It’s been a year since COVID-19 actually hit New York. But some of the first residents to contract the virus still experience debilitating symptoms that have made it impossible to live as they were – leading to job losses and an inability to read or study, let alone exercise.
“We don’t understand why the body responds in this way,” said Dr. David Putrino, director of rehabilitation innovation for The Mount Sinai Health, who studies these so-called “long-distance patients.” He estimated that about 90 percent of the participants in the hospital’s long-distance program, which has a median age of 42, did not require hospitalization while on COVID.
What we’re seeing now is in these less severe cases [of the virus] – much younger, disproportionately earlier fit and healthy [patients] – there is an extreme reaction after the acute [initial] symptoms have disappeared, ”said Dr. Putrino to The Post.
Here, four New Yorkers – all of whom say they were previously in good health and none of whom were hospitalized with the virus – reveal the hopelessness and isolation caused by their long-standing cases of COVID.
‘I’m nervous about my brain’
A year after catching COVID-19, Devin Russell has failed to return to work managing a wellness center and medical practice in the Hamptons. “My nervous system has been messed up profusely,” he said. “At night, I have to alternate between icing and putting a heating pad on my head,” for the pain I got. “It feels like your nerves aren’t working properly, like you can’t think clearly.”
To ease the pain, the 35-year-old Southampton resident spends about 90 minutes a day in a hyperbaric tank that rents $ 549 a month and uses an oxygen tank and ozone generator to “kill pathogens and clear my mind.
“My whole life revolves around [COVID health complications]It is a far cry from his past life of constant activity – including playing in two basketball leagues, cycling, training with weights.
‘I can’t push myself too much. Even walking half a mile can ignite my nervous system, ”said single Russell, adding that he has dropped from 172 to 150 pounds. ‘It’s grueling. I am nervous about my brain. He started CovidCastaways.org, a resource website for long-distance travelers.
‘When I wake up I feel like there is an earthquake’
Helen Thompson Buffong is 46, but “It’s like I turned 80 overnight,” said the mother of two, ages 6 and 8, who she can’t keep up with. ‘I don’t have the stamina. I have to wave to the door instead of going to the park. ”
The married Brooklynite fell ill on April 2 and was unable to work as a part-time study advisor until last week. ‘I get hives and swelling every day. I always have an Epipen and steroids with me in case my face starts to swell. “
Neuropathy causes a relentless internal vibration throughout her body. “When I wake up, I feel like there is an earthquake every day,” she said. “A doctor said it could take years if I heal at all.”
‘COVID is like a partner who is abusive’
Marissa Oliver experienced her first “breathing attack” – a 10-hour narrowing around her lungs and heart – during her first fight with COVID last March.
Now she is still afraid of getting one. “I referred to COVID as an abusive partner because as soon as I get off the line and do something … I will be punished,” said Greenpoint’s 36-year-old art administrator. The attacks are characterized by symptoms such as fatigue and dizziness – and can be the result of stress, walking too far, or even just talking. The most recent attack was triggered after she received her first dose of COVID vaccine.
Now she uses an inhaler daily and follows regular treatments such as musculoskeletal therapy – normally recommended for athletes and performing artists who sustain repetitive stress injuries – recommended by her physician at Mount Sinai’s Center for Post-COVID Care.
“It was the first time I spoke to doctors who fully believed me and said, ‘This is what we can do for you,’” she said.
‘I take 40 milligrams of melatonin at night, that’s ridiculous’
“I feel like I’m still myself, just less – and that’s terrifying,” said Leigh Jerome, a Bushwick resident in his 50s, who fell ill on March 5, 2020.
What started with a cough and sore throat led to bilateral pneumonia – and long-lasting symptoms with weeks of relapses. They include rashes all over the body, heart rate fluctuations, dizziness and fatigue that completely drains hair. She now takes about 25 medications and supplements at night to sleep. “I take 40 milligrams of melatonin at night, which is ridiculous,” said Jerome, who is married and has no children. (A more typical dose is 5 mg.)
Before contracting COVID, Jerome, the founder of the non-profit gallery Relational Space, spent her afternoons in her studio making pieces from metal.
“The idea of going upstairs and cutting off a piece of metal and grinding it … just thinking about it puts me in a relapse,” she said. “I try to at least be in the studio, which sounds a bit absurd to me, but it’s part of who I am.”
From April 29, Relational Space is organizing a virtual immersive installation, “Long COVID – We Are Here!” to raise awareness and drive for more research and therapy.
“The only thing that keeps me from complete despair is staying positive,” said Jerome. “I really believe I’m going to get better.”
“The only thing that keeps me from being in complete despair is staying positive,” said Jerome. “I really believe I will get better.”
‘I can’t learn anything’
Before falling ill last March, Nia Raquelle Smith was applying for PhD programs to study food culture. Today, the 36-year-old Navy veteran, who lives in Bedford-Stuyvesant, can only read three pages on a good day.
“I don’t have the ability to learn anything, and I need to figure out ‘how am I going to complete my research?’” Smith said.
During the summer, she sat on a panel to discuss her research, but was too scared to speak up because of the brain fog. “I’ll let everyone lead the conversation,” said Smith.
In the past year, she said, the single Smith has had 57 COVID-related complications; she is still experiencing twitching, an intermittent internal tremor, and so much fatigue that she has to get out of bed in the morning. She uses an inhaler and takes various medicines and supplements every day.
“I don’t think most people can imagine what that is like,” said Smith, who works in database management for nonprofits.
“I’d like to be optimistic and have more days where I say to myself, ‘I’ll get through this,’” she said. “But then when I wake up and it’s a really bad day, chances are I’m crying in the corner wondering if this is my new normal.”