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

As with all my Longhaul symptoms, I never know what’s going to take top billing on any given day. The brainfog has been fairly consistent, though. My typical process is forgetting something as quickly as I remember it multiple times before all the stars are aligned perfectly for me to accomplish the deed in the moment I remember it - if that makes any sense. If there are too many steps needed to get something done, the task becomes overwhelming and is set aside. I have also found even when I have completed something and thought I had completed it well in detail and accuracy, I come across it later to find I had missed something important. I can’t believe it’s December. I’m already overwhelmed with the thought of having to tackle taxes again…

To help with timely bill paying I have set as much of my regular bills as possible up on online autopay from one credit card. That way I basically have one bill to pay monthly (the credit card) while all the monthlies are paid on time throughout the month. It does take discipline, but for that system to work, the credit card must be paid in full each month… Go Green! No paper bills, no check writing, and no snail mail for bill paying for me. USPS delivery is even more delayed now. You practically have to pay bills a month in advance to have them received by the deadline - and that’s only if you can remember!

Also, many years ago I set up email reminders for monthly/quarterly/annual bills and leave the reminder starred and in my Inbox until I have completed the task. (At least that was already in place long before COVID hit!)

I’m just learning to adjust to my new limitations.

I had Covid in January for most of the month. Finding myself with the same long term affects as you, along with anxiety and panic attacks, most likely due to a lack of understanding of these long term issues. I joind this group and find comfort in not being alone. Buspirone helps with the anxiety as I wait for these long-term symptoms to subsided. I wish I had more to offer than " you are not alone."
My hope is there will be relief soon.

"You are not alone" goes a long way.

You definitely aren’t alone. I had Covid March 2020, and am still dealing with neurological symptoms, being unable to work for the past 17 months. I was diagnosed at Mayo in January as having “Post Covid Syndrome’, or Long Haulers. My neurologist said my symptoms present as if I have had a concussion. If you look up “Post Concussion Sydrome”, you will find many similar, if not identical symptoms.

Very similar but still employed thank goodness🤞. For me, I did not know I had COVID until I had 2months of symptoms.. HEADACHES All-day/Fatigue/Cognitive/Depression/Brain Fig/Muscle-joint pain/Vision, balance, etc. I’ve had PostLyme which presents identical symptoms (but hard to get care)…which makes sense as it’s a pathogen as well. So I thought the Lyme was back in full force (or I was over stressed with move/new-job, etc). I finally went to see my internist and within 10 minutes told me I most likely had Long Covid… did the antibody test, and sure enough, it was positive! So at least now I know and the medical community is taking this much more seriously than Lyme🙏 I am very concerned with my new job though as I am lacking concentration, have impaired cognitive abilities, and can not focus or complete tasks I used to be able to do with my eyes closed:-(. I have heard Long Covid is recognized as a Disability but as an RN you absolutely should be covered under Workman’s Comp! Can you pursued disability or other legal recourse. (Although it is hard to do anything because of symptoms, much less deal with the legal world.). I am hoping to get away with my work deficiencies for now but I too may have to consider disability if my symptoms do not improve drastically in the next month. If anyone knows if Long COVID is an approved DX for Disability coverage, please let me know:-)

I’m so sorry you’ve had these symptoms for over 17 months! Does Mayo treat for Long COVID? Are you eligible for disability benefits? I’m considering that route if my symptoms don’t improve in the next month as my symptoms are really making my job difficult… then I get exhausted from the stress and frustration not being able to perform at peak. ✌️🌻

Long Covid is approved for Disability coverage.

Luckily through my job, i had short, then long term disability. They did have me apply for Social Security disability, but I was denied. They say everyone gets denied the first time. I have an attorney helping me appeal it. Also, when I was attending the Pain Rehab clinic at Mayo, the long term disability company called out of the blue and said they determined I’m not disabled anymore and quit paying me that day. My family did research on the company, Unum, and they are notorious for declining people with valid claims. There is a class action law suit against them, so now I have a different attorney helping me there. They make you feel like a deadbeat trying to work the system, when I would love nothing more than to feel better and be able to go back to work. This certainly is not a life anyone would pick.

@skinner, experts from the post-COVID recovery team at Mayo Clinic suggest that tailored physical activity helps with recover. Exercise is good, but it needs to be tailored to you. Do what you enjoy and as much as feels right for you. Here are some suggestions for a gentle start:
- Post-COVID Self Care https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/post-covid-recovery/tab/self-care/#ch-tab-navigation

You might wish to start a new discussion about exercise and post-COVID recovery. Or join this one:
- Anxious about Walking with post-COVID https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxious-about-walking/

Yes, hawaii, Mayo treats long COVID. Read more here:
- Post-COVID Care at Mayo Clinic https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/post-covid-recovery/tab/next-steps/#ch-tab-navigation

And learn more from others who have been there:
- What to expect at Mayo Clinic's Post COVID Treatment Program? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-covid-treatment-program/

How long have you been dealing with long COVID?