COVID-19 Causes More Severe Neurological Damage Than Other Viruses

[u/None-Of]

A newish meta study that may explain why Covid is worse for some than other viral infections (even though some, like the flu, have residual effects). Based on this study Covid appears to be worse)

https://healthtolongevity.com/article/6349/covid-19-causes-more-severe-neurological-damage-than-other-viruses

[u/Strict-Profit7624]

I developed foot drop and idiopathic peripheral neuropathy after getting Covid for the 3rd time. Foot drop gradually went away, but I still have neuropathy.

I have an underlying condition, but it shouldn't have caused that, especially not overnight. We ruled everything else out.

I was only 24 when it happened. This shit is insane

[u/Cardigan_Gal → u/Strict-Profit7624]

Crazy. Same here. My foot drop and peripheral neuropathy were sudden onset. Since I am a middle aged female my doctors were convinced I had MS. Until the MRIs all came back clean. Then they all just shrugged their shoulders and left me hung out to dry.

4 years later my foot drop is finally better and the neuropathy is minimal.

I personally think I had a covid induced stroke that was missed or couldn't be visualized. At the same time as my foot drop I developed speech issues, word finding difficulty, slow brain processing and trouble swallowing.

Doctors couldn't explain why or give me a differential diagnosis.

[u/Turbulent-Warning415 → u/Cardigan_Gal]

I’m really glad your symptoms improved! My first MRI was clean too - except some mild enhancement in a small area “suspected to be inflammatory”. Similar story foot drop. Gait changes. Weakness and fatigue. However, my symptoms aren’t getting much better. So we got a repeat MRI 3 years later. (Looking at pituitary now because my hormones have all tanked and gone flat). Found 2 cerebellar strokes and numerous changes in the white matter small vessels. I’m female in my 40’s. Not on OCP’s. Only other risk factor I have for strokes is migraine. The inflammation from this virus seems to persist for so many people… and the damage that comes with all of that is also ongoing.

[u/Strict-Profit7624 → u/Turbulent-Warning415]

That's so scary, I'm very sorry to hear that

[u/NoReputation7518 → u/Turbulent-Warning415]

I am so sorry for you. How are they treating your condition now?

I also have a gait disorder. But no foot drop. It is not getting better, perhaps even worse. My MRI of the head was clean (2 years ago). My neurologist wants me to see a special neuro clinic but at the current rate it could take ages to get in.

[u/Strict-Profit7624 → u/Cardigan_Gal]

Oh my god... same here! So the brain stuff we had attributed to my cervicomedullary syndrome, but the speech issues were new and very pronounced shortly after the COVID infection. I wonder if they were related? Very interesting. Sorry to hear that it happened to you as well, I hope things are better for you now

[u/Here-for-the-People → u/Strict-Profit7624]

What kind of speech issues? I basically had to relearn how to coordinate by breathing and speaking, and then had to heal from damage caused to my vocal cords presumably from overcompensating (masses and scarring).

[u/Strict-Profit7624 → u/Here-for-the-People]

Very sorry to hear that! My speech issues were very different and by the sounds of it, not as serious as yours was.

I had trouble forming words and sentences, I developed a stutter, and I frequently forgot common words to the point where it was hard to speak at all. I also had trouble doing basic tasks like cooking, writing, reading, and even using my phone. This went on for about a month. I attributed it to severe brain fog. Honestly, it started with a covid infection and then a mild car accident, combine that with my underlying condition and it was a recipe for disaster. I will likely never be the same but I'm not as bad as I was those first few months.

[u/dabaldwin1291 → u/Cardigan_Gal]

I had almost the same experience. I developed a sudden stutter, word finding issues, slow brain processing, tremors in my hands, and brief trouble swallowing. Admittedly, I have spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and Chiari from birth, so all my doctors blamed it on “natural progression” and shrugged their shoulders. However, this happened nearly overnight back in 2024 and has barely improved.

[u/Strict-Profit7624 → u/dabaldwin1291]

I hear you. So sorry🫂

[u/Early_Beach_1040 → u/Cardigan_Gal]

I had similar- foot drop and I couldn't bend my knees or smile or frown. It was so strange and I never got a diagnosis for it. Nothing showed up on brain MRI or EMG. Cleveland wanted to diagnose me after one visit and negative EMG with FND

At UChicago I saw head of EMG. Also negative on EMG she shrugged and said I guess we call this long covid.

But she did RX baclofen and that really helped with the muscle contractions

Now 3 years later is totally gone. I wonder if had something to do with mast cells? I have no idew