"I love my job and would very much like to return to work. It's important to understand how much people affected by Long COVID suffer when they can no longer do their jobs." Isabella P. is a psychologist at heart, and her work as a clinical psychological diagnostician in her own practice, at the Children's Village, and at a school for continuing education have been an important part of her life. Since her Corona infection in November 2021, however, Isabella can no longer pursue her beloved profession.
She had contracted SARS-CoV-2 three weeks after her 3rd vaccination. Her doctors suspect that the double stress on the immune system from the vaccination plus the infection may have contributed to Isabella developing long-term sequelae. From the beginning, she experienced severe palpitations that have not subsided to this day. After the acute infection, the psychologist remained in isolation for a long time, as she did not recover for weeks.
Persistent cardiovascular problems and initial overwork led to the first crash
On Christmas Eve, she went to the emergency room because of her persistent palpitations and circulation problems. Cardiac exams performed there showed no abnormalities, and a tentative diagnosis of Long COVID was made.
Although her condition hardly improved, Isabella started an attempt to return to her job in January 2022. She had never heard of pacing until then. Following the motto "to get active again, you have to keep challenging yourself", she permanently overloaded herself and quickly felt the consequences. Teaching while standing was soon no longer possible and the dizzy spells became more frequent and occurred even while walking short distances.
Isabella started Interval Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Therapy (IHHT), in which oxygen-depleted and oxygen-enriched air is alternately inhaled through an oxygen mask. She was given various nutritional supplements including vitamin C infusions. However, her condition did not improve. Finally, in early February, she collapsed on the way back from her internist's office, which she normally walked without any problems. Subsequently she was confined to bed for 6 weeks.
Knitting and crocheting are two of Isabella's new hobbies.
In April 2022, Isabella accidentally ended up at a convalescent center instead of a rehabilitation center as planned. Here, the doctors and nurses quickly realized that as a person affected by Long COVID, rest was what Isabella needed most. While she suffered 2-3 collapses per day at the beginning, the passive, calming treatments led to a huge improvement within three weeks. By the end of her stay she no longer had any circulatory collapses and could walk with again.
Even after making so much progress, Isabella strictly adhered to her recovery plan and learned to properly manage her resources with the help of pacing. By the end of the year, she was able to walk without canes and felt fit enough to plan her return to work. To prepare, she went to a rehab center again in January 2023.
However, the stay at the rehab was disastrous, the distances at the center were so far that the psychologist was back in a wheelchair after three days due to the severe strain. Since then, her life is characterized by fatigue, muscle weakness and circulation problems. At home she can move and gets about 2000 steps a day, but continuous distances over 50 m, such as in the supermarket, are almost impossible to conquer without a wheelchair.
"Pacing is hardest on days you're feeling better."
What helps her the most is pacing and pulse control. Even minor activities in everyday life can cause Isabella to crash, and she must always be careful to keep her pulse below 80 beats/minute. She is all the more grateful for the enormous support she receives from her husband, who not only relieves her of everyday tasks, but also makes sure she gets her rest.
Cryotherapy can also provide a small boost in activity - after a treatment in the cryo chamber, Isabella feels fit for a few days. However, this does not bring long-term improvement. The general helplessness of those treating and those affected by the disease often means that one has to ask for help again and again. The answer is usually the same: there are no new therapeutic approaches yet.
Due to her illness, Isabella is very susceptible to infections, she catches them quickly and each infection sets her back by weeks. In the meantime, she often struggled with fear of contact as a result. "The fear of infections cannot be allowed to lead to isolation". Her close friends now know not to visit unless they feel healthy, and at indoor public events Isabella always wears a mask to protect herself.
From the window, Isabella likes to watch a red kite. Especially on bad days, it helps her to watch him preen his feathers in peace.
As a psychologist, Isabella advises other people affected by Long COVID to allow themselves to feel sorry for themselves sometimes. Having to turn your whole life upside down because of Long COVID is not fair. But you also have to overcome these dark phases and learn to recognize the small joys of life again. When her mood is particularly bad, Isabella's husband provides the necessary change of scenery and motivates her to leave the house.
Moreover, it is important to take pacing seriously and start early, to accept help, and not be ashamed of the disease. People should find hobbies that work well with their current energy levels. For example, Isabella has replaced her old hobbies such as line dancing, playing billiards, mountain biking, and hiking with ones that match her new activity state: knitting, crocheting, watching a red kite, or playing Escape room board games, whenever her cognitive state allows.
Such systematic changes in everyday life are just as important as seeking out people in your own environment who give you strength and who you can rely on. For Isabella, it is her husband who gives her this support. On darker days, the gratitude for his help reminds her that she wants to be strong not only for herself but also for him, and that it is worth gathering new courage every day to face Long COVID.
Show
