Long COVID
Severe → no benefitIll for 3.5 yearsNeeds ongoing treatment
Mostly bedbound with long COVID; gluten-free diet and probiotics eased only gut symptoms
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Severe (mostly bedbound)
- Ill for
- 3.5 years
- Last post
- Apr 2026
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
38 male 8 months LC
In context ↗ - At worst: Severe
Pretty much been bed ridden since I got COVID September 2022.
In context ↗ - Now: No benefit
I'm going on like 4 years with these soul crushing symptoms. I'm trying my hardest to survive, but most days are absolutely brutal.
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
I got COVID 9/8/22 mild symptoms.
Read from 182 of their posts and comments; links to the 64 this page draws on
- Jun 2023
- Jan 2023
- Apr 2026
- Apr 2023
- Apr 2023
- Dec 2022
- Mar 2023
- Dec 2022
- Feb 2023
- Mar 2023
- Mar 2023
- Jun 2023
- Jun 2023
- Apr 2023
- Jun 2023
- Dec 2024
- Nov 2023
- Nov 2023
- Feb 2024
- Feb 2024
- Oct 2024
- Sep 2025
- Nov 2023
- Jul 2024
- Jun 2023
- Oct 2024
- Dec 2024
- May 2025
- Dec 2022
- Nov 2023
- Jun 2023
- Apr 2023
- Jul 2023
- Nov 2023
- Jun 2023
- Jun 2023
- Jun 2023
- Jun 2023
- Jun 2023
- Jan 2023
- Apr 2023
- Jun 2023
- Jul 2023
- May 2024
- Feb 2024
- May 2024
- Dec 2025
- Mar 2025
- Dec 2022
- Dec 2022
- Jun 2023
- Jun 2023
- Feb 2024
- Feb 2024
- Oct 2024
- Jan 2023
- May 2023
- Jun 2023
- Mar 2023
- Aug 2023
- Dec 2022
- Jun 2023
- Dec 2024
- Sep 2023
Summary
After a September 2022 COVID infection, on top of heart pauses that began with his second Pfizer dose in 2021, a man in his late 30s lost 40 lb to six months of diarrhea, had 20-second heart pauses and a pacemaker implanted, and was left mostly bedbound. Probiotics and a gluten-free diet eased his gut symptoms after about eight months; nothing else improved. Around nine months in he was still severely ill and mostly bed bound.
Ask Miruvor AI
What they tried
Also tried
Nature's Bounty Acidophilus probiotic· Helpedgluten free diet· HelpedNature's Bounty D3· HelpedWalgreens K2· HelpedSimple Truth fish oil Omega 3· HelpedPepto· Helpedwhole foods multivitamin· HelpedPhysicians Choice digestive enzymes· HelpedOWYN Complete nutrition shake· Helpedpacing· Helpedlaying down· HelpedBRAT diet· No changeMedtronic Micra pacemaker· No changepsychologist visits· No changeketo and low FODMAP diets· No changeketo and low FODMAP diets· No changePepcid AC· Worsegeneric Protonix· Worsetreadmill walking, long walks and cycling· WorseOmeprazole· WorseClonazepam (Klonopin)· Worseashwagandha· Worseiron supplement· Worsefasting· Worsecolestipol· WorseXifaxan· Worseantidepressants (trazodone, Effexor, Zoloft)· Worseantidepressants (trazodone, Effexor, Zoloft)· Worseantidepressants (trazodone, Effexor, Zoloft)· Worsemedical cannabis / THC edibles / CBD oil· WorseBenadryl· WorseCOVID vaccination as treatment· Worsemigraine cocktail· Much worsezofran· Not saidGarden of Life meal mix· Not saidhigher salt diet· Not saidvagus nerve stimulation YouTube videos· Not said
Their words about each treatment
- BRAT diet · No change
I've done the BRAT diet for months
In context ↗ - Pepcid AC · Worse
Pepcid ac hurts my stomach but seems to help with the burning.
In context ↗ - generic Protonix · Worse
I took generic Protonix for about a month. Seemed to help with the bile but I still had loose bowels.
In context ↗ - zofran · Not said
They gave me zofran n an IV.
In context ↗ - Medtronic Micra pacemaker · No change
They put in a pacemaker, but I don't feel any better.
In context ↗ - treadmill walking, long walks and cycling · Worse
Been trying to walk on the treadmill but makes me feel really fatigued and worse.
In context ↗ - Omeprazole · Worse
I called the cardiologist n they suggested to switch from Protonix to Omeprazole. So far I feel better on the Omeprazole.
In context ↗ - Clonazepam (Klonopin) · Worse
Clonazepam seems like it helps mellow me out but I get very dizzy n more fatigued after I wake up from it.
In context ↗ - migraine cocktail · Much worse
I just had one from the migraine cocktail they gave me at the hospital here. I think Benadryl triggered an attack
In context ↗ - psychologist visits · No change
I talk once a month to a phycologist. It's good to vent but doesn't seem to help much.
