An Update on my Long COVID Journey and what I'm Learning

As some of you know, I originally caught COVID-19 toward the end of October in 2020. Since then, I’ve experienced a variety of symptoms, including (but not limited to) severe muscle pain and stiffness, heart palpitations, chest tightness, tachycardia, extreme fatigue, brain fog, uncontrollable tremors, acute anxiety, shortness of breath, post-exertional malaise (PEM), difficulty sleeping, GI issues, and a complete loss of appetite. I think what may have triggered my experience of Long COVID is that I exercised too soon, when I thought I was getting better from the initial infection. In late February of 2021, I went to 3 hospitals. It wasn’t until visiting the 2nd hospital that my phosphorous levels were checked, and found to be dangerously low. I was given an infusion of phosphate until my phosphorous levels were normal, and was sent home the same day. The next day, I went to another hospital and learned that my phosphorous levels had again dropped to a very low level. After staying there for 5 days, I left with a prescription for phosphate tablets, and I continue to take 1-2 tablets a day. I believe that doing so has helped me get my appetite back, and has reduced the severity of a few symptoms. Although I continue to struggle with this condition, I haven’t had those terrifying tremors or heart palpitations in quite a while, my anxiety has lessened, I’m sleeping better, and my breathing has improved.