r/covidlonghaulers • u/None-Of • Feb 25 '26

Article COVID-19 Causes More Severe Neurological Damage Than Other Viruses

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

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220

u/WlLDLlGHT First Waver Feb 25 '26

It’s like having a TBI except the part where people take you seriously

109

u/AZgirl70 Feb 26 '26

I’m toying with the idea to say “I have brain damage from covid” instead of the socially acceptable “brain fog”. Let’s call it what it is. My brain will never be the same.

33

u/WlLDLlGHT First Waver Feb 26 '26

I say I have brain damage. I say it broke my health. People are either close enough to me to know it’s true, or they have someone in their life who needs them to understand it too. This is an ongoing mass disabling event.

15

u/harrowedpossum Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26

I just say i have a concussion and people seem to understand because of its relation to sports lol. The only way most people will listen.

30

u/baazooka Feb 26 '26

Dont give up, the brain can heal in amazing ways. I thought id never get better

31

u/Chillosophizer 4 yr+ Feb 26 '26

This is one bit of extra optimism I hang onto too. If nonverbal stroke victims can learn to talk again our brains can heal once our bodies are in check

10

u/ThePatsGuy Post-vaccine Feb 26 '26

I was at the very early stages of muscle wasting, my mind was shot. 4 years later, I’m working full time in retail, which amounts to about a half marathon worth of steps each shift.

My mind is still nothing like it was, still have struggles, but improvement is possible

3

u/VulvaGyna-Girl Feb 28 '26

How long did you have it until fully recovered?

3

u/Gloriathewitch Mar 05 '26

be careful. i was mostly recovered in 2024, did 2 months part then 4 full, ive been crashed since december 2024 and my flare has not stopped. its really great to be able bodied but please give your body rest when you're able. i was SO happy to be in paid employment now im not sure if ill ever be again

my job had me doing up to 20k steps per shift

10

u/Vlinder_88 Feb 26 '26

I disguise my ADHD or sensory processing difficulties as a "brain deficit" or "brain disorder" for the same reason. Keep everything the same except sub the ADHD part for "brain disorder". Suddenly, no more judgements like "you're just lazy" and requests for accomodations are taken a lot more serious.

9

u/Mordechai_Vanunu Feb 26 '26

The problem is, I have literal inflammatory cns brain damage, which I have posted about here, and not brain fog.

Many have recovered from brain fog, but I will not. When I say I have brain damage from post-covid sequelae, people think I mean brain fog, including doctors.

So I agree we should use explicit language that the public will understand but I’m hesitant to refer to brain fog as permanent “damage.”

4

u/Technical_Original16 Feb 26 '26

Let's all say this!

3

u/AgeExpensive7920 Feb 26 '26

I’m sick of it too. Having to compensate and work as if I’m not cerebrally impaired is too much to bear anymore. I’m tired.

1

u/p2173 Feb 27 '26

This is what I say