Post covid symptoms

[Frenchie1012]

Hi. Has anybody had covid and months later started having post covid symptoms? I had covid last July and come December I started having panic attacks, problems with my stomach, headaches, chest pain etc. my dr said it’s from me having covid and I’m considered a long hauler. I’ve never had anxiety or any of this since this virus. Has anyone experienced this? I’m at my wits end and they put me on a antidepressant to help(lexapro) and I think it makes everything worse. I don’t know what to do anymore. Any ideas?

[TheBlackdog]

Hi Frenchie long covid is very complex. I work in adult rehab and am dealing with clients who have many different symptoms. What you describe are a couple of the symptoms but there are so many more which are more common. If you wanted you could start to keep a diary of your symptoms, write down what you eat and drink each day, your sleep pattern, what medication you take and when, write down what activity you are doing each part of the day this is important because activities can really fatigue you. If you do this first rather than concentrate on medication you might find triggers or patterns perhaps and look at addressing these first. So it's a bit like a lifestyle assessment. Stress can also be a big factor, over doing things and exerting yourself too much. Some people are finding that if they break up an activity and spread it out throughout the day or week even. Also write down how you are feeling what your mood is and perhaps give it a number between 0 and 10. Also it can be about prioritising what actually needs doing in that particular and what is not important and can be left till later time. Delegate things that need going to someone else if possible to reduce the load you carry. We all strive byt we need to take the breaks off more than we know and evaluate how these things are affecting us everyday. Look after yourself first. You are the most important without you being well less can get done. Mindfulness is also great x give it a go......let me know how you get on? Or tell me to go away I don't mind. Just thought I might be helpful x

[robinija]

Hi Frenchie1012, so sorry you feel like this. How long have you been on Lexapro? It is an early stage? It always feels worst in the beginning but I can assure you, it will get better and you will start feeling much better. It should at least help you with the anxiety part of you post COVID symptoms. Also, I agree 100% with theBlackdog who also wrote to you. Take all those steps in consideration. Remember- you will get better.

[Frenchie1012 in reply to robinija]

Thanks. I have been on lexapro since mid December and on 20mg. Plus I take Ativan when needed.