1. < Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19

Has anyone gotten back to normal after one complication after another?

Posted by britelite @britelite, Apr 25, 2023

I’m 78 yr old female in good health. Able to swim 2 K and walk 1 mile 3 X week.
I tested positive for COVID on Feb. 10, 2023. I just had a cough - no other symptoms. Took a course of Paxlovid. After about a week, tested negative and was able to go back to short spurts of exercise - swimming and walking. After another week, noticed severe exercise intolerance. I’d get short of breath and my pulse would slow to 48 and become irregular. Saw cardiologist and EKG was essentially normal. Wore a 24 hr. Holter monitor which showed some irregularities but doc did not feel they were significant. In the meantime, chest congestion was getting worse so my internist put me on a course of prednisone. Then my blood pressure shot up to 210/110 and I landed in the ER. I was trending toward hypertension so I was put on Amlodipine. I’ve gotten my BP under control and have days when the shortness of breath is not too bad. (I use an Albuterol inhaler which helps). Then today (3/25) I woke up really lightheaded and had what I think was an anxiety attack. I was afraid I was going to die. I’m feeling better as the day goes on but still lightheaded. It’s just one thing after another. I wonder if I’m ever going to get back to normal.
I’m retired and don’t have to worry about work but my heart goes out to the younger ones who are experiencing similar post COVID symptoms and are unable to get back to work or a semblance of a normal life. I’m grateful to be able participate in this forum and read about other’s experiences and know that I’m not alone in all this. Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

siam | @siam | Jun 9, 2023
In reply to @siam "Medical marijuana from 1 gram extract mixed with 30 ml avocado oil gets me a night's..." + (show)
@siam

Medical marijuana from 1 gram extract mixed with 30 ml avocado oil gets me a night's sleep - finding the right strain is trial and error. I never use it during day - too sleepy if I do.

Jump to this post

Meant to say 30 ml lasts 4 weeks.

REPLY
marley7119 | @marley7119 | Jun 10, 2023

i am one year post covid. Had Covid twice in 2022. the second time was last June and I have not recovered. my body seems to be wearing down. I've had fibro for 30 years and an array of other chronic illnesses but I ran a company and raised three daughters thru it all. Currently though I am sitting in the dark in an Emergency Room because I can no longer urinate or have BM's on my own. I am bedridden most of the time now. My blood pressure is running terribly low and I have problems catching my breath and sometimes struggle to swallow. Then I'll have a few hours that everything seems to work and get my hopes up that I am getting better only to have thee room start to spin, I feel like someone is pushing me into the ground. I broke down and bought a wheelchair. i wish I could tell you it gets better. I am in the Mayo post covid study and we shall see. many blessings to you

REPLY
3 replies
jenna | @jennaklo | Jun 10, 2023
In reply to @ripley "I'm a 72 year old female and these stories sound exactly like what I'm going through...." + (show)
@ripley

I'm a 72 year old female and these stories sound exactly like what I'm going through. My health was good until I got Covid in late January 2022 with diarrhea as my only symptom. Since then I've had one health problem after another: severe insomnia, several body aches, digestive issues, headaches, acid reflux, constipation or diarrhea, anxiety. Most have resolved except for the insomnia. I tried sleep-restriction therapy and had a sleep study that ruled out apnea and restless legs. I take 2.5 mg of melatonin and 100-150 mg Trazodone at night, which only gets me around 4 hrs of sleep a night. My sleep Dr won't prescribe anything else "due to my age". I am so tired during the day it's hard to function normally. Last January-February my sleep started to improve, but now my insomnia is back full-force. Wondering if I'll ever get back to the health I enjoyed before Covid.

Jump to this post

if you are open to trying breathing techniques that is free and fully in your control. i highly recommend Box Breathing... If you are open to acupuncture, I find this helpful for pain and aches, I forgot to add that to my other post -- perhaps it would help your sleep as well. I have the opposite issue that I am sleeping WAAAY too much - I used to be awake and productive for 18-20 hrs a day; now I can only be awake for ~12 hrs a day. completely flipped my life around and yet, I have to keep trying, keep going... just differently. I have stopped looking back for what I wish I could do or be and am trying to focus on what I can do now with this shell of a body that doesn't work at all the same -- I just turned 49 and refuse to give up....there's gotta be a better way 🙂

