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Long COVID Severe → much betterIll 4.5 years before improving or writingNeeds ongoing treatment

Long COVID: two months off work at worst, now much better with pacing and supplements

Prairie 68541 on RedditLast post Oct 2026

Condition
Long COVID
At worst
Severe (mostly bedbound)
Ill before improving or writing
4.5 years
Last post
Oct 2026
In their words
  • Condition: Long COVID53/F, 1st infection 12/21. Never been the same. ME/CFS In context ↗
  • At worst: SevereI am in month 8 going on 9 and I am in the worst it's ever been and my doctor gave me 2 months off from work. In context ↗
  • Now: Much betterI am not recovered. I am 40% better than I was in 2022 though. In context ↗
  • Began after: COVIDCaught what I believe was Omicron at Christmas 2021. Then long covid immediately after. In context ↗
Read from 280 of their posts and comments; links to the 126 this page draws on

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Summary

A woman in the US caught Omicron COVID in December 2021 and has had ME/CFS-type long COVID since. Her worst point was month eight, when she went downhill fast and took two months off work. She improved slowly on supplements, antihistamines, NAC, CoQ10/NADH and pacing, and now works full time with one- to three-day PEM crashes. Reinfections, flu and some vaccines set her back.

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What they tried

What they credit

NAC· Helped · mainpaxlovid· Helpedtamiflu· HelpedNADH+· Helpedgiving up alcohol· Helpedweight lifting and light cardio· Helpedpacing· Helped · maintherapy· Helped

