Joint inflammation and muscle pain after COVID

Hi Im 54, I have Covid in Nov of 2020, moderate to mild, had a few neuro symptoms that were weird, felt like I had heat behind my eyes and brain was warm (but no fever at all), no taste and smell thing for several weeks, dry cough for a while too. Stamina was lowered for several months. In between then and now (late Dec 2022), Ive had a lot of muscle loss 35% to me. I was a person who walked daily and did mild bands and resistance just for tone, some at gym. In 2019 (51 yrs old) I could sit on floor and get up with NO hands. Now I feel as if I need a cane to get up, legs are so weak (quads, knees and ankles). I do have 2 torn hips (I have EDS). but those werent hindering my strength like what is happening now. My shoulders ache and are weak. It seems there is something internal working against me no one can figure out. I did test positive back in Jan 2022 for the first time ever ANA - speckled (mixed cont tissue (muscle) pattern. Which makes sense, but they have run a ton of tests and nothing but ANA is really showing. Some Drs think it is long covid but there is just not enough Data. I had to quit all advil and tylenol bc my AST / ALT (liver) tests were going up and liver is fatty now. They are running more tests on that. (I do not drink). After 4 mons with no NSAIDs they are going down, but nothing for pain. I do take tumeric and magnesium and eating healthy. Ive gone through Menopause, but I dont think that alone takes you down for a muscle/joint perspective in a matter of a year or so. Im doing all I can to continue to move, walk, super light hand weights, recumb bike just to feel Im keeping up physically. I do think the shots may have thrown me into the ANA since I had Covid and 3 shots within 11 mos. I guess time will tell, but wanted to say some of you are not alone. Also cant take steriods too much, really barely 1 or 2, it really aggravates my dysautonomia. I try the baby dose medrol 2mg and it helps some. Thanks for sharing everyone.

I’m 65 and bike and kayack and go to the gym everyday. Last couple months after having the two pfeiser shots and the booster and am experiencing pain in my shoulder joints knees and hip. We are on a road trip and when I get out of the truck can barely walk. It’s crazy

I’m trying to work through without medication but it’s rough. As long as it doesn’t get worse

Hi there,
I am 55, over menopause. I was in pretty good shape for my age. I was active, went to the gym, Pilates, golfing all kinds of activities. I worked lot. And I love it all.
I hope this will validate that what you are going. Below is some things the I have been challenged with.
I had a good does of Covid, first in 01/2021 and I haven't been the same since. I also got coved again 01/22. But the first round is the one that got me. I now have long Covid. All sorts of issues continue from: Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, writing, my memory took a nose dive for sure. Physically I am still struggling to last a few minutes of cardio, before I need an inhaler. My bones and muscles are achy. I struggle with needing a nap for the day. If I go out for about 2 hours - I am completely wiped out for the remainder of that day and a few days that followI am in bed. I don't remember seeing people or talking to them. My in laws stayed at our house for 4 days a few months ago. I do not remember it at all. I cant remember even the simplest things , did I already wash my face? I forget how many scoops I've put in the coffee pot. Sometimes we have very strong coffee, and others times it's is really weak. The list goes on and on. My raspatory system has also been compromised. I have limited stamina, and strength - I have inhaler now. What? I don't have asthma - but I need it with me at all times, because I now have it. It's beyond frustrating that a simple warm up of a at home workout wears me out.
I understand what you are dealing with.
My husband basically tells the Dr. what has been going on. I fall down. I walk into walls . I spill things, and drop things. I am shaky a lot & clumsy, black out or faint or seizure and I now being treated for epilepsy. I have seizure's. I forget what I was talking about in mid sentences. I'm a mess. The Doctors trying to figures it out. I am trying to remain sane!
If you have Kaiser they do not have any Dr. that I've seen, anyway, do not have any specialty or department to Post Covid to treat Long Covid. They don't have any type support groups or Dr's learning about what we go through.
If they do, I have not been advised or treated by Long Covid department or treatment availably. l see that group. I have a few doctors that are looking a studies and things on their own time.
This took me 2or 3 hours.
So with that I will retire for today.
You got this!!!!!

I have been diagnosed with LC on Feb. 14, 2021. On November 11, 2023 I woke up with pain in my right hip so bad I could not put much weight on my right leg. On two different nights When I got up and went to the bathroom I had to wake up my wife to help me to the floor so I could crawl back to bed. I called my Dr. and they said they would refer me to a pain clinic. After 4 days I still didn't have an appointment. I called my Dr. and it went another week. and I still didn't have an appointment. I called again and got to my Dr. nurse and she said she would get on it and call me back. I told her that I could not take it any longer and asked her to have the Dr, prescribe could Prescribe something. He did and after 2 days the pain was gone and has not came back

What was prescribed? The pain is unrelenting!!!

Very interested to know what you were given?
I contracted covid February 14, 2022 and the muscle and joint pain is so unbearable. I have flare ups that last for days. All blood work comes back normal, so very frustrating!!!

Tramadol HCL 50MG
1 every eight hours as needed for pain. I could also take Advil.
I also have a prescription for Hydroxyz HCL 25 MG . Take 1 to2 tablets by mouth three times daily as needed for anxiety or sleep.

You were fortunate to get pain med that actually worked! I hope it stays well for you.

I'm 76, caught Covid in May 2022 and immediately had joint pain - first in my right hip (Replaced joint) then in my left hip and both shoulders. after couple of years both arms were numb and tingling. My doctors had x-rayed my right hip, did a scan of my left hip for bone deuteriation with nothing found. After nearly 2 years my primary care physician asked if I wanted an x-ray of my neck as the numbness in both arms and hands indicated it could be a neck problem. I got the x-ray and it came back with severe damage to four disc with possible nerve damage. We followed up with a MRI (3 in total) of the back and found 13 of the 23 spinal discs had both bone and nerve damage. Then my insurance carrier denied coverage of my MRI because I hadn't had physical therapy - I don't know why the doctors don't listen to the patients and diagnose and treat the patient's pain but I suspect our insurance industry is controlling our care and 2 years of debilitating pain is nothing to them. I don't know if they were waiting for me to die or what.