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

So happy for you that you’ve got to this point.
Had Covid 9/22, very difficult for me trying to do any physical activity. At times this still happens. My PCP says this could last for a while. I try to stay as active as I can and this has definitely helped me physically and mentally.
I wish you continued success and good health.

I am 69 and got covid on March 11, 2023; it was on a 350 mi bike ride that turned into a super spreader event. Paxlovid helped, and I was negative after 9 days. My symptoms were similar to yours (BP up to 190/90, elevated heart rate, heart trying to beat its way out of my chest, fatigue and insomnia, but no shortness of breath). My tests were all negative and I've been gradually ramping up my exercise. I still have minor fatigue and occasional short chest pain on exercizing, but am gradually improving. This year is out for bike tours (I normally bike ~7000 mi/year), and I'm just slowly working on getting back. I have a few autoimmune diseases so managing stress and lots of rest breaks are important. Covid can screw with GI tracts but mine is already toast (technically gluten free toast because I have celiac). It is good to escape the clutches of covid whenever you can; it demands a lot of attention.

Has anyone found something that works for day in day out headache. This is somewhat of a newer symptom and in the past few days it is a full time headache like nothing I have ever ex perienced.

Keep going! I don't believe we'll ever truly understand how Covid affects us, what it really is, how it does what it does, for how long we'll be affected, etc., because it seems to adapt itself in unique ways based on the uniqueness of each person who becomes a sort of host. Ugh, right?

But we as a species are tough cookies. We push on, adapt and learn how to live with it.

I think this is a learning opportunity for each of us, to be more aware of our bodies. And a lesson for the medical and research communities to a) truly listen to us, and b) realize more fully that we're a whole, not a series of isolated parts.

When I pay attention to how my cough is, and massage my hands with a nourishing oil, for example, I've noticed that I can slowly ease my cough. Perhaps the rhythmic movements synchs up to the coughing. How? Not a clue.

You pushing forward is you taking control and living your life with LC, not being controlled by it.

Good on you!

My covid headaches are minor and infrequent so I can get rid of/lessen them with accupressure on the meridian point between my thumbs and index fingers. If you haven't already, it would be good to check with your doctor on this. Mine had me on aspirin for that and the chance of covid microclots (I had to go off it after a week because it caused a colitis flare [no NSAIDs]). I can take tylenol.

I am in my 40s and have 3 kids 2 under 10, and have had to quit my job and was not able to provide care for my kids (husband did). Since being diagnosed with CFS (which could be long covid or not but has similar symptoms and treatment) I got enough of a clue to tackle the problem and 4-5 months in am much much better knock on wood. It has been more like whack-a-mole in addressing parts of an interconnected web (sleep, allergies/histamines, energy expenditure, diet, exercise, mental perspective/personal identity etc.). I can say 4 months post diagnosis I think I am doing better- lots of glacial progress but definitely 2 steps forward one step back. Diet made a big difference but so did so many other things (histamines, supplements, etc).

Kayabbott, I love hearing about natural ways to cope. Could you describe the process of working on the pain meridian more fully, please? And does it work specifically on the meridian connected to headaches, or on the pain response itself?

The accupressure supposedly decreases headaches, how exactly I don't know. You can search using "headache accupressure" or "headache meridian points" for info and techniques. This Memorial Sloane Kettering site has some info and videos on using accupressure ( https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/acupressure-pain-and-headaches ). Regarding meridian points, I was stung by a wasp on my right temple a few years ago (allergic, but only a rash). A few days later I got trigger finger on my right ring finger. It went away after accupuncture and a cortisone shot. I got stung on the meridian point for that nerve at the base of my ring finger.

Law59, I’ve been doing the box breathing exercise and it does help. I find stress plays a major role in acting up my physical symptoms of pain. Or pain acts up the stress. —what come first chicken or egg? However looking back on myself when younger I do see the pain came first . I don’t know if it’s possible to have pain w/o stress or anxiety. Then comes the worries. Will it go away or at least get under control for awhile, what will I do if I can’t go to that wedding or a friend’s birthday party? I even missed my grandmothers funeral and some of my family has never forgiven me …still. Pain changed my life. The saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Yes, in some cases but not all. Anyway, just wanted to thank you for explaining the simple method of breathing. It does help!

Oh @poppy67. Im literally trying to get medical records for confusion of Social Security Disability and so hear and relate to what you’re saying as my body crashing and have no idea what to expect physically, mentally, financially. Hope you know you have my utmost regard and empathy and wish you only the best maneuvering these challenges🌈