Unable to work with long COVID, now much better after duloxetine and pacing
- Condition
- Long COVID
- At worst
- Moderate (mostly housebound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 6.5 years
- Last post
- Sep 2026
In their words
- Condition: Long COVID
I got LC during my second year of grad school. I knew something was wrong because the bottom fell out and I couldn't do any work.
In context ↗ - At worst: Moderate
the bottom fell out and I couldn't do any work ... Took me 1+ years to submit my thesis
In context ↗ - Now: Much better
I'm looking at PhDs now that I'm recovered a bit more and the fog is better
In context ↗ - Began after: COVID
I got LC during my second year of grad school.
Read from 33 of their posts and comments; links to the 22 this page draws on
Summary
Trail 10686 fell ill with long COVID in February 2020 during grad school, unable to work and taking over a year to finish a thesis through brain fog. Duloxetine for nerve pain kickstarted a partial recovery, with later gains from 5-HTP, pacing, acupuncture and TMS. They still have POTS, pain and GERD with slow post-exertional recovery, calling themselves better but not functioning.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- Cymbalta (duloxetine) · Helped a lot
Cymbalta kickstarted my recovery, but my pots symptoms became more prominent
In context ↗ - Lyrica (pregabalin) · Not said
My LC Dr recommended lyrica and cymbalta. ... I can only take it at night bc it throws off my POTS
In context ↗ - Medical cannabis (CBD, CBG, CBC, CBN) · Helped
it helps me stay off other painkillers and improves my mood esp when stuck in bed
In context ↗ - CPAP · Not said
I also then got a CPAP but I no longer have it
In context ↗ - Compression socks (Sockwell) · Not said
i got some sockwells recently that I like. bamboo and wool
In context ↗ - 5-HTP · Helped
My dr recommended 5-htp and it cleared up some brain fog for me.
In context ↗ - Benadryl · Not said
saw this on the sub and started taking it as well. Havent tried in the day but next day I notice if have taken it or not
In context ↗ - tryptophan · Helped
Started treating that with 5-htp and tryptophan and that helped.
In context ↗ - Pacing · Helped
Spoons helps a bit. You have to learn to stop activity before you threshold
In context ↗ - Swimming · Not said
swimming seems to keep HR low since water compresses/cools.
In context ↗ - Acupuncture · Helped
I just got acupuncture on that area and it REALLY helped.
In context ↗ - Neck roll pillow and cervical massager · Helped
I got a neck roll pillow and a cervical neck stretch/massager. Also really helps
In context ↗ - Chia seeds · Helped
the biggest thing I noticed that helped me is chia seeds
In context ↗ - COVID vaccination (5th dose, 2023) · Helped
after my most recent (‘23) one I got significantly better after the usual flare it caused
In context ↗ - Diabetic diet · Helped
my pots mimic diabetes. A diabetic diet helps
In context ↗ - Electrolytes and salt water · Helped
I found my GERD is helped by drinking more saltwater ( I do for POTS).
In context ↗ - TMS · Helped
they added an anxiety protocol to address long Covid specifically. It’s helped, and less downsides compared to starting a new med.
In context ↗ - Pain psychology intervention · Helped
I was presented with this kinda stuff in a pain psychology intervention and it’s helped me realize where my brain and body aren’t communicating well.
In context ↗
Approaches: SNRIs · Brain stimulation · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2020 | Long COVID began during grad schoolI got LC during my second year of grad school. I knew something was wrong because the bottom fell out and I couldn’t do any work.In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| 2020-2021 | Could not work; over a year to submit thesis through brain fogTook me 1+ years to submit my thesis, I’d have to rewrite things constantly because I would forget where I was.In context ↗ | Moderate | |
| 2024-02 | Duloxetine for nerve pain started recoveryCymbalta kickstarted my recovery, but my pots symptoms became more prominentIn context ↗ | Mild | Duloxetine (Cymbalta) |
| 2025 | Brain fog cleared with meds and pacingbrain fog went away with meds and pacingIn context ↗ | Mild | Pacing and the energy envelope |
| 2026-03 | TMS and ivabradine brought further gainsIt’s definitely weird, but it’s been shockingly good!In context ↗ | Mild | rTMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) |
| 2026-09-28 | Still limited by physical symptomsI’ve also gotten a fuck ton of treatment for my physical symptoms and meds are what started *some* recovery.In context ↗ | Mild |
Adverse events
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)“Cymbalta kickstarted my recovery, but my pots symptoms became more prominent” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)“I went on duoloxitine for pain from an SSRI and its been a mixed bag. less pain more brainfog.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)“Definitely pain at the expense of increased POTS symptoms.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
I get concussion like symptoms from overdoing it.
In context ↗ - Brain fog
brain fog went away with meds and pacing
In context ↗ - POTS & dysautonomia
Cymbalta kickstarted my recovery, but my pots symptoms became more prominent
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
My LC made my fibro/pots debilitating.
In context ↗ - Neuropathy & tingling
With those both treated, good improvement in neuro pain
In context ↗ - Heart symptoms & palpitations
I had HR spikes of 60+ when starting exercise which would level out.
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
I’m on week 3 of TMS for depression (existing pre COVID)
In context ↗ - Gut problems
I found my GERD is helped by drinking more saltwater
In context ↗ - Muscle weakness
I also have a weak neck, so I have a lot of coathanger pain and shoulder tension
In context ↗
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