July 31, 2024
Lingering symptoms
Wow, the end of July already, well into summer. I have not written in 3 months, the longest since I started. Not sure why it’s been a while. I keep thinking of topics, but then get distracted. Or I take a nap. Or I can’t think of anything to write. Or I want to write about everything so write about nothing. And then life gets busy.
So I’ll start with my own COVID update. At the end of March, I became NOVID no more and caught a relatively mild case of COVID, or so I thought. My test stayed positive for almost 3 weeks. I mostly had fatigue and ennui.
I thought that was the end of my COVID experience and left for my Camino Portuguese. So different than last year with Jamie. So glad I did it. I learned some good lessons. We had cooler and wetter weather this time.
But something weird happened. I started coughing after a strenuous and long climb. No fever, no sputum, but I was wheezing. I hoped it would go away. I changed from staying in Albuergues (hostels) to private rooms so I wouldn’t bother other sleepers or make them worry I was exposing them to anything.
And finally I went to see a doctor after a night of severe coughing. A clinica de salud, a Spanish health center, a few blocks away from my hotel in the charming fishing village of Combarro. Explained my symptoms in my simple Spanish, the doctor gave me a prescription for an inhaler. The combination inhaler of steroid and long acting bronchodilator cost $43 and I was on may way. My cough improved over the next few days. I received my bill for the doctor later. It was 68 euros, about 74 dollars.
It seems COVID reactivated my dormant mild asthma. Before, I only had symptoms when I was sick, but now I have them everyday. Mostly wheezing when I walk up hills and exercise. I have more fatigue too and worry about some damage to my lungs by the virus. Some studies have shown damage in lungs after COVID even with mild infections.
Still using my Spanish inhaler, I need a refill and I’m frustrated with the American system. Thursday, I saw one of the primary care docs at my clinic who prescribed an inhaler that I thought was covered by insurance. But it’s $500. Now trying to get a different one that will only be $400. A new prescription was sent but it was the “disc” and not the HFA inhaler and isn’t covered. So more messages must be sent. Now the pharmacy says they don’t have it in stock. How crazy is that?
Insurance companies make it hard to find out which medicine is the cheapest, even with preferred tiers. The time spent by everyone: patient, pharmacist, provider is mind boggling. And I know the system and I can’t make it work. There has to be a better way.
Many of you have had COVID this summer, it’s been going around. Many of my most vigilant friends caught it. But almost all of us did OK except some minor issues. The vaccines have protected us well, including from the chance of long COVID. But it is still a risk.
My experience has made me leery of reinfection. I wonder if I am entering Long Covid territory. My energy is less, I’m napping more, and my exercise tolerance is worse. I’m still hopeful my symptoms will slowly improve if I use an inhaler more regularly. (once I get it.)
But COVID is not going anywhere. It wants to live and be passed around. I recommend being careful out there and consider masking if needed. A study shows the bonus is wearing masks in crowded places and planes can cut down on all respiratory and cold symptoms. Updated boosters will be coming in the fall.
I want to write about other epidemics ongoing including H5N1 Bird flu, tick born illness, developments in HIV treatment and prevention, and the looming increase in disinformation as the elections nears. So much more to think about.
Take care, stay sensible, and remember exposure to COVID may be worth it if what you are doing brings joy and helps you feel alive!
And finally, my caveat is that this is my experience and my opinions, which are subject to change as more information is available. Thanks for reading.
Share this post if you know of others who may be interested. All links are listed at the bottom of this post. The New York Times articles have links that are gift links, allowing you to read the article for free.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/17/health/long-covid-vaccines.html?unlocked_article_code=1._k0.0H2Q.t41k0wYvlISW&smid=url-share
https://www.nytimes.com/article/long-covid-vaccine.html?unlocked_article_code=1._k0.gYjO.9ykf5uUwpBZt&smid=url-share
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/long-covid-risk-has-decreased-but-remains-significant-study-finds/
https://www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj-2023-078918
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2022/03/15/long-COVID-lung-damage/8051647357455/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-long-term-effects/art-20490351
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid-long-haulers-long-term-effects-of-covid19
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/the-virus-wants-to-live-why-covid-spike-isnt-expected-to-ease-anytime-soon/