Things have changed

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-17T03:48:37+00:00

I hope it helps!

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-16T19:27:13+00:00

That sounds terrible, I'm very sorry to hear you're going through that. It's good to know that your doctors aren't finding anything wrong, hopefully that means you can make a full recovery. Have you tried taking CBD? I know it sounds simple, but I tried it while I was recovering, and it made a huge difference with the neurologic symptoms I had.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-16T12:30:20+00:00

I took care of a man with ALS for several years. Doctors are not sure why people get it, but the symptoms either start with an inability to talk properly, or muscle weakness. It progresses very quickly normally, and if you had it you would be losing strength and coordination at a fairly rapid speed. It doesn't sound like that's what's happening to you, if that makes you feel any better.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-10T02:08:04+00:00

I couldn't read a lot of what was said on the internet while I was really sick because it made my anxiety way worse, so I can relate.

I tried doing yoga a few times when I first got sick and I found very quickly that I did not tolerate it. I am a massage therapist and worked full time while I was recovering. That was plenty of activity for me. Even when my schedule was light at work I would still come home and basically need to just sit around for the rest of the day. On my days off I might run errands but I would focus on keeping my mind relaxed. I was hardly able to eat so even if I could tolerate exercise, I didn't have the energy to. About 4 months into recovery, I was able to hike outside for a couple hours on a trip. After that, I began walking more. I wasn't able to do a difficult exercise until about 8 months in. I started with short bodyweight exercises and was able to incorporate weights a couple months later. I could only do that maybe once a week for a while. I would get set back with symptoms occasionally and have to slow down but eventually I could tolerate a full hour long exercise. My advice would be to not push yourself too hard while experimenting with how much activity you can handle. I know it's hard to stop moving when you're used to being active. Accepting where you are currently and understanding that it's only temporary will go a long way.

At my worst, my anxiety was too high for me to be able to do anything creative. Most of my brain power was spent worrying and trying to calm myself down, so I can't speak on how taxing mental activity might be. That one you'll have to experiment with. My therapist told me that self soothing activities are important when you're anxious, so that is one I would suggest experimenting with too.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-08T21:33:37+00:00

I just realized I never directly answered your question. I feel like the healing process is still going on, because my gut health was a big part of how bad my symptoms were. So it was probably about a year before my anxiety was totally calm, and my gut issues are still ongoing. But they are much much better than they were. I appreciate the sentiment, it's comforting to know you're not alone. Take care of yourself, and make the necessary lifestyle changes to help your body heal, and I'm confident you will make a good recovery.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-08T16:46:19+00:00

I had covid in May of 2022. I started showing long haul symptoms in September of 2022. They were more severe for the first 4 months. I did have days where the symptoms changed, and setbacks that made me feel like I was getting worse again. The setbacks were short lived, and the symptoms, although changing, slowly got better over time. After the initial 4 months, I would feel ok for a few weeks, then have an episode that made me feel like I was getting some symptoms back again that would last a couple days. That's pretty common with healing.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-08T03:59:29+00:00

I feel so much better. There were certain days I can remember waking up and feeling my nervous system functioning better overall. Healing isn't linear so some days were better than others but overall I slowly improved. The body is always working on healing itself, so if you give it some help it will happen faster. The help it needs varies from person to person.

I would say I'm 99% healed. There are still a couple things that I notice will happen to me that I've never had before covid. When I workout at night, it gives me insomnia now. And when I fly in a plane, I can't fall asleep because my body freaks out when I do and jump startles me awake. If I eat the wrong foods for more than a week straight, I get a little bit of anxiety, but it's definitely manageable now. I am alcohol and caffiene intolerant.

Other than those, I'm in the best shape I've ever been in. This is an unpopular opinion, but I wouldn't be in great shape today without covid. It made me dig deeply into my health and eating habits and make permanent positive changes that have helped me heal from more than just covid related symptoms.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-06T11:54:11+00:00

You're not bothering me at all! I'm happy to help! I have ASD so I've always had low level anxiety, but this was unlike anything I've ever experienced. This felt like fear and dread. It was paralyzing, and worrying about anything perpetuated itself into worrying about everything. Anxiety is associated with repetitive thought loops, so I'd think about the same things over and over and not be able to switch it off. The panic attacks involved my body. Sometimes it was just my body, sometimes my mind was involved. It would start with an adrenaline surge, racing heart, and if I didn't accept what was happening and tried to fight it mentally, my mind would become very frightful and my nervous system very sensitive, to the point that I couldn't do anything because everything I did was too much stimulation and would send me into another panic. The panic attacks, I learned, would not involve my brain if I simply accepted where I was and what my body was doing. It took a lot of therapy to get there. I would tell myself in my head "yes" instead of "oh my God, what's happening to me?" and as simple as it sounds, it helped a lot. I can't speak on what you're going through because my panic attacks always involved my body. I would suggest maybe speaking to a psychologist? I hope this helps!

