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How to obtain a diagnosis of Long Covid? Is it possible?
I had Covid 19 and was hospitalized in October 2021. Before that I had 2 initial vaccines; was active at the YMCA and exercised 5 days a week plus walked my dogs. Now I am so fatigued, muscle aches, brain fog, no motivation to do any of the activities I did before I was hospitalized. Every time I ask my GP if it could be Long Covid I am told it is my age or the medicines I take or any other answers other than Long Covid. Is there a diagnosis for Long Covid? I realize there aren't any specific treatments yet just having a diagnosis would help me feel like I am not going out of my mind. I have a daughter who is insistent that no diagnosis exists and if I did get a Long Covid Diagnosis what good would it do?
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@babsg1, I'm not a medical professional and have no training but I think it just boils down to having symptoms from COVID more than 30 days. Here's a few articles on the topic:
"Your healthcare provider considers a diagnosis of post-COVID conditions based on your health history, including if you had a diagnosis of COVID-19 either by a positive test or by symptoms or exposure, as well as doing a health examination."
-- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html
-- Do I Have Long COVID? Here’s How to Tell:
https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20220719/do-i-have-long-covid
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4 ReactionsThanks John, Volunteer Mentor. I was hospitalized with Covid in October 2021. I had pnuemonia and was on oxygen while in the hospital. Now I have scarring in the lower areas of my lungs. The scarring was found after having xrays and CT scan since I left the hospital. The article validated what I thought. I have a number of symptoms relative to long Covid. Horrible fatigue, brain fog although that is lifting a little, muscle aches, headaches, etc. Thanks again for sending the link to Long Covid. I hope eventually I can have more energy to do the activities I loved to do before Covid came along and grabbed me.
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3 ReactionsMy first covid was March 2020. Many tests since. Lung scan, MRI, EKG, integrative health. Supplements, antibiotics, prednisone, anti depressant. Latest doc was a rheumatologist, and he gave me official diagnosis for long covid. Still on antidepressant for brain fog symptoms. The medical code for the Long Covid diagnosis is ICD-10-CM U09.9.
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4 ReactionsNot sure how to diagnose long Covid, but many things should be part of this diagnosis.
Your age, physical and mental conditions you either have or experienced and you MD making the diagnosis.
I try to keep myself as active as I can, and since having Covid find myself tiring a lot.
I’m not sure, nor is my PCP if this is long Covid or not.
Good luck to you.
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1 ReactionYes, there are advanced blood tests that can be done as well as an Covid antibodies test. I got sick 17 months ago & have been treated all this time for food poisoning which ultimately caused nausea, gerd, & gastroparesis. My swab tests were negative, I had no lung issues, no cough, no fever so the 4 diff DRs I saw (& 3 ER visits) never connected the dots!!!
Last month…I found a DR who is specializing in Long-Haul Covid symptoms. She ordered 11 blood tests & 6 came back ‘abnormal!’ My immune system is totally tanked.
She was able to confirm that I have Long-Haul since my Covid antibodies are still at 5619. Apparently, 5000-20,000 is considered high. Who knows how high they were 17 months ago!
There’s just so much Providers don’t know just yet & personally I’m ready to stop being a Guinea pig!!!
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3 ReactionsCould you provide more information on what blood tests were done? Thanks.
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4 ReactionsThe first 2 were to test for Covid Antibodies. The remainder were to test my immune system & to make certain nothing else was going on to compromise my immune system…
SARS Cov2 Neutralizing IgG antibody
SARS Cov2 Spike IgG Antibody
Immunoglobulin G- 1-4
Lymphocyte CD 3-8
CD 16+CD 56
CD 19
Ana Screen
Ana Titer
Ana Pattern
CH 50
Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase
Hepatitis Panel
HIV Test
Blood Gases/Chem 8+ Report
Urinalysis
At least for me…after 16 months of not knowing & being treated for food poisoning…I know how that my antibodies even today are still high which confirms Covid & that my immune system is totally tanked!
At least no permanent residual damage found other than gastroparesis from a previous test!
What if you have a primary care physician in the pocket of insurance and or heaven forbid, our government? I've had long covid from my initial infection on May 7th 2022 till today. I got him (PCP) to do an x-ray on my hip for the intense pain in my replaced right hip. Said x-ray showed bone deterioration in my right hip so he prescribed a scan of my left hip for osteoporosis (left hip because the right hip replacement (metal) would negatively affect the scan) - gave me the good news that I didn't have osteoporosis. I still have the bone deterioration and the pain is more intense than ever but nothing to follow up on their causes. I'm into my 8th month of Covid symptoms and other than one x-ray that says I have bone deterioration in my right hip, but it's not caused by osteoporosis (scan of my left hip eliminated old age as the cause of my pain). Oh yes, I also saw a neurophysiologist who thinks I'm moody. ten months into total hell with pulmonary, gastric, nerve pain, joint pain, brain fog, imbalance, fatigue and I still have all the pains but NOT! osteoporosis. I am a little moody too - I wonder why?
Where is this long haul doctor located? Would love to find one who specializes in that treatment
Richardson, TX