Blog #1 How it Unfolded

My name is Sarah. I was diagnosed with Long Covid Condition this year. I am a wellness coach and personal trainer of 30 years with a degree in Health Promotion and post grad studies in Ergonomics and Occupational Health and Safety. I hold several other health related qualifications.

Health and fitness was my life before the Covid vaccine and virus caused serious damage to most of my organs (skin, liver, kidneys, colon, cecum, uterus, heart, bladder and brain), my connective tissue, tendons, mucus membranes, mitochondria and body systems.

In the last 18 months I have been diagnosed with multiple debilitating conditions and have had to navigate several serious issues concurrently whilst running my business. As challenging as it has been, I am learning about the body on a whole new level which I know has made me a better personal trainer and wellness coach.

Over the last 30 years I have talked with clients about topics such as humour, joy, exercise, nutrition, gratitude, the people who influence your life and letting go; the significance of which has now hit home for me personally, again on a whole new level.

I am genuinely finding peace and happiness in loss and am grateful for what remains. It’s been like a spring clean, overhauling all my material attachments and removing toxic people from my life effortlessly.

I am also learning bizarre things about chemicals in food, toothpaste and toilet paper.

This is how my Long Covid Condition (LCC) unfolded...

After Pfizer Vaccine

1. Chest pain - rush sensation

2. Coordination issues

3. Fragmented vision

4. Syncopes

5. Light intolerance

6. Swollen ankles

7. Breathless performing simple tasks

8. Racing heart rolling over in bed

9. Fatigue

10. Cold intolerance

11. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

12. Diagnosed Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

13. Vestibular Ocular Motor dysfunction (VOMS)

14. Adverse reaction to Fentanyl

After COVID infection (March 2023 - November 2024)

1. COVID March 2023 (asymptomatic)

2. Choking when sipping water

3. Stomach distended/ bloated

4. Debilitating fatigue

5. First ever gum abscess

6. Diagnosed with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

7. Fingernails fell off after using shellac nail polish

8. Diagnosed with allergy to Acrylates

9. Chemical allergies started (chlorine)

10. Allergy to Telfast - fully body hives for 12 months

11. Lupus markers

12. Diagnosed with a generic autoimmune condition

13. Armpits turned black

14. Pigment (large black spots) down arms and torso

15. Biopsy showed Lichen Planus (an autoimmune condition of the skin)

16. Urticaria chest, arms, wrists, ankles for 12 months

17. Reaction to chlorine used in outdoor spas and on carrots (which are washed in chlorine) and then became allergic to chemical after chemical, drug after drug

18. Multiple tendinopathies

19. Bilateral achilles tendinopathies

20. Bilateral plantar fasciitis

21. Could not go to the toilet 💩

22. Hospitalised with atypical appendicitis which turned out to be diverticulitis

23. Told no nuts, seeds, skins or red meat

24. Skyrocketing CRP - 350 (should be 6 or less) cytokine storm, extreme histamine and inflammatory response for over 12 months

25. Enlarged kidneys, cysts on kidneys reduced Egfr

26. Diagnosed with fatty liver

27. Diagnosed with high cholesterol

28. Debilitating hip pain

29. Diagnosed with left femoral hernia

30. Diagnosed with epigastric hernia

31. Diagnosed with left labrum hip tear

32. Enlarged pancreas

33. Diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis

34. Palmer Thrombosis

35. Swelling behind knees

36. Fingernails developed vertical stripes

37. Can’t weight bear left wrist

38. Hospitalised 9 more times in 9 months - repeated rigors and sepsis that people confused with perimenopause

39. Vasavagal seizures - found myself hanging upside down in triage after a syncopal episode, with a doctor holding each leg