REPLY
2 replies
ripley | @ripley | Jun 10, 2023
In reply to @jennaklo "if you are open to trying breathing techniques that is free and fully in your control...." + (show)
@jennaklo

if you are open to trying breathing techniques that is free and fully in your control. i highly recommend Box Breathing... If you are open to acupuncture, I find this helpful for pain and aches, I forgot to add that to my other post -- perhaps it would help your sleep as well. I have the opposite issue that I am sleeping WAAAY too much - I used to be awake and productive for 18-20 hrs a day; now I can only be awake for ~12 hrs a day. completely flipped my life around and yet, I have to keep trying, keep going... just differently. I have stopped looking back for what I wish I could do or be and am trying to focus on what I can do now with this shell of a body that doesn't work at all the same -- I just turned 49 and refuse to give up....there's gotta be a better way 🙂

Jump to this post

Thank you.

REPLY
britelite | @britelite | Jun 10, 2023
In reply to @marley7119 "i am one year post covid. Had Covid twice in 2022. the second time was last..." + (show)
@marley7119

i am one year post covid. Had Covid twice in 2022. the second time was last June and I have not recovered. my body seems to be wearing down. I've had fibro for 30 years and an array of other chronic illnesses but I ran a company and raised three daughters thru it all. Currently though I am sitting in the dark in an Emergency Room because I can no longer urinate or have BM's on my own. I am bedridden most of the time now. My blood pressure is running terribly low and I have problems catching my breath and sometimes struggle to swallow. Then I'll have a few hours that everything seems to work and get my hopes up that I am getting better only to have thee room start to spin, I feel like someone is pushing me into the ground. I broke down and bought a wheelchair. i wish I could tell you it gets better. I am in the Mayo post covid study and we shall see. many blessings to you

Jump to this post

Marley -oh my, I am so sorry for what you’re going through. When I start to lose hope, I read a story like yours and I applaud your courage to keep pushing through. I pray you’ll find a glimmer of hope and some relief through the Mayo study.

REPLY
dhooge | @dhooge | Jun 10, 2023
In reply to @marley7119 "i am one year post covid. Had Covid twice in 2022. the second time was last..." + (show)
@marley7119

i am one year post covid. Had Covid twice in 2022. the second time was last June and I have not recovered. my body seems to be wearing down. I've had fibro for 30 years and an array of other chronic illnesses but I ran a company and raised three daughters thru it all. Currently though I am sitting in the dark in an Emergency Room because I can no longer urinate or have BM's on my own. I am bedridden most of the time now. My blood pressure is running terribly low and I have problems catching my breath and sometimes struggle to swallow. Then I'll have a few hours that everything seems to work and get my hopes up that I am getting better only to have thee room start to spin, I feel like someone is pushing me into the ground. I broke down and bought a wheelchair. i wish I could tell you it gets better. I am in the Mayo post covid study and we shall see. many blessings to you

Jump to this post

Wowsas, Jenna!! my first time in Mayo Connect and there you are. Exactly the support I needed at this moment.

I’ve copied your post to my clipboard so that I can share it with others. You told my story better than I could have. Thank you for sharing the little details like needing a driver to manage your energy level to attend an event. It happened to me just today and this time I decided to skip the event (sadly) and delve into Mayo Connect. Perfect decision!

You are my angel today, and I’ll be reading and re-reading everything you wrote. In fact, my husband just drove in the yard and I think I’ll go read your post to him. Good idea!

Box breathing. Yes!
Acupuncture. Yes!

Thank you for those recommendations.

I am 74, retired, and live in a strong, physical body, in spite of the devastation from the ugly virus. My primary goal now is to accept my current self, and not grieve the loss of who I was BC …. you get it: before COVID! You have helped me! Sending you love and healing energy♥️. Lucia

REPLY
1 reply
britelite | @britelite | Jun 10, 2023
In reply to @jennaklo "if you are open to trying breathing techniques that is free and fully in your control...." + (show)
@jennaklo

if you are open to trying breathing techniques that is free and fully in your control. i highly recommend Box Breathing... If you are open to acupuncture, I find this helpful for pain and aches, I forgot to add that to my other post -- perhaps it would help your sleep as well. I have the opposite issue that I am sleeping WAAAY too much - I used to be awake and productive for 18-20 hrs a day; now I can only be awake for ~12 hrs a day. completely flipped my life around and yet, I have to keep trying, keep going... just differently. I have stopped looking back for what I wish I could do or be and am trying to focus on what I can do now with this shell of a body that doesn't work at all the same -- I just turned 49 and refuse to give up....there's gotta be a better way 🙂

