Long COVID or just burnout?

[Eriatarka]

Hey all

Got COVID twice during the pandemic, unfortunately had a job that required on site work and as much as I tried to avoid it, I still got it twice.

Fast forward and I'm having some long COVID symptoms. Lethargy, brain fog, inability to focus. But I'm also worrying if the past few years have maybe just caught up to me and I need a long break from work...

Anyone know a way to definitely diagnose symptoms as long COVID?

Thanks

 

[kje99]

I don't think there is an exact way. The symptoms are basically the same as CFS/ME resulting from any viral illness (and other causes). I'd join a forum that has experience dealing with CFS/ME and follow their guidelines - there are several about if you search. The important thing is to get better.

 

[InsomnicMan]

@Eriatarka No way to certainly say either. Maybe a short vacation or rest might answer the burn out question. Covid will always be around but in a milder form.

 

[riverman]

I hope you are feeling better @Eriatarka As others have said, there is no test. As someone who has had ME/CFS for many years, the one piece of advice I'd give you is to be kind to yourself, listen to your body and rest when you need to. If that is possible.

​

 

[Cartman]

I had long Covid from hell in March 2020. I was out of work 1.5 years and almost took my own life. For me it was fatigue, brain fog, throat pain, nausea, tachycardia. During all this I had extreme testicular pain due to a pinched nerve root. Then bad tinnitus from 3 rounds of unnecessary antibiotics. I should not be alive. I know what hell feels like. The scary part is it could have been worse. I now believe in euthanasia and never judge anyone for suicide even though I would never encourage it.

All while doctors telling me it was in my head. These doctors all need to be fired with extreme prejudice. I always hated activists but people need to accept this is a real disease or they are discredited and out of my life. I will never be the same.

 

[barracuda]

@Cartman

If Lyme disease can cause life time issues, then why can’t doctors believe an engineered virus can? Covid was terrible for many.

I caught Covid in October 2019. I woke up one morning and could barely move. The wife put me in the car and took me to ER. My blood o2 dropped to 80% and my temp was 104.

After the hospital stay, I was home on O2 for months and my lungs were screwed up.
I didn’t feel close to myself until September 2020.


I personally don’t know what issues I can attribute to long COVID bc I already had physical injury issues, but I think I am generally in more discomfort then before with more frequent tinnitus then before.

Covid sure was different between individuals.

I will always be thankful for the hospital workers that took care of me. I know the COVID floor was a lot of work.

 

[NewJack]

There are other members suffering from long covid as well. I 100% believe you. Medical science does not seem to respond until it hits critical mass and is cost effective to treat. Hope it gets better for you

 

[rachelmagnolia]

Long covid often has weird symptoms too like inability to smell. Brain fog usually goes away if it is not long covid unless you are a menopausal woman.

 

[loveaddict]

Everyone who has long COVID should (in my humble opinion) get their hormones checked if possible! I'm not saying it ISN'T long-COVID, but some of those side effects 'could' be from low hormone levels. The virus could be screwing up your system so much, it leads to hormone imbalances. (I see things like Brain Fog, low energy, poor sleep, anxiety, weakness, etc. and I think low hormones, because I deal with that all the time. It's one of those fuzzy things that is very hard to pin down!)

 

[otherone]

covid back again this season. just recovered. it was mild for me this time but have always get the
boosters

 

[Alpha29]

I hope your feeling better OP as I know just how much that feeling can suck!

 

[totts]

2 months post covid, still coughing, brain fog, tired. Booster jab booked but we have to pay now (was free) - cheapest £100. But I can’t have this long drag of feeling ill and hopeless. The boosters help keep symptoms mild. Though I worry about the studies (latest from Canada - a long, peer reviewed one) of the effects of repeated infections on the brain, neuropathy etc. scary stuff. Who ever thinks it’s fine for us all to catch it over and over is dumb imho. Smallpox was around 100s yrs - never got ‘mild’ nor herd immunity. Vaccination eventually eradicated it. Polio ditto. Ebola - no mild cases nor herd immunity. Eventually Covid will be vaccinated down to something routine, but that takes years. And it’s been discovered that SARS cov 2 is quite unique in that it’s found in the brain and spinal fluid first - before entering the blood. The long term effects on the brain are still unknown. I hate that SARS in now everywhere. Rant over

 

[heavymetalviolet]

I just got hit with covid for the FOURTH time. This one was BAD. Knocked me flat for over a week. Sick as a dog. I too felt hopeless like I would never get better. My job was hounding me about when was I coming back and being out so long (it was a contract gig to begin with). Still have the brain fog, still coughing, still post nasal drip, still have messed up lungs. I was laughing hard at something yesterday and literally could not breathe. This is horrible. Oh, and I'm still perpetually exhausted but I just got a new job so...yeah. SMH.

 

[totts]

I just got hit with covid for the FOURTH time. This one was BAD. Knocked me flat for over a week. Sick as a dog. I too felt hopeless like I would never get better. My job was hounding me about when was I coming back and being out so long (it was a contract gig to begin with). Still have the brain fog, still coughing, still post nasal drip, still have messed up lungs. I was laughing hard at something yesterday and literally could not breathe. This is horrible. Oh, and I'm still perpetually exhausted but I just got a new job so...yeah. SMH.

Och I feel for you! Four - you must be so tired of it and with it. Congrats on the new job - try and build up your immune system in any way that suits you. And yes, rest really helps, but I work too, so it’s tricky to fit rest in! Take care.

 

[heavymetalviolet]

I just got hit with covid for the FOURTH time. This one was BAD. Knocked me flat for over a week. Sick as a dog. I too felt hopeless like I would never get better. My job was hounding me about when was I coming back and being out so long (it was a contract gig to begin with). Still have the brain fog, still coughing, still post nasal drip, still have messed up lungs. I was laughing hard at something yesterday and literally could not breathe. This is horrible. Oh, and I'm still perpetually exhausted but I just got a new job so...yeah. SMH.

Och I feel for you! Four - you must be so tired of it and with it. Congrats on the new job - try and build up your immune system in any way that suits you. And yes, rest really helps, but I work too, so it’s tricky to fit rest in! Take care.

Thanks! Yes, the new job was one I wanted (although some may say I'm out of my mind based on what it is and the nature of it...it fits me so hey). My immune system unfortunately has always been somewhat behind the 8 ball. I'm always fighting something it seems and have been since I was young. I got bronchitis annually pre-covid (you could almost set your watch by it) to the point where I would call my GP, tell him I had it and he would simply call in a Z pack for me. It's awful. Still trying to come back from this but it's hard (I find myself going to bed at like 8 at night...I know I'm getting to be an old lady but c'mon!). I guess we'll get there. You hang in there also...hope we both feel better soon!