Long COVID with POTS and ME/CFS, somewhat better after adding propranolol to nadolol
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Moderate (mostly housebound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 3 years
- Last post
- May 2026
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
I’ve had LC for almost three years & finally got into one of the only long-COVID clinics left last year.
In context ↗ - At worst: Moderate
I’m lucky if I can get through a leisurely 15min walk.
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
it’s made a 80%-90% improvement in my POTS specific symptoms ... Now…if only something could be done about the ME/CFS and resultant PEM
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
I didn’t even develop any sx or illnesses/diseases from LC until about 10 months after getting COVID
Summary
A previously fit runner developed long COVID in 2023, with brain fog from the start and POTS, ME/CFS and Hashimoto's developing later, starting about ten months after COVID. Their POTS worsened until 10 minutes of chores sent their heart rate into the 130s. Adding propranolol, three times daily, to nadolol brought POTS symptoms 80-90% under control; they also got a prescription compression garment. ME/CFS and PEM remained, and a 15-minute walk was their limit.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- nadolol · Helped
I was put on nadolol, which helped initially, but then was also placed on propranolol TID PRN as the POTS sx got worse
In context ↗ - propranolol · Helped a lot
My cardiologist added 20mg propranolol three times a day as needed with my 20mg nadolol ... it’s made a 80%-90% improvement in my POTS specific symptoms
In context ↗ - PT rehab at the long-COVID clinic · Worse
My PT rehab at the long-COVID clinic makes me feel like I’m 90.
In context ↗ - prescription only compression garment · Helped
they fitted me for a prescription only compression garment that goes all the way up to the abdomen ... not a good time at all, but helpful
In context ↗ - increased sodium intake · Not said
they also told me to increase my sodium intake (I always start my morning with a glass of water mixed with a packet of salt)
In context ↗ - levothyroxine · Not said
So, I’m on levothyroxine for the rest of my life, too.
In context ↗
Approaches: Beta-blockers
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. 2 steps say too little to place on the scale and are only in the table. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.
Show as a table
| When | What happened | Where they were |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Got COVID; brain fog from the startminus the brain fog…that’s been my “buddy” since the beginning in 2023In context ↗ | Not stated |
| about 10 months after getting COVID | Dysautonomia, POTS, ME/CFS and Hashimoto's came on at different timesMy dysautonomia, MECFS, POTS, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, brain fog, etc didn’t happen all at once…they came on separately at different periods of timeIn context ↗ | Not stated |
| — | POTS at its worst: 10 minutes of chores sent their heart rate into the 130sIt was so bad that I couldn’t do simple things like chores for 10min without my HR going into the 130s, getting profusely diaphoretic, and lightheadedIn context ↗ | Moderate |
| — | Nadolol helped at firstI was put on nadolol, which helped initiallyIn context ↗ | Moderate |
| — | Nadolol stopped working as POTS worsenedthe POTS sx got worse ... the 20mg nadolol wasn’t doing the trick anymore either | Moderate |
| 2026-05-11 | Propranolol added to nadolol; POTS 80-90% controlled but ME/CFS and PEM remainit’s made a 80%-90% improvement in my POTS specific symptoms ... Now…if only something could be done about the ME/CFS and resultant PEMIn context ↗ | Moderate |
Adverse events
- Physical therapy / physiotherapy“My PT rehab at the long-COVID clinic makes me feel like I’m 90.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Brain fog
I also have the brain fog.
In context ↗ - POTS & dysautonomia
My dysautonomia & POTS ... got progressively worse
In context ↗ - Post-exertional malaise
any even a normal amount of activity (gone are the days of being my very fit and active self I loved) will cause PEM
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
try to accept you’ll feel like you never slept every day
In context ↗
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