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How to manage long COVID symptoms and weakness?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have suffered from some weakness attacks for many months. One week can be quite normal, but another one is terrible. My symptoms are chest pressure almost all the time, pain in muscles and spine (mainly upper side like arms and between blade bones), difficulty breathing (but spO2 is usually above 95), pressure in the head and sometimes in temples (not a headache but pressure like it can explode), sometimes dizziness and lightheaded feeling (have to lie because it is hard to walk or sit), time to time weak legs (generally whole body, and lack of sensations in limbs, and problems with walking. Six months ago, I had a COVID-19 infection, and the last days of the illness were hard, with pain in the lungs and dizziness.

After three months, I was in the hospital because I almost lost consciousness and felt pain in the chest and heart, but my electrocardiogram was normal. Since then, I have had these attacks of weakness and cannot work or often even take a walk. Instead, it is not anxiety.

There is no correlation between attacks and stress. The pain passes through sleep time and welcomes me in the morning. Unfortunately, my health sometimes worsens in relaxing and calm moments. I must mention that a few years ago, I probably had a stroke, but I never consulted or checked it with doctors. Nightmare pain in my head broke my dream, and I felt like dying, but I just took pills and tried to sleep again.

In the following weeks, something was moving in my head. I could not stand for a long time because I was so weak that even making a standing pose was a challenge. I think COVID-19 has reactivated my old problems or destroyed something in my body, or maybe it is an entirely other cause.

I hope you will understand my question and give me some hope for the right direction. When will I be more stable, or should I take an MRI of the head and maybe another (heart) diagnosis? Now, I can barely lie in bed with all this pain and stress. Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vivek S Narayan Pillai

Education:

DM

Professional Bio:

Dr. Vivek S. Narayan Pillai is a skilled Cardiologist with expertise in diagnosing and treating heart conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure. He is proficient in advanced cardiac diagnostics, including ECG, echocardiography, and stress testing. Known for his patient-centered approach, Dr. Pillai is dedicated to providing evidence-based cardiac care to improve heart health and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for the query and description of your symptoms.

It does appear like post-COVID myalgia or post-COVID fatigue syndrome. Also, dizziness and lightheadedness could be part of the dysautonomia in post-COVID patients. The best treatment is to increase your fluid intake and add salt to the diet. In addition, you could wear compression stockings on both legs, which will also help decrease dizziness and lightheadedness.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. K. Shobana
Published At July 2, 2022
Reviewed At June 1, 2026

Education:

DM

Professional Bio:

Dr. Vivek S. Narayan Pillai is a skilled Cardiologist with expertise in diagnosing and treating heart conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure. He is proficient in advanced cardiac diagnostics, including ECG, echocardiography, and stress testing. Known for his patient-centered approach, Dr. Pillai is dedicated to providing evidence-based cardiac care to improve heart health and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. K. Shobana is a Dental Surgeon specializing in oral health and dental care. She is skilled in preventive dentistry and provides oral hygiene education. She can do restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns. She can handle periodontal problems such as gum diseases and periodontitis. She can do root canal treatment.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

DM

Professional Bio:

Dr. Vivek S. Narayan Pillai is a skilled Cardiologist with expertise in diagnosing and treating heart conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure. He is proficient in advanced cardiac diagnostics, including ECG, echocardiography, and stress testing. Known for his patient-centered approach, Dr. Pillai is dedicated to providing evidence-based cardiac care to improve heart health and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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