Miruvor
Sign up
Long COVID Moderate → much betterIll 16 months before improving or writingNeeds ongoing treatment

Long COVID with POTS, much better physically but worse mentally with propranolol

Hill 59219 on RedditLast post Feb 2025

Condition
Long COVID
At worst
Moderate (mostly housebound)
Ill before improving or writing
16 months
Last post
Feb 2025
In their words
  • Condition: Long COVIDmy long covid doesn’t feel very auto-immune but I’m not sure In context ↗
  • At worst: ModerateIt was like that for about three months, I could walk around my house but nothing more. In context ↗
  • Now: Much betterI’m not recovered but I would be okay with this level of health for the rest of my life… ... I feel like Im ~70% myself at the moment. In context ↗
  • Began after: COVIDcovid infection was in Nov 2023
  • Says they never had: Mast cell (MCAS) & allergiesI don’t have MCAS or any MCAS symptoms to my knowledge.
Read from 145 of their posts and comments; links to the 58 this page draws on

Request to remove this story

Summary

Hill 59219 developed long COVID after a November 2023 infection, with POTS, fatigue, early PEM, tinnitus and severe anxiety and depersonalisation. Propranolol controlled the POTS, Lexapro helped anxiety somewhat, and nattokinase eased numbness and covid toes. Physical symptoms largely resolved, but anxiety and POTS remained, and after about 9 months they were mostly physically better but mentally worse.

Ask Miruvor AI

Asking aboutHill 59219’s story

What they tried

What they credit

metoprolol succinate· Helped a lot · maintime· Helped a lot · maindoxycycline· Helpedgluten-free diet· Helped

