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Study: Depression & Anxiety in Long COVID
When I saw the headline of the article, I shook my head in wonder. Those who do not feel at some or more times depressed and anxious when what we are going through is a) not fully recognized and b) worse, ignored, would be, I'd think, the exception. The article goes into more. In my years of experience - even from childhood with some early medical issues - tho' I didn't know the term "interdisciplinary" - I understood then and more now it should be part of treatment. Read. Consider how to approach this. As a few of us have noted in the discussions, we hesitate to mention depression because our experience is that it alone becomes the focus, not the physical ills. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/depression-and-anxiety-in-long-covid-why-interdisciplinary-treatment-is-needed
- Joan
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I was already in therapy before I got this. It is extremely depressing and I do get anxiety, usually from the thoughts of this never going away. I try really hard to stay in the present moment. This virus causes not only physical issue, but is isolating and sometimes I have feelings of hopelessness when I wake up because I feel so bad. I believe there is a need for support groups, in person or via Zoom. Talking to others that understand is so important.
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2 ReactionsWith you on this, @diverdown1 - it's too when reading the latest reports of which I am aware and the doctors, esp. those w/ "Long COVID clinics" w/ whom I am working are not and the dismissal of my "never had them til I got COVID" symptoms! I know my body.
Here's to us and here's to Mayo at least to have an outlet to discuss and share resources.
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6 ReactionsYes, I think for most of us, the depression comes from feeling so ill, and having no real diagnosis, or treatment. I was never depressed before all this happened.
Now YES, I am depressed, but if I had treatment and HELP, I’m certain my depression would lift.
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4 ReactionsMy wife has had Long Covid for several years, with various symptoms. Currently the main symptom is chronic fatigue. I know that she has been depressed from not knowing when or if she will feel better. She doesn't feel up to talking about Long Covid anymore: "It's too depressing." Thankfully, we both are retired and I have enough energy to take care of household management. I took care of my parents for 12 years and learned how to practice good self-care. I also mask when out in a crowd--concert, grocery shopping, church. I have never had Covid and don't want to bring anything home to her. We keep up with recommended vaccinations.
For those interested, the journalist Ed Yong won a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of Long Covid and has many articles available via search engine.
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2 ReactionsThank you and for mentioning Ed Yong. His writing is superb and has been helpful.
One of the many docs I am now seeing said to me yesterday in a telemed visit that I need to recognize that I am not going to be pain-free or fully healthy. At this age, I know that too is a factor. And that you and your wife are retired, @tim1028 , indicates you may not be young either. It is that I think many of us (Boomers) thought we could age better and might have been doing ok til COVID.
For me the most exhausting and depressing is when it is aid "We've not heard anyone else with your symptom/s" and then those symptoms are dismissed v. looking into them.
To us all .. a semblance of a decent life, eh?
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2 ReactionsResearch all you can on nitric oxide production. It is required to allow for oxygen to flow by relaxing blood vessels. Nitric oxide is produced in our blood vessel linings when we are young. The older we get, the less is produced. By age 70, our nitric oxide production has decreased 75%.
The other method of nitric oxide production is in our mouth as we chew food that has nitrate/nitrite. There is no nitric oxide sources. Our body has to produce it from nitrate/nitrite sources. Therefore diet is very important. We need beets, arugula, pecans, blueberries, celery, peanuts, pecans, cocoa, spinach. Think of a salad with some of those. Have a 1/2 cup of beets every other day. They have oxalates, so don't over do beets. Search for more foods that helps producing nitric oxide.
Here is one reference. Please search "nitric oxide production". It brought me out of 1.5 years of long covid fatigue.
"Nitric oxide is an essential molecule required for overall health. As a vasodilator, nitric oxide signals the blood vessels to relax, allowing them to expand.
This effect allows blood, nutrients, and oxygen to flow freely to every part of your body. But when nitric oxide production is decreased, your health can become compromised.
Therefore, it’s important to achieve and maintain optimal levels of nitric oxide in your body.
A diet high in nitrate-rich vegetables and antioxidants or the use of supplements, such as L-arginine or L-citrulline, are beneficial ways to boost your body’s natural production of nitric oxide. Other proven strategies include limiting mouthwash and exercising regularly.
For optimal nitric oxide production, increase your intake of nitrate-rich vegetables and exercise at least 30 minutes per day."
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-increase-nitric-oxide#supplements
I tossed our mouthwash and got toothpaste without flouride. I take L-citrulline and L-arginine everyday. Limit is a total of 9 grams per day.