Thread by @ABdoc4patients

#LongCovid - a 🧵

I survived #COVID19, sure.

Over a year ago, I had a fever of almost 41C for a week, extreme fatigue, & severe myalgias. I was bedridden for that week. I lost my sense of smell & taste for a couple weeks as well.

I recovered uneventfully - or so I thought.

Over the next few months, I noticed I was getting more and more tired, to the point I worried about my function, and was referred to the #COVID19AB pulmonary clinic.

All tests were normal - lung function, walking, oxygen sats, bloodwork, chest X-ray.

I continued to get worse.

I became a surrogate for a friend and colleague, and was pregnant in November 2020 - my symptoms either got better due to the immune changes in pregnancy, or I became unaware due to the extreme stressor of working #LongTermCare #COVID19AB outbreaks every day for months.

I was vaccinated with the #Pfizer #vaccine February + March 2021. My symptoms did not get better, unlike some anecdotal reports that #LongCovid - or #PASC (post acute sequelae of #COVID19 ) - got better after vaccination. Mom and I were reassured re: vaccine safety in pregnancy.

After delivery I got worse so in addition to pulmonary I now see rheumatology.

My symptoms: “brain fog” that worsens w time/exhaustion, fatigue that worsens w normal activity & lasts days. Myalgias (muscle pain) that worsen w activity, feeling like I had a whole body workout.

I started something called “LDN” or low dose naltrexone.

I am trying to stay active & avoid white sugar and simple carbs.

I’ve cut back on a day of work so I can spend that day doing work I usually do at night after kids’ bedtime. I need 12 hours of sleep to feel ok.

It is very hard to be a physician and a mom of 4 kiddos (2, 4, 6, 8 yo) and do teaching and sit on councils and take care of myself if I need to sleep 12 hours.

I am participating in multiple covid and long covid research studies to try help others learn more.

What scares me the most?

Letting the virus spread unchecked - I’m not a “stat” in that I didn’t die. But I have long term effects that have only gotten worse. I am young, healthy, no comorbidities, and wasn’t hospitalized or in ICU - who we know have long term effects.

What does #LongCovid mean for everyone who doesn’t become a stat?

What about children w whole lives ahead of them?

What about our economy?

What about our healthcare system dealing with chronic complications in addition to delayed diagnoses and treatment due to #COVID19 ?

I am hopeful that having large number of chronic fatigue patients from one known cause will further research faster than before for all chronic fatigue patients & anyone else w similar syndromes.

Get vaccinated.
Protect yourself & others.
Follow public health orders.
Stay safe.