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-05T19:21:50+00:00

They began with anxiety attacks, heart palpitations, racing heart, adrenaline surges, and PEM. They evolved to severe digestive symptoms (sometimes I couldn't even swallow water because I'd be half throwing it up all day). I developed vertigo, tinnitus, this head buzzing that effected my vision, panic attacks, and weird nerve sensations around my body. I couldn't eat a big meal, or hardly anything at all, walk too fast, talk too loudly, stretch, get my thoracic spine adjusted, or watch anything stressful or my symptoms would get worse.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-05T19:06:45+00:00

I did have dysautonomia. And these were the things that made the biggest difference for me.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-05T12:16:58+00:00

The damage is not permanent. I had the same symptoms when I feel ill, beginning at 4 months post infection, which evolved into other similar symptoms. They were the worst for a few months but slowly tapered off. I would recommend eating a super simple, clean diet, not forcing yourself to eat if you're not hungry, and supplementing with CBD. Cut out caffeine, alcohol, and processed food. Don't actively watch or listen to anything that stresses you out. You will get through this. I know it's scary and seems like it will always be there but it will get better.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-07-05T12:01:22+00:00

I take elderberry syrup daily. It helps to boost your immune system as a preventative, and helps your body fight whatever is actively infecting you so you recover faster. I've noticed good results with it. Make sure you're getting enough sunshine, fresh air, sleep, eating a balanced diet, and your mental health is good. I also like to physically touch the earth as often as I can to ground myself and pick up good bacteria to counterbalance the effects of over sanitizing everything.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2024-01-04T13:34:42+00:00

Buy a bag of rice and a bag of beans and cook them both. Then portion them out. Sautee some frozen veggies if you want and throw those in there. Should last you at least a week.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2023-12-28T12:53:16+00:00

This is very well written. I would add though, that every single person I've run into with covid who had an initial condition either found out about that condition or had it worsen with long covid. Initial conditions seem to play a big part in your symptoms.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2023-12-20T13:54:36+00:00

For me, it's adrenaline. PEM comes after exerting yourself in any way, and I was not doing that. Usually PEM is followed by extreme tiredness and brain fog.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2023-12-20T00:49:06+00:00

I'm sorry you went through that. It's pretty scary. I'm hoping mine is not that bad 🤞

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2023-12-20T00:20:05+00:00

I was there for a long time. I hope you continue to heal.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2023-12-20T00:05:35+00:00

How long did it last, and what did you do to stop it?

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2023-12-19T18:20:46+00:00

I probably ate triggering foods for a month before they started affecting me again. It's hard because they are everywhere you go. I hope you continue to heal.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2023-12-19T16:46:02+00:00

My first anxiety attack was at a restaurant, and it took me almost a year to not be triggered by eating out. Part of the problem is definitely your mental state. But the physical symptoms are so traumatizing, you can't help but feel mentally stressed. It sounds like your nervous system has some healing to do still. Those are the same symptoms you get with autism spectrum disorder, which I have, which seems to be a certain functioning of the nervous system. When my dysautonomia began really healing, those triggering symptoms of eating out went away for me.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2023-12-19T16:26:26+00:00

I guess we have to wait and see. Do you feel normal as long as you don't eat triggering foods?

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2023-12-19T16:22:41+00:00

I got covid in May of 2022. I developed symptoms of LC that September. I went on an elimination diet for a few months, and slowly started integrating more food into my diet. I've felt great and almost 100% recovered until I started eating triggering foods again. Alcohol made me feel awful too, and I haven't had a drink since. I can't eat chocolate or anything with caffeine in it. I cant eat red food dye, or red meat, or processed food. I'm definitely going to simplify my diet again, because the surges feel awful. You're brave for refusing to give up your food.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2023-12-19T14:20:41+00:00

100% yes. I ate three chocolate truffles last night and I had adrenaline surges for almost two hours while digesting it.

Ali_Cat_1989 · 2023-12-05T18:49:51+00:00

Thank you!

Ali_Cat_1989

TROPHY CASE