Also tried

Rifaximin· Helped · wore offneurofeedback· HelpedEMDR therapy· Helpedeffexor (venlafaxine)· HelpedZyrtec (cetirizine)· HelpedBenadryl· Helpedfish oil· HelpedCulturelle prebiotic and probiotic gummies· HelpedB complex· Helpedvitamin d3· Helpedmelatonin· HelpedAcetaminophen (Tylenol)· Helpedibuprofen· Helpedcortisone shot· Helped · wore offneti pot· Helpedomeprazole· Helpedpepcid (famotidine)· Helpedpsyllium husk (NOW capsules)· Helpedsteroid cream· Helped · wore offpedialyte / electrolytes· Helpedmagnesium glycinate· Helpedcoq10· Helpedtaurine· Helpedmultivitamin· Helpedpu'er tea· Helped · wore offHRT· HelpedWegovy· Helped · wore offMeditation· Helpedpraying the rosary· Helpedcold showers / cold water on neck· Helpedcough syrup with codeine· HelpedClaritin· No changethyroid med· No changeprednisone· No changeMontelukast· No changeZepbound· No changeWW (Weight Watchers)· No changeQi Gong· No changeB12 shots· No changeClaritin D· WorsePhentermine· WorseCovid Vax· Worseflu shot· WorseValtrex· Worsecelebrex· Much worseSudafed· Much worseinnulin· Not saidtumeric· Not saidPT· Not saidantibiotics· Not saidanti nausea pills· Not saidvitamin c· Not saidl-carnitine· Not saidmilk thistle· Not saidLarin· Not saidvicks vapor rub· Not saidmucinex DM· Not saidasthma inhaler (corticosteroid)· Not said
Their words about each treatment
  • Rifaximin · HelpedI have tried rifaximin 2x. The best 4 weeks of my life. Sadly, it's stupid expensive and no changes once off. In context ↗
  • neurofeedback · Helpedthese therapies significantly improve my mental state In context ↗
  • EMDR therapy · HelpedEMDR therapy is a godsend in all of this. In context ↗
  • effexor (venlafaxine) · HelpedI take it. I was a hot mess and feel better. It took a while to start feeling the effects. 2 weeks to a month I believe. In context ↗
  • Zyrtec (cetirizine) · HelpedIf I don't take Zyrtec my head feels like a bad hangover. In context ↗
  • Benadryl · HelpedBenedryl actually helps PEM on top of my daily zyrtec. In context ↗
  • Claritin · No changeClaritin did nothing for me. In context ↗
  • Claritin D · WorseOnly Claritin D makes me shake. In context ↗
  • fish oil · Helpedwhat helped my heart race was CoQ10 and fish oil. In context ↗
  • innulin · Not saidMy friend suggested fish oil, xifaximin, melatonin and innulin. In context ↗
  • Culturelle prebiotic and probiotic gummies · HelpedI take Culturelle's prebiotic and probiotic gummies(2). Helped me tons on those awful antibiotics. In context ↗
  • tumeric · Not saidFrom there (8+ months), tumeric, NAC, extra b complex, vitamin d, and a pre/pro biotic. In context ↗
  • B complex · HelpedI also take a strong B complex and most of us drink a ton of water. Helps with energy and minimizing the depression. In context ↗
  • vitamin d3 · HelpedI am taking more vitamin d3 which is giving me extra energy. In context ↗
  • thyroid med · No changeAlso in month 9, my thyroid was wacked and started taking that med. No change in energy. In context ↗
  • melatonin · HelpedNAC, zyrtec, 8 hrs of sleep, melatonin, taurine, complex b, regular vitamin, and fish oil In context ↗
  • NAC · HelpedI stopped drinking and started taking NAC at night and now I can go back to work. In context ↗
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) · HelpedAcetaminophen helps with PEM body aches. In context ↗
  • ibuprofen · HelpedJust pop regular ibuprofen for now. It helps temporarily. In context ↗
  • celebrex · Much worseTried one pill of celebrex. POISON. In context ↗
  • prednisone · No changeENT put me on prednisone for TMJ, but no change for me. Just weight gain. Hate that drug. In context ↗
  • cortisone shot · HelpedCortisone shot only lasted a week. In context ↗
  • PT · Not saidIce, PT and one more drug/Celebrex...yay. In context ↗
  • neti pot · HelpedI also use my neti pot daily. The net pot is gamechanger. In context ↗
  • Sudafed · Much worseJust a recent reminder if you have a head cold and decide to take Sudafed you will have a very bad crash...for several days. In context ↗
  • Phentermine · WorseI was on Phentermine for Weight loss. Mam that rush was amazing. Not 100%, but I was at 75%.can only take it for 6 months then boom, down. In context ↗
