Couch-bound with long COVID, now almost back to normal after guanfacine and walking
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Severe (mostly bedbound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 6 months
- Last post
- Feb 2024
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
Covid infection July 2022, fully vaccinated prior, mild initial infection that quickly progressed to PEM and brain fog.
In context ↗ - At worst: Severe
I was fully laid up and could barely walk 10 mins around the neighborhood
In context ↗ - Now: Near normal
I wouldn't say I'm fully recovered, but I am mostly back to normal life, figuring out my new limitations.
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
I originally had COVID in July 2022
- Says they never had: Breathlessness
Very fortunately, I avoided shortness of breath or cardiopulmonary abnormalities.
Read from 24 of their posts and comments; links to the 12 this page draws on
Summary
Long COVID followed a mild infection in July 2022, with PEM, brain fog and sensory overload and about two months couch-bound. Brain fog did not improve for six months until 1mg guanfacine nightly eased it within weeks; a slowly ramped walking programme rebuilt stamina. Full-time work resumed, but a September 2023 hike crash and an October COVID reinfection set progress back. Now mostly back to normal life, not fully recovered.
Ask Miruvor AI
What they tried
What they credit
Their words about each treatment
- guanfacine · Helped a lot
Taking guanfacine 1mg daily as prescribed for four weeks has alleviated 90% of my brain fog symptoms.
In context ↗ - slow and steady exercise (walking) · Helped
do a small amount of manageable physical work/exercise every day for a week, then increase by 10%
In context ↗ - ultra-low carb diet · Worse
I also tried an ultra-low carb diet for a while, which seemed to help a bit. However, I started getting headaches and fatigue
In context ↗ - N-acetyl L-cystine (NAC) · Helped
I had noticed no effect at the lower dose, but seem to have more energy with the higher dose.
In context ↗ - molnupiravir · Not said
Fortunately, I found out before I was symptomatic and took one of the newer anti-virals, molnupiravir.
In context ↗ - heart rate monitor · Helped
Getting a heart rate monitor really helped as well. Being aware of HR changes helped me calibrate level of exertion much better.
In context ↗
Approaches: Other drugs and medicines · Pacing · Physiotherapy and rehab
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2022 | mild COVID infection, then PEM and brain fogI originally had COVID in July 2022 and have been on disability leave since I used up my sick days.In context ↗ | Mild | |
| September 2022 | two months couch-only, on disability leavewhen I was first trying to get active after 2 months of basically couch-only life, my baseline was a 10 minute walk at a relatively slow paceIn context ↗ | Moderate | |
| December 2022 | PEM improved rapidly before guanfacine, walking 5km+ dailymy post-exertional exhaustion had improved rapidly and greatly. I went from being totally wiped out after a slow 1km walk to comfortably walking 5km+ every day.In context ↗ | Mild | |
| January 2023 | brain fog 90% better on guanfacine, still on disability leaveTaking guanfacine 1mg daily as prescribed for four weeks has alleviated 90% of my brain fog symptoms.In context ↗ | Mild | Guanfacine |
| March 2023 | returned to full-time work and was exhausted dailyThe first couple of weeks back, I was totally exhausted at the end of every day and needed a fully immobile weekend to recover.In context ↗ | Mild | |
| July 2023 | brain fog and PEM continuing to improve, drove across the USMy bad days with brain fog are now exceedingly rare!In context ↗ | Mild | Guanfacine |
| September 2023 | overdid a hike, incapacitated for two weeksAfter doing probably a 40% harder hike than I'd done previously, I was basically fully incapacitated for 2 weeks.In context ↗ | Severe | |
| October 2023 | second COVID infection, asymptomatic, took molnupiravirI got COVID for the 2nd time in October.In context ↗ | Mild | |
| December 2023 | back on the slow and steady recovery path, mostly back to normal lifeI wouldn't say I'm fully recovered, but I am mostly back to normal life, figuring out my new limitations.In context ↗ | Near normal | Guanfacine |
Adverse events
- Guanfacine“The first week or two I had some noticeable but manageable side effects: lightheadedness bordering on dizziness when standing up, multiple times a day.” In context ↗ Low blood pressure or fainting
- Guanfacine“I've definitely had some distressing dizzy spells even a few months in. Usually when I go from sitting for a long time to standings.” In context ↗ Low blood pressure or fainting
- Keto and low-carb diets“I also tried an ultra-low carb diet for a while, which seemed to help a bit. However, I started getting headaches and fatigue, because I think I took it too extreme for my body.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
I still suffer from PEM if I overdo it physically or mentally
In context ↗ - Brain fog
I have occasional focus and memory lapses
In context ↗ - POTS & dysautonomia
Brain fog, PEM, (undiagnosed but likely) POTS
In context ↗ - Headaches & migraine
longer than 15 minutes of focus and I'd start to get headaches and feel panicky
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
a particularly bad night of insomnia, which will snowball into a couple of rough days of brain fog
In context ↗ - Light & noise sensitivity
Too much background noise, bright lights, and strong smells could all cause a flare-up
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
essentially causing panic attack-like symptoms
In context ↗ - Gut problems
Other than an upset stomach (too much sugar), I was pretty much OK the next day
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
Intense muscle soreness that wouldn't go away
In context ↗
Ask Miruvor AI
Similar stories
-
Bedridden with long COVID, now nearly back to normal after bedrest and gradual activity
Lake 42447 fell ill with long COVID in spring 2025 and crashed at two months into a bedridden state with panic, light and sound sensitivity and insomnia. They credited full bedrest then very gradual increases in activity, plus NAC, guanfacine, salt, fluids…
-
Bedbound with ME/CFS, now much better with weights and walking
They developed long COVID after a hospitalised COVID infection, worsening over six months until they could do nothing but lie in bed, with PEM, brain fog, POTS, pain and gut problems. They credited built-up weights with a physio and walking, plus sleep,…
-
Mostly bedbound with ME/CFS, now can sometimes sit upright and watch half a TV episode
Fell ill with ME/CFS years ago and worsened over time; by 2021 they were mostly bedbound, in a dark room with earplugs, and crashing from mental or sensory exertion such as screens, reading or too much thinking. They suspect POTS and were waiting for a…
-
Long COVID with PEM and brain fog, now close to normal after keto and fasting
Lake 45346 got long COVID after a COVID infection in August 2022 and had PEM, brain fog, broken sleep and carb intolerance. He credits keto, fasting, fermented foods, low-dose naltrexone, cold plunges, nightly guanfacine, sauna and high-dose thiamine TTFD…