long covid

[haynes66]

maybe this isnt the place to post this but it might be of use to someone.  i was diagnosed with long covid recently by my GP after chest xrays, cardio ecg, 24hr ecg and a number of asthma tests but nothing untoward showed up. but they did acknowledge that my breathing capacity was 50% what it should be. so i just accepted that i was stuck with it.  anyway, i mentioned it to a guy a few weeks ago who is very into alternative medicine and a vegan. so i was naturally sceptical!  apparently, his friend had long covid and after some research, started taking a low dose nicotene patch.  it seems that he improved drastically and is now much better. i didnt bother following it up as it seemed a bit fanciful, but my wife suggested i give it a go. so i got a pack of step 3 7mg patches and stuck them on. only four days in, and i realised this morning that my breathing is almost normal!  i'm going to carry on for two weeks and then stop.  however, if you try them and you drop dead, dont blame me.  but if youre getting on a bit like me and struggling with it, give it a go. there is anecdotal evidence on google but nothing science based as yet, but i assume some research is going on.  although i'm still unable to lift my 750-4 engine onto the workbench! but maybe i'm just old...

pete

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Oddly enough I still have one lingering effect from my first dose of Covid back in 2020 I think it was.
It left me with a painful left foot in the area where my toes sort of fit to my foot. It's about an inch in from the toe next to the smallest. Its not 24/7 it comes on mostly in cold weather
Due to Covid my GP palmed me off to another surgery who in turn palmed off to another clinic that specialise in feet.
I had to do an online application form that resulted in them telling me that as I could walk with pain it was not urgent so that came to the end of that fiasco.
It all went away with the warmer weather but this winter it's come back much more often. It feels as though I have a huge stone in my left shoe so when it's bad I have to walk on my left heel. I've done some research as it's so difficult to get a GP appointment - I'm pretty sure it's the onset of Morton's Neuroma.

I wondered if anyone here has this condition?
Luckily despite having Covid a second time last year my breathing has not been affected.
Interesting how the Nicotine patch has worked.👍

[Johnny4428]

Hi Pete, that’s a very interesting story and fantastic that you have found it helps, you will be well chuffed.

[SumpMagnet]

I don;t have long covid ... but I still can't lift a 750-4 motor onto the bench without a second person.

I think it's mainly becuase they are bloody heavy.....

[Moorey]

maybe this isnt the place to post this but it might be of use to someone.  i was diagnosed with long covid recently by my GP after chest xrays, cardio ecg, 24hr ecg and a number of asthma tests but nothing untoward showed up. but they did acknowledge that my breathing capacity was 50% what it should be. so i just accepted that i was stuck with it.  anyway, i mentioned it to a guy a few weeks ago who is very into alternative medicine and a vegan. so i was naturally sceptical!  apparently, his friend had long covid and after some research, started taking a low dose nicotene patch.  it seems that he improved drastically and is now much better. i didnt bother following it up as it seemed a bit fanciful, but my wife suggested i give it a go. so i got a pack of step 3 7mg patches and stuck them on. only four days in, and i realised this morning that my breathing is almost normal!  i'm going to carry on for two weeks and then stop.  however, if you try them and you drop dead, dont blame me.  but if youre getting on a bit like me and struggling with it, give it a go. there is anecdotal evidence on google but nothing science based as yet, but i assume some research is going on.  although i'm still unable to lift my 750-4 engine onto the workbench! but maybe i'm just old...

pete

I do have it and struggle at times with my lungs, I will be interested in how it works out for you over a period of time. We are coming into spring and summer though which does make a big difference for me.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I don't want to pry do you have some level of COPD that causes you to struggle?

[Bryanj]

As my wife suffers from ME what annoys us is the symptoms are VERY similar but ME sufferers get no help at all, long covid seems to be getting lots of help

[haynes66]

i dont suffer from copd at all. my shortness of breath never improved after having covid back in 2021.  what i cant figure out is how nicotine could improve my breathing. i'm pleased obviously, but it doesnt make sense. weird.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

i dont suffer from copd at all. my shortness of breath never improved after having covid back in 2021.  what i cant figure out is how nicotine could improve my breathing. i'm pleased obviously, but it doesnt make sense. weird.

Oddly enough I was talking to a mate today whose niece has been left with no sense of smell or taste having since been told it's  long Covid related that was alleged to have been confirmed by a blood test at a Bristol Hospital.
He had heard of other folk with your experience as regards Nicotine helping - as you state weird.
I did not know there was some sort of test that can detect Long Covid.