Long COVID with fatigue, PEM and brain fog, now near normal after lactoferrin and pacing

Condition: Long COVID
At worst: Moderate (mostly housebound)
Ill before improving or writing: 3.5 years
Last post: Oct 2026

In their words

Condition: Long COVIDI’ve had long COVID since December 2022. I have the ME-CFS/PEM type. In context ↗
At worst: ModerateEarly on, I would have described mine as moderate. In context ↗
Now: Near normalI am almost over it, but still get intermittent symptoms. In context ↗
Began after: COVIDGot COVID in December 2022, as did my wife and sister-in-law. They recovered, I didn’t. In context ↗

Read from 168 of their posts and comments; links to the 54 this page draws on

Summary

A California person in their mid-60s got long COVID from a single December 2022 infection: fatigue, PEM, vertigo and brain fog, never bedridden but barely moving for months. Lactoferrin, gentle physical therapy, pacing, Wellbutrin and sun helped; a month of nicotine patches in 2025 improved their baseline a bit, and by May 2025 they were about 90-95% of normal on good days. Winter makes them feel worse.

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What they tried

What they credit

Also tried

Tylenol PM / Tylenol· HelpedLow acid (PRAL) diet· HelpedTart green apples (Granny Smith)· HelpedMelatonin· Helped Magnesium (capsule and MoonBrew tea)· Helped Handheld microcurrent device· Helped Flecainide· HelpedCumin (a teaspoon in water or on food)· HelpedTaurine· HelpedApolactoferrin· No changeMonolaurin· No change Quercetin· No change Ginseng· No change Chinese herbs from an acupuncturist· No change Chinese herbs from an acupuncturist· No change NADH+· Worse CoQ10· Worse Vitamin D3 capsules· Not said Key Nutrients electrolyte drink· Not said Multivitamin· Not said Valerian root· Not said Dandelion root· Not said Pycnogenol (pine bark)· Not saidPhyto-V protocol· Not saidSynthroid· Not said

