Long COVID for four years with brain fog, fatigue and PEM, somewhat better now
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 4 years
- Last post
- Sep 2026
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
Long Covid 4 years now, the first couple of years I suffered from motion sickness
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
I am able to do things, but at a reduced capacity, and there may be payback in the form of PEM if I don't pace properly.
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
the frequency and duration of these bouts have decreased, I might suffer at most one week each month now
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
Long Covid 4 years now
In context ↗
Read from 12 of their posts and comments; links to the 11 this page draws on
Summary
Cove 90066 had long COVID for about four years, with brain fog, mental and physical fatigue, muscle aches, tingling in hands and feet, and PEM after activity. Frequent headaches, nausea and motion sickness in the first couple of years eased, but other symptoms did not improve. Metronidazole for a tooth infection caused vertigo and was stopped; amoxicillin changed nothing. They kept working, pacing to avoid crashes.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- painkillers · Helped
Fortunately it did resolve after a couple of months with relief from painkillers.
In context ↗ - Metronidazole · Worse
Within a few hours of taking the first dose, suffered from vertigo
In context ↗ - amoxycillin · No change
Prescription changed to amoxycillin - did not improve or worsen LC symptoms.
In context ↗ - Olbas Oil · Helped
Sometimes I apply Olbas Oil to the calves as the mentholated sensation is preferable to the ache.
In context ↗ - pacing · Helped
I used to do things until I started feeling tired, but now I know I need to stop before then. That way you are less likely to crash.
In context ↗ - breathing exercises · Not said
Proper rest is sleeping, mindfulness, breathing exercises.
In context ↗ - Entonox (mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas) · No change
I had Entonox (mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas) for colonoscopy, no worsening of LC conditions afterwards.
In context ↗ - coffee · Worse
I can't tolerate coffee, the caffeine affects my kidneys.
In context ↗ - ginseng · Helped
I'm trying ginseng which does help with energy but cannot be taken long term and it also gives me stomach ache.
In context ↗ - CBT · Helped
they offered me a course of CBT, so glad I took it. It hasn't cured my anxiety but it has helped a lot.
In context ↗
Approaches: Pacing
Their path
How ill they were on the ME/CFS severity scale, estimated from what they describe at each point, in the order they describe; they don’t give enough times to place each step. 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 onsetLong Covid 4 years nowIn context ↗ | Mild |
| first couple of years | motion sickness and headaches most days of the month while still workingthe first couple of years I suffered from motion sickness (not even moving about) and headache most days of the monthIn context ↗ | Mild |
| by 2026-05 | headache, nausea and motion sickness bouts became less frequent and shorterthe frequency and duration of these bouts have decreased, I might suffer at most one week each month nowIn context ↗ | Mild |
| 2026-05-06 | vertigo after metronidazole for a tooth infectionhad to stop treatment due to it causing vertigoIn context ↗ | Mild |
| 2026-09-15 | still chronically ill, working with adjustments and pacingI am able to do things, but at a reduced capacity, and there may be payback in the form of PEM if I don't pace properly.In context ↗ | Mild |
Adverse events
- Metronidazole (Flagyl)“Was prescribed metronidazole for a tooth infection. Within a few hours of taking the first dose, suffered from vertigo” In context ↗ Side effects
- Ginseng“I'm trying ginseng which does help with energy but cannot be taken long term and it also gives me stomach ache.” In context ↗ Gut side effects
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
On a good day I could do 10k steps but the following day suffer from PEM.
In context ↗ - Brain fog
I have brain fog, problems concentrating for long periods, mental and physical fatigue, muscle aches
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
I often wake up in the morning with limbs aching, as if I have done some exercise
In context ↗ - Headaches & migraine
the first couple of years I suffered from motion sickness (not even moving about) and headache most days of the month ... I might suffer at most one week each month now
In context ↗ - Gut problems
The bouts of headache and nausea, have decreased in longevity and duration.
In context ↗ - Neuropathy & tingling
tingling in hands and feet have not improved during this period
In context ↗ - Muscle weakness
My legs feel heavy and sore, on some days the pain is worse.
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
It hasn't cured my anxiety but it has helped a lot.
In context ↗ - Heart symptoms & palpitations
I felt like someone was sitting on my chest. Fortunately it did resolve after a couple of months with relief from painkillers.
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
I am also less likely to fall asleep at lunchtime.
In context ↗
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