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.

In March 2022 I got a “virus” fever and joint pain. It lasted about 3 days. When the fever left the joints got progressively worse. Since August 2022 I have been working with a rheumatologist and tried every drug on the market to no avail. The only thing that works is Prednisone. I keep trying to ween off of that because of all the deleterious side effects but then I cannot walk! I’ve tried every home remedy and PT, acupuncture and supplement. Nothing touches this!
I’m so sorry to hear you are suffering with similar symptoms. My main complaints are knees back and swollen Achilles(enthesis).
If you discover anything, please post. My former self is gone and I miss her!

The body aches are the worst! It never goes away. Only thing I have found that works is CBD delta 8. It is great for inflammation and pain. It is legal in my state tye gummies. I eat one and ALL the pain is gone.

I take a hemp gummy with 5 mg of THC almost every afternoon when I start to feel the worst from nausea and body aches (long Covid). It’s the only thing that helps me. Unfortunately it doesn’t give me my appetite back, which has been gone since February. I’ve lost 23 pounds and am now too thin. How do I get my appetite back without going back on prednisone, which I finally tapered off from? Loved the way I felt on prednisone but can’t be on it long-term.