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← Return to Post-COVID Syndrome is real
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Natalie, I think many would agree with you. Fatigue is the most commonly reported symptom and one that is debilitating. Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn (Van) shares more in this short video.
It's a long, slow road to recovery, I'm afraid. But you are the driver on that road. In the Post-COVID Recovery blog here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/post-covid-recovery/, Mayo clinicians share approaches that can help like patient-directed mindfulness, nutrition, activity. What I mean by "patient-directed" is that you know best what is the right amount of activity to do and to monitor what helps you. The frustrating part is that it takes time. There is no silver bullet. I wish there were.
I seen these "crashes" first-hand. It's like someone just turns out the lights and closes the shutters. Not only physical function is impaired but people can't even think straight or complete a sentence.
Natalie, if you haven't already, I might suggest you start a diary or journal to make note of these episodes. Take note of time of day, what you were doing when it happened, and severity of symptoms. Keep it simple. I would grade the severity with a simple 1. 2. 3. Mild, moderate, severe. Hopefully over time you will discover patterns that help you recognize triggers to help avoid or lessen the episodes. What do you think?
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Unfortunately, this video was breaking up so bad on my computer that I really didn't understand the message. I think he was saying that the most common problems people report are fatigue and headaches - both of which I have in abundance. I'm not sure he gave any advice on how to recover. I have kept track of "crashing" episodes, and I think the takeaway was that when I try to do the normal things that people do, my body says, "Nope." I also know my body has no tolerance to heat and humidity at all. I now hope every day will be cool and cloudy, as that's the only weather I can bare. Also, the stress and anxiety of being ill while I watch the world go by is very, very painful. Socializing is especially taxing. I might have to rest for days if I try to meet up with friends for a luncheon. I know there is no magic answer, as I've been dealing with this for two years and have turned to many different practitioners with no solutions. I'm truly hoping that with time, my body will slowly heal itself, because it seems that is the only hope I have right now. I feel awful for all the others experiencing what I'm experiencing, because the mental struggle is just as bad (some days worse) than the physical. And yes, I have turned to therapy - again with almost no improvement. I feel extremely guilty for putting this burden on my family, even though I know it's not my fault. Thank you for listening and trying to help - I will continue to battle day by day and hope for more answers. If others can get well, then so can I.