Their words about each treatment

Lactoferrin · Helped a lotLactoferrin (1000 mg) taken with Zinc (50 mg) twice a day has really helped me. In context ↗
Zyrtec (Costco Aller-tec, cetirizine) · HelpedBut, I've also used Ibuprofin, Zyrtec, Famotidine, Omeprazole to good effect. In context ↗
Ibuprofen (Advil) · Helped800 mg of ibuprofen helps me. I try not to take it every night. In context ↗
Tylenol PM / Tylenol · HelpedI’ve been taking Tylenol PM or Ibuprofen nightly to help me sleep since January 2023. In context ↗
Vitamin D3 capsules · Not said(Am also taking Zyrtec, Omeprazole, Vitamin D3, electrolytes daily.) In context ↗
Key Nutrients electrolyte drink · Not saidin the morning I take with a serving of Key Nutrients electrolyte drink In context ↗
Multivitamin · Not saidMultivitamin - make sure I’m not deficient In context ↗
Lots of rest · HelpedI’ve made significant progress recently with lots of rest and 500 mg of Lactoferrin twice a day. In context ↗
Pacing · HelpedPacing has helped me greatly. In context ↗
Gentle physical therapy (yoga stretches, breathing, stretching) · HelpedIt actually helped me. He got me from sitting most of the time to the point where I could walk In context ↗
Reiki · HelpedHe also did reiki on me, and although I was a bit skeptical, it always helped me feel better. In context ↗
Diaphragmatic breathing (HeartMath, Welltory) · HelpedThe Welltory app recommends this when things are out of whack with me. I’ve tried it, it seems to work. In context ↗
Visible app with Polar armband · HelpedI use the free version of the Visible app on my phone to track my baseline. In context ↗
Low acid (PRAL) diet · HelpedI’m trying a low acid (PRAL) diet, started today, and it seems to be helping. In context ↗
No sugar and simple carbs, lower carbs early in the day · HelpedFeeling better with both of these changes. In context ↗
Tart green apples (Granny Smith) · HelpedThey seem to help a bit. In context ↗
Apolactoferrin · No changeI tried apolactiferrin, and it did not work for me. In context ↗
Monolaurin · No changeNeither did monolaurin, quercetin, or ginseng. In context ↗
Red light therapy · HelpedI started going to a tanning business that has a dedicated red light bed. It helps me with energy. In context ↗
Novavax booster · HelpedYes! Every time I get a booster, I feel better for about two weeks. In context ↗
Wellbutrin (bupropion, NDRI) · HelpedI started at 75 mg twice a day, and now take 75 mg three times a day. In context ↗
Melatonin · HelpedI take melatonin to help me sleep, and I’ve read that it can induce bizarre dreams. In context ↗
Magnesium (capsule and MoonBrew tea) · HelpedI drink MoonBrew Magnesium Sleep Tea in the evening - seems to help a bit. In context ↗
Handheld microcurrent device · HelpedI use a handheld microcurrent device to help me get to sleep. In context ↗
Flecainide · Helpedhe has prescribed me Flecainide for the palpitations. (Did a monitor test…) I take it twice a day. It works. In context ↗
Sauna · HelpedI’ve been going to a traditional wood fired sauna since February of 2024. ... the sauna has helped all of those symptoms In context ↗
Chinese herbs from an acupuncturist · No changeI took two different formulas for two months. Spent over $300 on the herbs. I didn’t notice any improvement and decided to stop taking them. In context ↗
Cumin (a teaspoon in water or on food) · HelpedI started taking a teaspoon of Cumin every morning this week. It’s really helped my PEM. In context ↗
NADH+ · WorseI tried NADH+ with coq10. After a couple of days, it gave me a bad headache. Had to stop. In context ↗
Valerian root · Not saidI continued to take my sleep combo before bed: valerian root, melatonin, taurine In context ↗
Dandelion root · Not saidI stopped all other supplements that I have been taking: lactoferrin, dandelion root, and pycnogenol (pine bark). In context ↗
Cimetidine (Tagamet); also famotidine · HelpedI took 500 mg three times per day or 1500 mg per day. In context ↗
Nicotine patches (NicoDerm CQ, Walgreens brand) · Helped a lotStarted using Nicotine patches on April 2025, still using them. They gave me the quickest and biggest boost of anything. In context ↗
Taurine · HelpedI use Sleep3, melatonin, and taurine. Generally, I can get about 8 hours. In context ↗
Sunbathing · HelpedThis past summer, I started lying in the sun for about 30 minutes every day, and I feel like it really helped me improve. In context ↗
Coffee/caffeine · HelpedCoffee/caffeine helps me, but I know that it’s different for everyone. In context ↗
Phyto-V protocol · Not saidI did the Phyto-V protocol In context ↗
Synthroid · Not saidI’m a thyroid cancer survivor, and also take Synthroid. In context ↗

Approaches: H1 antihistamines · H2 blockers · Proton pump inhibitors · Alternative therapies · Diet · Mind-body practices · Other antidepressants · Other drugs and medicines · Pacing · Radical rest · Supplements · Vaccination

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
December 2022	COVID infection followed by long COVIDGot COVID in December 2022, as did my wife and sister-in-law. They recovered, I didn’t. In context ↗	Moderate
2023-04-06	significant progress with rest and lactoferrinI’ve made significant progress recently with lots of rest and 500 mg of Lactoferrin twice a day. In context ↗	Mild	Lactoferrin and colostrum
2023-05-23	wiped out for three days after two 20-minute walksWalked two times last week for 20 minutes each time, was wiped out for three days. In context ↗	Mild
2023-07-14	felt great on a five-day trip to sea levelMy wife and I spent 5 days in Long Beach last week, and after about a day, I felt great. The fatigue symptoms were gone! In context ↗	Near normal
2023-10-05	gentle physical therapy and pacing got them movingSince I started physical therapy in late July, I’ve been pacing and moving and feeling much better. In context ↗	Mild
2024-01-31	regressed when cold weather stopped their exercisesafter the weather turned cold, I was no longer able to continue doing the exercises on my own, and I’ve regressed a bit. In context ↗	Mild
2024-04-13	exhausted after a 15-minute drive; felt back at the beginningI feel like I’m back at the beginning of my journey - December 2022. In context ↗	Moderate
2024-04-23	fatigue much better after starting an antidepressantThis past week my doctor prescribed Wellbutrin, and after 5 days, I’m feeling significantly better. In context ↗	Mild	Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
2024-08-17	cumin helped their PEMI started taking a teaspoon of Cumin every morning this week. It’s really helped my PEM. In context ↗	Mild
September 2024	sudden improvement to about 95% of normalI suddenly felt much better in early September. I could exercise gently (walking) and almost felt normal. In context ↗	Near normal	Vitamin D and sun exposure
2024-11-07	slipped back to roughly 85% of normalToday, I’m back at roughly 85%. Fatigue is better, but if I don’t get 8 hours of sleep, I’m wrecked the next day. In context ↗	Mild
2025-03-17	walked 40 minutes briskly without crashing on cimetidineOn day three, I went for a 40 minute brisk walk, and didn’t crash. In context ↗	Mild
2025-06-19	nicotine patches took them from 75-80% to almost entirely normalI was stuck at 75 to 80% of normal, with the occasional crash, and I tried nicotine patches. I felt better almost immediately. In context ↗	Near normal	Nicotine patches
December 2025	fatigue returned in the cold monthsNow that we’re in the colder months, I’ve increased to 1/2 patch, as my fatigue started to return. In context ↗	Mild
2026-05-07	almost over it, with intermittent symptoms remainingI am almost over it, but still get intermittent symptoms. In context ↗	Near normal	Nicotine patches

