Fibromyalgia/ chronic pain

Hi looking for a support group for long covid in the San Francisco Bay Area thanks

COVID causes a persistent whole body inflammatory response which can be largely corrected by adopting an EXTREME diet and nutrition plan. Most people however will not be willing to sacrifice “the food that I love” for a chance to return to a healthier pre-COVID life. For me, now that I feel like I once did, it was worth it and continues to be worth it.

I’m 70 now. COVID March 2020. Mild case resulting in brain fog, neuropathy in my legs that became disabling by March 2021, Raynaud’s Syndrome (Diagnosed March 2021), inability to walk on my treadmill, 12 skin infections from 2020-2024 from simple cat scratches or mosquito bites, progressing to infection and cellulitis, requiring 10-14 days antibiotics, hives and itching on my head and upper back and inflamed hot hands and feet and temperature regulation issues.

In March 2021 I went gluten free and stopped eating dairy, red meat, deli meat and pizza and added 2 meals a day of blueberries, rolled organic oats, and Vega protein + greens and also added 1500 mg l-proline which is the active AA in collagen supplements. Within 3 months, the brain fog, neuropathy and leg pain were gone, and I was back walking on the treadmill, however the skin infections, hives and itching remained.

In October 2024 I added one ounce of pumpkin seeds a day (ground to a powder in a spice grinder and added to pasta), and that fixed my skin inflammatory/infection issues. The hives and itching continued and were corrected by realizing that this “Evil Thing” causes food allergies to ANY food or spice that releases histamine. I had to eliminate, yogurt, mayo (contains vinegar), garlic, rosemary, dill, tomatoes, salsa. I know the food thing to be real because I have tried to add these things back in one at a time and if I do I get the itching and scalp hives within 3 hours after eating which persist 2-3 days.

Hi @milojax75. You’re in the right helpful place with a lot of shared experiences to glean whats helpful for your particular body and symptoms. See one of them just shared as my taking so long to post so I’ll check later again on you if more suggestions helpful. Quickest healing to you 🌈

I have to confirm this again, ifI had COVID- I didn't know it - I did have RSV for nine weeks/ undiagnosed Pneumonia and then supposedly diagnosed with COPD. Once I had the 2025 Vaccine for Covid, I came down with Aches, Sleep so much and Chills in my BONES 24/7. My PCP - says I am always sick - I've only seen her twice in 2 years and one was a meet and greet and the other"a followup for BP issue - which I don't have. I never had a physical by her and I brought my health history - she is useless...difficult to find a PCP. She put her NP on me to say they think I'm depressed. She called in a script. I never picked it up from CVS and told them to cancel auto renew. Let me say - I am Frustrated, not depressed. So I understand what you are saying... I wish you the BEST - a cure and all who are going through covid related issues.

I sound very much like you. Got Covid Dec 22, just after finishing radiation for breast cancer. Had 3 shots prior to getting the virus. Took Paxlovid, had rebound and it came back worse than before. Soon after I started with anxiety and horrible insomnia. Fibromyalgia type all over body pain set in. Stomach, gerd, Sjogren type symptoms of dry mucus membranes. I suffer greatly and the pain never lessens. Been tested for everything and on top of all of this I have a severe balance issue. Walk with a cane and had to retire. Prior to this very active and healthy all my life. I was blessed. Living this way is just existing and husband is losing his patience. Brain fog and neuropathy also very severe. All of this has lead to depression and anxiety.

I'm so sorry to start with.
I know bothers have have problems but sometimes I just feel so alone and as far as that I'm walking with a cane I have a cane and a walk or no but that I see you sometimes so let's be here for each other I just wish they would find a cure for this I have numerous symptoms that I didn't even have you know my fingers don't even work to mention I've been using my speaker so if my words come out wrong that's why severe brain fog thank you for commenting God bless you

Hi I am new to this forum. I got Covid in August 2023. I got Bells Palsy at the same time on the right side of my face. It was extremely painful..Migraines every few hours. The only thing that helped the pain was sumatriptan. My insurance wouldn't keep up with enough of the medication. I have had Long Covid ever since and I have been dealing with painful body aches, weakness and severe pain, being out of breath, trouble walking etc. In early May 2024, I got Bells Palsy again and had to postpone back surgery. This time is was the left side of my face. I was hospitalized for a few days to make sure it wasn't due to a bone infection in or around my ear. I got tested for everything. No answers.
I had back surgery at the end of May, 2004 to fix 3 herniated discs and nothing went how it was supposed to. I was over dosed after my surgery and the doctors had to give me Narcan twice. I ended up on the oxygen floor for a few days due to the doctors negligence. I also got ileus while I was there. I spent a week in the hospital and had terrible nerve pain and was unable to walk or sleep. I spent another 9 days at a rehabilitation facility.
My Long Covid symptoms including brain fog, malaise, fatigue, the ability to walk any distance and everything else increased 100x after the back surgery and nothing has improved in any way. I have seen a lung doctor, Neurology doctor and many other medical professionals. I had a ton of blood work to rule out any diseases that mimic my symptoms. The only thing that came back is I may have rheumatoid arthritis. I am waiting to get in to see someone in that specialty.
I was able to get into a Dartmouth Hitchcock clinic last month, only to be told there isn't anything they can do. There are many studies going on. The doctor was very thorough, though. Just no answers. He gave me a referral to an Occupation Therapist and she has been helping me with cognitive issues.
This weekend and today have been tough. My legs (thighs and lower legs) feel like I have heavy weights strapped to them. I can barely walk and move. I am at a loss of what to do. This disease is ruining my ability to enjoy life. Thanks for reading.