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Is it possible to be suffering from long COVID when I’ve never had COVID?

(94 Posts)
Callistemon21 Sun 03-Apr-22 21:27:56

Luckylegs

Thanks for replies. I think that’s the only explanation but I’ve tested a lot and always been negative. I’ve only got a bit of a cough and the aches, pains and headaches. I just feel I’d have to fight to speak to a dr and will anyone be able to do anything for me if it is long COVID?

Perhaps you could ask your GP for a blood test?
You could be anaemic, low in a vitamin D, have high inflammatory levels, etc

I’m on lifelong treatment for low thyroid count as well as numerous medications including oral chemo for a blood cancer.
The regular blood tests you may have for this will not show up other problems.
The treatment (depending what it is) could cause aches and pains too.

Just before covid came along, there was a thread on here where lots of people were saying they had something horrible, that was more than a cold, and went on for ages.
I wonder if some of us had it then?
Yes, I had 7 weeks of it and I've had painful joints since then.

shysal Sun 03-Apr-22 20:34:33

I had similar symptoms when suffering from polymyalgia rheumatica. I suggest you insist on talking to your doctor.
I hope you improve soon.

MerylStreep Sun 03-Apr-22 19:56:35

Well something horrible wiped out my taste and smell in Dec 2019. ?

MissAdventure Sun 03-Apr-22 19:52:08

Good luck!
I'd be interested to know how you get on, since I'm also suffering "shyteitis", too.

Luckylegs Sun 03-Apr-22 19:45:32

It’s funny though, our daughter and granddaughter had a funny thing in the February half term before we knew about COVID and we’re all convinced that that was COVID then so possibly I’ve had it without noticing. The headaches must be some form of cluster headaches but I’m stymied as I can’t take ibuprofen because of other medicines and I’m reluctant to continually take paracetamol as that’s not good, is it?

I’m on lifelong treatment for low thyroid count as well as numerous medications including oral chemo for a blood cancer. I’m usually quite active as I said, not a complete miseryguts as I am now. It’s impossible to ring our GP on Mondays but I will try and get in this week. I really do thank you for your thoughts as my H is totally fed up of my moaning!

MissAdventure Sun 03-Apr-22 19:40:29

You could try to see the practice nurse, if the gp is hard to get at.the nurses can prescribe, refer, and seemed quite approachable.

ElaineI Sun 03-Apr-22 18:47:48

Luckylegs you really need advice from a doctor and probably some blood tests. Lots of conditions can cause these symptoms including hypothyroid problems so please make the call. Actually one of DD1's colleagues has long Covid and she had a very low blood count and thyroid count. Was immediately given blood transfusion and started on iron and thyroxine which all took weeks to work. She is a teacher and not yet fit for work - this is since December. They think covid affected her. thyroid.

MissAdventure Sun 03-Apr-22 18:41:14

Just before covid came along, there was a thread on here where lots of people were saying they had something horrible, that was more than a cold, and went on for ages.
I wonder if some of us had it then?

I think they do rehab type stuff with long covid patients - in these lovely all singing, all dancing centres that I've read about.

Luckylegs Sun 03-Apr-22 18:39:02

Good description, MissAdventure, feeling like shite is absolutely it!

Luckylegs Sun 03-Apr-22 18:37:04

Thanks for replies. I think that’s the only explanation but I’ve tested a lot and always been negative. I’ve only got a bit of a cough and the aches, pains and headaches. I just feel I’d have to fight to speak to a dr and will anyone be able to do anything for me if it is long COVID?

MissAdventure Sun 03-Apr-22 18:28:54

I asked my doc ages ago (2 years ish) if I could possibly have long covid.
I'd had a horrible virus thing a few weeks before news of covid broke.
It was dismissed out of hand as "too long".
So, I don't know, but I feel like shyte, too, if it's any consolation.

GagaJo Sun 03-Apr-22 18:13:36

I am plagued by sinus headaches. They often take the form of a headache in the middle of the day.

Pain at the back of my neck, over one eye, across my nose and sometimes along my cheekbones too.

If I sleep with my head slightly more propped up at night, have the window open and use decongestants and painkillers, sometimes I can get rid of them for weeks at a time. But they take a while to respond. I'm in the middle of a batch of them at the moment. I think it's a combination of factors. Sinuses. Cluster headaches. Hayfever/allergies of some sort.

I know the theory is, go to the GP, but I've had this off and on my whole adult life, and the GP has never been able to help.

Santana Sun 03-Apr-22 18:11:18

My daughter has long covid after catching covid before first lockdown.
Some of the symptoms mimic fibromyalgia, with aches and pains, chronic fatigue being the most similar.
Lung capacity and heart rhythm disruption are long covid for sure.
I do think you need to see your doctor and seek a proper diagnosis.

DaisyAnne Sun 03-Apr-22 18:07:10

You may have had Covid so mildly you didn't know or you may have other issues that the doctor can help with but you do need to see them. Have you rung 111. If you explain and tell them you could not get an apointment they may be able to get one for you.

BlueBelle Sun 03-Apr-22 18:00:33

Of course you can only have Long CoviD if you’ve had CoviD but can lucky be sure she hasn’t had it I know many people who only knew that had it because partners or children had it but they themselves had no symptoms

Katie59 Sun 03-Apr-22 17:58:52

Yes, there are a lot of others with non specific illnesses, some have tested positive most have not, all you can do is rest and treat the symptoms, unless it progresses to serious illness.

HowVeryDareYou Sun 03-Apr-22 17:58:00

I'd think a person can only have Long Covid after having had Covid. I had the Delta strain last summer (hadn't had the vaccines, had them all since), was on a ventilator for 2 weeks. Apparently, chest CT scan in Febuary this year showed that my lungs are still not completely clear, and have scarring on them.

BlueBelle Sun 03-Apr-22 17:54:27

I m pretty sure the vaccination can’t cause this, it is however perfectly possible to have had CoviD and not realised you have had it OR it could be associated with something different altogether so I think you should persevere with getting a doctors appointment and don’t go saying ‘do you think this is from the vaccination or do you think this is long CoviD although I don’t think I ve had CoviD’
Let them diagnose without any hints from you

Luckylegs Sun 03-Apr-22 17:48:19

It’s impossible to speak to a dr round here so I thought I’d ask you knowledgeable people. Since January really, I’ve had a headache every afternoon. This continued even when I was away on holiday and I still get one most days. I’ve also got dreadful aches and pains in my neck and arms particularly but legs as well. I’m 73 and thought it’s just old age but it’s so remarkable as I cant get enough sleep, I’m permanently tired and cold. As far as I know I haven’t had COVID, had all my vaccinations.

One idea is that it’s the vaccinations that caused it or it’s just sudden onset of old age. I was doing several keep fit/dancing classes before but just CBA to do anything now! I know there are loads of you suffering proper illnesses, bless you and this might be considered trivial but it’s definitely miserable to feel like this. Anyone got any ideas please?