It’s been a year since COVID-19 really hit New York. But some of the first locals to catch the virus still face debilitating symptoms that made it impossible to live life as it was – leading to job loss and inability to read or study, let alone exercise.
“We do not understand why the body responds in this way,” said Dr. David Putrino, director of Sinai Mountain Health Rehabilitation Innovation, who is researching these so-called “long-distance” patients. He estimated that about 90 percent of participants in the hospital’s long-term transportation program, who have a median age of 42, did not need to be hospitalized while having COVID.
“Now what we see is, in these cases less severe [of the virus] – much younger, disproportionately previously fit and healthy [patients] – there is an extremely acute response [initial] the symptoms have disappeared, “Dr. Putrino told The Post.
Here, four New Yorkers – who all say they have been in good health before and none of them have been hospitalized with the virus – reveal the hopelessness and isolation caused by their long-term COVID cases.
“I’m nervous about my brain”
One year after catching COVID-19, Devin Russell was unable to return to work running a wellness and medical practice center in the Hamptons. “My nervous system is rudely clogged,” he said. “At night I have to alternate between the glaze and the application of a heating pad on my head”, for the pain of shooting. “It feels like your nerves are burning wrong, like you can’t think well.”
To soothe the pain, the 35-year-old Southampton resident spends about 90 minutes a day in a hyperbaric tank that rents $ 549 a month and uses an oxygen tank and an ozone generator to “kill the agents.” pathogens and help me clean my head.
“My whole life revolves around me [COVID health complications], “he said. He is far from his previous life of constant activity – including playing in two basketball leagues, cycling, working hard.
“I can’t push myself too hard. Even walking half a kilometer could inflame my nervous system, “said the unmarried Russell, adding that he lost 172 to 150 kilograms. “It is debilitating. I’m nervous about my brain. ” He founded CovidCastaways.org, a resource site for long-haul carriers.
“When I wake up, I feel an earthquake”
Helen Thompson Buffong is 46 years old, but “It’s like I’m 80 years old overnight,” said the mother of two children, ages 6 and 8, with whom she can no longer keep up. “I have no resistance. I have to say goodbye at the door rather than go to the park. ”
The married Brooklynite fell ill on April 2 and was unable to work as a partially supported student counselor until last week. “I have hives and swelling every day, everywhere. I always have an Epipen and steroids with me in case my face starts to swell. ”
Neuropathy causes a relentless internal vibration throughout her body. “When I wake up, I feel an earthquake every day,” she said. “A doctor said it could take years for me to heal.”
“COVID is like an abusive partner”
Marissa Oliver experienced her first “breathing attack” – a 10-hour constriction around her lungs and heart – during her initial battle with COVID last March.
Now she is still afraid of not having one. “I referred to COVID as an abusive partner, because as soon as I get out of line and do something … I’m punished,” said the 36-year-old art administration professional from Greenpoint. Attacks are caused by symptoms, including fatigue and dizzying spells – and can come from stress, going too far or even just talking. The most recent attack was triggered after receiving the first dose of COVID vaccine.
She now uses an inhaler daily and goes for regular treatments, such as musculoskeletal therapy – normally recommended for athletes and performing artists suffering from repetitive stress injuries – recommended by her doctor at the Mount Sinai Post-COVID Care Center.
“It was the first time I talked to doctors who believed me completely and said, ‘That’s what we can do for you,'” she said.
“I take 40 milligrams of melatonin at night, which is ridiculous”
“I feel like it’s still me, much less – which is terrifying,” said Leigh Jerome, a 50-year-old Bushwick resident who fell ill on March 5, 2020.
What started with coughing and sore throat led to bilateral pneumonia – and long-distance symptoms, with relapses of several weeks. These include rashes all over the body, heart rate fluctuations, dizziness and fatigue that completely drains her. Now take about 25 medications and supplements at night just to sleep. “I take 40 milligrams of melatonin at night, which is ridiculous,” said Jerome, who is married without children. (A more typical dose is 5 mg.)
Before contracting with COVID, Jerome, the founder of the nonprofit gallery Relational Space, spent his afternoons in the art studio, creating metal pieces.
“The idea of climbing and cutting a piece of metal and grinding it … just thinking about it puts me in a relapse,” she said. “I try to at least stay in the studio, which I know sounds a little absurd, but it’s part of who I am.”
Starting with April 29, the relational space will organize an immersive virtual installation, “Long COVID – We are here!” to raise awareness and urge more research and therapies.
“The only thing that keeps me from despairing completely is that I keep a positive attitude,” Jerome said. “I think I’ll be fine.”
“The only thing that keeps me from despairing completely is that I keep a positive attitude,” Jerome said. “I think I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t have the ability to learn anything”
Before becoming ill in March last year, Nia Raquelle Smith was in the process of applying for doctoral programs to study food culture. Today, the 36-year-old Navy veteran, who lives in Bedford-Stuyvesant, can only read three pages on a good day.
“I don’t have the ability to learn anything and I have to realize ‘How will I complete my research? “Smith said.
During the summer, she was on a panel to discuss her research, but she was too scared to open her mouth because of the brain fog. “I let everyone else lead the conversation,” Smith said.
In the last year, she said, the single Smith has experienced 57 complications related to COVID; he still experiences twitching, an intermittent internal vibration, and so much fatigue that just getting out of bed in the morning requires him to lie down. Use an inhaler and take several medications and supplements each day.
“I don’t think most people can imagine what it’s like,” said Smith, who works in nonprofit databases.
“I would like to be optimistic and have more days to say, ‘I’m going through this,'” she said. “But if I wake up and it’s a very bad day, chances are I’ll be in the corner crying and wondering if this is my new normal.”