Too ill to reach ER with long COVID, now partly better with pacing and nicotine patches
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Moderate (mostly housebound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 3.5 years
- Last post
- Oct 2025
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
in addition to long covid I most likely have an autoimmune condition
In context ↗ - At worst: Moderate
I was too ill to take myself to the ER
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
I have less fatigue now and more energy. ... I think I may get stronger but I will not recover completely.
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
In June 2022 I had my second infection. This infection was really intense with lots of symptoms that continued for over 2 weeks.
Summary
Plover 19747, 76, had a first COVID infection in January 2021 without lasting effects, then a severe second infection in June 2022 that left them with long COVID. Too ill to reach the ER at first, they stayed largely inactive, but fatigue, brain fog and gut problems slowly eased. Nicotine patches, pacing, sunlight, acupuncture and water walking supported a partial recovery; they said they would not recover completely.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- eating small meals · Not said
I’m trying to eat small meals. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn’t.
In context ↗ - 7mg nicotine patches · Helped
3 weeks ago, I began using 7mg nicotine patches. I seems to be less fatigued, but more importantly, my brain fog is significantly better.
In context ↗ - pacing · Not said
While the covid doctor has few answers she has encouraged and taught me to "pace" my activities.
In context ↗ - acupuncture treatments · Not said
I now get biweekly acupuncture treatments and I go water walking several times a week.
In context ↗ - eating healthier · Helped
I am better now that in the last 3 months I have begun to be able to cook my favorite simple foods and am eating healthier.
In context ↗ - time · Helped
Over the years the fatigue and brain fog has gotten better.
In context ↗ - standard treatment of medications · Helped a lot
However heart rate issues and Afib have resolved with standard treatment of medications and cardio version.
In context ↗
Their path
What they say at each step doesn’t fit the worst point or outcome above on the severity scale, so the steps are listed as they describe them. Dates are when they posted.
| When | What happened | After |
|---|---|---|
| June 2022 | second COVID infection; long COVID beginsIn June 2022 I had my second infection.In context ↗ | |
| over the years | fatigue, brain fog and gut problems slowly easedOver the years the fatigue and brain fog has gotten better.In context ↗ | |
| August 2025 | brain fog significantly better on nicotine patchesmy brain fog is significantly betterIn context ↗ | Nicotine patches |
| October 2025 | cooking simple foods, water walking, regaining some energyI have slowly begun to regain my energy and some strength.In context ↗ |
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Brain fog
Over the years the fatigue and brain fog has gotten better.
In context ↗ - Heart symptoms & palpitations
heart rate issues and Afib have resolved
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
I still have joint pain.
In context ↗ - Gut problems
Gastrointestinal issues have improved.
In context ↗
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