Long Covid support

[Disabrie22]

I had Covid early Feb and have not really been well since - exhausted, headaches, unable to exercise, sinus pain and dizziness. I think I might now have long Covid. Does anyone else have it and what can I do to recover?

Yes, yes, yes. I’m so pleased to discover I’m not alone with this, although sad to hear how many of us there are.
I had COVID in early Feb and am only returning back to work next week. I’m really anxious about it because I still get breathless and exhausted and it’s the kind of job that needs 100% concentration.
I’m having really weird bouts of anxiety and the occasional panic attack that seem to come from nowhere. I feel really dissociated from people and sometimes feel like I’m not ‘here’ if that makes sense.
It did leave me with myocarditis, but after many scans, there is no inflammation. I’m also scared to do exercise now as I feel so weak and don’t want to aggravate anything.
I agree with PP that with all the pacing I’m having to do, it feel like life is passing me by a bit. I’m just functioning.
I’m trialling HRT in case this brain fog and tiredness is fatigue, but still not sure. It sucks.

Hi I am wondering if anyone else is experiencing what I am after having Covid...
I had Covid at the beginning of April and was asymptomatic. Over the last two weeks I've noticed my leg muscles mainly calf's and sometimes my thigh twitching. I can feel it and then when I look I can see it flickering too.
Anyone else had this? I'm really worried.

Long hauler here - totally normal long Covid symptoms @greenbananas29 Doesn’t mean they’re fun.

Mine stopped after about a year, but it was the least problematic.

Definitely don’t do any exercise bananas. I did and it took me several months to recover. Do the bare bones of work/life until you feel better.

Sorry to see more people here suffering. I guess the numbers can only go one way…

@greenbananas29 I know the flickering is annoying isn’t it. This is a common symptom from what I read on the long Covid Facebook group. Do you have any other symptoms? (hopefully not of course!)

@Fileexplorerrrr we seem to be at similar stages. How have you been? I’ve been out today and it’s floored me but it was a pleasure not to be in the same 4 walls!

@Herani - how is the HRT going? Very curious to know if it’s helping the brain fog/ fatigue at all? I probably need to look into this.

@andi62 I can empathise with a lot of what you say. How are things at the moment?

@Disabrie22 - Have you tried coQ 10? Another poster on here recommended it to me and I bought some of the high-strength from Boots and I've been taking it since Saturday and I feel it's really helped.

I had previously been feeling exhausted for the last five weeks since getting covid

www.boots.com/boots-vitality-co-q10-100-mg-90-capsules-10149737

There are lots of other brands of it - I just used Boots because I have used their own brand St John's Wort before and I felt that really helped too and worked for improving mood.

I'm currently taking both as I'd read covid can affect your serotonin levels (SJW helps) and your energy by affecting your mitochondria (Co 10 should help that).

@jimbobalot Hi, yes, it has helped a lot. I think I had been bumping along in peri for a while, but the added strain of Covid fatigue seemed to exacerbate the hormonal side of things. Interestingly I came across some research online where they had positive results from treating hospitalised Covid patients with oestrogen and progesterone....IDK, maybe there's something more to this.

Either way I'm glad to report that although I've had to really cut back on activity, I'm back at work 3 days a week, clear-headed, I have much more energy (even if I tire quicker at the end of the day) and feel more positive about getting past the lingering effects of Covid. I've tried a few trips to the gym for a very light workout, but that was a step too far at this point - my body took a day to recover. Did a yoga class yesterday and all fine.

That's really interesting, Wavy - me too! I was convinced it was due to the virus as it had affected my lungs so badly (and brain, too, presumably). The levothyroxine made me feel much worse, so I'm taking a herbal remedy instead (it's called ashtaranga or something like that - Indian ginseng) but there is a study where it improved hypothyroid in 45% of the patients. I am having regular blood tests. Fingers crossed that it gets better, as the rest.of the symptoms are, gradually, with a lot of rest and good diet (cutting out gluten really helped me too).

Hi wondering if any of you can help? My 8 year old ds had covid about 6 weeks ago and I think he might go on to have long covid. He didn't really have many symptoms, just sniffles really. But around the same time he started with joint pain in his shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles. He's tired a lot and gets heqdaches. Does this sound like long covid? The only thing that makes me think it's not long covid is that he has had lower spine pain before he had covid. He has a doctor's appointment tomorrow so I will find out then but just wanted opinions. I'm sorry so many of you are suffering.

I should also add, he's had constant coughs, colds and sore throats since too.

