thing I own to get well. Having spent a night in hospital over weekend on a nebuliser as could not breathe. The fb group I am on has 30 thousand people from different countries so I would say its real for all age groups. Unless it affects you, you have no idea. 2nd wave will of course bump up numbers further. Your dad sounds an awful medic, no wonder people stay unwell. I have a good GP who also has LC but its people like this doctor who let us down. Disgraceful.

Swipe left for the next trending thread