Since her first corona disease, 33-year-old Johanna has had interruptions in her speech and heartbeat when she walks. What does that do to a young, career-conscious woman?
“Recently I wanted to introduce myself at an appointment. Suddenly nothing came to mind: neither my job nor the department. It was just gone.” That can happen to Johanna Ludwig every day. The 33-year-old sometimes does not process information, when she speaks there are also interruptions: “You stand next to yourself a bit and watch from the outside how you fail.”
As a career type, it is extremely difficult for her to accept this fog in her head. “Normally I give 120 percent, now a maximum of 70 percent is possible.” In the beginning there was only a phone call in the morning and an email in the afternoon. “After that I had to lie down.”
The virus hit the woman from Graz three times
In the fall, the doctors diagnosed Long Covid in Graz. “I was glad there was finally a name for it.” Because when she first became ill with Corona in March 2020 and the symptoms lasted for five months, it was said that she was imagining it. It wasn’t until she contracted the virus for the second time in September that she was taken seriously. “The rescue was even there.” She was plagued with severe symptoms, she also had pain in her legs and hyperventilated when standing up. “I’ve had these problems ever since.”
The Styrian, who lives in Vienna, is currently at the end of her rehabilitation. Breathing exercises, strength training, ergometers and psychological support are on the agenda there. “It’s very important to do that. Only you are immediately frustrated or you exaggerate. Doing something continuously under medical supervision helps.” A few weeks ago, Covid overtook her for the third time, and many complaints became stronger again.
“You shouldn’t compare past performance”
Mentally, Johanna has come a long way: “In the beginning you don’t want to admit it. But I have learned not to compare my performance with that before the disease.”
She has now accepted that things are no longer the same physically as they were before. When she was able to get the mail in February without panting, it was a highlight for her: “Otherwise I always had to walk very slowly.”
Doctors have different prognosis
Gradually she goes uphill, the rehabilitation works. “But I still have a headache, a high pulse and I’m really tired!” The prospect of the 33-year-old? “The doctors said there will be ups and downs. Some expect it to disappear. It’s life on the back burner. I try to make the best of it every day.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
