Long COVID breathlessness for years, somewhat better but palpitations continue
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Moderate (mostly housebound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 5.5 years
- Last post
- Jul 2025
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
the worst of the new LC symptoms I developed since 11th May have subsidied.
In context ↗ - At worst: Moderate
I didn't leave my flat. ... as soon as I went out a little the SOB and palpitations returned.
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
The breathlessness attacks are thankfully far less common and severe ... Still get palpitations too but not like I did back then.
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
after my COVID infection in April '20
Read from 21 of their posts and comments; links to the 14 this page draws on
Summary
In April 2020 they caught COVID and had shortness of breath for years; a July 2021 vaccination left left arm and shoulder pain. From 11 May 2023 what may have been a month-long panic attack, with breathlessness and palpitations, disturbed their sleep and made eating hard at times, easing by mid-June. Palpitations worsened again in December 2023. By July 2025 the breathlessness attacks were far less frequent and severe, though palpitations continued and the attacks came with heartburn symptoms.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- vitamin D supplements · Helped
I was vitamin D and B12 deficient ... I'm now taking those daily as supplements. It's gone some way to making me less tired
In context ↗ - gym exercise · Worse
I got a big palpitation that left me very short of breath for the next day or two.
In context ↗ - limiting exertion · Helped
when I don't exert myself (i.e. no gym, no going for a walk - even a light one) the palpitations are far less common.
In context ↗ - Allevia (fexofenadine) · Helped
I'm taking Allevia (fexofenadine) and it's helped with my allergies.
In context ↗ - aspirin · Helped
I took some aspirin and it helped (I think).
In context ↗ - Benacort (budesonide) nasal spray · Not said
I took Benacort (budesonide) for my allergies before I slept, and I've heard nasal sprays can trigger anxiety attacks.
In context ↗ - painkillers · No change
Painkillers don't work...it might be nerve damage D:
In context ↗ - Time · Helped
Time, I guess, even though my symptoms fluctuate.
In context ↗ - rest · Helped
This was a very common symptom when I started long hauling. It comes and goes - haven't found anything that helps aside from rest.
In context ↗ - COVID vaccination as treatment · Not said
I've had left arm/shoulder pain since getting vaxxed in July '21. ... Painkillers don't work...it might be nerve damage D:
In context ↗
Their path
How ill they were on the ME/CFS severity scale, estimated from what they describe at each point, with time counted from when the illness began. Hover or tap a point. The chart starts 3.1 years after onset: the story doesn’t say how ill they were before that. 2 steps say too little to place on the scale and are only in the table. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.
Show as a table
| When | What happened | Where they were | After |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | COVID infection; breathlessness persisted for yearsI didn't feel any difference in that area after my COVID infection in April '20.In context ↗ | Not stated | |
| July 2021 | vaccination, followed by lasting left arm and shoulder painI've had left arm/shoulder pain since getting vaxxed in July '21.In context ↗ | Not stated | |
| 11 May 2023 | month of panic, breathlessness and palpitations, hardly sleeping or eatingAt one point it was so bad, I struggled to eat.In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| June 2023 | symptoms slowly eased by mid-JuneIn June things slowly started getting better, and by the 16th I wasn't feeling shitty anymore.In context ↗ | Mild | Time and spontaneous remission |
| 10 December 2023 | palpitations every few minutes, unable to sleepI was having a big one every 2 minutes or so, and they got so bad I couldn't sleep.In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| July 2025 | breathlessness attacks far less common and severe; palpitations milderThe breathlessness attacks are thankfully far less common and severeIn context ↗ | Mild | Time and spontaneous remission |
Adverse events
- “Woke up after 11pm with a *very* fast heart rate and shortness of breath. ... I took Benacort (budesonide) for my allergies before I slept, and I've heard nasal sprays can trigger anxiety attacks.” In context ↗ Side effects
- COVID vaccination as treatment“I've had left arm/shoulder pain since getting vaxxed in July '21. ... Painkillers don't work...it might be nerve damage D:” In context ↗ Nerve pain
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
I have days where I feel normal, yes. Typically I crash after exertion.
In context ↗ - Breathlessness
I still get shortness of breath and have been for years now.
In context ↗ - Heart symptoms & palpitations
Still get palpitations too but not like I did back then.
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
woke up in a panic, struggling to breathe
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
they got so bad I couldn't sleep
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
I've had left arm/shoulder pain since getting vaxxed in July '21.
In context ↗ - Gut problems
it appears alongside heartburn symptoms
In context ↗
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