Do other long haulers suffer with brain changes? Seen any improvement?

I too have similar issues ! I’m on new supplements but no improvement yet.

what supplements?

I was very sick with COVID all of January and part of February, before vaccines were available in my area. I still have bouts of not being able to catch my breath, word loss of even the most common words, loss and/or distorted taste and smell—bacon and prosciutto taste like salted plastic. A skunk and brewing coffee smell the same. Salad greens, which I love, taste and smell rotted, no matter how fresh. Most things I cannot smell, or the smell doesn’t match the item. Loss of hearing in one ear. The cognitive disruption is the worse part though. I’m finding it difficult to want to engage in conversations with other people. I’m afraid I’ll lose my train of thought or won’t be able to “find” a word to complete a sentence. Embarrassing.

I’ve not found any help. I tell my PCP and don’t get any direction. What is available to help?

Wow! I’m not the only one -
Skunk, coffee, bleach, Lysol, lavender and all the happens in the bathroom all smell the same. Going on 20 months.
MRI’s, scope in nose - no diagnosis. Courage! 0:-)

Hi @zthinker69, welcome.
You may be interested in this related discussion:
- Lost Smell and Taste after COVID https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/smell-and-taste/

Are you dealing with any other lingering symptoms post-COVID?

I have a lot of cognitive issues. I had a 4 hr. evaluation with a Neuro-Physch Dr which pin pointed where my issues are--delayed word finding, memory, recall, sequencing. I am working with a speech therapist which really helps. I keep a notebook log...on one page I write down what I am doing, hour by hour, and on the facing page what kind of symptoms/issues I have through the day like memory, spelling, sleep problems, extreme lethargy, terrible headaches, getting lost while driving a familiar route, hot & cold flashes. staying on task, word finding, body/head pain, dizziness, balance, shortness of breath at rest and/or with exertion, fast heart rate & what that rate is, emotional swings-anger, fear, depression, isolation, feeling overwhelmed. I limit my thinking work (planning my day, balancing check book, making appointments) to 2 hours a day and my physical work (doing housework, walking, garden, cooking) to 2 hours a day. This has been a tremendous step in warding off days of incapacitating exhaustion where I 'crash' and am basically MIA in my own life. I too became ill in November. I am (was) a frontline working-ER Nurse and got sick at work. I lost my job and work comp withdrew their coverage.

Hi @mindig, welcome. @debberanner also talks about cognitive issues in this discussion
- Post Covid Brain Issues https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-covid-brain-issues/

I'm tagging fellow members @ldropps @saraguev @jwatzig @antonsc @lweed1956 @kcartier and @lauriekh to bring them into this discussion as they have talked about brain issues related to post-COVID recovery.

Mindi, you have a lot going on. Fatigue alone can really play havoc on cognitive function. Do you find some days are better than others? Is your cognitive function worse on the days/times that your other symptoms are bad? How's your sleep?

I also am an RN, working with child and adolescent psych outpatient. I experience daily brain fog, difficulty with focus and recall. I experience with retaining information, finding myself writing EVERYHING down. So far, employer is very helpful and understanding. I have developed a significant murmur, rapid and irregular heart rhythm. I am getting a heart monitor today, failed pulmonary testing, and scheduled for a CT if the lungs next week. Hang in there. We will get through this,