Long COVID
Moderate → near normalIll 1 year before improving or writing
Very ill with long COVID, nearly back to normal after cetirizine and famotidine
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Moderate (mostly housebound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 1 year
- Last post
- Apr 2023
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
I have been dealing with debilitating, post-covid health issues for the last 18 months and suspect I have undiagnosed MCAS.
In context ↗ - At worst: Moderate
I needed nearly 4 months off work to recover from the worst symptoms. Returned to my physical job part time and slowly worked my way back to full time over 6 months.
In context ↗ - Now: Near normal
Not 100%, but getting close. I have some residual weakness in my core (abdominal) muscles, improving slowly over time.
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
I have been dealing with debilitating, post-covid health issues for the last 18 months
Read from 42 of their posts and comments; links to the 22 this page draws on
Summary
A Melbourne person fell very ill with COVID in early 2020, with EBV reactivation and months of dysautonomia; they were off work nearly four months and recovered fully within 12 months. A vaccination flare in late 2021 brought MCAS-type symptoms and ataxia; cetirizine and famotidine eased those symptoms, while nattokinase with grape seed extract resolved persistent back pain and fatigue within days. Some core weakness remained.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- Vitamin D · Not said
Vitamin D the whole way through.
In context ↗ - Monolaurin · Not said
Firstly, a generous dosage of Monolaurin as an anti-viral.
In context ↗ - magnesium · Not said
Then magnesium and later Niacin for the nerve recovery.
In context ↗ - deep tissue massage · Helped
Fixed it with some deep tissue massage.
In context ↗ - daily stretching · Helped
plus an additional 15 minutes of daily stretching before work
In context ↗ - Icy cold showers · Not said
Icy cold showers as well. Yum :)
In context ↗ - Niacin (nicotinic acid) · Helped a lot
Had substantial relief of lingering discomfort (pains) and increased energy levels within the first two weeks.
In context ↗ - Zyrtec (Cetirizine) · Helped a lot
I have had much relief taking Zyrtec (Cetirizine) twice a day.
In context ↗ - Famotidine (Pepcid) · Helped a lot
Famotidine was great, but Nattokinase was amazing!
In context ↗ - Nattokinase · Helped a lot
The solution to my chronic condition was simply Nattokinase (dissolves fibrin) plus Grape Seed Extract (anti-platelet/anti-coagulation).
In context ↗ - Grape Seed Extract · Helped a lot
I coupled this with 600mg of Grape Seed Extract daily to increase the effect.
In context ↗ - Citrulline · Not said
I am now taking Citrulline to increase vasodilation as I have lost much of my core (abdominal) strength
In context ↗ - Quercetin · Not said
Treat MCAS with Antihistamines (Famotidine/Cetirizine) plus Quercetin
In context ↗ - COVID vaccination as treatment · Not said
I had a major flare up of symptoms after (compulsory) vaccination in October, 2021. Symptoms were indicative of MCAS (digestive issues, ataxia, heat sensitivity)
In context ↗
Approaches: H1 antihistamines · H2 blockers · Anticoagulants · Supplements
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| early 2020 | COVID-19 followed by EBV reactivation; very ill and off workFirst 3 months, VERY ill. Had surprise EBV reactivation and Mono symptoms also.In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| 6+ months into illness (mid 2020) | rebuilding health and fitness, back to work part time6+ months, rebuilding health & fitness after substantial weight loss, muscle atrophy, and nerve damage.In context ↗ | Mild | |
| 9+ months into illness (late 2020) | lingering issues fixed with research and supplements9+ months, fixing minor, lingering issues with research + supplements. Niacin OMG!In context ↗ | Mild | |
| January 2021 | full recovery within 12 monthsI made a FULL recovery within 12 months.In context ↗ | Recovered | |
| November 2021 | GI issues and ataxia returned after vaccinationI am currently having a recurrence of GI issues plus ataxia (uncoordinated, wobbly walk).In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| late November 2021 | relief of body aches, digestion and brain fog on antihistaminesI have had much relief taking Zyrtec (Cetirizine) twice a day. Noticeable improvements on the third day.In context ↗ | Mild | Cetirizine (Zyrtec) |
| February 2022 | back pain, body aches and fatigue fully resolved after nattokinase and grape seed extractthen massive improvement on the sixth day (back pain/body aches/fatigue FULLY resolvedIn context ↗ | Near normal | Nattokinase |
| March 2022 | close to 100%, some residual core weakness; MCAS settled on antihistaminesNot 100%, but getting close. I have some residual weakness in my core (abdominal) musclesIn context ↗ | Near normal |
Adverse events
- Massage“The sore region needed a few rough (painful) massages to loosen up the muscle plus an additional 15 minutes of daily stretching before work.” In context ↗ Side effects
- COVID vaccination as treatment“I had a major flare up of symptoms after (compulsory) vaccination in October, 2021. Symptoms were indicative of MCAS (digestive issues, ataxia, heat sensitivity)” In context ↗ Autoimmune or inflammatory flare
- Nattokinase“Had a reaction on the third day (brain fog/blurred vision/fatigue) and then massive improvement on the sixth day” In context ↗ Herx / die-off reaction
- Nattokinase“If you DO have fibrin micro-clots, dissolving them WILL make you feel worse, temporarily.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Nattokinase“the only consequences of dissolving the clots were spleen pain, blurred vision and some terrible bowel movements, all in the first week.” In context ↗ Side effects
- Nattokinase“It made me sick to my stomach (literally) by the third day” In context ↗ Gut side effects
Symptoms mentioned
Brain fogBreathlessnessFlu-like symptomsGut problemsMast cell (MCAS) & allergiesMuscle weaknessNeuropathy & tinglingPOTS & dysautonomiaPain & fibromyalgiaTemperature regulationVision problems
Their words about their symptoms
- Brain fog
Varying levels of brain fog
In context ↗ - POTS & dysautonomia
Second 3 months, had every dysautonomia symptom you could possibly imagine.
In context ↗ - Mast cell (MCAS) & allergies
When my Fibrin clots were dissolved, all my MCAS symptoms faded away.
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
back pain/body aches/fatigue FULLY resolved
In context ↗ - Gut problems
Persistent digestive issues (bloating/burning gut pain/loose stools)
In context ↗ - Muscle weakness
I have some residual weakness in my core (abdominal) muscles
In context ↗ - Neuropathy & tingling
Random nerve pain and tremors throughout the body as well as annoying dysautonomia issues including numbness/poor circulation
In context ↗ - Flu-like symptoms
when my EBV reactivated and I had ALL the symptoms of Mono
In context ↗ - Breathlessness
eliminating all 'hypoxia' related symptoms including fatigue, weakness and air hunger
In context ↗ - Temperature regulation
Disturbing 'flare' reactions to sudden temperature change (full-body sweats, weakness)
In context ↗ - Vision problems
cloudy, intoxicated feeling that affected reflexes, vision, concentration and even co-ordination
In context ↗
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