Long COVID
Moderate → somewhat betterIll 3 years before improving or writing
Long COVID with memory loss and breathlessness, now somewhat better
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Moderate (mostly housebound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 3 years
- Last post
- May 2025
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
I caught COVID in November of 2020.
In context ↗ - At worst: Moderate
I had to drop out of school, and I couldn't work.
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
I've improved a bit, but I still struggle with things that used to be easy.
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
I caught COVID in November of 2020. Immediately after I developed the short-term memory loss and respiratory issues
In context ↗
Read from 17 of their posts and comments; links to the 11 this page draws on
Summary
Cove 92544 caught COVID in November 2020 and developed short-term memory loss, concentration trouble and breathlessness, and had to drop out of school. The breathlessness cleared within months but cognitive problems persisted. Methylphenidate gave brief clarity for a couple of weeks before palpitations ended it, and Adderall helped only transiently. By early 2025 there was only marginal improvement, and school had not been resumed.
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What they tried
Also tried
methylphenidate (Ritalin)· Helped a lot · wore offAdderall· Helped · wore offCOVID vaccine· No changenicotine patches· No changeCetirizine· No changeloratadine· No changeModafinil· WorseNAC· Not saidprenatal vitamins· Not saidvit D· Not saidvit C· Not saidmagnesium· Not saidB-12 complex· Not saidexercising· Not saidstaying hydrated· Not saidresting· Not said"challenging" my brain· Not saidwalking· Not saidLDN· Not said
Their words about each treatment
- NAC · Not said
I've tried several OTC supplements, vitamins, and other remedies: NAC, prenatal vitamins, vit D, vit C, magnesium, B-12 complex, exercising, staying hydrated, resting, "challenging" my brain, etc.
In context ↗ - COVID vaccine · No change
I caught COVID in Nov. 2020 and was already experiencing LC when I was vaccinated in June of 2022. No changes.
In context ↗ - methylphenidate (Ritalin) · Helped a lot
I had mental clarity and felt like myself. Unfortunately, it didn't last.
In context ↗ - nicotine patches · No change
I tried the 7.5mg patches for three days with no changes. I didn't even have any side effects.
In context ↗ - Adderall · Helped
I was switched to. Adderall. It's like it briefly works, but it doesn't last.
In context ↗ - LDN · Not said
My provider prescribed LDN but won't follow the study guidelines of starting at 1 mg for one month, then titrating to 2 mg. She wants me to start at 4.5 mg.
In context ↗ - Modafinil · Worse
It made me sleepy. 😆
In context ↗ - Cetirizine · No change
Cetirizine and loratadine haven't improved my symptoms, but congrats to you. 🙂
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. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.
Show as a table
| When | What happened | Where they were |
|---|---|---|
| November 2020 | caught COVID; short-term memory loss, breathlessness, had to drop out of schoolI caught COVID in November of 2020. Immediately after I developed the short-term memory loss and respiratory issuesIn context ↗ | Moderate |
| about three months after onset | breathlessness cleared, cognitive problems remainedMy respiratory issues cleared after three months. I do still have an occasional episodeIn context ↗ | Moderate |
| mid-2023 | persistent depression and headaches beganincreased persistent state of depression and headaches. The last two started a few months agoIn context ↗ | Mild |
| 2025-01-13 | marginally improved, still struggling, has not returned to schoolI've improved a bit, but I still struggle with things that used to be easy. I had to drop out of school. I haven't been able to return.In context ↗ | Mild |
Adverse events
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)“methylphenidate which worked, but it caused heart palpitations” In context ↗ Heart rhythm problems
- Modafinil / armodafinil“It made me sleepy. 😆” In context ↗ Side effects
Symptoms mentioned
Anxiety & low moodBrain fogBreathlessnessHeadaches & migraineHeart symptoms & palpitationsLoss of smell or taste
Their words about their symptoms
- Brain fog
short-term memory loss and the inability to focus/concentrate being the major ones
In context ↗ - Breathlessness
I also had shortness of breath that lasted for a few months.
In context ↗ - Heart symptoms & palpitations
I started experiencing occasional palpitations, so my provider won't renew it
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
depression, anhedonia, don't feel like myself
In context ↗ - Headaches & migraine
increased persistent state of depression and headaches. The last two started a few months ago.
In context ↗ - Loss of smell or taste
my loss of taste and smell only lasted a week
In context ↗