In context ↗ - Nature's Bounty Acidophilus probiotic · Helped
I started taking acidophilus probiotic. It worked for me after two months.
In context ↗ - gluten free diet · Helped
I switched to a gluten free diet. GI doc said I didn't have an gluten issue, but everytime I ate gluten the diarrhea came back.
In context ↗ - ashwagandha · Worse
Tried taking it again with long covid n it made me feel worse. Dizzy n faint feeling got worse for me.
In context ↗ - Garden of Life meal mix · Not said
I get the Garden of Life meal mix off Amazon. I like it, but sometimes it upsets my stomach.
In context ↗ - Nature's Bounty D3 · Helped
AMAZON'S whole foods multivitamin, 2,000iu D3, OWYN Complete nutrition shake, and Physicians choice digestive enzymes.
In context ↗ - Walgreens K2 · Helped
Walgreens K2 100mg ... Seems to been helping.
In context ↗ - Simple Truth fish oil Omega 3 · Helped
Simple Truth (Kroger Brand) fish oil Omega 3 300mg everyday with breakfast. Seems to been helping.
In context ↗ - iron supplement · Worse
I tried taking an iron supplement but it made me feel bad.
In context ↗ - fasting · Worse
I've never went 72 hrs. Only 48 hours at most. I do get very weak and I have to watch it.
In context ↗ - Pepto · Helped
I take Pepto but it only helps for a day n bam right back to it.
In context ↗ - colestipol · Worse
Man, it makes me feel like shit but helps with the diarrhea.
In context ↗ - Xifaxan · Worse
He prescribed Xifaxan. I didn't do well on it and quit taking it.
In context ↗ - higher salt diet · Not said
I've tried dysautonomia treatments. Like a higher salt diet and laying down when I feel faint.
In context ↗ - vagus nerve stimulation YouTube videos · Not said
Vagal nerve stimulation might help. I tried some YouTube videos, but I'm not sure if it does any good?
In context ↗ - antidepressants (trazodone, Effexor, Zoloft) · Worse
I've tried many antidepressants. They make me feel like absolute shit.
In context ↗ - medical cannabis / THC edibles / CBD oil · Worse
I had to quit because of it. THC made me way more faint with dream like confusion.
In context ↗ - Benadryl · Worse
I used to be able to take benadryl, but it makes me feel worse now.
In context ↗ - whole foods multivitamin · Helped
AMAZON'S whole foods multivitamin, 2,000iu D3
In context ↗ - Physicians Choice digestive enzymes · Helped
I've done supplemental enzymes, prebiotic, and probiotics for over 3 years now.
In context ↗ - OWYN Complete nutrition shake · Helped
OWYN Complete nutrition shake
In context ↗ - keto and low FODMAP diets · No change
I've tried gluten-free, low food map, the brat, n keto. Nothing has helped.
In context ↗ - pacing · Helped
Pacing is the best therapy, I think.
In context ↗ - laying down · Helped
Nothing, but laying down has helped.
In context ↗ - COVID vaccination as treatment · Worse
After that I felt like shit all the time for a whole year.
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 | After |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2022 | COVID-19 infection, then heart rate spikes and blackoutsI got COVID 9/8/22 mild symptoms. ... Then my heart rate changed drastically.In context ↗ | Severe | |
| November 2022 | influenza A with multiple heart pauses; pacemaker implantedGot influenza A beginning of November. I was in the hospital again with multiple syncope heart pauses. They put a Micra pacemaker in me now thx to COVID n influenza.In context ↗ | Severe | |
| December 2022 | bedridden, in and out of the ERNow I'm pretty much bed ridden. After I sleep is the worst time of the day. I get up feeling the absolute worse.In context ↗ | Severe | |
| mid-2023, around 8 months in | gut symptoms easedThe gi issue did get better around 8 months. ... Seems like probiotics helped it. Everything else is still the same.In context ↗ | Severe | Probiotics and fermented foods |
| June 2023 | crashed after walking 4 milesI walked 4 miles 3 weeks ago and been like this ever since. I crashed and it cause the CFS to flare. I've been in bed for 3 weeks now.In context ↗ | Severe | |
| summer 2023 | walking and eating betterSummer I felt like I was at least getting better. Started walking n eating better.In context ↗ | Severe | |
| January 2024 | winter relapse with muscle pains and yellow diarrheaThen winter hit. Bam, started with muscle pains n yellow diarrhea again.In context ↗ | Severe | |
| summer 2024 | worse after trying to be more active over the summerI've felt terribly worse since June. Thought I was getting a little better, but no. I'm back to severely ill again.In context ↗ | Severe | |
| April 2026 | still severely ill, mostly bed boundI'm going on like 4 years with these soul crushing symptoms. I'm trying my hardest to survive, but most days are absolutely brutal.In context ↗ | Severe |
Adverse events
- “They had me on generic Protonix n that caused terrible chest pains” In context ↗ Side effects
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)“I get very dizzy n more fatigued after I wake up from it” In context ↗ Side effects
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)“I took the Clonazepam and my heart dropped low 40's while trying to sleep.” In context ↗ Heart rhythm problems
- Trazodone (Desyrel), Venlafaxine (Effexor), Sertraline (Zoloft)“When do take antidepressants and sleep aids I get worse anxiety.” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)“I think Benadryl triggered an attack or at least one of the drugs.” In context ↗ Low blood pressure or fainting
