Has anyone else experienced anxiety after getting Covid?

Did Zoloft help with any of the long covid symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue or brain fog? When you started Zoloft, did you feel terrible for weeks that you couldn't drive a car or function? Did your doctor give any slack about going off of Zoloft, I am concerned about starting and being on a medicine for a long time.

I had a relatively mild case of covid last June. Since then I've had various "long covid" symptoms, but a constant state of unfocused anxiety and "jumpiness" is one of the worst. I also flinch every time the phone rings (although it's usually someone trying to sell me a car warranty). Since I'm retired, my urgency to "get back to normal" might be less than yours. I have an appointment at a neurology clinic in April. I'm not currently on meds, but I just wanted you to know that what you're experiencing is not uncommon.

Zoloft didn't help with anything but anxiety. I wasn't having shortness of breath or brain fog. I had severe insomnia so was fatigued from lack of sleep, which made me uneasy about driving, except for short distances. I went off Zoloft without consulting my Dr. My thinking was that I could always go back on it if my anxiety was still an issue. I understand your concern about being on Zoloft for a long time, but if it helps you medically, it might be worth it. I know several people who have been on anti-anxiety meds for years. If you have questions your doctor can't answer, talk to your pharmacist.

I've been experiencing various long covid symptoms since a relatively mild acute case last June. One of the most troubling is constant unfocused anxiety. I haven't taken any meds, but I do have a neurological consult scheduled in April.

Makes total sense, not as a direct result OF COVID but indirectly due to the difficulty in finding appropriate treatment and resuming a normal life again. It is well documented in all chronic diseases. Meditation and "exercises" to bring your system back to sympathetic rather than parasympathetic dominance. Basically, the
" rest & digest " rather than the " fight or flight " response. Hope that helps-it truly has helped me. I can give you some leads or basic positions to possibly help.

Please PM me the basic positions. I’m struggling with the heightened anxiety and depression. Today is one of my worst. Thank you!

A few months on Sertraline helped me. When I felt ready, I slowly tapered off and my anxiety levels had improved so I didn't need to go back on the meds. Good luck.

Try a basic slow forward fold standing with your legs slightly apart. It's fine to bend your legs as much as you need to. The most important aspect is getting your chest as close to your stomach as you comfortably can (not.your hands or head to the floor). Breathe slowly and fully 3- 5 rounds.
YOU CAN ALSO DO THIS LYING ON YOUR BACK,TUCKING YOUR KNEES INTO YOUR CHEST.

That is a great one for anxiety ( basically the fetal position on your back) you can wrap your arms around your tucked legs .

Also, closing your eyes, sitting with a straight spine,focus on a slow inhale and exhale even more slowly. Key is focusing on your breathe and increasing your exhale.

Hope that helps. Please lmk

So appreciative, thank you, I will give it a try and let you know.

I will add i have had depression all my life and was on Zoloft for 25 yrs and i got Covid and Zoloft quit working and anxiety came out of nowhere on top of that.
I can't remember all the meds i have tried since and none of them have worked at all.
Most made no difference at all....I even did the gene sight test and nothing works.
I am on Fetzima now and am constipated and cant urinate.
Its like i have to go so bad all through the day and i strain to go and it trickles.
Yes had my prostate checked also and it was fine.
Fetzima aint helping so left message wit Doc today.
Been trying to get into mayo and my insurance company is a joke.
They wont take faxes and referrals have to be done online but my mental healt doc
and PCP says their website just spins and when they call the 800 helpline they are on hold
forever and they give up.
I am switching Doctors till i find one who is willing to tolerate the joke that is my insurance company
and can get my referral where and how my insurance company wants it.
It should not be this hard to get care this long after we have been dealing with covid.
I have been reduced to do doing the bare minimum i have to do just to get by.
The only med that helps me at this point is Klonopin and i take .05 milligrams at night
and as needed when a anxiety attack kicks in.
I am always tired and winded if i do anything but my body sure can find the energy to start
start shaking and trembling out of nowhere which then wipes me out even more after the anxiety
attack.
I am out of options until i can find a place to diagnose what the heck is going on.
25 yrs on 100 mg of Zoloft and never a problem and life was rolling along until
I got Covid ( Had both shots and a booster ) and now no medication will help
except Klonopin and i am scared to death of becoming addicted to it so i use the bare minimum.
It's a shame we have so few resources and people are still suffering!!