Hi Everyone!

As always, we ask that in order to participate in the weekly megathread, one self-identifies as some form of disabled, which is broadly defined in the community sidebar:

"Disability" is an umbrella term which encompasses physical disabilities, emotional/psychiatric disabilities, neurodivergence, intellectual/developmental disabilities, sensory disabilities, invisible disabilities, and more. You do not have to have an official diagnosis to consider yourself disabled.

Alright, with that out of the way, let's talk about COVID-19, specifically the kind that messes with you for long time, possibly forever! <-- (so fun /s)

From the Wikipedia Page on Long COVID:

Long COVID or long-haul COVID is a group of health problems persisting or developing after an initial period of COVID-19 infection. Symptoms can last weeks, months or years and are often debilitating. The World Health Organization defines long COVID as starting three months after the initial COVID-19 infection, but other agencies define it as starting at four weeks after the initial infection.

Long COVID is characterized by a large number of symptoms that sometimes disappear and then reappear. Commonly reported symptoms of long COVID are fatigue, memory problems, shortness of breath, and sleep disorder. Several other symptoms, including headaches, mental health issues, initial loss of smell or taste, muscle weakness, fever, and cognitive dysfunction may also present. Symptoms often get worse after mental or physical effort, a process called post-exertional malaise. There is a large overlap in symptoms with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

The causes of long COVID are not yet fully understood. Hypotheses include lasting damage to organs and blood vessels, problems with blood clotting, neurological dysfunction, persistent virus or a reactivation of latent viruses and autoimmunity. Diagnosis of long COVID is based on (suspected or confirmed) COVID-19 infection or symptoms—and by excluding alternative diagnoses.

As of 2024, the prevalence of long COVID is estimated to be about 6-7% in adults, and about 1% in children. Prevalence is less after vaccination. Risk factors are higher age, female sex, having asthma, and a more severe initial COVID-19 infection. As of 2023, there are no validated effective treatments. Management of long COVID depends on symptoms. Rest is recommended for fatigue and pacing for post-exertional malaise. People with severe symptoms or those who were in intensive care may require care from a team of specialists. Most people with symptoms at 4 weeks recover by 12 weeks. Recovery is slower (or plateaus) for those still ill at 12 weeks. For a subset of people, for instance those meeting the criteria for ME/CFS, symptoms are expected to be lifelong.

Globally, over 400 million people have experienced long COVID.

Mask up, love one another, and stay alive for one more week.

  • keepcarrot [she/her]
    ·
    1 month ago

    I might be trapped in my room because I'm afraid my housemates might yell at me. One of my housemates is doing a sort of radical unmasking thing, and I'm not sure I'm coping since overt expressions of anger or frustration I can't be around. My body interprets this as them being furious at me. I don't even have bottles to pee in atm.

    Unfortunately I'm in a work from home deal and my computer is in a public space. Also I just bought food and it might go off before I am comfortable being in the kitchen again.

    • keepcarrot [she/her]
      ·
      1 month ago

      I'm trying to be frugal with food, but atm I can't even risk crossing the house to pick up uber eats let alone use the kitchen

    • Beetle [hy/hym]
      ·
      1 month ago

      What if you wear headphones if you’re outside your room and pretend like you can’t hear your housemates? Will they ignore you too then? I’m sorry you’re dealing with that though, it’s really awful to be scared in your own home.

      • keepcarrot [she/her]
        ·
        1 month ago

        I've calmed down a bit since posting this, but rationally I do not think they would have screamed at me at all, but I have a lot of trauma from previous households. Some of those would have grabbed the headphones to yell at me, block my path etc

        • Beetle [hy/hym]
          ·
          1 month ago

          Ah okay, still awful but I’m glad you’re doing a bit better 🫂