Post Covid-19: Managing The Long-Term Effects

COVID-19 Post Vaccination Story and Long Covid

On June 20^th 2021 at 9pm I was working at a mega PPV center when suddenly I started feeling nauseous, weak and dizzy. When I stood up my head started to throb and spin, and it almost felt like I was about to fall. My heart rate was 160bpm and the spo2 was 99% on the finger oximeter. I didn’t have any chest pains or any difficulty breathing, yet it the symptoms were constant.

One hour earlier, I had received my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. I went to the hospital – they did an ECG that they said was normal and diagnosed me as having an “Anxiety Attack”. They discharged me later that night with an appointment with the cardiologist the following morning. Despite that, my symptoms remained. The cardiologist did an ECHO and some blood test but all came back as normal.  After several follow-ups he gave me low dose beta blockers to control the heart rate and further cemented the diagnosis of Anxiety. 

Yet I was having these symptoms everyday especially when I stood up from a prone position. I was fatigued, nauseous, dizzy and faint on a daily basis at random times. The beta-blockers did help initially but when the effects wore off, the symptoms returned. These symptoms severely restricted my daily functions, I could not walk for short distances as the headaches and dizziness would trigger and it would get to a point where I could not even stand up straight as the symptoms was too much to bare. 

I then sought a second opinion with a GP, and he diagnosed me as having POTS – Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome – and that it was an emerging side effect of the Covid-19 virus and by default vaccination to Covid-19. The GP investigated me thoroughly and suggested some dietary/ lifestyle changes to help manage the symptoms and it worked! My symptoms were now more bearable but not gone.

I suffered for about six-seven months before the symptoms had reduced to a level where it wasn’t hindering my day. Now my POTS would only trigger during extreme physical exertion or strangely in hot temperatures. I still continue to follow the GPs advice to help with the symptoms.

The worse part of this harrowing condition is that I was left alone with no answers and no cure regarding why I was experiencing these symptoms. It did not help that professionals that were too afraid to admit what they don’t know labeled me as having “Anxiety Disorder”. I’m thankful there are some doctors out there that actually have the curiosity to find out an answer to something not clearly defined in their medical books.

POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

POTS or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is one of many “LONG COVID” side effects of the Covid-19 Virus. These side effects can occur after mild, moderate or severe infection with Covid-19 or even being vaccinated with a component of the Covid-19 Virus. 

The exact pathophysiology is not yet known but a few hypothesis suggest that the antibody your body creates to fight the virus, ends up damaging certain cells, receptors and processes. This leads to the various different Long Covid side effects that generally resides for weeks, months and maybe even years. Quite similar to the way autoimmune conditions affect your body. These side effects may include:

1. Cardiovascular – Pericarditis, Myocarditis, Myocardial Infarction , POTS
2. Respiratory – Interstitial Lung Disease, Pneumonia, Impaired Lung Function
3. Gastrointestinal – GERD, Liver dysfunction, breathlessness 
4. Neurology – Stroke, Cognitive impairment, Sleep impairment, Seizures
5. Dermatology – Skin Rashes, Eczema, Psoriasis 
6. Nephrology – Kidney Failure 
7. Hematology – Venous thromboembolism, Anemia 
8. Rheumatology – Chronic Fatigue 
9. Endocrine – Diabetes, Thyroiditis, Osteoporosis, Adrenal insufficiency 
10. Mental Health – Depression, PTSD, Anxiety 

It is thus important that Covid-19 Patients, Long Covid Patients and post vaccination side effect patients who are experiencing long term negative health effects have a center to explore their queries as they might develop into more serious conditions. 

If you are a survivor from Covid-19 and are still suffering from Long Covid symptoms, come visit your friendly neighborhood clinic and we will provide you the answer you desperately seek.