I agree with heatherevans28 under Susazannah16. If you read my earlier post on this to Suzannah16, I say I have lupus and other conditions, got Covid and have long Covid,etc. That said, I am not a proponent of throwing money and media at Covid. Nor using it to divide people politically, etc. I do believe that whatever it is called, having Covid has exasperated my lupus and added new symptoms. I got Covid last November and am still struggling. I can only go with what my doctors say and that is to take over the counter meds for the symptoms. They are not saying it is lupus causing more symptoms. Actually, they aren't saying a whole lot because they only rely on blood work and what fits in their box. in the beginning of the Covid stuff, my rheumatologist said the lupus did not put me so much at risk. After I got it, i am not sure what he thought. Over the counter medsare not solving anything and don't work for lack of taste and smell. I have reinvented how I eat. It is about texture and I keep telling myself that in the big picture, there are worse things. Although going on 11 months is getting old, my taste and smell could come back at any moment, right?
I can't sort any of this out and am so worn out from what my body is doing or not doing, but know that so many have worse things. I do believe that Covid can cause long term issues that may be linked to things people already have and may not know it or become a trigger, but no one knows and I am not sure anyone ever will. I just wish people wouldn't blame people who got Covid and are in the minority with long Covid or whatever it is for what the media and so-called research and pharmacy companies and politicians are doing to create chaos.
It is like people saying to people with lupus and other chronic diseases, but you look ok.
Are there people who are using the term long Covid as an excuse and not sick? Probably. But some do have something still going on that doesn't make sense. Haven't most of us been not believed by others having an AI disease. That even includes family and friends.
Healing hugs to everyone.