Also tried

Lexapro (escitalopram)· Helpedpropranolol· HelpedAtivan / benzos· Helpednattokinase· Helpedaspirin· HelpedPfizer booster (third shot)· Helpedibuprofen· HelpedCBT therapy· No changeZyrtec / Claritin / Benadryl· No changeZyrtec / Claritin / Benadryl· No changeZyrtec / Claritin / Benadryl· No changefamotidine· No changelow histamine diet· No changeLDN· No changeLDA· No changepaxlovid· No changeantibiotics· No changefluid intake (LMNT electrolytes), salt intake, compression· No changefluid intake (LMNT electrolytes), salt intake, compression· No changeexercise / leg muscle training; gradual running· No changemeclizine· No changeginger and mints· No changeprednisone· No changenaturopath· No change5HTP· No changeVitamin C· Worsefish oil· WorseNAC· WorseTENS machine on vagus nerve· Worsemelatonin· Worsesertraline (Zoloft)· Much worseAccutane (isotretinoin)· Much worsezinc· Not saidresting / taking life easily· Not saidvitamin D· Not saidprobiotic· Not saidtotal darkness / sensory deprivation· Not saidExtended water fasting (3+ days)· Not said
Their words about each treatment
  • Vitamin C · WorseHigh-ish dose of Vitamin C: makes me feel TERRIBLE, super tired and like I’m coming down with something. In context ↗
  • zinc · Not saidI’ve taken vitamin C and zinc every day for about 3 years. In context ↗
  • fish oil · WorseFish oil: Gives me insomnia, nausea and stomach cramps In context ↗
  • NAC · WorseNAC: Gave me terrible anxiety/derealization and had to stop taking it In context ↗
  • Lexapro (escitalopram) · HelpedIt has helped me with anxiety and depression. It hasn’t done much for brain fog, fatigue or weak limbs though. In context ↗
  • CBT therapy · No changeI have tried CBT too and it just doesn’t do it for me. In context ↗
  • propranolol · Helped40mg of propranolol 1 - 2 times a day completely eliminated all POTS symptoms for me. In context ↗
  • Ativan / benzos · HelpedBenzos: completely get rid of all my symptoms, (including POTS somewhat) In context ↗
  • doxycycline · HelpedI started a long term course of doxycycline about a month ago and have felt way better in general. In context ↗
  • nattokinase · HelpedNattokinase is the first supplement to help me. In context ↗
  • aspirin · HelpedNattokinase and aspirin: good for my circulation issues. In context ↗
  • Pfizer booster (third shot) · Helpedit did get rid off my tinnitus, no idea why In context ↗
  • Zyrtec / Claritin / Benadryl · No changeI’ve tried a low histamine diet + daily zyrtec, then tried daily claritin, then daily benadryl and didn’t seem to make any difference at all except I was tired all the time. In context ↗
  • famotidine · No changeI tried famotidine, zyrtec and claritin + low histamine diet but didn’t seem to make any difference really. In context ↗
  • low histamine diet · No changeI did a low histamine diet for about 3 months maybe a little longer and then just gave up because I didn’t feel any difference. In context ↗
  • LDN · No changeI tried a course of LDN and it did nothing. In context ↗
  • LDA · No changeLDN/LDA have not helped at all. In context ↗
  • paxlovid · No changeThings like paxlovid, antihistamines, antibiotics and LDN/LDA have not helped at all. In context ↗
  • fluid intake (LMNT electrolytes), salt intake, compression · No changefluid intake (LMNT electrolytes), salt intake ... compression etc.. make 0 difference at all. In context ↗
  • exercise / leg muscle training; gradual running · No changeEssentially it hasn't helped but it hasn't made me worse. In context ↗
  • resting / taking life easily · Not saidIt really just went away after resting for a couple of months and taking life very easily. In context ↗
  • TENS machine on vagus nerve · WorseIt made my ears super hot for a minute and it kind of made me feel like I was about to vomit. Then my POTS was GONE for about 3 hours. In context ↗
  • metoprolol succinate · Helped a lotit’s honestly been the most amazing thing in the past year and a bit. In context ↗
  • melatonin · WorseI’ve tried melatonin but it honestly just made it worse. In context ↗
  • meclizine · No changeMeclizine doesn’t help In context ↗
  • ginger and mints · No changeIve tried things like meclizine and ginger and mints but in the end I always feel like I need to drive in order to not throw up. In context ↗
  • prednisone · No changeI’ve tried ibuprofen and even taken prednisone and didn’t really notice a difference. In context ↗
  • ibuprofen · HelpedI had this REALLY bad in my acute phase and ibuprofen helped me I think. In context ↗
  • sertraline (Zoloft) · Much worseIt just made me SUPER anxious and I genuinely couldn’t function, I literally felt suicidal because I was stuck in panic mode on it. In context ↗
  • Accutane (isotretinoin) · Much worseUnfortunately it made me suicidal after 4 days. In context ↗
  • vitamin D · Not saidI take nattokinase and vitamin D when I remember to haha. In context ↗
  • probiotic · Not saidI do take a probiotic with it In context ↗
  • naturopath · No changeI went to one. Didn’t help my symptoms but he was a lovely, understanding guy. In context ↗
  • gluten-free diet · Helpedcut gluten out of my diet, which has actually helped. In context ↗
  • total darkness / sensory deprivation · Not saidI even tried sitting in total darkness for 24 hours, no stimulation at all to see if it would make ANY difference… In context ↗
  • time · Helped a lotTime is a big part of it for sure. In context ↗
  • 5HTP · No changeNAC, 5HTP, melatonin, CBT therapy, antihistamines (zyrtec, claritin) In context ↗
  • Extended water fasting (3+ days) · Not saidI think about 3.5 days didn’t really do much except I felt very fatigued by the end of it. In context ↗

Approaches: Antibiotics · Beta-blockers · Diet

Their path

Very severeSevereModerateMildNear normalRecovered6 mo12 mo

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. The chart starts 1 month after onset: the story doesn’t say how ill they were before that. 1 step says too little to place on the scale and is only in the table. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.

Show as a table
WhenWhat happenedWhere they wereAfter
November 2023COVID infection, then long COVIDI got out of hospital and woke up feeling like I was dying for the next month In context ↗Not stated
December 2023 - February 2024POTS began; could barely walk 40 metres, housebound for monthsI was out for lunch and had to walk about 40 metres on flat ground. I felt like I was about to have a heart attack. In context ↗Moderate
March 2024propranolol controlled POTS; PEM and crushing fatigue fadedThe propranolol was great for my POTS. In context ↗Moderate
May 2024Pfizer booster; tinnitus gone and head clearerIt got rid of my tinnitus which I am happy to announce is still gone to this day! In context ↗MildCOVID vaccination as treatment
July 2024numb fingers/toes and covid toes improvedI took nattokinase yesterday and it was GONE, blood flowing perfectly to my fingers and toes! In context ↗MildNattokinase
August 2024physical symptoms resolved but leg tremors, dreamlike vision and severe anxiety worsenedHowever my brain issues are just getting worse and I don’t know why. In context ↗Mild
September 2024back to work, school and socialising; only anxiety leftBack to work and school and hanging out with friends and family as normal. In context ↗Mild
January 2025metoprolol relieved POTS, anxiety and PEM, but caused nightmaresIt’s made me forget I even have long covid. Minimal fatigue, no POTS, far less anxiety In context ↗Mild
February 2025about 70% of normal self, still on metoprolol and LexaproI feel like Im ~70% myself at the moment. In context ↗Mild