  • paxlovid · HelpedPaxlovid kept me out of emergency room. In context ↗
  • antibiotics · Not saidOn antibiotics and an anti nausea pills. In context ↗
  • tamiflu · Helpedget your butt into urgent care to get tamiflu. Saves my bacon. In context ↗
  • Covid Vax · WorseLast November I got Moderna (mRNA) and flu shot at the same time. KNOCKED ME OUT. Big time PEM, and took me months to get back to baseline. In context ↗
  • flu shot · WorseI got the flu vaccine last Monday. Knocked me out for 2 days but better. In context ↗
  • Montelukast · No changeI was on Montelukast. UC davis put me on it. Didn't change anything for me. In context ↗
  • Valtrex · WorseTake Valtrex, very tired. Valtrex makes me very fatigued and headaches come back. In context ↗
  • omeprazole · HelpedI had GERD diagnosis before Covid so omeprezole 40mg helps ton. In context ↗
  • pepcid (famotidine) · HelpedI tried a pepcid last night. It helped a little. In context ↗
  • psyllium husk (NOW capsules) · HelpedI got the NOW capsules and taking 2, 2x a day between meals and its helping. In context ↗
  • steroid cream · HelpedI am using a steroid cream. It stops the itch but only for a couple of hours. In context ↗
  • pedialyte / electrolytes · HelpedI started taking pedialyte mixed with water or a Celsius. One a day. Has helped me tremendously. In context ↗
  • magnesium glycinate · HelpedYes!! Totally helped my spasms. I still can crash under stress, but my gut is better. In context ↗
  • NADH+ · HelpedI noticed a huge difference in a week with NADH + its the Cordelia brand In context ↗
  • multivitamin · HelpedI pop 3 vitamin d as well as a multivitamin daily. In context ↗
  • vitamin c · Not saidI got up to 10,000 iu's of vitamin c. In context ↗
  • l-carnitine · Not saidMilk thistle, NAC 1000, and l-carnitine with 80+ oz of water a day. In context ↗
  • milk thistle · Not saidI take 2000mg of NAC at night and milk thistle in the morning. In context ↗
  • pu'er tea · HelpedIt's not a miracle cure but it lifted my heavy head. In context ↗
  • Larin · Not saidI am on Larin that I take continously to help with my menopausal symptoms. However, now insurance won't let you renew every 21 days and did not have any for 3 days and actually felt better. In context ↗
  • HRT · HelpedHRT only helped me with hot flashes. In context ↗
  • Wegovy · HelpedThe weight loss helped with energy but it was slight. In context ↗
  • Zepbound · No changeSadly, I have no symptoms relief on Zepbound. In context ↗
  • WW (Weight Watchers) · No changeI joined WW when I felt better and only lost 5lbs in 2 months. In context ↗
  • giving up alcohol · HelpedI also gave up drinking completely. I would have a glass of wine or 2 on the weekends. It got me back to work. In context ↗
  • weight lifting and light cardio · Helpedof course I switched up my work outs and took them down a notch, adjustments were made but progress is there. In context ↗
  • pacing · HelpedOver the months I learned how to pace and able to do somethings. In context ↗
  • Meditation · HelpedMeditation helped me nap. In context ↗
  • Qi Gong · No changeI was part of a Qi Gong study for 6 weeks. It was helpful with meditation. But the Qi Gong Specialist didn't do much for long covid for me. In context ↗
  • therapy · HelpedAlso therapy, plenty of sleep, and complex B for serotonin levels. In context ↗
  • praying the rosary · HelpedI am Catholic, so I pray the rosary alot. Somehow that gets me through. In context ↗
  • cold showers / cold water on neck · HelpedI actually turn the cold water on after my shower and hit the back of my neck. Makes a world of difference, but uncomfortable. In context ↗
  • vicks vapor rub · Not saidAlso, I do old fashioned vicks vapor rub. In context ↗
  • cough syrup with codeine · HelpedVicks, neti pot, steam and cough syrup with codeine are my best friends. In context ↗
  • B12 shots · No changeI did it for 6 months. No change. In context ↗
  • mucinex DM · Not saidtook mucinex DM right away. I guess that helped. In context ↗
  • asthma inhaler (corticosteroid) · Not saidI upped my daily asthma inhaler(corticosteroid)to 2 puffs during COVID and took mucinex DM right away. I guess that helped. In context ↗

