For some people, COVID-19 means you lose a few daysB次元官网网址� work.

Sadly, for others, it means losing a loved one. Or your own life.

But for a third group of people, COVID-19 never leaves, or at least seems like it wonB次元官网网址檛. You lose your energy, you lose your health, you lose your ability to work, at least consistently.

Maryanne Andrew is in the latter group. She is what is called among other things, a COVID B次元官网网址渓ong hauler,B次元官网网址� as in, she is in it for the long haul. She is suffering from what is known in medicine as post COVID-19 condition or long COVID and it means continuing to suffer from post-COVID symptoms and damage that COVID has done to their bodies.

B次元官网网址淐OVID might be just a cold to some, death to others,B次元官网网址� Andrew said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a chronic illness for us.B次元官网网址�

There are over 200 symptoms attributed to post COVID-19 condition and include fatigue, which gets worse after physical or mental effort, headaches, palpitations, shortness of breath, body aches and more.

says, B次元官网网址淧ost COVID-19 condition may occur in some people weeks or months after their initial infection. People who have been hospitalized or who needed intensive care during recovery appear to be at greater risk of experiencing longer-term effects. Post COVID-19 condition is also observed in people who didnB次元官网网址檛 have symptoms or had only mild to moderate symptoms during initial infection.B次元官网网址�

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Post COVID-19 condition is not COVID-19, Health Canada says. Symptoms can be quite different from those experienced during the initial infection. It refers to the longer-term effects some people experience after their COVID-19 infection.

Andrew is trying to raise awareness of what long-haulers are going through in hopes of reaching those who may not realize what they have and offer help as well as educate the general public about what long-haulers are going through.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 always educating people or I have people that are sick and they donB次元官网网址檛 realize that they are long haulers,B次元官网网址� Andrew said.

Andrew, 59, contracted COVID-19 last January. Her symptoms were mild and, so, she soon returned to work.

B次元官网网址淎ll I thought was, I didnB次元官网网址檛 end up in the hospital, IB次元官网网址檓 not dead, this will go away,B次元官网网址� Andrew said. B次元官网网址淚t never went away.B次元官网网址�

She has constant head pressure, inflammation in her brain stem, she has a hard time concentrating, has B次元官网网址渂rain fogB次元官网网址� and memory issues.

B次元官网网址淚 could write you a book on the symptoms IB次元官网网址檝e been suffering for the whole year,B次元官网网址� Andrew said.

After three and a half weeks at work she went to Emergency B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址渋t felt like someone had ripped off my forehead and threw in an axe.B次元官网网址�

There was nothing that could be done for her, she said, and was sent home. Again she tried going back to work but her B次元官网网址渂ody kept crashing.B次元官网网址� Eventually, her doctor told her to take June, July and August off. She expected the rest would be good, sheB次元官网网址檇 heal up and be back to work in September. That didnB次元官网网址檛 happen.

She tried to resume working but could only handle a few hours a day.

B次元官网网址淵ou know, when work is your life, it was devastating. But I donB次元官网网址檛 give up. IB次元官网网址檓 not a quitter. I mean now IB次元官网网址檓 up to 12 hours a week and itB次元官网网址檚 killing me,B次元官网网址� Andrew said.

But all the while sheB次元官网网址檚 going through this, she finds sheB次元官网网址檚 having to educate people that donB次元官网网址檛 know what B次元官网网址渓ong haulB次元官网网址� is. People just think itB次元官网网址檚 a cold.

B次元官网网址淣ope,B次元官网网址� she said.

Many sufferers have lost their livelihood, their health and way of life. ThereB次元官网网址檚 no magic pill and the medical profession is still learning about the COVID-19 virus, Andrew said.

You are no longer your old self and youB次元官网网址檙e not able to meet your responsibilities at home or at work. Your new life is one of no energy, B次元官网网址渂ody crashes,B次元官网网址� aching all over, the inability to concentrate and the brain fog.

But Andrew also points out that time does heal, it does get better as time goes along. But it takes time.

Andrew also wants long-haulers to know that they are not alone. She encourages them to contact their health provider who can help you manage your symptoms and refer you for additional care.

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Your doctor can request help for you from the closest long-hauler clinic which can give you the skills and knowledge to better understand and manage your symptoms.

There are support groups B次元官网网址� is one. These groups are good places to connect with other people experiencing the same things you are.

The Health Canada website says, B次元官网网址淚ndividuals experiencing post COVID-19 condition commonly report impacts on their mental health, including anxiety, depression and PTSD.

B次元官网网址淭alk to your health care provider if you think that you may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression or PTSD. Health professionals can help you get the support you need.

B次元官网网址淵ou or someone you know may be in crisis or need mental health and substance use support. If this is the case, visit Wellness Together Canada () for a wide range of resources and supports.B次元官网网址�

Andrew adds, B次元官网网址淏e gentle on yourself. Listen to your body, rest and pace. Remember, time heals. Know that you are not alone.B次元官网网址�

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editor@campbellrivermirror.com
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