Impact Of COVID -19 On Chronic Pain
COVID-19 has caused so much devastation since we first learned of this ‘new strain of deadly flu/pneumonia’ around this time last year. And, for many with chronic pain, COVID has had a significant impact on daily life, ability to function and access to doctors and treatments. Here are some of the pain-related symptoms and issues that can be caused by a COVID-19 infection as well as possible remedies to help reduce a chronic pain patient’s ongoing pain and suffering.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown has caused significant side effects in regards to deterioration of mental and physical health. This can be due in part to inactivity and a feeling of a loss of control and sense of helplessness. And, as a chronic pain patient, one is already suffering from chronic disease or neurological disorder that can be compounded by COVID-19 infection. Some common symptoms of pain, due to coronavirus, are:
Muscle Aches or Myalgias: This is muscle ache due to the COVID-19 infection. It is usually a generalized aching sensation throughout the body which can take weeks to months to go way. For comparison, if a person is suffering from exercise-related myalgias, these can take only two to three days to dissipate.
Joint Pain or Arthralgias: This is joint pain which can be caused by prolonged sitting in front of the computer or inactivity, weight gain and minimal exercise. The deterioration and/or lack of muscle strengthening causes this pain.
Blood clots: A COVID infection can cause a cytokine storm in the body. This affects the blood vessels. Disruption of certain blood vessels can lead to the creation of blood clots. These can vary in severity of symptoms such as:
COVID toes and fingers: A patient gets small blood clots causing inflammation and sloughing of the skin in the toes or fingers.
COVID stroke: Accumulation of blood clots can cause severe complications such as a stroke. This has even been documented in young people as a cause of the COVID infection.
Deep vein thrombosis: This could be combination of having a blood clots secondary to infection or due to inactivity and a sedentary state. Both have been problematic throughout the pandemic.
Blood clots can be the cause of significant pain in the part of the body affected.
Preventive care to help reduce the pain:
1: If you are a chronic pain patient make sure you stay in touch with your pain doctor and maintain your medical regimen as recommended.
2 : Use techniques such as biofeedback, self-hypnosis and maintaining a positive outlook to boost your mental health.
3: Physical exercise such as taking walks, frequent stretching and gentle muscle strengthening exercises may help reduce muscle aches and joint pain.
4: RICE: If you have arthralgia, applying this acronym, which stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation, may help provide some relief.
5: Use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or Aleve may help reduce muscle aches as well as arthralgias.
6: Use of acetaminophen could also be of help .
7: Aspirin can be helpful in preventing clots during COVID.
8: Maintain good nutrition and keep weight under control to reduce pain.
9: Use of high-dose vitamin-D, vitamin B, zinc and vitamin-C may help in preventing a COVID infection.
10: There is significant amount of literature from all around the world talking about the use of drug called Ivermectin. This has been used many years for parasite infections. Literature discussing the efficacy of this drug shows it can reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Recently there have been senate hearings on the drug for use by COVID patients. There is also talk about probable use for prophylaxis.
If you are dealing with pain and have had a COVID infection, contact a Comprehensive Pain Center location near you to schedule an evaluation with one of our experienced specialists. We also offer TELEHealth visits.
Our dedicated team of board certified pain management physicians will work with you to treat your pain and increase your quality of life. We have locations across Pennsylvania including Allentown, E Stroudsburg, Pottsville, Reading, Lehighton, Bangor, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Hazelton.
We take multiple insurance plans; To make an appointment and take the first step toward getting back your life, call for your evaluation today.