Long haul Covid: exhaustion, confusion and enhanced ADHD

Thanks! I’m very curious about what people find that works. I’d love for you to send the link. I’ve had long covid for 2.5 years. Still sob, seeing pulmonologist and had to get a new pacemaker because of heart issues. Fatigue, occasional weakness and sob are my leftovers!
I’d insist on the tests you need. Keep pushing. I don’t know what insurance you have or where you’re being treated but sometimes you have to keep at it. It’s easy these days to get lost in the system and you have to advocate for yourself. I find myself doing that for myself and I worked in the medical field for 40 years. Try not to diagnose yourself too much without proper tests. Even if the tests may be inconclusive or negative, some may not and you’ll have them all in your medical records. I caught it before tests and treatments were available and it was absolutely horrible not to be diagnosed until I got really sick and even now, I don’t have a positive test but had all the symptoms including pneumonia
after 7 months. Be vigilant about getting tests, especially if going Drs. Good luck! 💕

I don't have a link for Stuff that Works. Please just google it. You will have support and some good directions and suggestions for your docs. l have been bedridden since the Moderna vaccine, and now I am dealing with four autoimmune diseases, one post vax that has caused extreme leg weakness, so I'm on crutches in addition to being almost 90 years old with an artificial heart valve and weekly Hizntra nfusions I give myself. Mobility is a huge problem, so I have become a researcher of useful herbal protocols, several of which have helped. After the vaccine, my fatigue was almost overwhelming, Now manageable enough to hold my head up for hours, rather than minutes. Other positive changes, but not enough to live independently. Until I can drive again, doctor visits are for emergencies because of my life situation. However, I appreciate and value your advice, and will heed it as soon as I can. Another group you may find helpful is Facebook Covid Long Haulers. Thank you for your kind wishes. Please check out "Stuff that Works" to see how many post Covid people have confirmed EBV reactivation and how they are dealing with it. Blessings to you.

You’re life sounds like a living hell. I’m so sorry you’re living like this. Don’t know how you do it. Don’t know how anyone does it. I hardly go out because of my condition being so sob and being so exhausted. I, too, had awful responses to the second vaccine and booster. Sick for over 3 months each with reactivated old covid symptoms, etc. I’m on the fence about getting a third booster but my lungs are damaged and do not want to get that sick again as it hasn’t gone away. Long covid can get longer 😡end of February 2023 will be 3 years for me. I’m almost 68 and my life is not mine. I’ve looked online at a lot of things. None that great so far but we all do the best we can. Thank god I live in a city with a large medical presence, some good some not. I wish you the best of luck. Being sick changes you and not always in a good way. 🙏🏻

Hi @colleenyoung
Sorry this response is so tardy.
My Neurologist got it!
I was hopeful that I would have helpful answers regarding this skin itch which is not visible. It has continued since JULY 14 exactly 7 day after the COVID positive test. This condition has lasted 4 months.
I have been to three prominent doctors in the Chicago area. Changing body and clothes soaps were suggested. Nothing had an affect on my skin’s itch. Even after prednisone packet and cream and suggesting changing my diet. Some had doubts.
I started my own experiments to see if any products would help. A few were Aspercream a lidocaine with minimal effects. Ordered ZIM’S max freeze with greater relief and longer lasting.
Sarna skin cream moistened my skin and XYZAL.
I finally went to my neurologist! This week!!! in November. He gave me the diagnosis itch from COVID.
He took me off of Hydroyoxzine Hydrochlordide 25mg too sedating. Prescribed by a Dr in July. All it did was make me sleep and not addressing the root of the problem.
The itch follows a nerve path from my upper left shoulder blade to under my arm. Left side of my head itches. At times my nose looses the sense of smell.
My neurologist has prescribed neurontin. Within a few days I had RELIEF. It takes about 45 minutes to give relief. If I don’t stay on the 3x daily stay on schedule the itch returns.
To all of the people who have this awful condition it is not in your mind! Don’t give up. Find a doctor that can give you a diagnosis.
@hopeful1953

The treatment I was beginning was physical therapy, speech therapy. I do not know what else can be done. I have an appointment by the end of the month with the Post Covid clinic of MFairview as I was referred by my primary care doctor.

I meant that I did not know where to find help. Thankfully, I talked to my primary care doctor and she referred me to the MFairview Post Covid Clinic. I have an appointment at the end of the month. These symptoms have been so difficult to deal with. I needed to withdraw two classes as I was not able to answer assignments as I got to be very confused on what to do. Anxiety has been present and depression as well.

Is the deep breathing and mindfulness class online? I would like to see it.

@josecito, there are some guided breathing and mindfulness videos and audio files in the Health & Mindfulness blog here:
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/mindfulness-in-health/tab/resources/#ch-tab-navigation

- https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-education?PLID=0_kwun3krq&_ga=2.47186543.912878014.1669081748-284076088.1662736015

Somehow, we find the strength to go on fighting, praying, hoping for a better day tomorrow. I agree that another booster, when you are still so sick from the last one, doesn't make much sense. So many people in Mayo Connect have caring and compassion for their fellow sufferers. I hope you are treating yourself as well as possible. An exbellent resource for kidney function is the Faceook kidney group. Many have followed the suggested protocol and reovered kidney function. Blessings for your return to enjoying life.

ADHD presentation change post COVID?
My 5yo son used to be more hyperactive ADD presenting, but after COVID reexposure in Oct, he is more inattentive with brain fog. I have long COVID, and my clinic did neurocognitive testing that showed my brain fog was inattentive based. I'm afraid my son has long covid now. Did COVID change your ADHD?