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.
Father, in the Name of Jesus, you see Ducttape’s condition and his dilemma. You are Lord of all, and nothing is too difficult for You. I ask that You touch him from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, and heal him completely, body, soul and spirit, and meet every need in his life. Amen.
The military is notorious for dragging out disability claims. We have a friend who is a Vietnam vet and finally got disability for PTSD after years of applying and attending counseling. He felt like they were waiting for him to have an emotional breakdown right in front of them, before approving him, but he was determined to maintain his dignity. I told him to give them what they want. I don’t know if that’s what he did, but he did finally get it approved.
Well, I hope you don’t have to wait too long.
it is said that viruses can kick off Chronic Fatigue- and I’m not sure- but I think that is what happened with me some 30 years ago-
Your dizziness can confusion may very well be “Brain Fog” which can get so bad as to be pretty debilitating mentally- Brain Fog goes with Chronic fatigue
There is something called PEM (Post Exertional Malaise) that goes with Chronic Fatigue-= You’ll know you have it if you can do something like maybe rake a small yard even though you are weak, and feel not to bad the next day, but then wham- the third day get hit with overwhelming exhaustion and weakness- if that keeps happening to you- than that may be the cause- IF you do experience that- then a life of pacing yourself will be in order- learning to say no to others because it will take too much out of you- knowing when to stop something before you pay the price 2 days later-
Chronic Fatigue is no joke- it sucks! As someone with it said once “The Good news is that it won’t kill you... The bad news is that it won’t kill you”
Sorry you are going through it- IF it is what i have, God has allowed me to have 30 years of it so far- I don’t know if that is what i have or not- Docs don’t either- but the symptom,s of PEM are spot on-
Try the long Covid Ivermectin potocols, they really work.
YOu need to start taking daily doses of Ivermectin and Zinc right away.
Follow the URL given you up thread.
If they seem confusing PM me.THeir dosage and treatment charts are buried a little.
Good on you for asking for help.
Prayers up, wishing you a quick turnaround with your fortunes.
-OGINJ
Prayers offered.
FATHER GOD,
Thank you for ducttape45’s service to our nation. There is no greater love than to lay down ones live for their friends. (John 15:13). Thank you he was willing to give his all for his nation.
Long Covid, tinitis, and deafness have names that must bow to the Name of JESUS. In JESUS’ Name we take authority over every ailment, cancel their assignments on ducttape45, and command to leave, never to return. May HOLY SPIRIT fill ducttape45 and cleanse every cell in his body.
Give him good, restful sleep, so he awakens and feels renewed.
We believe ducttape45 will not need VA disability statys, because he is healed by the blood of the LAMB.
To GOD be the glory. Great things He has done.
In JESUS’ Name we pray. AMEN.
Thank you. Your prayers mean a lot to me, and it’s good to have a kindred spirit out there!
Thank you my friend. I’ve seen the Spike Support Formula advertised but I wondered how effective it would be. I’ll check it out.
I have experienced PEM as well, several times. I have to limit myself to about two hours to go grocery shopping because if I go longer than that, I’m in bed for the next 3-4 hours resting. Once last year I took a 5 hour trip back and forth to my daughter’s place and afterwards spent the next two days in bed. So yeah, PEM sucks. Sounds like I have another kindred spirit out there in Freeper land.
** Another Ping for the Prayer Warriors Ping List, **..please!
Pinging the Prayer Warriors for prayers for your health and well-being, especially with the VA involved.
Sending prayers that the end of this rough road comes soon.
Prayers for you and your situation, ducttape.
Do some careful research before relocating a place that fits your income.Ensure that your health issues are capable of support in the new location. I had two rounds of COVID as well. I had some of the same symptoms. The only long term problem seems to be a blood clot from above my left knee to my ankle. Plain old COVID can do that. Condolences on the "long COVID". I suspect long COVID for many people is mitochondrial dysfunction. Pursue some fixes that direction.
(((((Prayers Ascending)))))
I’ll pray for you, do not worry.
Jesus Christ as the Great Physician heal this suffering soul and bring him to full health this very moment.
Never stop praying and asking God for His love and grace.
my prayers that you will find relief economically and physically
may the Lord cover you with His healing balm
may He hold you close and protect you
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