Adverse events

COVID vaccination as treatment“Got the Novavax booster almost two weeks ago. Mild side effects, and there’s a chance it will help me feel better.” In context ↗ Side effects
NAD+ boosters (NMN, nicotinamide riboside, NADH, ATP)“I tried NADH+ with coq10. After a couple of days, it gave me a bad headache. Had to stop.” In context ↗ Side effects
Melatonin“I take melatonin to help me sleep, and I’ve read that it can induce bizarre dreams. I’ve experienced them.” In context ↗ Side effects
Cimetidine (Tagamet)“On day one, I got that feverish “I’m getting sick” feeling in the morning and I was slightly dizzy, but it was mild and went away after about a few hours.” In context ↗ Side effects
Cimetidine (Tagamet)“My sleep initially got worse, then got better after a few days.” In context ↗ Insomnia from treatment
Nicotine patches“Very colorful and sometimes frightening dreams were my main side effect.” In context ↗ Side effects
Nicotine patches“The side effects were: bizarre and vivid dreams, increased heart rate. But, my PEM and fatigue were greatly improved.” In context ↗ Heart rhythm problems
Nicotine patches“A whole patch is too much for me, I was jittery.” In context ↗ Side effects

Symptoms mentioned

Anxiety & low mood Brain fog Flu-like symptoms Gut problems Headaches & migraine Heart symptoms & palpitations Loss of smell or taste Muscle weakness POTS & dysautonomia Pain & fibromyalgia Post-exertional malaise Sleep problems Temperature regulation Tinnitus

Their words about their symptoms

Post-exertional malaiseI take occasional breaks, and the symptoms (PEM, fatigue, flushed/warm feeling at night, sleep issues) start to return. In context ↗
Brain fogbrain fog is mostly gone In context ↗
POTS & dysautonomiaBeen ill ever since with PEM, fatigue, dizziness, vertigo, cold intolerance. In context ↗
Sleep problemsMy sleep is still not great. I sleep 7 or 8 hours, but wake up too many times during the night. In context ↗
Pain & fibromyalgiaI also have odd arthritis-like joint pain that comes and goes. In context ↗
Headaches & migraineI get migraine headaches if I spend too much time with fluorescent lights. In context ↗
Gut problemsFunctional dyspepsia (stomach pain) In context ↗
Heart symptoms & palpitationsI’ve always had palpitations, and my MD was never concerned about them. In context ↗
Muscle weaknessMostly better, but the weak legs come and go. In context ↗
Anxiety & low moodWellbutrin helps me feel less depressed and less fatigued. In context ↗
Flu-like symptomsI feel as if I’m coming down with flu when it’s really bad. In context ↗
Loss of smell or tasteAnosmia (loss of smell) In context ↗
TinnitusI also have tinnitus that varies in volume. In context ↗
Temperature regulationI’m cold all winter, can never get warm enough. In context ↗

Long COVID with fatigue, PEM and brain fog, now near normal after lactoferrin and pacing

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What they tried

What they credit

Also tried

Their path

Adverse events

Symptoms mentioned

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What they tried

What they credit

Also tried

Their path

Adverse events

Symptoms mentioned

Ask Miruvor AI

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