Lavender (she/her)

@lavender63.bsky.social

Managing my chronic illnesses, the latest being long covid, learning about disability justice, and appreciating nature.

Hi long covid crew, I’d like to see a Dr to run tests for reactivated viruses and determine if my swollen and worsening lymph nodes are anything other than MECFS. Any recommendations for a good Dr MA, NH, ME?

I have an increase in headaches & nausea, and new sudden vomiting with POTS from longcovid. It’s not improving after stopping Mestinon. Anyone have recommendations for things I can ask my neuro’s NP next week?

My cashier at TJs said her husband had cancer and they had to cancel plans because all of their immediate family was sick. She asked if the same thing happened to me. I said no, I mask as a precaution to avoid viruses. She thanked me for doing so. Sometimes it’s that easy 💛

I think Mestinon is helping my long covid PEM! I took on a huge home project yesterday and was ready to wake up to flu like symptoms. No sore throat, no fever/chills. Really sore muscles and a mild headache. Hopefully this holds true for tomorrow too 🤞🏻

I’ve been frugal after having to take a year off work because of long covid. But this year I decided to invest in seeing some specialists. I’m nervous about what my upcoming bills will be but I hit my deductible today so hopefully that will help.

Woah I got a call today that I could do autonomic testing in a week! I thought I’d be lucky to get in this year. I’m interested to see how I fare in the tilt table test. I failed the NASA lean test at minute 9.

On the verge of happy tears. Finally saw an autonomic neurologist that was not phased by long covid and is ordering blood work, autonomic testing, and having me try Mestonin. Check out local Dysautonomia groups for people in your area. I waited a year for this appt and damn was it worth the wait.

The stars aligned today and I cleaned out my shed, despite my long covid. Yesterday I increased my LDN, resulting in an energy boost. It was not super hot. Ivabradine kept my HR in check. And I have off work tomorrow to rest. It felt so good to be active. But these stars align infrequently.

First bit of good news at a Dr appt! I became prediabetic after covid, and following three years of hard work + meds my numbers are normal again. 🙌🏻 Now to sort out my other long covid symptoms. Has anyone had luck addressing swollen and painful lymph nodes under the jaw?

This week marks 3 long, miserable years of long covid. It’s been awful. And I’m also really proud of what I’ve been able to endure and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. And of course the drop in barometric pressure is kicking my ass this week just for fun.

My friend said “how are you?” I said it’s raining. She said that doesn’t sound bad as long as it’s short-lived. I realized I was actually in a lot of pain but it’s hard to talk about that so I substituted in the rain. 🙃 Figuring out how to live with pain and chronic illness is tough.

I failed the NASA lean test in minute 9. My first set of real data for long covid and POTS. I’m feeling two things - I know it’s a serious issue and that’s scary but I’m also happy to have my health challenges affirmed.

I just got the flu vaccine. It is surreal how I can feel my body reacting to it. And uncanny how similar that reaction feels to a bad day with long covid. There’s a heaviness in my chest, I’m not breathing deeply, my muscles and joints hurt.

I’m realizing I might need to adjust my language about my Long Covid. I leave my house once a week and experience the severe symptom of internal tremors. I know it can be so much worse, but I think especially to Drs. I’m telling a more optimistic story.

I know people worry about heat pumps not keeping up. I’m running one with a -6 windchill and it’s heating a large space to 65 F (but can’t go beyond that). When it gets a lot lower I light a fire to supplement, but for me a heat pump is perfect, as we don’t get many days below -10.

One week on a very low dose of naltrexone (0.25mg) and my resting heart rate is lower, my HR variability is higher, and I feel more like myself. Some symptoms remain, but it’s been a promising first week of this new long covid experiment!