Long Covid, headaches, fatigue, major depression

[Colley]

Hi, I’m new here and I’m trying to figure out if I have TMS. I got Covid or some sort of bad virus last December. It took me about 2 weeks to recover but I didn’t fully get better. I started getting dizzy symptoms and then pressure headaches and chronic fatigue. A lot had happened in my life at the time (lost job, dad passed away, got really sick). I’ve spent a full year seeing doctors and getting tests (MRI, bloodwork) done, everything always comes back normal. So I hung my hat on Long Covid. But I can still exercise a few times a week so now I’m not sure after listening to the Divided Mind and some other LC survivors.

Does anyone know if there is a way I could get diagnosed properly in Ontario Canada. I’m so desperate at this point, the depression is so very heavy now. I’m seeing a therapist but unable to take psychotropic medications.

thank you for your help

 

[JanAtheCPA]

Does anyone know if there is a way I could get diagnosed properly in Ontario Canada.

There is a current directory of vetted mindbody (aka TMS/MBS/PPD) practitioners at the site for the ATNS (Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Pain).
Practitioner Directory | Find Experts — Symptomatic

If you "want" to be diagnosed with Long Covid, we will not support that here. Most of us diagnose ourselves with TMS.

Nicole Sachs has had a number of people who suffered from so-called "Long Covid" appear on her podcast. Go to her main podcast page and just put Long Covid into the search bar to get a list of episodes that will be relvant to you. Her podcast episodes are pretty damn close to receiving private therapy from her.
The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs, LCSW

 

[Colley]

There is a current directory of vetted mindbody (aka TMS/MBS/PPD) practitioners at the site for the ATNS (Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Pain).
Practitioner Directory | Find Experts — Symptomatic

If you "want" to be diagnosed with Long Covid, we will not support that here. Most of us diagnose ourselves with TMS.

Nicole Sachs has had a number of people who suffered from so-called "Long Covid" appear on her podcast. Go to her main podcast page and just put Long Covid into the search bar to get a list of episodes that will be relvant to you. Her podcast episodes are pretty damn close to receiving private therapy from her.
The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs, LCSW

Thx for the information.

I’ve just started my journey with Nicole’s stuff; journal speak and a few YouTube videos but haven’t got into her podcasts yet. I came across Nicole and then onto Sarnos work and the here in that order.

At this point it’s challenging to get through each day; the boredom, monotony and hopelessness that this (or I) has produced in my life. Thx again.

 

[Bonnard]

Thx for the information.

I’ve just started my journey with Nicole’s stuff; journal speak and a few YouTube videos but haven’t got into her podcasts yet. I came across Nicole and then onto Sarnos work and the here in that order.

At this point it’s challenging to get through each day; the boredom, monotony and hopelessness that this (or I) has produced in my life. Thx again.

Welcome! Glad you found all of those resources--some of the very best, and where I found help.
I suggest channeling those daily challenges into regular TMS work. Deeper acceptance that it is TMS is needed. Continue on; there's nothing to lose with investigating TMS.

If it is TMS, this part could get much worse:
"the boredom, monotony and hopelessness that this (or I) has produced in my life."
Because I bet there are a lot of folks on the forum who would trade anything for boredom and monotony. TMS can present symptoms that interfere with basic life tasks each day. Not to get too negative. It's just that, if you're fortunate enough to get here, just dig hard to find out if you're dealing with TMS. It could save your life.
-Wishing you well.

 

[Mani]

If it is TMS, this part could get much worse:
"the boredom, monotony and hopelessness that this (or I) has produced in my life."
Because I bet there are a lot of folks on the forum who would trade anything for boredom and monotony. TMS can present symptoms that interfere with basic life tasks each day.

I get that this might freak you out but this is very very very true. The beauty in life is to see the positives.

If you "want" to be diagnosed with Long Covid, we will not support that here. Most of us diagnose ourselves with TMS.

I struggle with this too but its best to not identify with whatever name they made up for your tms manifestation. If you have any TMS specific questions id be happy to help.

 

[dlane2530]

At this point it’s challenging to get through each day; the boredom, monotony and hopelessness that this (or I) has produced in my life.

Many of us here have been in really bleak places. You're not alone. It can take a while. The way out is through. Don't take the "boredom, monotony and hopelessness" as evidence that you can't get better.

 

[Colley]

Thank you Bonnard, Mani, Diane... I'm doing Nicole's journal speak every day, still waking up with fear, hopelessness and for sure this is clinical depression as I have daily ideation. Seeing a therapist and she's going to focus on mind body stuff. But I'm so tired of feeling like this, it's been 12months of fatigue and headaches and severe depression... I can't take psychotropic medications so I suffer through it day by day. Some of the physical symptoms seem to be lessening but I can tell on the days I'm really bad mentally that the headaches are worse. Again, nobody around me to diagnose TMS but I've done all the doctor's tests and nothing ever shows up. I believe Dr. Sarno had said that depression and anxiety can manifest as TMS and create symptoms accordingly... that these mental health issues and subsequent headaches, fatigue, could be a result of TMS.

I journal about anger, fear, and suffering most days, I can't seem to change it up. Fear that I'm not getting out of this or that I'll have another day of not doing anything productive... just existing and feeling I might end up disabled for the rest of my life. Sometimes I can get into childhood stuff or I just force myself to write about it. And family stuff, relationship stuff, all of that.

I've worked my whole life in fairly big corporate jobs except for 2.5 years where I experienced my first depressive episode and now there doesn't seem to be much hope that I'll ever get out of this one. Been trying to get a work from home job but no luck there either. I'm 51 now. I'm grateful for things as it can always be worse but can't "feel" gratitude.... and this feels pretty terrible most days.

Anyway, I don't really know what other work I should be doing in TMS other than the daily journaling. I try to exercise daily, I eat very healthy, I walk my dog most days although my wife has been doing a lot of that. I don't have any children so there's not much I can do there. It's really cold here in Canada with lots of snow so being outside is challenging at best. And there's no real volunteer work available although I'll have to start looking into that deeper. Anyway, thx all for your replies and support... very much appreciated.

 

[Cactusflower]

@Colley
Hugs to you.
I was there. Deep depression and for me, high anxiety. Panic attacks plus a myriad of symptoms.
What helped me with the depression and anxiety was to force myself to engage in old interests and EMDR. It took a few months but EMDR along with doing journaling was my way out emotionally. Still working through the symptoms.
Perhaps trying meditation if you have not yet done so. On YouTube, Tanner Murtaugh is a Canadian TMS psychotherapist and has tons of free content including a free program for 30 days. It has many things you can try to see if they resonate including some basic tai chi/qui gong you could do by windows to help the need for light and movement in such a season. He had meditations, tips, mindset, a podcast with his partner.. and a very compassionate method.