I have been reading here for about a year but still not real sure how to join a discussion but will try.
Soon after first two vaccines I fell ill and was sent to cardiologist who diagnosed ejection fraction of 30 and heart cath diagnosed congestive heart failure. Have had chronic kidney failure for many years but remain stable until a few months later dropped into in stage and underwent some dialysis. Spent several years going to specialists. Fall 2021 caught covid-19 in spite of two vaccines and a booster. Soon discovered I had some heart arrhythmias and received a pacemaker this past September. It keeps my heart from bradycardia and tachycardia but still feel ill. Tired, out of breath, and my balance is terrible plus temors in my hands...very shaky. Due to balance I have fallen quite a few times the worst to dislocated my knees and another gave me a concussion. I try to go outside and take a walk each day on good days but still can only go a half a mile and I know I am largely deconditioned because I used to hike regularly and that ended with my first two vaccines. I recently turned 69 so I am sure my age factors in but I also know that the symptoms I have absolutely were brought on by covid and that I now have long covid. Not all of my specialist agree however and I am in a small town in Arizona so have very few specialists.
As far as coping I am trying to accept that this is now my life but I am not doing a good job of it. 3 years ago my primary care provider offered me Prozac and I have been taking that. A few months ago I tried to reduce the number of medications I take and stopped Prozac... But I now believe I need to go back on it. My most recent specialist was a neurologist who wanted to put me on migraine medicine but I certainly do not want to add more medicines she is also one who does not believe in or treat long covid. My next plan is to go to a different neurologist in the next town which is about 30 minutes away. I would like to be checked for possible Parkinson's because of my tremor and unbalanced gait. Except for doctor appointments and the daily attempt to walk in the neighborhood, I mostly stay at home. My husband now does all the cooking and goes walking with me. He also does all the grocery shopping because I am unable to be upright for very long. I am trying to cope and starting to believe this is my new normal.
Debbie