Long COVID with crashes and heavy legs, somewhat better with ginkgo and nicotine
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 2 years
- Last post
- Aug 2026
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
I know now for example that magnesium and d3 aren't doing anything for my long covid pem.
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
Im 2 years into PEM and mild generalized fatigue.
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
Im up to 5 mg on my nicotine patch and its definitely helping my fatigue.
In context ↗ - Began after: another virus
This all hit me after a bad flu picked up overseas.
In context ↗
Read from 20 of their posts and comments; links to the 13 this page draws on
Summary
After a bad flu picked up overseas, with negative COVID tests, this user had two years of post-exertional malaise and heavy, rubbery legs; neurological tests were clear. They still hiked but crashed during or after walks. Ginkgo biloba, aspirin and a 5 mg nicotine patch each seemed to help fatigue, while niacinamide was only just started, low-dose aspirin did nothing and magnesium only helped sleep. They described their fatigue as mild and said they were not any better.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- d3 · No change
magnesium and d3 aren't doing anything for my long covid pem. I still take them for other reasons.
In context ↗ - B3 as niacinamide · Not said
Ive started b3. We'll see...
In context ↗ - Ginkgo biloba · Helped
today I decided to take Ginkgo before my hike. I did 4 miles and am barely tired!
In context ↗ - Tramadol · Not said
Ive had no problem with tramadol and prefer it for pain as it has less of the gi shut down effects.
In context ↗ - Aspirin · Helped
Nothing helps my post exertion fatigue like aspirin.
In context ↗ - Zyrtec (zyrtrc) · Not said
the routine ive started settle in first: aspirin, zyrtrc, niacin, pepcid
In context ↗ - Nicotine patch · Helped
Im up to 5 mg on my nicotine patch and its definitely helping my fatigue. I only put it on now when I'm going to exercise a bit.
In context ↗ - Cipro · Worse
Yeah, I've reported to all my drs but they just talk about tendon ruptures. I'll never take cipro again.
In context ↗ - Laser therapy · Helped
I has laser therapy on my knees years ago and it really helped them.
In context ↗ - Rests · Helped
The more I take rests, the farther I can go.
In context ↗ - Carbs in moderation · Helped
I have to do carbs in moderation
In context ↗
Approaches: Anticoagulants · Pacing · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Post-viral fatigue began after a bad flu picked up overseasThis all hit me after a bad flu picked up overseas.In context ↗ | Mild | |
| 2025-08-31 | Two years of PEM and heavy legs, no betterI've had this and pem for 2 years. Not any better.In context ↗ | Mild | |
| 2025-09-08 | Hiked 4 miles barely tired after taking ginkgoI did 4 miles and am barely tired!In context ↗ | Mild | |
| 2025-09-09 | Rubbery, unsteady legs the morning after a hikeNow this morning not exactly tired but legs just feel like rubber and I'm unsteady.In context ↗ | Mild | |
| 2025-09-21 | Aspirin helping fatigueAspirin is the only thing helping me right nowIn context ↗ | Mild | |
| 2025-10-27 | 5 mg nicotine patch helped fatigueIm up to 5 mg on my nicotine patch and its definitely helping my fatigue.In context ↗ | Mild | Nicotine patches |
| 2026-08-09 | Still mildly limited; magnesium helps only sleepHelps me sleep if I take it an hour before bed, but thats itIn context ↗ | Mild |
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
I've had this and pem for 2 years.
In context ↗ - Muscle weakness
legs just feel like rubber and I'm unsteady
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
prefer it for pain as it has less of the gi shut down effects
In context ↗
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