Long COVID with PEM and cognitive symptoms; somewhat better on cetirizine and Wellbutrin
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 3 years
- Last post
- May 2026
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
I have had LC since 2023
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
The cancer clinic gave me a note for two weeks off work, which would mean I start back today, but I am not ready.
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
my cognitive symptoms improved, to the point that friends said I seem more “like myself.” ... I still have PEM - haven’t found anything that helps with that except pacing.
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
I have had LC since 2023
In context ↗
Summary
A user with long COVID since 2023 and ME/CFS found that daily 10 mg cetirizine eased cognitive symptoms within about two weeks, and that switching from citalopram to Wellbutrin helped mood and thinking. PEM persisted and was helped only by pacing. Plaque radiation surgery for ocular melanoma in 2026, under two anaesthetics, left them worse than baseline for fatigue and mental clarity, and not ready to return to work.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- Cetirizine (Reactin) · Helped
I decided to try 10mg of Cetirizine every day.
In context ↗ - Wellbutrin · Helped
switched me from citalopram to Wellbutrin and that seems to have maintained my mood stability, but also helped my cognitive function.
In context ↗ - citalopram · Not said
my doctor switched me from citalopram to Wellbutrin
In context ↗ - Concerta · Not said
so I havre continued with my Concerta
In context ↗ - pacing · Helped
haven’t found anything that helps with that except pacing.
In context ↗ - plaque radiation surgery · Worse
I had plaque radiation surgery last month, which required going under general anaesthetic twice, 7 days apart.
In context ↗ - Other surgery (adrenal, lung, venoplasty) · Worse
I feel really dopey, worse than baseline for fatigue and mental clarity.
In context ↗
Approaches: H1 antihistamines
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 2 years after onset: the story doesn’t say how ill they were before that. 1 step says too little to place on the scale and is only in the table. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.
Show as a table
| When | What happened | Where they were | After |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | long COVID onsetI have had LC since 2023In context ↗ | Not stated | |
| 2025-06-19 | cognitive and energy improvement on daily cetirizineI swear I am noticing a difference: I feel more like myself, more energetic, more alertIn context ↗ | Mild | Cetirizine (Zyrtec) |
| 2026-05-07 | worse after plaque radiation surgery for ocular melanoma, off workI feel really dopey, worse than baseline for fatigue and mental clarityIn context ↗ | Mild |
Adverse events
- Other surgery (adrenal, lung, venoplasty)“I feel really dopey, worse than baseline for fatigue and mental clarity.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
I still have PEM - haven’t found anything that helps with that except pacing.
In context ↗ - Brain fog
worse than baseline for fatigue and mental clarity
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
for my depression/ anxiety, my doctor switched me from citalopram to Wellbutrin
In context ↗ - Mast cell (MCAS) & allergies
I have an ongoing prescription to Cetirizine for my dust allergy
In context ↗
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