@jackson11966
Your story could be my story, down to age (just a couple years difference), while I do not currently live there, I was born on Long Island, and I also have a saint for a spouse (husband)...

My multi-symptom onset began, literally overnight, September 11, 2020. 2 ER visits in the first month and plethora of diagnostics thereafter with 99% of results coming back 'normal', with the 'big-bads' ruled out. Breathing Rehab, Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab (twice), Speech Therapy, Hearing and Balance Rehab. To every specialist. Was fortunate to have a dedicated Post COVID Clinic, which only closed its doors January 2026. They were very empathetic to the cause, which was a nice change from most doctors. They offered no cures, of course, but steadfastly worked with me to manage my unique set of symptoms. Also refreshing because they saw me as an individual. I felt kind of lost when the clinic closed. I changed my PCP from a family doc to an internal medicine doc, which was the same department/same hospital heading the clinic.

I was almost giddy to get one clear diagnosis, sad but true. Dx-Postural Orthostatic Hypotension, and later POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia). The first 3 years, my most debilitating symptoms, though all were, and continue to be, present to one degree or another, were Cardio-Pulmonary. (Elephant-sitting-on-your chest pressure/pain, breathing-through-cheese-cloth shortness of breath, spiking heart rate to as high as 200 with little to zero exertion.) With that, my bag-o-symptoms included severe brain fog, [sometimes crushing] chronic fatigue, constant dizziness and imbalance, post exertional malaise (PEM), anxiety/depression. I finally got an official Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID 19 diagnosis in 2023. That was a day for celebration.

I'm with you on the shower thing, NO SHAME! Taking a shower is mostly my big project of the day when I do. Not too much activity after or I'll surely crash. I many times go longer than a week between showers, because just the thought of doing it is too overwhelming. A spritz bottle of soapy water and a pack of 99.9% water wet wipes lets me do daily wipe downs so I don't offend anyone. I am really glad I never had long-term loss of taste or smell. That would have made things much harder. Next to my husband, my recliner has been my closest companion...

Metopropol was my one miracle drug. It calmed my heart down so much I don't even need my Apple Watch to monitor my heart rate any longer. There are even days my heartrate doesn't go over 100, when in 'the before' I got several high rate alerts per day. The criteria for an alert was a heart rate over 100 for at least 10 minutes. I missed one dose once, and my heartrate was soaring like it had in the early days. I'm definitely keeping that one on board!

In only 5 months, with the assistance of an attorney - I wouldn't attempt that process without an attorney! - I was awarded Federal Disability SSDI in January 2025 for primarily Brain Fog and Dizziness/Imbalance. The Lord is faithful to provide.

I am currently seeking a prior-authorization from Medicare for Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) treatments. I am hopeful my clearly documented health record with diagnosed LC and being granted SSDI by the same government that manages Medicare, the treatments will be considered 'medically necessary', and I will get 100% coverage. Otherwise, I think I will go ahead with the treatments out-of-pocket. ($1000 for initial treatment/dual injections; $250 per injection thereafter...) There is a decent chance of having good results, and it is one of the only treatments I have yet to pursue.

I do wish the best to you and everyone here for a future of happiness. There is life and joy to be discovered in the 'new normal'.

Just read this article today. We have not been forgotten!

Why Is No One Talking About Long COVID?
https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/122902