Thread by @mercuryblush

1/ Well, it’s my #LongCOVID anniversary. Today marks one year from the day I noticed my first fever. I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting so I thought I’d document some of my thoughts here. #1year1virus

2/ Weirdly enough I felt totally fine that first fever day and thought the thermometer might be wrong. I did BodyCombat earlier that day for goodness sakes, jump knees and burpees and all. A couple days later, I was gasping giving a 15 minute talk.

3/ After 1 month, I thought I was going crazy. How could I still be so sick from something that was only supposed to last two weeks? It was around then that I found the prolonged symptoms survey posted by @ahandvanish. I cried.

4/ She also told me about the @itsbodypolitic group on slack, which was invaluable to me. It was so validating to see that I wasn’t the only one, especially considering my initial (-) test. Let’s not forget stellar comments from medical professionals...

5/

“Do you regularly get sinus infections? Maybe it’s that.”

Um yes, regularly get them so I know what they’re like. It’s not that.

6/

“You’re probably just out of shape. Get back out there and push even though you feel like you might pass out”

But I passed out several times already so maybe a bad idea? Also does being out of shape give me a low grade fever?

7/ Recovery hasn’t been linear. Do I feel better than I did 6 months ago? Yes. 3 months? No. I get some good days and then relapse.

I have no idea whether I can get back to my previous baseline or if this is my new baseline. Time will tell I suppose.

8/ Remaining issues:
- Heart rate still too high
- Temp > 99 F most days
- Arthritis in hands and feet where I can’t make a fist in the mornings
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- GI issues
- Toes frequently purple/have sores
- Lots of tingly/numb arms, legs, face

9/ The good:
- I survived!
- BP is stable and doesn’t swing from 150/115 to 65/45 in minutes.
- I can go on walks and do body pump again! CAVEAT: I need to wear compression tights and a chest strap heart monitor with an alarm that goes off if my HR goes over 150. It does...a lot

10/ The good cont.
- I can sit at my (home) desk for full work days.
- I can check the mail without fear of fainting in the driveway.
- I’ve learned so much about chronic illness and the disability community. Their advice on pacing has been invaluable.

11/ The good still continued!
- I have an amazing support network of family and friends.
- I have incredible managers that encouraged me to take the time off that I needed (I may have been reluctant at first)

END/ I haven’t said much on this platform so far other than some “Me too!”s and the sort. Thanks for sticking around if you’ve read this far. Hopefully soon I can relay my vaccine experience as well, whatever that may bring. Trying to keep expectations in check...