Jump to this post

Jenna- thank you. Appreciate your suggestions. At this point I think we all need to advocate for ourselves and try whatever works besides traditional medicine. I googled box breathing techniques and will try it. I admire your positive attitude and resolve to keep pushing on. Bless you. 🙏

REPLY
poppy67 | @poppy67 | Jun 10, 2023

I am 3 years post Covid. Some symptoms are better. I had severe hair loss and it’s finally growing back. Other symptoms are still bad such as constant phlegm in my throat and nose. My oxygen level gets low. This happened after pneumonia post Covid. I use oxygen at home now. I sometimes feel I can’t get a good breath and I’m having anxiety and panic attacks from it. There are other symptoms but feeling short of breath and this weakness is the worse. Sometimes I feel I am finally getting better but it comes back. I have a list of rather odd symptoms that all came on after Covid. I haven’t felt like myself since Covid. I feel a cloud over me. But I am finally having some breakthrough moments when I feel more like myself. I have to believe with time we will feel more of these and less of the Covid issues.
I am so thankful for this forum. Sometimes late at time I feel depressed and I click on here and feel better. Feeling alone and afraid is horrible. I want you all to know that I truly think of you. I believe in prayer, and/or meditation. Let’s try to stay positive. You’ve been an inspiration to me. God bless you.

REPLY
1 reply
kitty2 | @kitty2 | Jun 11, 2023
In reply to @poppy67 "I am 3 years post Covid. Some symptoms are better. I had severe hair loss and..." + (show)
@poppy67

I am 3 years post Covid. Some symptoms are better. I had severe hair loss and it’s finally growing back. Other symptoms are still bad such as constant phlegm in my throat and nose. My oxygen level gets low. This happened after pneumonia post Covid. I use oxygen at home now. I sometimes feel I can’t get a good breath and I’m having anxiety and panic attacks from it. There are other symptoms but feeling short of breath and this weakness is the worse. Sometimes I feel I am finally getting better but it comes back. I have a list of rather odd symptoms that all came on after Covid. I haven’t felt like myself since Covid. I feel a cloud over me. But I am finally having some breakthrough moments when I feel more like myself. I have to believe with time we will feel more of these and less of the Covid issues.
I am so thankful for this forum. Sometimes late at time I feel depressed and I click on here and feel better. Feeling alone and afraid is horrible. I want you all to know that I truly think of you. I believe in prayer, and/or meditation. Let’s try to stay positive. You’ve been an inspiration to me. God bless you.

Jump to this post

Here is a article I found..How to Navigate ongoing grief with a Chronic condition..From Living well January 02, 2023..website https://www.bezzyibd.com/discover/living-well-ra/health-how-to-navigate-ongoing-grief/?. I have had long covid since December 2021. and I am right there with you. Some of the doctors say there is nothing I can do for you, hopefully with time these problems will go away, but it is hard when you have to deal with this stuff on a daily basis. Some of the doctors want you to take more medication , when the side effects are worse than the problem itself and make you sicker, like the steriods they give you. We have to keep going and maybe some day they will find something that will help all of us. Sincerely..kitty2

REPLY
1 reply
ripley | @ripley | Jun 11, 2023
In reply to @marley7119 "i am one year post covid. Had Covid twice in 2022. the second time was last..." + (show)
@marley7119

i am one year post covid. Had Covid twice in 2022. the second time was last June and I have not recovered. my body seems to be wearing down. I've had fibro for 30 years and an array of other chronic illnesses but I ran a company and raised three daughters thru it all. Currently though I am sitting in the dark in an Emergency Room because I can no longer urinate or have BM's on my own. I am bedridden most of the time now. My blood pressure is running terribly low and I have problems catching my breath and sometimes struggle to swallow. Then I'll have a few hours that everything seems to work and get my hopes up that I am getting better only to have thee room start to spin, I feel like someone is pushing me into the ground. I broke down and bought a wheelchair. i wish I could tell you it gets better. I am in the Mayo post covid study and we shall see. many blessings to you

Jump to this post

Have you taken any meds for fibro that helped relieve pain without bad side effects?

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.