Covid Long-Haulers Fear for Their Future | WSJ

A significant number of Covid-19 patients are dealing with symptoms long after the initial infection. The Wall Street Journal asked four patients to share their stories about how lingering effects are affecting their lives.

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[acar]

As of December 5th, I have had a severe headache for 61 days straight. Imagine having a sunburn on your skin but the sunburn is inside your brain. I started getting these headaches only after I survived COVID. I thought I was perfectly fine at first, but 1 month later, these headaches won’t go away 😭. I pray for me and anyone who has to suffer from this that this won’t be permanent

[dhowto]

I hope everyone's health returns back to normal after experiencing covid-19.

[BeGlamourlicious]

This is so extremely scary. I know a couple of young people who have issues after COVID. All were healthy, very active. Don’t think your going to be okay just because you’re young.

[amandacaseyy]

Ask for prayers I’m on day 35,
I’m 27. I have shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. I want my life back

[pupax]

I had it in March. It was before the symptoms was really known, it was really scary. 3 months after I was bedridden, just going to the bathroom was exhausting, I couldn't sit up for more than 10 minutes at a time. I finally went to the hospital with extreme abdominal pains, and dizziness, I was so sick that I hadn't been able to eat or sleep for days. All my inner organs were dangerously swollen, my blood pressure was through the roof.
It was so scary and lonely to be in the hospital during Covid, on top of the fear of what was wrong with me. I got a lot of tests done, some very painful. They let me out after 9 days. I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.
It took about 6 months and tons of meds to feel even close to normal again. I still have joint pains, occasionally stabbing pains in my lungs, my heart racing with tachycardia, and days with extreme exhaustion. I have never fully regained my sense of taste or smell. I am living in complete isolation even from my husband, who has to work, in fear of catching it again.
There are worse things than dying people, stay safe!

[TheDDevine]

I’m in my late 20’s and got Covid back in December and it took me a month to get back to normal. I can’t imagine what these people are going through.

[Robin-eipf]

I am a 63 year old grandma of 8 precious grandchildren I cannot do anything with because in December 2019 I got covid. I am a long hauler. Today is oct. 1, 2021. I still have off and on dizzy, extreme weakness where at times I cannot function, brain fog, body pain, muscle weakness, hair loss, anxiety, deppression. off and on no appetite, headaches.
Sometimes I feel ok and think I've kicked it and im so happy then wham its back. Im Praying it will run its course and one day will just go away so all of us suffering from this can go on with our lives. 🙏

[christinasaucier]

I had SARS in January 2014. I was in a coma for 9 days. Before, I had a very active life and was very physically in shape. Almost 8 years later I still suffer from fatigue and PTSD. I have not worked since. The mental health issues last the longest.

[yesitsme]

I had covid and developed many symptoms post covid.

The neurologist I saw diagnosed me with psychosomatic disorder and informed me I was basically anxious about having covid and I manifested the symptoms on myself after the infection.
I think the bigger danger is providers like this. They’re underestimating the danger of the viral effect on the body.
I also wonder if this virus can remain dormant in the body and cause more symptoms later.
I’m not only a victim of covid but of uneducated providers who say this can all be imagined post Covid.

[sheahun]

🙏🙏🙏I hope everyone fully recover soon. My mom is in the ICU fighting covid right now. 🙏🙏🙏

[lisawolf]

You are not alone. I had Covid in April 2020. I’m a frontline worker ( respiratory therapist). I am currently in pulmonary rehab. I am having issues with breathing, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, nerve pain. I’m trying my best to improve daily. I want others to know you are not alone. I’m praying for everyone. God Bless 🙏

[rayazcui]

I had Covid spend a month in the hospital had a long and kidney infections. I used to walk for miles now if I walk few blocks I am out of breath. Going up stairs is a challenge and have trouble getting on buses. I am rehabbing and hopefully I can make a full recovery

[chiquitatorres]

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories, God bless u all, there’s times I feel out of breath as well. Sometimes I still get a bit of chest pain and feel like my heart raising and I just gotta stop what I’m doing and try not to panic

[dudex]

I'm with you all, five weeks after getting Covid, I am trying to get a half mile of walking in without getting out of breath and becoming too dizzy to keep going. For reasons the doctors don't understand it's gotten worse lately, not better. I'm still hopeful things will turn around and trusting God to do a healing work in my body.

[mariag]

I had covid in jan 14 and still having lots of chest pain foggy brain its been affecting my job because of my health down hill after having covid hope we all get better soon 🙏🙏

[makelove]

Currently day 12 of covid. It is thee most horrible thing ever. God have mercy on us all.

[freebutterfly]

My heart started acting up after I had a bout of mild covid. My symptoms were I had major headache, I was dizzy, blurry eyesight, fever, light body aches, No cough. Then about 2 weeks later I felt better and felt I beat Covid. And about 3rd week my heart started skipping beats and felt like fluttering with a pound or heartbeat. It felt like it fluttered and the beat catches up. Now today my heart is not the same. I currently have a new heart beat. I also feel dizzy. The ekg showed PVCs and Nonspecific ST and T Wave abnormalities. Nobody can give me answers as to why or what is happening. My Dr says should go away with time.
I was vaccinated and boosted and sadly still I got covid a little over a month after I was boosted. I’m not the same today. I feel awful. Drs still doing test on my heart and really have no answers except they’re explaining that their seeing many new patients with heart irregularities now. And should go away with time.
Sadly I’m scared and don’t feel the same with my new heartbeat.
My family, sisters, parents, nieces, friends, so many friends, All were also vaccinated and some had covid multiple times. They had mild cold symptoms or flu symptoms but no heart problems. I’m the only one.

[patriciagurwitz]

So glad you all chose to share such a personal experience. People that don’t wear a mask or simply refuse to believe that this is real need to listen to this!

[Dani-ladyy]

long hauler for 4 months now i feel all their pain. the shakiness in their voice i feel that i feel that stress that fear that exaustion. I hope they all feel 100% soon 🙏🏻

[Kristianvergara]

I’m suffering from long covid as well I don’t feel like the same person as i use to be at all my mind my body everything has turned for the worse I also never suffered from depression until now I have sudden episodes of just crying and Desire to die out of know here. I can’t even go upstairs without have a asthmatic attack. I really wish to recover from this nightmare I’m going through.