Long COVID with brain fog and balance problems, a bit better after switching to Zyrtec
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 5 years
- Last post
- Sep 2026
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
My LC is not as bad so I am more fortunate than so many.
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
Compared to so many others my symptoms seem mild, I think.
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
I've noticed in the last couple of months my overall LC symptoms improving.
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
10/4 will be my 5y mark of getting covid 5 days after I finished chemo for breast cancer.
In context ↗
Summary
They got COVID-19 in October 2021, five days after finishing chemotherapy for breast cancer, and called their long COVID mild, with brain fog, slight PEM, balance problems and altered taste. They tried nothing for years. About two weeks after switching from Claritin to Zyrtec their balance and brain fog were a bit better and their taste occasionally improved; they kept taking the Zyrtec. Immunotherapy had left them with adrenal insufficiency.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- chemo · Not said
I also feel like I may still have aftereffects of all the cancer treatments though I've been cancer free for 5yrs.
In context ↗ - cancer immunotherapy · Worse
Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency (SAI) due to cancer immunotherapy treatment. It took out my pituitary gland, so I don't make cortisol anymore.
In context ↗ - hydrocortisone · Not said
I now take hydrocortisone 3x a day to mimic what my pituitary would have done.
In context ↗ - Claritin · Not said
going from Claritin to Zyrtec as my allergy med
In context ↗ - Zyrtec · Helped
I noticed about 2wks after changing that my balance and brain fog were a bit better. ... I'll keep taking the Zyrtec.
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. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.
Show as a table
| When | What happened | Where they were |
|---|---|---|
| October 2021 | Long COVID began five days after finishing chemotherapy for breast cancer10/4 will be my 5y mark of getting covid 5 days after I finished chemo for breast cancer.In context ↗ | Mild |
| about 6-9 months before July 2026 | Slight improvement in taste, balance and brain fog without any treatmentI’m starting to see some slight improvement in taste, balance and brain fog. It started about 6-9mo ago which gives me hope.In context ↗ | Mild |
| September 2026 | Overall LC symptoms improving; balance and brain fog a bit better, taste occasionally betterI noticed about 2wks after changing that my balance and brain fog were a bit better. On occasion my taste seems better.In context ↗ | Mild |
Adverse events
- “I have Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency (SAI) due to cancer immunotherapy treatment. It took out my pituitary gland, so I don't make cortisol anymore.” In context ↗ Other
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Brain fog
My LC symptoms are brain fog
In context ↗ - Loss of smell or taste
On occasion my taste seems better.
In context ↗ - POTS & dysautonomia
my balance and brain fog were a bit better
In context ↗
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