Advertisement
Before February 2020, I was thriving. I was teaching at a school I loved, with students who made me feel more fulfilled in my career and passionate about what i do than I could have imagined. I was active, both physically and socially. Safe to say, life was good.
But my health took a turn in February 2020 and I haven’t felt like myself since then—if you know what hit the world in 2020, you probably already know what I’m referring to—COVID-19. More specifically, long COVID.
The first sign something was off
In February, before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization1, I experienced extreme fatigue, headache, and a sore throat, which led me to believe I had a run-of-the-mill cold or flu. That is, until the more severe symptoms hit.
I woke up one day with a feeling of acid dripping down my spine. While trying to grapple with the excruciating back pain and sit in bed with a book, I noticed I could hardly process the words I was reading. My vision, for the first time ever, was blurry, going in and out of focus.
I did my best to keep up with my responsibilities—as a teacher, as a partner—and visited a doctor the first chance I got.
“It’s allergies,” they said. Because I didn’t have a fever and the hospital didn’t have the ability to test anyone without every single COVID symptom at the time, they sent me on my way and told me to use allergy medication for relief—as if an antihistamine would soothe the crippling back pain and blurry vision I was experiencing.
I knew it was something more than allergies. With the news about COVID spreading as quickly as the disease, I had a feeling that COVID was the answer. After all, most of my symptoms matched the preliminary list, and it had been more than a few weeks at that point–far longer than a cold should last.
During this time, my mental health plummeted alongside my physical health. I could barely get out of bed without pain, and my relationship with my partner was simultaneously deteriorating.
People often view chronic illness as solely a physical concern, but I quickly realized how deeply my emotional well-being and relationships were intertwined with my physical health. I was desperate for answers, but was time and time again met with resistance.
The struggle to get a diagnosis
During March of 2020, as plenty of people remember, there was 90% unknown and about 10% known. The world was slowly figuring out what this disease was, how it presented in different people, how accurate tests were, how long it would last, and attempting to tie up so many other loose ends. Because of this, getting a diagnosis was practically impossible.
Looking back, knowing what we know now, it makes sense that I never tested positive for COVID—because in the first month I had it, I couldn’t even get a test if I wanted it. From there on out, it was the lasting symptoms, which we now refer to as long COVID, that really took hold.
Finally, a diagnosis
It wasn’t until April 2022, after two long years of debilitating symptoms, being gaslit at doctors' offices, and being told I was crazy or, worse, racially questioned about drug use, that I was finally diagnosed with long COVID. What's more, it took me contacting my doctor’s supervisor to get the care I needed.
Life with long COVID
To be honest, those were the hardest two years of my entire life. Every day was a battle as I faced multi-level distress, lost my job due to school shutdowns, left an emotionally abusive partner, and struggled to manage my physical health and advocate for treatment at the same time.
Asking doctors about the possibility of long COVID was uniquely challenging because nobody wanted to rock the boat. I brought binders filled with new COVID research, which many of my doctors in Baltimore were seeing for the first time. They would say, “Maybe,” or “It’s possible,” but never offer a clear path to treatment or even symptom management—until I moved to New York City.
The path to healing
I believe New York City handles COVID the best because doctors here experienced it firsthand on a severe scale. Living here, I’ve met some of the most well-educated and passionate doctors, ready to help me manage my symptoms.
While the medications, despite their side effects, have been life-changing, I still don’t feel 100%, and I’m not sure I ever will. However, this journey has rekindled my love for life—the contrast of such a dark period has shown me the light, even amidst ongoing health struggles.
It’s not easy to talk about the positives, but there are so many I'm grateful for. I’ve rediscovered lost passions and realized that my commitment to teaching and advocacy is stronger than ever, well-trained by two years of advocating for myself and my health.
My journey has ignited a fire within me to tell my story—one shared by countless others. The pervasive gaslighting, questioning, and maltreatment of patients, especially Latin and Black Americans, must stop.
Since my long-awaited diagnosis, I've been committed to increasing awareness about the struggles of long COVID and rallying for more funding and research on this life-changing condition. I'm grateful for where I am now, and ready to keep fighting for the care and justice we all deserve.
Watch Next
Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes
Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes
What Is Meditation?
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins
Box Breathing
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar
What Breathwork Can Address
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar
The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?
Yoga | Caley Alyssa
Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips
Yoga | Caley Alyssa
How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance
Nutrition | Rich Roll
What to Eat Before a Workout
Nutrition | Rich Roll
How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life
Nutrition | Sahara Rose
Messages About Love & Relationships
Love & Relationships | Esther Perel
Love Languages
Love & Relationships | Esther Perel
What Is Meditation?
Box Breathing
What Breathwork Can Address
The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?
Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips
How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance
What to Eat Before a Workout
How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life
Messages About Love & Relationships
Love Languages
Advertisement
When’s The Best Time To Take Creatine? The Answer May Surprise You
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN
How Women Can Prevent Injury While Weightlifting In Their 40s & Beyond
Stephanie Estima, D.C.
When’s The Best Time To Take Creatine? The Answer May Surprise You
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN
How Women Can Prevent Injury While Weightlifting In Their 40s & Beyond
Stephanie Estima, D.C.
When’s The Best Time To Take Creatine? The Answer May Surprise You
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN
How Women Can Prevent Injury While Weightlifting In Their 40s & Beyond
Stephanie Estima, D.C.
When’s The Best Time To Take Creatine? The Answer May Surprise You
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN
How Women Can Prevent Injury While Weightlifting In Their 40s & Beyond
Stephanie Estima, D.C.