Post-COVID inflammation

[blue_reader]

I just started reading the posts here in the last couple of months. I really appreciate all of the knowledge that everyone is willing to share!

Since my bio contains my story, I won't go into any of those details here other than to say that I have Hashimoto's plus Polycythemia Vera.

My post today is related to post-COVID inflammation. I came down with COVID the week of April 4th -- dry, raspy throat/voice, runny nose, fatigue, more pronounced body aches than I usually have. Some chills, but no real fever. Just a bit of a tickly cough. Note that I've had two vaccines plus one booster. I started feeling better on day 5 and by day 8, I felt much better and figured I had "weathered the storm". Then on day 10 I started feeling stiffness and soreness in my left hand. Since then the stiffness and soreness has progressed to most of my body and joints -- hands, wrists, shoulders, knees, feet. I've seen my primary health care provider and was just told that it will hopefully go away on its own but to come back and see them in 6-8 weeks if I hadn't improved. My naturopath has put me on some extra anti-inflammation supplements within the last couple of days. I did also have my inflammation markers tested and they are no different than what they were pre-COVID. I can function, albeit slowly and with discomfort.

Just wondering if anyone else with auto-immune thyroid issues has experienced anything similar.

I'll post this in the MPN Voice forum as well.

Thank you for listening.

[shaws Administrator]

I am sorry you have unpleasant symptoms and any members who've had a similar story to yours will respond when they read your post..

[blue_reader in reply to shaws]

Thank you. Just posted a reply to everyone who responded.

[Beads]

I managed to get COVID 2 weeks before you. Same vaccination status, 2 doses and a booster. Same symptoms almost, the worst sore throat/raspy voice I’ve ever had, though my nose was totally bunged rather than runny. Also a blinding headache. However no fever, just the odd chill. I’m not sure about fatigue, I did less moving around than normal, according to my Fitbit, but whether that was fatigue or being stuck at home I’m not sure. And the cough that eventually turned up was definitely dry and more to clear an itch in the back of my throat. By day 5, same as you, I was feeling better and had it been a normal cold I’d have been back at work. It took until day 10 to get my second negative test though.

I’ve had no stiffness/soreness after effects though.

[blue_reader in reply to Beads]

Thank you. Just posted a reply to everyone who responded.

[Jodypody]

I have heard from Tammy Lowe that Covid can cause a spike in thyroid hormones in recovery. I’m not vaccinated (not anti vax) as I had Covid March 2020 and when I went for my flu vaccine was advised by the pharmacist at Boots not to. I had Covid again in January and assumed it was a cold until wearing a mask I felt it slightly more difficult to breathe. The only annoying thing which my younger vaccinated friend had was the loss of taste and smell. It took nearly 3 months to return and it’s only 85-90% now. Friend in same position. I think there’s so much we don’t know about the affects of this virus which is possibly why even the vaccinated are left with lasting symptoms. It’s almost like it encourages the body to kick into the autoimmune response and creates more issues

[blue_reader in reply to Jodypody]

Thank you. Just posted a reply to everyone who responded.

[blue_reader]

Thank you all for your replies. As jodypody said, it is like covid has encouraged a strong immune response, creating the issues that I'm currently dealing with.

I've read some articles re: reactive arthritis after covid so am going to follow up with my functional medicine doctor about my situation. I'm feeling about 30-40 years older than my age at the moment and really hoping this will dissipate over time!!