40. Allergy to IV metronidazole - paralysis - in an awake coma in hospital

41. Allergy to Ondansetron - vomiting

42. Allergy to Endone - vomiting

43. Allergy to Codeine - vomiting

44. Allergy to alcohol (baby wipes, swabs, hand sanitizer) - rash and vomiting

45. Allergy to tape and band-aids - rash

46. Allergy to Latex

47. Allergy to Moxifloxacin- swelling behind knees vomiting and hives

48. Massive (foot sized) blood clots - haemorrhaging

49. Diagnosed with contact dermatitis - Allergic to underwear, toilet paper, paper towel, facemasks

50. Diagnosed with crystal oxilate in urine - told not to eat spinach, almond, rhubarb, left over food

51. Hair loss

52. Severe abdominal pain above and below the belly button, left side to right side. Felt that my body was tearing apart when I rolled over

53. Diagnosed with fibroid uterus

54. Fibroid surgery - 15 fibroids removed

55. Diagnosed with Postural Orthostatc Tachycardia (POTS)

56. Diagnosed with Dysautonomia

57. Neuropathy

58. Brain fog

59. Allergic to smells (peoples breath, petrol fumes, perfume)

60. Sat in a car that had been in the sun and suddenly struggled to breathe due to the off gassing off the dashboard

61. Diagnosed with severe chemical allergies (told no tinned food, alcohol, toilet paper, face masks, make up, nails sunscreen, plastic, petrol fumes etc)

62. Suspected Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

63. Diagnosed with Post Exertional Malaise (PEM)

64. Diagnosed with exercise intolerance

65. Diagnosed with silent migraine

66. Allergy to yellow colouring in tablets - hives

67. Allergy to cows milk (told no more cheese, pasta, pizza, milk)

68. Ringing in ears

69. Ongoing bladder pain

70. Haemorrhoids

71. Memory loss, confusion

72. Mennoragia and abnormal uterine bleeding

73. Tooth suddenly broke inside the gum

74. Diagnosed with resorption

75. Tooth extraction

76. Tooth bridge

77. Recurring UTIs

78. Bladder debris and organised clots coming out in urine

79. Hospitalised again for haemorrhaging/ significant blood clots - suspected allergic reaction to Amoxicillin

81. Diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis (told no coffee, chocolate, alcohol orange, sourdough bread)

82. Diagnosed with Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS)

83.Bladder surgery - rigid scope cystoscopy, epithermy and bladder filtration

Scans and tests

1. Multiple blood tests, some 15 viles at a time

2. Blood cultures

3. 24 hour urine test

4. Multiple urine tests

5. Punch biopsy

6. US KUB

7. US Abdomen

8. US left and right ankles and hind feet

9. US left and right groins

10. US Renal

11. US Pelvic x2

12. Doppler US Calf

13. CT KUB

14. CT Abdomen x5

15. PET Scan

16. MRI Spine

17. MRI Brain

18. MRI Left hip

19. Bone Densitometry

20. X ray chest

21. Xray teeth

22. Xray bowel

23. Xray both hips and pelvis

24. Xray abdomen

25. Xray bilateral ankles

26. Xray bilateral hands and wrist

27. Xray bilateral knees

28. Xray Right leg

29. Xray all digits

30. Colonoscopy

31. Endoscopy

32. Gastroscopy

33. Cystoscopy

34. Diathermy

35. Bladder filtrations

36. Patch testing

37. Allergy testing

38 Pharmacogenomic testing

Practitioners consulted

1. Periodontist X2

2. Neurologist x4

3. Respiratory and sleep therapist

4. Dermatologist

5. Associate Professor Dermatologist

6. Gastroenterologist

7. General Surgeon

8. Cardiologist

9. General Physician

10. Immunologist

11. Gynecologist

12. Allergist

13. Professor Colorectal Surgeon

14. Professor Immunologist

15. Rheumatologist

16. Dental Surgeon

17. Professor Urologist

18. Specialist Urologist

19. Exercise Physiologist

20. Clinical Dietitians x3

21. Remedial Massage Therapist

22. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Practitioner and Acupuncturist

I hope to share my experiences with a view to informing other LCC suffers and the medical profession. Hopefully I live long enough to be cured without being completely disabled by this condition.