Long Covid - please tell me it gets better

[pollyglot]

Reasonably mild case of Covid over a year ago. Since then, all downhill. Specially my heart. Pulse rate down to 32, feeling shit and dizzy, constantly getting chest and sinus infections, I'm getting a pacemaker, sometime, so my AFib can be medicated, but they tell me it probably won't improve the symptoms. Please tell me there's light at the end of the tunnel...

I'm sorry OP, that's really tough. I know the figures are stark, but some people do improve a lot.

I suffered from loads of cardiac issues when I had Covid and then LC.
Had POTs initially in acute phase which then relapsed again once I went back to work. Ended up on various cardiac meds for different issues I didn’t have before Covid. Main probs were palpitations and chest discomfort.
Almost 3 years later I’m 90% improved but have accepted I’ll never get back to the running etc I loved. Saying that I’m pretty active now, loads of walking etc which I couldn’t do consistently for the first 18 months without repercussions.
Funnily enough I’m just recovering from Covid. Had a lot of the same symptoms but after 3 days the vaccine seemed to kick in and I’ve recovered really well.
There’s a few quite active Facebook groups for long haulers. I think there seems to be a mix of people who’ve mainly recovered and those who are on PIP or had to take ill health retirement.
I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t give up ! I became incredibly depressed as there seemed no respite from the symptoms but eventually I’ve got there all be it taking a long time. I’m lucky in some ways as I’ve been able to flexi retire at 56 (NHS), I was able to cut my work hours down by half and rest more, less stress etc
Sorry if that was all about me but the reality is that for some it is a very lengthy recovery and listening to your body (Appreciate that the AF is beyond your control).

PPPP - thank you so much for your time. I'm so sorry to hear of your ordeal, but also that there was light at the end of your trials. I'm in the fortunate position of being retired, but my planned project of developing my one acre into a park-like garden, and a vege/fruit patch producing food for the community is simply beyond my capabilities. Body say no.

Hi OP, I got covid in june 2022 and suffered with long covid following this. My symptoms were severe fatigue, joint pain and POTs. I'm much better now. I saw a cardiologist and they put me on ivabradine which made a huge difference. Back working as a nurse now. This time last year I couldn't even walk to the corner shop.

Covid last year , long covid clinics this year. Fatigue, brain fog .

A year on I am better than I was but have had to take medical early retirement as there is no prospect of being able to go back to clinical work . I can now Cook a meal ,shop, and on a good day do some gardening and light socialising but planning to do anything ahead of time is difficult because I cannot predict on any day how much energy I will have. However my main hobby required going out twice a week in the evenings and that is out of the question. I find talking to people very tiring and have to warn people I or they may have to leave early .

The trajectory is definitely upwards but so slow you don't notice until you compare what you were capable of a few months ago to now.

Part of it is coming to terms with the fact you might never go back to what you were or it might take a very long time to get back and to mourn that , then conserve your battery and notice the long term upwards improvement.