Things could be worse, but things could be so much better. A couple days ago I tried going to the store (for some items I didn't really need, was just looking for an excuse to go somewhere) and couldn't do it. Too much pressure in the temples and inflammation in the face.
It hurts to put on my eyeglasses and I cannot go outside without 'em.
Tried again yesterday... nope. So I went today (and here's my sore mug, trying to look normal) after coming home, and now my head and eyes are super hot and I am wiped out. Just for a walk to the store and back.
It's hard to believe, but this time a year ago I was finally showing signs of real improvement. I was experiencing good days every 2-3 days. By mid June things were mostly good. I was 90% my old self and started visiting the senior center again.
I still waited 3 months before seeing a dentist in mid September for a couple cavities. If I had known those shots of Novocaine would reactivate the long covid virus, I would've waited a year to get those fillings.
(I only found out afterward that people recovering from long covid and undergoing dental work or injections to the head or face were experiencing full relapses.)
Anyway, since it's return this past September... it's like back to square one. I get good moments here and there, but have yet to get any good days. I worry this isn't going to get fully better anytime soon. Just continuing to take things one day at a time.
Two nights ago, I was in my kitchen washing dishes and heard the term "long covid" on the news and came dashing into the living room to see who said what. A health expert said the latest covid variants were showing less risk of developing into long covid, but it's estimated 20 million Americans are currently living with this condition. They're known as silent sufferers, as they've stopped seeking medical treatment.
It made me think of my first trip to the doctor in January 2024 and being misdiagnosed with a severe sinus infection. I went back in February 2024, then to the ER in March then to a neurologist that summer. After that, I knew no one had any answers.
In all honesty, everything after 2023 seems like a dream. Like none of this was meant to happen. I guess a lot of people in car accidents or slip & falls say the same thing. It just feels like this could've been so easily avoided. I'll never know for sure.
And finally, a friend of mine noticed my post with Eve Plumb's book had gotten a lot of comments, and jokingly asked if I was becoming an 'influencer'. I'm not even sure what that is. She said if I was trying to sell the book on my blog by talking about it and getting a kickback, I had to disclose that.
No, I was just writing about it, that's all. Meanwhile, have you tried these Ricola Lemon-Mint Drops? Not only are they sugar free, they're made with natural ingredients, soothing Swiss herbs and the perfect oral anesthetic for someone like myself with inner cheek and oral inflammation. I just love them. 😉
First, I have been devoted to Ricola cough drops for years especially when I had to attend a lot of meetings and would get a persistent cough usually from pollen allergies - I worried that co-attendees would think I had something contagious, and these things calmed it right down. My flavor of choice is something like "Herbal" as I recall.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I am so so sorry you continue to suffer so from your LC. 20 million people - surely some research group is working on it, maybe in some country where federal funding is on-going.
Ceci
Thank you Ceci, you're right, these drops really do help. And I certainly hope someone is researching LC. I wake up every morning in shock I have this.
DeleteI love Ricola; it's an excellent brand! I'm so frustrated for you, Doug. Dealing with this and its ups and downs and hopeful moments--it's soul shattering. And very discouraging. I'm with Ceci that perhaps another country is working on an answer; we live in a dysfunctional and cruel administration right now. :( Sending you big hugs, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Margaret, you're always there even when I share the same old things. I'm grateful for your friendship. 🙂
DeleteHi Doug,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about what you're going through. I can't imagine what it's like to experience pain periodically like you have. I hope they'll find a cure soon.
Ricola's great - it's my go to lozenge whenever I have a sore throat or the coughs.
I don't think you're a shill, Doug. You just brought attention to a book that I wasn't aware of and now I'm interested in reading it. Take care, my friend.
Steve from Toronto
Thank you Steve, and thank you for the chuckle, I enjoyed the old school reference about not being a shill. What a great word. Us older guys need to stick together. 🙂👍
Delete20 million Americans!! Wow! Makes me wonder how many other countries have people suffering from LC undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Surely other countries are working on this. I googled AI (and I know it's not always accurate), but it said that 20 million is a vast understatement.... and that globally it's more like 65 - 400 million. And they even went into individual country numbers. Dug, I know that you probably know all this already... but I was just curious.
ReplyDeleteAlso, due to my chronic cough (thought to be due to radiation scarring) I live on cough drops. My brand is Luden's cherry. They are not sugar free, but they do work for me.
Thank you as always Rian, you are a dear friend. And no I had no idea about the worldwide numbers! I think another problem is, the list of symptoms are like a couple hundred. How could they treat all of them. I just am lucky that I don't live with anyone or support anyone. Anyway, I am so sorry about your chronic cough, I do love Ludens for that. My problem is inflammation in my cheeks and gums.
DeleteMy husband swears by Ricola cough drops. I hope they are giving you comfort.
ReplyDeletePretty disappointed that you aren't matching last summer's improvement. Hoping that you start having good days soon.
Thanks very much Miss Merry. I know this is just more of the same old, I just need to share it sometimes.
DeleteLTC: Its devastating effects are multiplied many times. It colors your life in everything you do. The painful physical symptoms keep you from enjoying an every day life that so many of us take for granted. And the emotional/psychological impact is profound. Not knowing when you will have a worsening flare up means living life on the edge, just waiting for when it will happen again. The social isolation that results from LTC is perhaps as bad as the physical symptoms.
ReplyDeleteIt's so unfair. You are coping as best as you can, and that is admirable. Your connection to others via your blog and other blogs perhaps helps to sustain you, keeping you connected to others. We're all rooting for you Doug, and watching for any science breakthroughs that may help with recovery from LTC.
Carole
Thanks very much Carole, all I know is I came close to beating this before, I have to believe I will again.
DeleteI keep hoping that each post will bring the news that your Long Covid symptoms lessen. I cannot imagine what you must go through with the inflammation and pain. Keep on keeping on.
ReplyDeleteI think the Eve Plumb blog struck a chord with so many because it brought back memories from our own childhood.
Thanks Maebeme, I'm getting there. It just takes so long. And I have to say, the more I read Eve Plumbs book the better I like it. 🙂
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