Posted on 05/17/2024 6:51:23 PM PDT by ducttape45
Good evening Freepers.
I wanted to share a few prayer requests with you. I don't normally post things like this for me as I try to keep some aspects of my life close to the chest, but I wanted to share these as they continue to be things that I am dealing with, some of them for quite some time.
First off, Long Covid. As many of you know, I retired from my job in Apr 23 because of Long Covid. I was infected with Covid 19 in February 2022, but in Nov 22 I developed Long Covid. I initially recovered from Covid and was on my way to what I thought was a full recovery when Long Covid hit me, and hard. Nov 2022 to Apr 2023 were very difficult months, and Long Covid has stayed with me since then, and although it's not quite as bad as it was, I'm still disabled. What I got hit with was a combination of chronic fatigue, extreme nausea, insomnia and dizziness/confusion. While the fatigue and nausea are not as bad, I still suffer with all of those symptoms. It's only by pacing myself, resting and eating very bland foods that I am able to get by. And that leads me to my next request.
Second, Insomnia. That aspect of my condition has been extremely rough. From Nov 22 to Apr 23 I was taking a fist full of drugs in order to sleep. I did not put in a full day’s work that entire timeframe because of the Long Covid, and not being to get a good night’s rest made things worse. Even though I was taking those drugs my days were still hard to get through. It’s a good thing I had over 400 hours of sick leave. It came in very handy.
When I finally retired I tried to get myself off those drugs but it proved very difficult. I was basically addicted to them by that point and trying to go “cold turkey” was not a good idea. It wasn't until late December that I finally hit upon a game plan to get rid of the sleep meds but it's taking this long to play out.
With the assistance of a VA counselor helping me with my insomnia, I was able to reduce my intake over the months until, just this week, I finally stopped taking the sleep drug, Temazepam/Restoril, altogether. When I started taking that medication, I was taking 30 MG capsules. I was able to reduce that to 22.5 MG by Nov/Dec 23, then to 15 MG in Jan 24, then 7.5 MG since March. Just a couple of days ago I stopped taking it altogether. But it wasn't without assistance from the VA counselor helping me modifying my sleep patterns that I was able to do so. He’s also had me keep a diary to chronicle the entire process. HOWEVER, I now have to give my body time to adjust and hopefully get my sleeping pattern on track again. With each reduction in medication it normally takes about two months to re-regulate my sleep.
Third, Retirement. Since I retired I've been trying to get various aspects of my retirement in order, but there have been bumps along the way.
1. OPM had to adjust my retirement because they didn't calculate it correctly when retired in Apr 23. It took about two months but it finally got fixed. However, I was short changed in that my retirement pay is $200 less than I was quoted before I retired. The GRB website the government uses was not accurate in how it calculated my retirement. I come to find out that I did not have 30 years of total government service, but instead had 26 years and 8 months. They neglected to tell me that almost 4 years of temporary employment didn't count towards my time. GRRRRRRRR.
2. Social Security and VA disabilities were applied for.
SS denied my in February of this year, after a wait of over 6 months, and I hired a SS disability lawyer to appeal my case. It's ongoing.
The VA is another matter entirely, and honestly, I am extremely angry at the VA because they continue to deny appeals to get my disability claims approved. For instance, even though they now admit that military service caused hearing loss and tinnitus, they won't overturn their previous denial from 2006. The lawyers I hired to file the appeals have received three denials since summer last year. So in addition to being denied in 2006 and 2011, that's now five total denials on that one condition alone. And there are others.
The lawyers are trying to figure out what to do next, but I know what I want to do, and that is fire off a letter to the VA expressing my anger. The department in the VA that deals with disability claims no longer works for the veteran. They actively work against them, and I really want to express my outrage to them.
4. Retirement location. I really need to move from where I am. The housing I’m in is old military housing and is not in good shape. I would like to move to better housing but of course housing, whether one rents or owns, is priced through the roof. If either, or both, of the disability claims get approved I'll bring in more funds, but I could be waiting for several months, if not a few years, for that to happen. I am on a waiting list for senior apartments in West Lafayette, IN. That location would be ideal because I would be real close to my daughter, but the waiting list is extremely long and it could be years before there is an open unit. I’ve been trying to locate other places to move to but it’s difficult to get out since Long Covid reduces my endurance, and Google Maps doesn’t do a good job in keeping its database updated.
Whew, that took longer than I anticipated to type out. I know that is a lot to take in, but those are the areas I really need prayer for. I appreciate the time you took to read all that. Thank you and God bless you all.
.
I don’t have personal experience, but I’ve heard that almost everyone who applies for SS disability is turned down on first try.
I’m praying for your improved health. I too have been handicapped as a result of this bo-agent which has limited my lung capacity. I pray you find overall improvement soon.
I’m praying for you, ducttape.
An extensive group of papers on the subject:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=Long%20covid%20spike
You could try enteric nattokinase, it’s hypothesized to work because it dissolves fibrin. It’s a protein so it needs to be protected from stomach acids:
https://solaray.com/products/nattokinase
It’s a shot in the dark because its bioavailability is in question, but if all else fails…
So sorry for all of your troubles.
Have you tried Ivermectin?
https://covid19criticalcare.com/protocol/i-recover-long-covid-treatment/
Prayers up.
Pretty much. I expected it. I was told told by the lawyer that minimum waiting time is 15-18 months. I might not see a thing until the middle of next year. :-(
I have tried nattokinase but it did nothing for me. I used it for about 45 days with no results. But I will link both those URLs you shared. Thank you.
Prayers and good luck to you.
I have Ivermectin and have used it. The jury is out on it’s effectiveness. Rest, pacing myself and prayer have been the only things that have had any effect.
You and I have discussed your long covid some. I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to help you more. I know you have tried everything! Please know that YOU are in my prayers, and I do hope that you are healed from this affliction. Prayers for your complete recovery!
FF
I was very fortunate that it did not, at least initially, affect my lungs. But I have now developed asthma, most likely caused by Covid. I go for another medical visit next week on that.
Thank you FF. Yes, I remember our conversations. I appreciate your advice, and your prayers. God bless!
I don’t have personal experience, but I’ve heard that almost everyone who applies for SS disability is turned down on first try.
That seems to be the norm. It’s almost as if they are instructed to deny the first time. But I think they will approve immediately for things like terminal cancer.
If you need hearing aids, some of the best cheap ones come from MD Hearing. I have been using them since 2005. Good luck with all your problems.
👍👍👍
I am so sorry to read of your trouble you have been suffering.
I do pray for strength for you and that your SS problems will be resolved. Housing will open up... praying all in Jesus’ Precious Name.
On a side note I have suffered a lot with fatigue since my long covid. Never diagnosed as that but I got Covid in October 2021, 3 days after my hubby’s memorial. It lasted from October to February 2022 when I finally was able to get up out of bed.
Never had lung problems or pneumonia, but the weakness has bothered me for a LONG time. I’ve dealt with confusion, depression, and many other side affects.
I did take Ivermectin and zinc.
I also suffered a lot with insomnia for a while and just this last month have been sleeping again almost through the night. SO I DO understand your post!!
PRaying much for you.
I am taking a lot of natural vitamins.
One of my sons took the Pfizer Jab and Booster.
Later he became very ill. We sent him Dr. Peter McCullough’s SPIKE SUPPORT FORMULA and came out of it soon after.
https://www.twc.health/products/long-haul-formula
God’s not finished with us yet! Prayers continue!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.