Long COVID with debilitating headaches and a weak hand, now much better and back at work
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 4 years
- Last post
- Jul 2026
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
I've been struggling with Long COVID since 2022
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
my world revolves around this disease and only focusing on keeping my life together by just going to work and then sleeping/resting and ignoring anything social
In context ↗ - Now: Much better
a lot of my symptoms have improved (not 100%) and returned to work but I still struggle with fatigue and just feel dumb
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
I've been struggling with Long COVID since 2022
In context ↗
Read from 12 of their posts and comments; links to the 10 this page draws on
Summary
A Reddit user with long COVID since 2022 had debilitating right-sided headaches, a weak right hand, heart rate and blood pressure problems, insomnia and joint aches. Symptoms eased after about two years, but a COVID reinfection in late 2024 left their lungs worse, with oxygen saturation dropping into the 80s on exercise. By mid-2026 most symptoms had improved and they had returned to work, though fatigue and cognitive problems remained.
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What they tried
What they credit
Their words about each treatment
- paxlovid · Not said
I did a Stanford/Pfizer study. Double blind and I had the placebo.
In context ↗ - amitriptyline · Worse
Plus the med made my headspace bad! ... weight gain with amitriptyline
- exercise bike and jogging · Worse
I can't jog yet and it left me feeling really ill for a couple of weeks.
In context ↗ - triptans · Helped
Doctor prescribed for my long covid headaches and they helped.
In context ↗ - time · Helped
Generally speaking, I started feeling better after two years ... I feel time can help
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Long COVID began; debilitating right-sided headaches, weak right hand, heart rate and blood pressure problems, kept working and rested the rest of the timeI've been struggling with Long COVID since 2022In context ↗ | Mild |
| after two years | started feeling better after about two yearsGenerally speaking, I started feeling better after two yearsIn context ↗ | Mild |
| late 2024 | COVID reinfection; lungs worse with oxygen saturation dropping into the 80s on exerciseI started getting better until I got Covid again late last year and now my lungs hate me.In context ↗ | Mild |
| 2025-04 | crash for a couple of weeks after trying to jogI can't jog yet and it left me feeling really ill for a couple of weeks.In context ↗ | Mild |
| 2026-07 | most symptoms improved and back at work, but still fatigued and mentally slow; about to start stimulantsa lot of my symptoms have improved (not 100%) and returned to work but I still struggle with fatigue and just feel dumbIn context ↗ | Mild |
Adverse events
- Amitriptyline (Elavil)“Same! Plus the med made my headspace bad!” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- Amitriptyline (Elavil)“That and weight gain with amitriptyline... even my primary care was wondering why neuro picked that medication.” In context ↗ Side effects
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
I can get pem from a long slow walk especially on days when I don't listen to my body
In context ↗ - Brain fog
I still struggle with fatigue and just feel dumb
In context ↗ - Heart symptoms & palpitations
I too struggle with my heart rate and BP now
In context ↗ - Headaches & migraine
I used to get debilitating headaches only on the right size
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
full body and joint aches
In context ↗ - Muscle weakness
my right hand was weak for over six months
In context ↗ - Breathlessness
my lungs got worse to the point my oxygen sat is pathetic
In context ↗
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