This athlete has been benched for 15 months because of Covid-19 related symptoms including dysautonomia  

BOSTON, MA: In April 2020, I experienced chest tightness and shortness of breath and went to the ER. The doctors said I was young and healthy and turned me away. But I continued to have chest tightness, body aches, and difficulty breathing. I couldn’t get into a doctor’s office as none were accepting appointments. When I finally connected with a doctor and was tested for Covid, the result was negative. This was no surprise, as the onset of my symptoms had been weeks before. But I felt lousy and ended up in bed.

I took a medical leave of absence from my job and moved in with my sister. I am forever grateful for her kindness; she was the anchor that held things together. I had to advocate for my medical care continually. I realize now that when Covid first swept across the country, nobody knew much about it and lack of information and experience limited the medical help provided.

I discovered Covid support groups. These were the people dealing directly with Covid and its symptoms, and they were the front line in providing new information on the disease. As I was alone, my connections with these people, some of whom have become lasting friends, have been a continuing source of hope and helpful information.

It was through these support groups that I learned that for some, Covid symptoms persist. Some, like me, become Covid “long-haulers.” I wish the medical community would treat all those with long-term Covid symptoms as presumptive Covid patients, even though their Covid tests turn out negative.

It has been thirteen months since I first had Covid symptoms. Since then, I’ve had to continually advocate for myself to get the tests and medical help I’ve needed. Many of these test results were not conclusive, and doctors dismissed my symptoms. But I knew something was wrong, and I just kept searching for the right doctor who could help me.

After waiting four months, I was finally able to get in to see a cardio pulmonologist who recognized my condition as dysautonomia —a disorder that affects the body’s automatic nervous system. This results in various symptoms, including rapid breathing, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and blood pressure, fluctuations in body temperature, and brain fog. I’d never had such problems before Covid, but through connections with Covid long-hauler support groups, I’ve discovered that others have also experienced dysautonomia symptoms. I think this caught the medical community by surprise, and doctors are still struggling to figure out how to deal with it. No medicine helps, but I’ve found that other therapies, often suggested by Covid long-hauler support groups, can ease my condition.

I’ve gotten back into meditation and now practice this technique three times each day, along with breathing exercises. I’ve found that time with nature soothes me, and I take walks as often as I can. I feel that my body has recovered about fifty percent of the health I had before Covid, and it continues to improve slowly. My senses of taste and smell have returned, and I enjoy eating again. I’m beginning to do yoga, and my walks are now outside and getting longer. I’m fortunate that my health insurance has covered my costs, including several therapists helping with my recovery.

My dysautonomia has pushed me to pay more attention to my body’s signals. When I feel body tremors, I rest, don’t push myself as hard as I once did. I pay more attention to the little things around me, take more time to appreciate my family, watching my young nephews play in the yard. If I overdo it, if my heart rate jumps up, I lay down and meditate to calm myself.

I don’t give up. I knew that my body had a problem, and I was going to find out what was going on. Yes, I’ve had to deal with gender bias, with doctors who did not believe my condition was real. I was often angry with such treatment and decided it was best to move on and seek the help I needed. I am grateful to my hockey teammates Jennie and Kim for supporting me throughout this.

I believe I will get better.