Doctors, Oklahomans See COVID-19 ‘Long Haul’ Symptoms Months After Virus: ‘It’s Not A Joke’

Some Oklahomans said they still have COVID-19 symptoms months after getting the virus, even if their sickness was mild.

Doctors said they’ve seen everything from loss of taste and smell to shortness of breath months after people get the virus. They don't know how long it could take for patients to get back to normal. 

For 168 days, Danny Remington stayed in hospital rooms battling a case of COVID-19 that almost killed him.

"That was August 28," Shannon Remington said. "He didn't make it home until February 12.”

Danny’s wife Shannon said they both got infected last summer. Danny spent 70 days on a ventilator, and he still has to be on oxygen.

He can barely walk, said his mind is often confused, and he has damage to his fingers and toes from lack of oxygen.

“We didn't think he would make it," Shannon said. 

Shannon’s case was milder, but she said she still suffers from headaches and fatigue, seven months after she got the virus.

“Even if you recover, you may still have symptoms," said Dr. Emily Grewe-Nelson, a family doctor at Hillcrest Medical Center.

Dr. Grewe-Nelson said long-haul COVID symptoms are random and can show up in even mild cases.

“We’ve seen fatigue, chronic shortness of breath, some people fall back into feeling worse," she said.

News On 6 asked others on Facebook about their symptoms. Casey said she lost 30% of hearing in her left ear. She said she still cannot taste or smell, months after she had Covid in December.

Sarah said she had the virus in November but only now are her senses are slowly coming back but only with certain smells and tastes. She said the fatigue is the worst.

Shannon and Danny are hopeful for their own healing but know Danny’s road to recovery is still long.

"I’m still alive," Danny said.

"It may be April 1, but COVID's not a joke," Shannon said. 

Dr. Grewe-Nelson said vaccines are showing positive results in relieving some long-term symptoms and she urges everyone to get their shots.

To help Shannon and Danny, you can visit this GoFundMe here.