New CDC Study on Post-COVID Syndrome

Jul 9, 2021 | Greg Vanichkachorn | @drvan | Comments (10)

This week, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released findings from a new study looking at the effects of Post Covid Syndrome (PCS) on health status and physical ability.  To better understand how PCS affects the lives of patients, the study surveyed patients who had been treated with outpatient physical therapy and were recovering from PCS and compared their results to patients with cancer.  After reviewing the responses from roughly 3500 patients, the study showed that patients with PCS had worse reported physical health, endurance, function and pain compared to patients with cancer.

This is unfortunately not surprising.  Nearly all patients we have worked with at Mayo Clinic have had troubles with their function. PCS is a condition not just limited to shortness of breath and fatigue. The numerous symptoms we have seen in this condition all come together to affect what is really most important, our ability to live life.

Many patients who are suffering from PCS initially look for a quick fix, or magic pill to relieve their symptoms. Unfortunately, we do not have any such “cure.” However, we do know that reconditioning your body slowly and steadily will help you manage your symptoms and get you back to controlling your life.  If you have not participated in therapy, please speak with your medical provider to see if treatment would be right for you.

Read a Web MD article featuring Dr. Van and head over to the Research tab for more information on studies at Mayo Clinic.

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery blog.

Is there a treatment for fatigue.

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Curious if any difference with those who got covid even tho vaccinated---how were those differences manifesting?

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@isaksens

Curious if any difference with those who got covid even tho vaccinated---how were those differences manifesting?

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@isaksens- There have been hundreds of posts with the results of reactions from different people in our community as to what they experienced. While it's difficult to know how a person will react to either there are some similar reactions. But they are mostly prefaced by possible.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/covid-19/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html
Is there anything that you are particularily interested in?

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@miki36

Is there a treatment for fatigue.

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@miki36- I haven't had COVID but I have had two Moderna vaccine shots. I've also had chemo, radiation and I have lung cancer. I have found that no matter what causes fatigue, especially very trying fatigue is to take it very easy at first. Your body has worn down from some sort of an insult. I found that the harder I pushed the more tired I became.

I had to pretend that I was starting at ground zero for getting back into shape after a serious illness. If I pushed too hard one day I took that next day off. I started with diet changes, better sleep habits, not allowing anyone near me if I felt stressed, including my husband. He even slept in the spare bedroom a number of times so that I could sleep more soundly. He snored very loudly, lol.

Your return to better health and less fatigue should be a smooth ride because you take it slowly.

Is there anything more specific that you are looking for?

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So many variables considering each individual's body condition, etc!
I hope there is good tracking of a vaccinated populace maybe 2-7 years following their vaccinations. While variables will always play a part in whatever is reported (along with who is reporting reactions and what political slant the reporting takes) it will be good to know how the vaccines have treated their recipients say after 5 years anyway. One of the reasons many don't want to take the vaccine is the "misinformation" that the vaccine contains components that can wreak havoc with one's natural immunity and/or allow for natural functions like pregnancy.

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I never hear of anyone mentioning reaction of one's body to the vaccine ...I was in recovery from code blue 2 yrs ago and getting my systems ( kidney failure, a fib, pneumonia, sepsis, improving. 1 week after getting Pfizer vaccine, I broke out in severe total body rash of blisters, inflammation and edema and I am just recovering after 3 mos. including 3 biopsies and 2 rounds of prednisone...All tests and Drs. were stumped and read tests as inconclusive. I likened my body not being able to handle the vaccine while taking the previous meds I was already on.
I could find no info on situations like mine before getting vaccinated. No boosters for me.

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@sueby

I never hear of anyone mentioning reaction of one's body to the vaccine ...I was in recovery from code blue 2 yrs ago and getting my systems ( kidney failure, a fib, pneumonia, sepsis, improving. 1 week after getting Pfizer vaccine, I broke out in severe total body rash of blisters, inflammation and edema and I am just recovering after 3 mos. including 3 biopsies and 2 rounds of prednisone...All tests and Drs. were stumped and read tests as inconclusive. I likened my body not being able to handle the vaccine while taking the previous meds I was already on.
I could find no info on situations like mine before getting vaccinated. No boosters for me.

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Hello @sueby and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Are you experiencing post-Covid symptoms and/or syndrome or is your experience more of a vaccine reaction?

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I had my third modern covid shot. The day following the shot, I started getting these bright red bumps (not many) on my legs. They don't itch; however when they first appear it looks like there's a white ring around the red bump. I went to an immediate care facility and they didn't know what it was. I then went to a dermatologist who gave me a steroid cream to use for 2 to 4 weeks and told me it was caused by my immune system but didn't go as far as to say it was a reaction to my shot. I have set up another appointment with a different Dermatologist regarding these bumps. The first Dermatologist wanted me to go on Prednisone but I can't due to other issues; therefore, I started taking Allegra. These bumps are still appearing and I have had a couple on my chest and I believe some on my scalp as well. I'm still getting them on my legs but there doesn't seem to be as many as before. I am wondering if anyone else has had this reaction. And, they appear as singular bumps not as a rash. (I couldn't find anything similar looking online.)

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