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As time passes, new observations and challenges are being discovered about the aftermath of COVID infections.
The previous blog (see below) looked at post-mortem, white clots in patients who previously had COVID. These white clots were first recognised by embalmers preparing bodies for funerals. The clots were not like normal blood clots and is now considered a 'new post-COVID disease'. It is a puzzling result of either the virus itself, the vaccination and/ or the treatment of COVID. More research is necessary.
Long COVID
However, for those of us who have recovered from the COVID virus, and have been 'diagnosed' with the amorphous/ undefined set of symptoms, dubbed 'LONG COVID', here are some new things I have discovered you might find of interest.
"Long COVID" usually occurs from six months to a year after recovery from the virus, although more research is needed. Symptoms vary so widely that it can be missed or thought to be psychosomatic and includes:
The most commonly reported symptoms include:
- Fatigue - Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort
- Fever
- Lung (respiratory) symptoms, including difficulty breathing or shortness of breath and cough
- Neurological symptoms or mental health conditions (difficulty thinking or concentrating, headache, sleep problems, dizziness when you stand, pins-and-needles feeling, loss of smell or taste, and depression or anxiety)
- Joint or muscle pain
- Heart symptoms or conditions, including chest pain and fast or pounding heartbeat
- Digestive symptoms, including diarrhea and stomach pain
- Blood clots and blood vessel (vascular) issues, including a blood clot that travels to the lungs from deep veins in the legs and blocks blood flow to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- Other symptoms, such as a rash and changes in the menstrual cycle
In mid-November 2022, months after recovering from my first bout with COVID, (AND having been doubly-vaccinated (or I would lose my job)), breathing and the ability to sleep through the night had become a surprising challenge for me. I began to do research to see if there were any reports about ongoing symtoms and treatments.
Dr. John Campbell
Dr. John Campbell (one of the key researchers, professional educator and a man of uncompromised integrity), had shared many resources and observations that were helpful. His even-handed reporting from the very start kept a sensible balance for any of us who wanted truth over hype. I've posted several over the last few years for you.
Micro-clotting
He had first hinted at micro-clotting and this led me to further, targeted research into something called endiothelial disease/ dysfunction. In post-COVID patients, this was manifesting as widespread, micro-clots that formed and disrupted normal oxygen transfer.
But little was known about this fringe finding in relation to COVID. It wasn't being researched much, if at all, and once someone recovered, it was not routinely tested for.
However, it was being detected in the brachial artery. This artery provides the blood supply to your entire arm from shoulder to hand.
It is typically accessed when a doctor is testing for the oxygen level in your blood, such as when there are serious breathing difficulties (COPD) or with a heart attack. The procedure consists of a needle being stuck into the artery, known as an arterial blood gas draw (ABG) or blood Ox test.
Personal Experience
Research into this is just taking off and I'm concerned it may also be related to the white clots routinely being found by embalmers. Strangely enough I visited the doctor yesterday to have her check on a strange swelling in my wrist.
The initial injury occurred when I had an emergency ABG that became infected and resulted in septicemia (blood poisoning). However, after a recent blood draw for some annual tests, I noticed an aching in my wrist as if I had pulled a muscle and the vessel was swollen where the original ABC had been taken (not in my inside of my elbow).
When I showed the doctor how swollen the inside of my wrist was, she told me that until she could have some tests run, I was not to have any needle sticks or blood pressure taken in that arm.
COVID Clots
So today when I came across the video below, it was timely and important for my readers. I urge you to take time watching it if you, a loved one or friend has not yet, fully recovered from either COVID or the vaccination (it is almost an hour, but well worth it):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVGf-XZ3Y_s&t=8s
or search YouTube for 'The COVID Clots:
A Full Measure Town Hall with Sharyl Attkisson' (51 min 8 sec)
Please let me know your thoughts.
