Observational studies indicate that up to 30%–40% of convalescent COVID-19 patients develop chronic widespread pain and fatigue and fulfill the 2016 diagnostic criteria for “fibromyalgia.” A recent study suggested a theoretical neuro-biomechanical model (coined “Fascial Armoring”) to help explain the pathogenesis and ...
Some studies point out that FM syndrome and other chronic painful conditions might be triggered or exacerbated by COVID-19 or due to the numerous and persistent stressors imposed daily by the pandemic setting (Clauw et al. 2020; Kemp et al. 2020; Attal et al. 2021).
Several rheumatic diseases can mimic fibromyalgia. These include sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Lyme disease, polymyalgia rheumatica and lupus. They have symptoms of widespread pain along with joint involvement.
According to the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), myalgia is amongst the common lasting symptoms after having COVID. Sometimes your joints and muscles might: Ache. Feel painful.
Musculoskeletal complications are also common in patients with long COVID. Research shows that after three months, almost 90% of survivors have at least one symptom of long COVID, which commonly includes fatigue, joint or muscle pain.
People who develop ongoing muscle aches as part of long COVID should get a referral for physical therapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT) to strengthen and stretch the muscles, Hankenson recommends.
extreme tiredness (fatigue) feeling short of breath. loss of smell. muscle aches.
Such symptoms can last for months or longer after an initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fatigue and “brain fog” are among the most common and debilitating symptoms, and likely stem from nervous system dysfunction.
Aches or muscle pains may be an early sign of COVID-19, often appearing at the very start of the illness and lasting for an average of 2-3 days.
Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers include: a serious injury, such as after a car accident. an infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus or Lyme disease.
Unfortunately, fibromyalgia is still a somewhat controversial diagnosis, because it is not yet fully understood and its symptoms can overlap with many other conditions. Some people even say that it's a “garbage can” diagnosis that's only given when no other one can be made.
Viral infections like the flu or a cold, or other infections such as Lyme disease, can result in fibromyalgia flare-ups. Some fibromyalgia sufferers also reported other health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus intensifying their symptoms.
Anxiety, depression, and stress post-COVID
Being isolated from others during the infection, the real risk of death, and the stress of hospitalization and critical care can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder.
Fatigue, headache, and brain fog are the most common neurologic symptoms of long COVID. In fact, according to a study from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), at six months, 68.8% of patients experienced memory impairment. Meanwhile, 61.5% experienced decreased concentration.
Most people who get COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms they can treat at home and make a full recovery within a couple of weeks. But some may face long COVID, an ongoing set of health problems—physical and/or mental—that can last for several months.
Depending on the seriousness of your COVID-19 infection, it may last 2 to 3 weeks. But for some people with a severe infection, the brain fog-like fatigue and pain can linger for weeks or months. It may last even after your COVID-19 infection clears up.
People with long COVID, or “long-haulers,” are COVID-19 survivors but they have persistent symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches, palpitations, and impairments in mental health and cognition. At Johns Hopkins, the Post-Acute COVID-19 Team works with patients to help them return to previous life.
Post-COVID chronic pain might include a newly developed chronic pain as a part of post-viral syndrome; worsening of preexisting chronic pain due to the associated changes in the medical services, or a de novo chronic pain in healthy individuals who are not infected with COVID.
Muscle pain, or myalgia, is a sign of an injury, infection, disease or other health problem. You may feel a deep, steady ache or random sharp pains. Some people have muscle pain all over, while others have it in specific areas. Everyone experiences muscle pain differently.
When to see your doctor. If you've been experiencing muscle and joint pain following a bout with COVID-19 and it's not getting better with time, it's probably time to see your doctor. “In cases like this, your primary care provider will usually refer you to a physical therapist,” Kristine said.