Unusual Symptoms Following COVID? Seeking Advice
Experiencing neurological issues after a COVID infection? Since contracting COVID three weeks ago, I’ve been facing unusual symptoms. This marked my fourth bout with the virus. Initially, my respiratory problems improved after five days, but about a week later, I started experiencing debilitating fatigue and lingering symptoms. Although I cautiously returned to work, it may have been too early, as I've since faced shortness of breath and an accelerated heartbeat. Fast forward to now, and I find my legs feeling incredibly weak, making walking a challenge. Additionally, I contend with heaviness in my arms and wake up feeling utterly exhausted, as though I haven't rested at all. Simple tasks like showering, brushing my teeth, and eating have become strenuous chores. For the past four weeks, I have been unable to work. Each time I attempt to step outside or go to a scheduled appointment, I end up feeling overwhelmingly fatigued and confined to my bed. The exhaustion feels as if my body were encased in cement, immobilizing me. I visited my general practitioner today. She conducted several blood tests and screened for other potential viral infections, but she seems uncertain about the next steps. According to her, if I am experiencing long COVID, there is no definitive test for it, and she appears somewhat doubtful. I mentioned the possibility of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), as I often feel extremely faint when standing or sitting, accompanied by a racing heart. Although my doctor detected low blood pressure and tachycardia during the examination, my prior diagnosis of anorexia complicates matters, preventing her from confirming POTS. I am currently undergoing treatment with an eating disorder specialist and making progress, but I’ve never experienced these POTS-like symptoms before; I truly believe they are unrelated to my eating disorder. Unfortunately, the severity of my fatigue limits my ability to consume more than a few bites at a time before nausea or faintness sets in, leading my doctor to dismiss the fatigue as significant. Are there additional tests I should consider? Is what I'm experiencing typical for post-COVID circumstances? If this is long COVID or chronic fatigue, I feel at a loss since it has only been three weeks since my COVID infection. About me: I’m a 30-year-old female, standing 161 cm tall and weighing 45 kg (a drop from 47.5 kg prior to my COVID illness). I do not smoke and have a medical history that includes neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, temporomandibular disorder, and hypermobility, which may indicate an undiagnosed connective tissue disorder.
Answers (1)
6/25/2025, 10:20:40 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re navigating some very challenging and distressing symptoms following your recent COVID infection. You’ve described a range of neurological and physical issues, which can understandably be overwhelming. Let’s break this down regarding what you might be experiencing and what steps you can take next.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, and signs suggesting postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), may be indicative of long COVID or post-viral fatigue syndrome.
- While no definitive test exists for long COVID, there are reasonable next steps to help you manage and understand your symptoms better.
Explanation:
Post-COVID conditions can vary widely among individuals. Many people report neurological symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive difficulties (“brain fog”), and physical exhaustion. The fact that you're feeling weak and have an accelerated heartbeat, especially when standing, could suggest POTS, a condition where blood doesn't circulate properly when you move from sitting to standing, causing dizziness and fatigue.
The interplay between your ongoing recovery from an eating disorder and these new symptoms complicates your situation. It’s vital to address both your physical and psychological health comprehensively.
Next Steps:
-
Symptom Diary: Keep a journal tracking your symptoms, including when they occur, their severity, and any triggers (like changing position or exertion). This may help identify patterns or specific issues to discuss further with your healthcare provider.
-
Hydration and Salt Intake: If POTS is suspected, increasing fluid and salt intake can help manage low blood pressure. Discuss this approach with your doctor or nutritionist, considering your ongoing treatment for anorexia.
-
Rest and Gradual Activity: Prioritize rest but try gentle movements to prevent deconditioning. Avoid intensive exertion until your symptoms are better managed. Start with small activities, like standing for a few minutes, and gradually increase as tolerated.
-
Follow-Up with Specialists: Consider consulting a cardiologist for the tachycardia and low blood pressure symptoms. A referral to a specialist in post-COVID care could also help in forming a long-term management plan.
-
Mental Health Support: Given your history and the impact of these symptoms on your daily life, continue engaging with mental health professionals who understand long COVID and its potential interactions with eating disorders.
-
Discuss Additional Testing: If your symptoms persist, bring up the possibility of additional tests that can rule out other conditions often associated with fatigue or cardiovascular symptoms, like thyroid function tests or further autonomic testing.
Your ongoing progress with your eating disorder treatment is crucial, and balancing both aspects—your physical health post-COVID and your psychological well-being—will take time and support. Please know that seeking help for your physical symptoms does not negate your current treatment and could lead to better overall health. Take it step-by-step, and be gentle with yourself during this recovery journey.
Related Questions
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Understanding Possible Seizure Triggers and Recurrence Risks
Health Background: I am a 21-year-old female, standing at 169 cm and weighing 65 kg. Over the past three years, I have been using oral contraceptives. As of this morning, I started taking 25 mcg of levothyroxine along with a weekly vitamin D supplement of 0.266 mg. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and found to have a vitamin D deficiency that I suspect has existed for the last three years. I do not consume alcohol or smoke, and I can confirm I am not pregnant. Two years ago, I experienced a mild concussion. I currently reside in Spain. A couple of months back, in mid-December, I blacked out twice. The second occurrence took place while I was at the doctor’s office after seeking urgent medical care for the initial incident. Following the second episode, I underwent a CT scan and an EKG, both of which returned normal results. Further tests, as directed by my physician, revealed a critical vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism; however, he expressed doubt that either of these conditions led to my loss of consciousness. I was then referred to a neurologist, and I am presently awaiting an appointment. Although the waiting period is lengthy, my doctor indicated that I should receive priority for scheduling, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain. The referral document summarized my events, labeling the second episode (which the physician witnessed) as a potential seizure devoid of tonic-clonic movements—a revelation that took me by surprise. After regaining consciousness, I felt extremely disoriented and terrified, struggling to process what was happening. I have no prior history of seizures, epilepsy, or any related conditions, and there is no known family history of these issues. If this indeed was a seizure, what might have triggered it? Additionally, what is the likelihood of experiencing another one? Since that time, I have not had any further incidents, but I have experienced moments where I felt a sense of impending doom, which I managed to overcome. I intend to wait for the neurologist's evaluation, but the uncertainty surrounding a possible neurological condition is quite distressing. Thank you for any insight you can provide!
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.