@Rispa42 how are you now?
i had covid in 2020 and i was left with nerve pain in my face. And awful migraines. I get awful body pain all over , and i am sooo tired!
i have a 15 month old baby.
just wondering if your anybetter and if anything has helped you?
thankyou :)

Hi, ive had LC for 18 months now - limited to brain fog and extreme fatigue (have had covid twice so may have set me back, and I'm also a sahm to a 3 year old so not much resting going on). Have seen some improvements in the last month or two. Things to look into:

1. get a test to see if you have reactivated epstein barr virus - this can be triggered by covid. I had this - found out two months ago - and felt the brain fog improve after a course of antivirals.


2. if you're struggling with sleep, see if you can get a prescription for melatonin - its also a powerful antioxidant and anti inflammatory.


3. look into low dose naltrexone - i haven't tried it (I'm going to) but others have seen very good results.


4. calm your nervous system down - do you feel on edge? look at 'jcamylee' profile on instagram for tips. Also i use a 'sensate' device which i love to get into a parasympathetic state.


5. look into ketogenic diet (see Sarah Myhill's website)


6. make sure B12 and Vit D are nearer top end of range. I have had vitamin IVs - myers cocktail, B12, Vit C etc which i think helped me but make sure you go to a reputable place with an actual doctor there.


7. magnesium glycinate before bed


8. lipsomal glutathione


9. electrolytes - i have three sachets a day - this helps. seeking health optimal electrolytes are great.

much of the above i have had to pay for privately but its worth looking into. Sending positive thoughts.

@iwtd14 Hi!
how did u get that test done ? Ive had covid 3 times and i swear it drags me back each time! Ive had nerve pain since having it also! Thankyou for all that helpful info xx

I had the initial test through my NHS GP who said they would run their ‘standard’ fatigue panel. Once it came back positive for EBV I had a more detailed test to show actual levels of each antibody which was ordered through a private consultant but I think you could probably order this yourself through the doctors laboratory in London. It was the private consultant who prescribed the antivirals though - I don’t think my NHS GP would have given them to me.

@Rispa42 how are u now? I hd covid in 2020 , drs have said long covid. I have nerve pain in my face and ear, dizzyness, light sensitive, noise sensitivity, migraines. Before i was fit as anything working 50hr weeks plus gym and doing thinjs with friends. Just wonder if anytbing has helped ?

Hi,

I've has long covid twice (March 2020 and July 2021) and have disabling side effects from the AZ vaccine. I had something like ME before it started.

I'm finding the Oura ring tracker device very helpful. It helps me to avoid post exertional malaise and also lets me know when I have a viral infection kicking off so I can stop before it gets bad.

I recently tried increasing my salt levels to stop my blood pressure plunging really low and am currently sitting in bed feeling quite sorry for myself after getting salt poisoning. Ooops

Good luck all on recovery.

I forgot to say but I did find something that helped with the balance issues.

I also had that problem where my head felt as though I was constantly on a rowing boat, gently moving from side to side. It meant I couldn't drive or cycle.

I went to see a neurologist privately and she said that if my balance had been knocked out of whack a bit then I needed to practise to get it working again.

I went for a 6 mile walk, three days running, and by the end of the week, I was able to start cycling again. Then I went rollerblading in the street twice a day with my son through the summer holidays, and at the end of that I was able to drive again.

Then I got a virus and was right back to square one. But it did help for a while. I thought that was quite encouraging.

I have started wearing an n95 mask literally every time I am indoors with someone who is not immediate family and that seem to help me to avoid catching so many viruses.

All this makes me sound very energetic but I'm really not. I feel like the walking dead. But sometimes I can put on a turn of speed in a good cause, especially when it is sunny outside.

I forgot to also say that the exercise for fixing balance was to be "paired limb" exercise, with the legs and arms alternating. So walking or running or swimming, (or crawling!). I particularly enjoyed rollerblading.

I just read about the sensate device mentioned above. It plays very low frequencies in to the vagus nerve through the chest to relax the body. I can get a similar effects from listening to low notes from orchestra instruments like the tuba, cello and bass clarinet. I think it would be an Eb just above two octaves below middle C.

Hi All, just looking for some reassurance from anyone who had this that it does improve.

I seem to have developed Long COVID after possible infection at the end of November. Although I’m better I still have palpitations (diagnosed IST), chest pains, fatigue and brain fog. Any words of wisdom welcomed!

Yes it gets better! Takes a long time but lots you can do. Follow

mycorona21
harrybobby_
lchopepod

on Instagram if you’re on there for inspiration and recovery stories! the last one is a podcast of people who have recovered and how!

Thank you @popsickle555 I so much hope it will eventually go away