Could this be long covid?

[FlamingLama]

I had covid whilst pregnant last year in third trimester. Was pretty unwell.
Still don't completely have my smell and taste back, everything seems diluted.
I'm constantly exhausted. Baby is sleeping through the night so it's not that.
My joints are increasingly painful. I wake with swollen hands that hurt and weakness in my arms and hands.
I could sleep all day and all night which just isn't practical with a young baby and other kids to take care of.

It's making me miserable but I'm worried about going to the GP and them saying it's PND. It isn't.
I'm so fed up and miserable but it's because I have no energy.

Sorry this will not answer your question but did you see your GP about it?
And did you have your thyroid checked?

Yes it could be. But that doesnt take you very far because long COVID isnt one thing, it's a whole lot of things that can be caused by COVID infection. So you can to a certain extent skip the "is this long COVID " arguement with the gp if you want to and start with "what are these symptoms?" In your position I'd want a full blood screen to check for deficiencies (iron, vit b12, thyroid levels) plus inflammatory markers because its possible that either the COVID or the pregnancy have triggered something autoimmune.

Pnd doesnt cause swelling so I'd step on that quickly if some doctor tries to dismiss you. And if they mention anxiety, I recommend "I am not anxious, I am concerned that...."

Could be long COVID. Could be iron deficiency. Could be a thyroid issue. Could be a whole host of things, many of which are very easily treated (admittedly some of them not so much). You need to let your GP do their job and assess you properly.

I have chronic iron deficiency even though I take supplements. I have a problem in my gut and there are some links that it could stop me absorbing iron but nothing properly proven and I know more about the condition than any Dr I've ever seen.
My Dr just doesn't take things very seriously. My period is due in a week and I'm dreading it, right before I come on everything swells up and I feel horrendous for days but I've been told to get on with it.

Sounds as though your problem is chronic iron deficiency PLUS a useless doctor who doesn't take you seriously. Are there any alternative GP practices in your area that you might be able to switch to?

Definitely go to the drs. I have an autoimmune issue that is inactive and was told that pregnancy (or just after the birth) May cause a flare up, luckily it didn't. They will want to run some blood tests to check a number of things, please don't suffer, there are things they can do to help

@FlamingLama how are you now? I was very poorly with covid in pregnancy! And in still suffering now 8months since birth :(
How are you feeling? Its so miserble xxx

@FlamingLama how are you?

Sorry only just seen this. I seem to have ups and downs. I'll have a few weeks of feeling great then bam I'm back to feeling awful again.
My energy levels are still pretty shocking and since my first post I've piled on weight (about 2 stone!!)because I've found things really difficult.
I still have next to no sense of smell. I can only smell a few things. My baby can do the stinkyest poop and I can't smell it at all.

I mentioned it to my Dr and he was quite dismissive. I'm going back to work soon and I'm hoping the routine and structure will help me.

I have a useless doctor too absolutely no help. Told to get on with it. Seaweed is a great help.