Adverse events

Symptoms mentioned

Anxiety & low moodBrain fogGut problemsHeart symptoms & palpitationsLight & noise sensitivityMuscle weaknessNeuropathy & tinglingPOTS & dysautonomiaPost-exertional malaiseSleep problemsTinnitusVision problems
Their words about their symptoms
  • Post-exertional malaiseI had PEM in the beginning it lasted a few months. In context ↗
  • Brain fogMild brain fog/not able to concentrate In context ↗
  • POTS & dysautonomiaI still have POTS but it doesnt bother me unless I dont take my 12.5mg of metoprolol daily In context ↗
  • Sleep problemsI have about 3 days worth of 3 hour sleeps followed by a week of 15 hour sleeps. In context ↗
  • Anxiety & low moodI also still have trouble with anxiety. It’s mostly social now In context ↗
  • Tinnitusthe Pfizer booster got rid of my tinnitus In context ↗
  • Heart symptoms & palpitationsWithout my medication (propranolol) my HR jumps from about 70 to 140 standing In context ↗
  • Neuropathy & tinglingEver since covid I’ve had numb fingertips and toes practically all the damn time In context ↗
  • Muscle weaknessI often end up with weak legs for an hour after a workout. In context ↗
  • Gut problemsI had stomach pain/nausea/globus sensation. In context ↗
  • Vision problemsMy vision has also deteriorated horribly. In context ↗
  • Light & noise sensitivityI get easily overwhelmed by public spaces In context ↗

Ask Miruvor AI

Asking aboutHill 59219’s story

Similar stories

  • Bedridden with long COVID, now much better with propranolol and a low-histamine diet

    Much better Alpine 94991 Long COVID Severe at worstIll 3 years before improving or writing reddit.com Mar 2026

    Man, 25 at onset, developed long COVID after a fourth COVID infection in March 2023; he became bedridden and lost the ability to walk or sit up. Propranolol, buspirone, a strict low-histamine no-sugar gluten-free diet and electrolyte hydration helped him…

  • Long COVID with POTS, chest pain and air hunger, now near normal after rest and diet

    Near normal Lynx 81444 Long COVID Moderate at worstIll 16 months before improving or writing reddit.com Dec 2024

    A woman who started long COVID in March 2023: palpitations, chest pain, air hunger, POTS and anxiety, with repeated ER visits; she basically rested for a year. Metoprolol, Buspar, talk therapy, rest and a low-carb, gluten-free diet helped; she was about 85%…

  • Not enough detail to draw a path

    Long COVID unable to stand at the stove, much better on prednisone and cyclosporine

    Much better Swan 23737 Long COVID Severe at worstIll 9 months before improving or writing reddit.com Oct 2026

    Swan 23737, in Portugal, fell ill with COVID in September 2022 and could not stand at the stove or stay at the table without lying down. Prednisone and cyclosporine, given for autoimmune hair loss, greatly improved her energy and cognition, though by late…

  • Long COVID with headache and brain fog, now close to normal after rest and sleep schedule

    Near normal Spruce 44804 Long COVID Severe at worstIll 4 months before improving or writing reddit.com Oct 2026

    Spruce 44804 got long COVID in January 2024 and was very sick for the first few months with constant headache, insomnia, gut problems and brain fog. He credited rest, a sleep schedule, nortriptyline, Pepcid AC and diet changes. By October 2024 he was about…

A little hope, every Sunday

New recovery stories and data-driven research on ME/CFS and long COVID. Ideas worth considering, and the evidence behind them.

Free · Unsubscribe anytime