ALS News Today Forums Forums COVID-19 and ALS Summer COVID Updates – – How are YOU doing?

  • Summer COVID Updates – – How are YOU doing?

    Posted by Dagmar on July 20, 2022 at 2:53 pm

    I’m currently recovering from having COVID. Ever since it first appeared in our lives I thought if only I followed all the guidelines, I could avoid it. But the variant that’s been circulating this summer seems to have found me.

    I’m fully vaxed and boosted so I believe that contributed to keeping my symptoms on the “mild” side and with my ongoing recovery. But having COVID and living with ALS symptoms sure is no fun! I know I will go back to being super diligent about masking and keeping my hands clean.

    So, how are YOU doing? Have you avoided COVID this summer, or have you had it too? If you are a caregiver or a pALS, are you continuing to do anything differently as the new variants spring up? Will you be getting the new booster? Do you have any helpful tips to share with fellow forum members?

    Dagmar replied 1 year, 9 months ago 4 Members · 8 Replies
  • 8 Replies
  • Ralph Morelli

    Member
    July 21, 2022 at 2:29 pm

    I had a mild case of covid in mid January. It only occurred to me recently, but my FRS declined more than it’s usual rate over the past 6 months. I asked at my ALS clinic if they had seen any other cases where a patient’s declined seemed more rapid after covid. The reply I got was “yes” — a couple of other patients had experience similar declines. Of course, there’s no way to know at this point whether that’s just coincidental or not. Has anyone else experienced a more rapid decline in FRS after covid?

  • Dagmar

    Member
    July 21, 2022 at 4:59 pm

    Ralph, I’m still in my 2nd week of recovery but am noticing that the previous week of bed rest and minimal physical movement had a negative effect on my overall strength. It’s an example of “disuse atrophy” and boy, does it happen quickly!. I am slowly getting back to doing my various movement routines… but having to start with lower reps and shorter time periods. Maybe it’s also the lingering covid fatigue. But I hope my diligent attention to getting back to my pre-covid strength levels will prove to be OK.

    We pALS fight not only the ALS progression but that sneaky disuse atrophy as well.

    Ralph, are you doing any movement routines?

  • Maggie Broeren

    Member
    July 21, 2022 at 8:16 pm

    Fortunately. my spouse, Michael and faithful caregiver have avoided Covid. We are all Vaccinated and boosted! Prayers for all pALS w Covid – such a scary time.
    maggie B

  • Ralph Morelli

    Member
    July 27, 2022 at 11:41 am

    <p style=”text-align: left;”>Dagmar, I’m happy to hear you’re recovering from covid and getting back to your exercise routines. It sounds like your case was much worse than mine. At this point I’m doing some range of motion exercises mostly while in bed, trying to strike that balance between keeping moving and not exhausting myself. I do still get in a little walking with my rollator in the house. And so it goes.</p>
     

    • Dagmar

      Member
      July 27, 2022 at 3:08 pm

      Yes, Ralph, range of motion exercises are a great start to help with recovery.

      My update – – it’s been 2-1/2 weeks since the onset of my covid, and, I’m finally not coughing (yay!). Still sleeping a lot, but have to say, I do feel better.

  • Kathleen B (Katie)

    Member
    July 27, 2022 at 2:58 pm

    I don’t think I’ve had COVID so far (2vax, 2boost), but I do stay in a small bubble too so can see grandkids ages 1 & 4 (who are now finally able to get vaccine protection).   My question tho—what is FRS?  (I know FVC for breathing)— what does the next acronym involve?  From Dagmar’s response, I’m guessing it is movement issues?  Thanks for help —always hope to learn new things in timely manner.

     

    • Dagmar

      Member
      July 27, 2022 at 3:05 pm

      Hi Kathleen, I think Ralph meant “FVC” – – forced vital capacity. Or… maybe he meant FRS-R (Functional Rating Scale-Revised). It’s what they use in the ALS clinics to gauge the rate of progression of our symptoms.

  • Trevor Bower

    Member
    July 28, 2022 at 7:50 pm

    Had all the shots, including a booster. Going for booster #2 soon.  Mask up!

  • Pete Caluori

    Member
    July 29, 2022 at 7:49 am

    I’m sorry to hear that some of you had COVID.  Fortunately my wife and I have steered clear of this horrible pandemic.  Everywhere we go we wear a mask even to the dismay of others, but with that said we don’t go out much and when we do we take all precautions.  We especially avoid crowds and avoid social contact with those we don’t know. We are both fully vaccinated and fully boosted.  Personally I’m terrified of getting this horrible disease, because I’ve had breathing issues my entire life!

  • Dagmar

    Member
    August 15, 2022 at 4:58 pm

    The current covid variant seems to be super-contagious and hits hard. My recent experience with covid reaffirms my commitment to follow all the guidelines and wear a mask in public. ….when at the grocercy store and I am riding my mobility scooter, I realized that it makes me shorter than the shoppers around me – – and they are breathing “down” on me! Bingo! Mask on for me!

    Also, I’ll be lining up for the next covid booster plus my annual flu shot.

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