Almost housebound with long COVID, much better after escitalopram and rehab
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Moderate (mostly housebound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 18 months
- Last post
- Nov 2024
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
I have LC since feb 2023
In context ↗ - At worst: Moderate
This summer, i was almost housebound and not able to walk more than 5 mins, and do things like cook a meal.
In context ↗ - Now: Much better
within weeks i was able to do walks up to 15/20 mins, do groceries ... For now i will only do one course (instead of 3).
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
24 y/o male, I have LC since feb 2023
Read from 5 of their posts and comments; links to the 4 this page draws on
Summary
A 24-year-old Dutch man developed long COVID in February 2023 and became almost housebound by May 2024, unable to walk five minutes, with fatigue, palpitations, anxiety, bloating and sensory overload. From August 2024 he built escitalopram from 2.5 to 10 mg after a severe first week; by November he could walk 15-20 minutes, shop, cook, drive and attend a lecture, though still far from his old life. He also attended a long COVID rehab programme.
Ask Miruvor AI
What they tried
What they credit
Their words about each treatment
- escitalopram (Lexapro) · Helped a lot
I am on 10mg now for about 2 months and the change is massive.
In context ↗ - rehab hospital physiotherapy, fitness and sports · Helped
Although the rehab treatment really helps me, the SSRI has made a massive change.
In context ↗ - psychologist and ergotherapist at rehab hospital · Not said
In earlier stages i went to a psychologist and ergotherapist mostly
In context ↗
Approaches: SSRIs · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2023 | long COVID onsetI have LC since feb 2023 ... Have had PEM as well, but that was last year when i still (tried to) do sports | Mild | |
| May 2024 | almost housebound; could not walk more than 5 minutes or cook a mealHavent been bedbound yet but i’m pretty much housebound since may ... not able to walk more than 5 mins | Moderate | |
| 2024-08-05 | severe first week on escitalopram 10 mgSide effects were terrible, it has been one of the toughest weeks yet.In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| August-September 2024 | walks of 15-20 minutes, groceries and short outings with friendswithin weeks i was able to do walks up to 15/20 mins, do groceries (first with my dad, then by myself)In context ↗ | Moderate | Escitalopram (Lexapro) |
| 2024-11-11 | first lecture in 1.5 years; shopping, cooking, driving and cycling againToday i had my first lecture (for my study) in like 1,5 years. It was boring, but it went well.In context ↗ | Mild | Escitalopram (Lexapro) |
Adverse events
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)“heart rate went from my normal 55-60 to 85 and remained there most of the night” In context ↗ Heart rhythm problems
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)“Only managed to get 2 hours of sleep (during which my HR dropped to normal 50).” In context ↗ Insomnia from treatment
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)“Felt a cold burning tingeling sensation all over my body.” In context ↗ Nerve pain
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)“Also had very rapid thoughts (not necessarily negative).” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)“After sticking to 2.5mm i had some increased anxiety in the morning, and dizziness and nausea and such but this was manageable most of the time.” In context ↗ Side effects
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
Have had PEM as well, but that was last year when i still (tried to) do sports
In context ↗ - Heart symptoms & palpitations
Other symptoms are palpitations, anxiety, bloating and sensory overload
In context ↗ - Light & noise sensitivity
sensory overload
In context ↗
Ask Miruvor AI
Similar stories
-
Barely able to leave the house with long COVID, now about 90% after Lexapro and therapy
Long COVID began the day after their first Pfizer dose in 2021 and worsened with later jabs and a second COVID infection in June 2022, with peak symptoms in summer 2022 when they could barely leave the house. They credit doubling Lexapro to 20 mg, adding…
-
Long COVID with PEM and brain fog, now about 90% better with Famvir and Wellbutrin
A nurse who dates their long COVID to their second vaccine dose in early 2021 was ill about 2.5 years with PEM, brain fog, weakness, neuropathy and dysautonomia, while still working 12-hour shifts. They credit the antiviral Famvir plus Wellbutrin, NAC,…
-
Not enough detail to draw a path
Severe long COVID with burning head symptoms, now around 90% after glycine and NAC
Mesa 43715, a 39-year-old man, got long COVID in May 2023 and became severe months later after doxycycline, with burning head symptoms. An SSRI eased the neuro-inflammation; from June 2024 high-dose glycine and NAC stopped his PEM within weeks; he also took…
-
Very severe ME/CFS, now about 30% of normal after rest and pacing
Maple 23646 fell ill 48 hours after a third Moderna booster, with severe fatigue, breathlessness and POTS. They were bedridden for a month, then crawled on the floor for months after forced exertion, calling themselves very severe. Total rest, pacing and a…