Approaches: CBT & mindset · Antivirals · Diet · Exercise and activity · Pacing · Supplements

Their path

Very severeSevereModerateMildNear normalRecoveredonset12 mo2 y3 y4 y

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
WhenWhat happenedWhere they wereAfter
12/26/21Omicron infection, long covid followed immediatelyCaught what I believe was Omicron at Christmas 2021. Then long covid immediately after. In context ↗Mild
May 2022felt better mid month 5I felt better mid month 5 then slowly went back down to hell. In context ↗Mild
August 2022went downhill fast, mostly in bed, 2 months off workI am in month 8 going on 9 and I am in the worst it's ever been and my doctor gave me 2 months off from work. In context ↗Severe
September 2022some energy and clearer head after bivalent booster, back to workSome energy came back, when I was bed bound. My brain fog lifted a bit. In context ↗SevereCOVID vaccination as treatment
October 2022able to go back to work after NAC and stopping alcoholI stopped drinking and started taking NAC at night and now I can go back to work. In context ↗MildNAC (N-acetylcysteine)
January 2023back to square one after covid reinfection then fluI feel back to square one. In context ↗Moderate
March 202375% recovered on supplementsI am 75% recovered(on all my supplements). In context ↗MildNAC (N-acetylcysteine)
April 2023jolts of energy around Easter, overdid itIt was Easter time of this year, literally a resurrection that I started getting jolts of energy In context ↗Mild
July 2023crashed after stressful work week, headacheboom, I am down today. Major crash with headache. In context ↗Mild
October 2023relapse from stressI just relapsed due to stress. In context ↗Mild
February 2024walking 10k steps, crashes shorterI walk 10k steps and boom need a nap. However no longer 3 day crashes. In context ↗MildPacing and the energy envelope
May 2024settled at a new normal, not recovered but not worseningThis is my new normal. Not recovered. Not getting worse. 2.5 yrs in and tests are normal. In context ↗Mild
August 2024reinfection plus 17,000-step amusement park crashReinfected in August and can't get back to baseline. In context ↗Mild
September 2024good uptick before the holidaysI had a great uptick around September 2024, then holidays came and boom. Down. In context ↗Mild
November 2024Moderna plus flu vaccine, big PEM for monthsKNOCKED ME OUT. Big time PEM, and took me months to get back to baseline. In context ↗Moderate
January 2025RSV then Flu A back to back over ChristmasWasn't better til March. In context ↗Moderate
March 2025almost back to baselineIt's March and I am finally almost back to baseline. In context ↗Mild
May 2025plateau at 45-50% of her old selfI am better than when I first started out. Not much though. Like in weight loss, plateau'd at 45-50%. In context ↗Mild
October 2025latest crash disproved her sense of being 70% betterI thought I was 70% better. This latest crash proved me wrong. In context ↗Mild
November 2025Pfizer vaccine reaction with gut symptoms, bedboundCurrently bedbound. Winter crap and Vax. In context ↗Severe
July 2026can work and get out sometimes, PEM less oftenI got a little better and figured out how to work and sometimes get out. PEM does sneak up on me, but not as often. In context ↗Mild
October 2026tolerated Novavax, still working full timeI just got Novovax from Costco. Besides soreness in shot area. I am ok. In context ↗Mild

Adverse events

Symptoms mentioned

Anxiety & low moodBrain fogBreathlessnessFlu-like symptomsGut problemsHeadaches & migraineHeart symptoms & palpitationsLoss of smell or tasteMuscle weaknessNeuropathy & tinglingPOTS & dysautonomiaPain & fibromyalgiaPost-exertional malaiseSleep problemsTemperature regulation
Their words about their symptoms
  • Post-exertional malaisePEM does sneak up on me, but not as often. In context ↗
  • Brain fogDespite all the extreme fatigue, brain fog and twitching In context ↗
  • POTS & dysautonomiaNever tested for POTS. However, getting dizzy from getting up off the couch. In context ↗
  • Sleep problemsnot waking up refreshed. In context ↗
  • Pain & fibromyalgiaMy body aches all the time. In context ↗
  • Headaches & migraineI have this weird side head pain In context ↗
  • Gut problemsGut issues, need to lay off bread. Feel so bad after any bread. In context ↗
  • BreathlessnessMy breathing is worse. In context ↗
  • Heart symptoms & palpitationsRandom irregular heartbeats In context ↗
  • Muscle weaknessMy leg muscles are reducing and knees are weaker. In context ↗
  • Neuropathy & tinglingI hate how cold I get and how shit falls asleep alot, like hands and feet. In context ↗
  • Anxiety & low moodI am experiencing more depression. In context ↗
  • Flu-like symptomsbody aches like fever-no fever In context ↗
  • Loss of smell or tasteAfter 7 months at least I have my smell and taste back. In context ↗
  • Temperature regulationcan't warm myself without artificial heat(water or heating element) In context ↗

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