Long COVID with brain fog and PEM, now somewhat better with Wellbutrin
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Moderate (mostly housebound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 10 months
- Last post
- Feb 2025
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
then diagnosed with LC, and I haven't been able to work since
In context ↗ - At worst: Moderate
I still have huge memory problems and I've been unable to work since Feb. ... I have a huge problem holding conversations, they are physically draining.
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
I feel 10x better than I did at month 6-7. Shit was really bad then. ... It's been 18 months and my vision has not gotten any better.
- Began after: COVID
I'm a Delta variant from Sept 2021.
In context ↗ - Says they never had: Breathlessness
breathing isn't an issue for me
Read from 19 of their posts and comments; links to the 18 this page draws on
Summary
Lake 50146 caught COVID (Delta) in September 2021; a monoclonal antibody drip on day five did nothing and things got much worse afterwards. Long COVID left brain fog, memory problems, PEM, headaches, tinnitus, visual snow and DPDR, and they stopped working in February 2022. Zoloft, amantadine and therapy improved symptoms 25-50%; Wellbutrin helped more than anything, and modafinil more than methylphenidate; LDN did nothing.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- monoclonal antibody IV drip · No change
The monoclonal did nothing for my symptoms.
In context ↗ - indica and sativa vape pens (marijuana) · Helped
I hit an indica vape pen at night to help with the nausea, pain, and insomnia side effects of LC.
In context ↗ - Zoloft · Helped
My PCP put me on a max dose of Zoloft.
In context ↗ - Amantadine · Helped
My neurologist put me on a big dose of Amantadine ... I think it's been working
In context ↗ - talking to a therapist once a week · Helped
plus talking to a therapist once a week
In context ↗ - Wellbutrin · Helped
Wellbutrin has helped more than anything so far, but it took a few weeks to kick in.
In context ↗ - LDN · No change
I feel exactly as shitty as I did before I started.
In context ↗ - Gingko · No change
Gingko didn't work.
In context ↗ - antihistamines · Helped
Antihistamines are the only thing that help
In context ↗ - white noise app with purple-blue noise · Helped
I was able to nap without that weird crunchy beating intruding.
In context ↗ - methylphenidate · Worse
I was prescribed methylphenidate for those symptoms, which totally helped my untreated ADHD, but also made me feel like a speed freak.
In context ↗ - modafinil · Helped
have had more success with modafinil (doesn't make me overstimulated) and a huge dose of Wellbutrin
In context ↗
Approaches: CBT & mindset · H1 antihistamines · SSRIs · Other antidepressants · Other drugs and medicines
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. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.
Show as a table
| When | What happened | Where they were | After |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | COVID, Delta variant; in bed and not improvingI'm a Delta variant from Sept 2021.In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| September 2021 (day 5 of infection) | monoclonal antibody drip; everything got worse afterwardseverything got much worse after the monoclonal dripIn context ↗ | Moderate | Monoclonal antibodies (unspecified) |
| October 2021 | crashed three days after returning to work; stopped workingcrashed 3 days later, went home sick, then diagnosed with LC, and I haven't been able to work sinceIn context ↗ | Moderate | |
| March-April 2022 (months 6-7) | lowest point; years later described as 10x worse than month 12I feel 10x better than I did at month 6-7. Shit was really bad then.In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| May 2022 (month 8) | sweating and other symptoms lessened over timeeverything has lessened. I'm on month 8.In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| July 2022 (month 10) | 25-50% better on Zoloft, amantadine and weekly therapyI think the combination of those things (plus talking to a therapist once a week) has improved my symptoms by 25-50%In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| August 2022 | felt far better than at months 6-7 but still unable to workOn a positive note, I feel 10x better than I did at month 6-7.In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| September 2022 | crashed again after a better stretchand then I crash again and I don't know how long it will be till I can FEEL something againIn context ↗ | Moderate | |
| October 2022 | Wellbutrin helped more than anything; body jerks stoppedWellbutrin has helped more than anything so far, but it took a few weeks to kick in.In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| March 2023 | no longer suicidal; vision and bright-light sensitivity unchangedat least I don't want to kill myself anymoreIn context ↗ | Moderate | |
| February 2025 | more success with modafinil and a high dose of Wellbutrin; sleep attacks gradually fadedhave had more success with modafinil (doesn't make me overstimulated) and a huge dose of WellbutrinIn context ↗ | Mild | Modafinil / armodafinil |
Adverse events
- “Obviously it will magnify any brain fog issues while high, because weed.” In context ↗ Side effects
- Monoclonal antibodies (unspecified)“Yeah I have no idea what REALLY triggered my LC but everything got much worse after the monoclonal drip.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)“I was prescribed methylphenidate for those symptoms, which totally helped my untreated ADHD, but also made me feel like a speed freak.” In context ↗ Side effects
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
I still suffer from DPDR, tinnitus, fatigue, brain fog, PEM, headaches in the temple & frontal lobe, and blurry vision.
In context ↗ - Brain fog
I suffer from fatigue and brain fog and get overwhelmed easily.
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
I would randomly get an overwhelming urge to fall asleep, out of nowhere.
In context ↗ - Tinnitus
Thankfully my tinnitus has receded
In context ↗ - Vision problems
It's been 18 months and my vision has not gotten any better.
In context ↗ - Headaches & migraine
headaches in the temple & frontal lobe
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
to help with the nausea, pain, and insomnia side effects of LC
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
at least I don't want to kill myself anymore
In context ↗ - Temperature regulation
My palms still sweat randomly
In context ↗ - Neuropathy & tingling
Turned into full body twitches, for another few months.
In context ↗ - Light & noise sensitivity
And don't get me started on bright lights
In context ↗
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