It has been a year since COVID-19 actually hit New York. But some of the first locals to catch the virus are still experiencing debilitating symptoms, making it impossible for them to live life as they were – an inability to miss a job and read or study, let alone exercise.
“We don’t understand why the body is responding in this way,” said Dr. David Putrino, director of rehabilitation innovation for Mount Sinai Health, who conducts research on these so-called “long haul” patients. They estimated that approximately 90 percent of participants in the hospital’s long-term program, who are 42 years of age, did not require hospitalization when they had COVID.
“Now, what we are seeing is in these less serious cases [of the virus] – Very young, already fit and healthy [patients] – Extreme reaction after acute [initial] The symptoms are gone.
Here, four New Yorkers – all of whom say they were previously in good health and none of whom were hospitalized with the virus – reveal the frustration and isolation caused by long-running cases of COVID Does.
‘I’m nervous about my mind’
A year after catching COVID-19, Devin Russell has not returned to work to manage a wellness center and medical practice in Hampton. “My nervous system has been badly damaged,” he said. “At night I have to alternate between icing and putting a heating pad on my head,” to the pain of shooting. “It seems like your veins are getting messed up, like you can’t think straight.”
To soothe the pain, the 35-year-old Southampton resident spends about 90 minutes per day in a hyperbaric tank that rents for $ 549 per month and uses oxygen tanks and ozone generators to “kill pathogens and clean my head.” helps to.”
“My whole life revolves [COVID health complications], “He said. There is a far cry from his former life of constant activity – playing in two basketball leagues, riding a bike, working with weights.
“I can’t push myself too much. Even walking half a mile can damage my nervous system, ”said unmarried Russell, stating that he had dropped from 172 to 150 pounds. “It is weak. I am upset about my mind. “It has begun CovidCastaways.org, A website of resources for the long haul.
‘When I get up, I feel an earthquake’
Helen Thompson Buffong is 46 years old, but it’s “like I turned 80 overnight,” said the mother of two, ages 6 and 8, who can no longer live with her. “I don’t have the stamina. I have to say goodbye to the door instead of going to the park. ”
Married Brooklyn became ill on April 2, and until last week was unable to work as a part-time student-assisted counselor. “I get hives and bloating every day. If my face is swollen then I always have an epipen and a steroid. “
Neuropathy causes a continuous internal vibration throughout her body. “When I get up, I feel an earthquake every day,” he said. “A doctor said that if I recover I may take several years.”
‘COVID is like an abusive partner’
Marissa Oliver experienced her first “breathing attack” – a 10-hour long blockage around her lungs and heart – during her initial battle with COVID last March.
Now he is in fear of being one. The 36-year-old arts administration from Greenpoint said, “I’m referring to COVID as an abusive partner, because as soon as I step off the line and do something … I’m punished.” Attacks are listed by symptoms including fatigue and dizzy spells – and can stem from stress, walking too far or even just talking. The most recent attack began after receiving his first dose of the COVID vaccine.
She now uses an inhaler daily, and goes for routine treatments such as musculoskeletal therapy – usually recommended for athletes and performing artists who provoke repetitive-stress injuries – Mount Sinai Center Recommended by her doctor at For Post-Kovind Care.
“It was the first time I talked to doctors who completely believed in me and were like, ‘This is what we can do for you,” she said.
‘I take 40 mg of melatonin at night, which is ridiculous’
“I feel like I’m still me, that’s just enough – which is terrible,” said Liege Jerome, a 50-year-old Bushwick resident who became ill on March 5, 2020.
What began with a cough and sore throat led to bilateral pneumonia – and symptoms of long hauls with week-long relapses. They include full body rashes, heart rate fluctuations, dizziness and a fatigue that drains it completely. She now takes some 25 medicines and supplements to sleep at night. “I take 40 mg of melatonin at night, which is ridiculous,” said Jerome, who is married with no children. (The more typical dose is 5 mg.)
Before contracting COVID, the founder of the non-profit gallery Relational Space, Jerome spent the afternoon at his art studio, making pieces from metal.
“He thought of going up and cutting and grinding a piece of metal … just thinking about it gives me relief,” she said. “I try to at least sit in the studio, which I know sounds a bit absurd, but that’s part of who I am.”
From April 29, Relational Space will conduct a virtual immersive installation, “Long COVID – Here We Are!“To raise awareness and urge for more research and treatment.
“The only thing that keeps me from complete despair is that I keep a positive attitude,” Jerome said. “I believe I will be fine.”
“The only thing that keeps me from complete despair is that I keep a positive attitude,” Jerome said. “I believe I will be fine.”
‘I don’t have the ability to learn anything’
Before becoming ill last March, Nia Raquelle Smith was in the process of applying to PhD programs to study food culture. Today, the 36-year-old Navy veteran, who lives in Bedford-Stuyvesant, can only read three pages on a good day.
“I don’t have the ability to learn anything, and I have to figure out how I’m going to complete my research?” Smith said.
During the summer, she was on a panel to discuss her research, but was too afraid to open her mouth due to brain fog. “I let everyone lead the conversation,” Smith said.
In the past year, he said, Ekal Smith has experienced 57 COVID-related complications; She still experiences twitch, an intermittent internal vibration and so much fatigue that she has to lie down as soon as she gets up from bed in the morning. She uses an inhaler and takes several medicines and supplements each day.
“I don’t think most people can think about what that is,” said Smith, who works in nonprofit database administration.
“I would like to be optimistic and I would have many more days where I would say to myself ‘I am going to go through this.” “But then if I wake up and it’s a really bad day, I’m likely to cry and wonder if this is my normal state.”
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