COVID or….something else?

[RoNYC22]

Hi there! I’m new to this forum (or any, for that matter), and I’m curious to know if anyone else has experienced an uptick in anxiety/panic attacks since getting Covid or as a result from Long Covid?

First off, I’m a healthy 35 year old woman who lives in NYC (NYC alone might just be the cause of my anxiety…but I digress). I’ve had mild anxiety my entire adult life but these past couple of months have been TORTURE. I’ve legit turned into a full blown hypochondriac since I last caught the Omicron variant, and my anxiety has only gotten worse. I think I’m suffering from Long Covid, and since my body is out of wack, my anxiety has shot up. It’s debilitating and causes such a disruption to my daily life.

My question is: anyone else out there experienced increased anxiety either after catching Covid OR as a result of Long Covid? A lot of the symptoms from LC mimic a heart attack including increased heart rate, chest pains, muscle aches, dizziness, shortness of breath >> all ingredients for a person struggling with anxiety to turn into a hypochondriac.

It would certainly be helpful to know I’m not alone in this!!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ari]

Hi RoNYC22! Anxiety is definitely a symptom (and a common one) of Long Covid. Simultaneously, considering how terrible this whole period has been (was?) and the fact that you had Covid (which must have made you more anxious as well), it’s no wonder your anxiety levels have reached new heights.
Regarding the heart issues: you should do a check-up because Covid can take a toll on your hearts. However, most likely, those are symptoms of Long Covid (again, not uncommon.) My doctor told me that I had to reintroduce any physical exercises (even just walking) gradually so that my heart and my body in general could catch up.
Hope you feel better soon.

 

[RoNYC22]

Hi RoNYC22! Anxiety is definitely a symptom (and a common one) of Long Covid. Simultaneously, considering how terrible this whole period has been (was?) and the fact that you had Covid (which must have made you more anxious as well), it’s no wonder your anxiety levels have reached new heights.
Regarding the heart issues: you should do a check-up because Covid can take a toll on your hearts. However, most likely, those are symptoms of Long Covid (again, not uncommon.) My doctor told me that I had to reintroduce any physical exercises (even just walking) gradually so that my heart and my body in general could catch up.
Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks so much for the reassurance! I did get an EKG and breathing test done and everything was normal (thank God!). I do believe it’s just an after-effect of long Covid. I have been doing mindful breathing exercises which has helped and took another course of antibiotics + steroids which has also helped!! My 2 other doctors completely dismissed my symptoms as asthma but I got one to listen and now I’m feeling SO MUCH better.

Some of the people who were attacked with COVID are facing lung and breathing issues.

It’s scary…but mine have since subsided. Took 2-2 1/2 months but I’m finally feeling like
Myself again. Ty for commenting!