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)“Benadryl always made me feel like crap.” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- Migraine cocktail (IV)“I felt faint n freaked out. Took me weeks to recover from this weird anxiety death feel.” In context ↗ Low blood pressure or fainting
- Famotidine (Pepcid)“Pepcid ac hurts my stomach but seems to help with the burning.” In context ↗ Gut side effects
- Famotidine (Pepcid)“Famotidine made me worse.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Famotidine (Pepcid)“Lifetime supply of pepcid ac that made me worse.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Ashwagandha“Tried taking it again with long covid n it made me feel worse. Dizzy n faint feeling got worse for me.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)“I tried Effexor and my anxiety got worse. It caused me to black out.” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- “It's too high of a dose, I think. Made my heart rate drop n fainting feel got worse.” In context ↗ Heart rhythm problems
- “It caused more anxiety and psychosis for me.” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- “I've tried edibles, but they make my anxiety go through the roof.” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- “I can't take any sleep aids they make me feel worse.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Trazodone (Desyrel), Venlafaxine (Effexor), Sertraline (Zoloft)“I've tried many antidepressants. They make me feel like absolute shit.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- COVID vaccination as treatment“Caused two heart pauses on the second dose.” In context ↗ Heart rhythm problems
- COVID vaccination as treatment“My whole body cramped up with tremors on the second Pfizer shot and Covid infection.” In context ↗ Other
- COVID vaccination as treatment“Then I lost my urine and bowels. Went to the toilet n passed out.” In context ↗ Low blood pressure or fainting
- COVID vaccination as treatment“After that I felt like shit all the time for a whole year.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- COVID vaccination as treatment“it made my vasovagal syncope spells worse.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)“Made me feel worse.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- “I have terrible pain where they went up my groin to implant the pacemaker. I can barley walk.” In context ↗ Other
- Omeprazole (Prilosec)“That shit makes my depression and bad thoughts so much worse.” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- Intermittent fasting“I do get very weak and I have to watch it. It caused seizures when I did it before Covid.” In context ↗ Other
- Migraine cocktail (IV)“I got the cocktail again n omg. What a difference. I thought I was gonna go out again.” In context ↗ Low blood pressure or fainting
- “THC made me way more faint with dream like confusion.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Colestipol“Man, it makes me feel like shit but helps with the diarrhea.” In context ↗ Side effects
- Colestipol“He gave me colestipol, and that made it worse.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Rifaximin / Xifaxan“He prescribed Xifaxan. I didn't do well on it and quit taking it.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Probiotics and fermented foods“I've tried both and my stomach was not having it. It made me sicker.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Multivitamins (Centrum)“Which it seems multivitamins can cause me to feel worse sometimes.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Trazodone (Desyrel)“It made my insomnia worse with terrible horrible nightmares” In context ↗ Insomnia from treatment
- Iron infusion / ferritin repletion“I tried taking an iron supplement but it made me feel bad.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
Symptoms mentioned
Anxiety & low moodBrain fogBreathlessnessFlu-like symptomsGut problemsHeadaches & migraineHeart symptoms & palpitationsLight & noise sensitivityMuscle weaknessNeuropathy & tinglingPOTS & dysautonomiaPain & fibromyalgiaPost-exertional malaiseSleep problemsTemperature regulationTinnitusVision problems
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
I walked 4 miles 3 weeks ago and been like this ever since. I crashed and it cause the CFS to flare.
In context ↗ - Brain fog
My brain feels worse than it ever has.
In context ↗ - POTS & dysautonomia
Blood pressure drops while standing up.
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
I haven't slept and felt refreshed for a year now.
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
Every damn joint in my body hurts.
In context ↗ - Headaches & migraine
I get terrible migraines and they've got worse since Covid.
In context ↗ - Gut problems
I've had bile diarrhea since Sept.
In context ↗ - Light & noise sensitivity
I avoid long conversations n even someone talking n constant noise can trigger it.
In context ↗ - Breathlessness
I still get the shortness of breath with pain in the chest.
In context ↗ - Heart symptoms & palpitations
My heart will go from 144 to 40 within minutes or vice versa.
In context ↗ - Muscle weakness
Mine get very weak and shaky.
In context ↗ - Neuropathy & tingling
Very dizzy and nerve burning sensations throughout the body.
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
It's been unbearably hard not to think of suicide.
In context ↗ - Flu-like symptoms
Every time I eat, I get flu like feels.
In context ↗ - Tinnitus
Constant ringing in the ears.
In context ↗ - Temperature regulation
I'm struggling with low body temperature
In context ↗ - Vision problems
I'm still fighting blurry vision n blacking out.
In context ↗