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Long COVID Severe → much betterIll 2.5 years before improving or writingNeeds ongoing treatment

Very weak with long COVID, now much better, credits exercise and breath work

Canyon 16937 on RedditLast post Jul 2024

Condition
Long COVID
At worst
Severe (mostly bedbound)
Ill before improving or writing
2.5 years
Last post
Jul 2024
In their words
  • Condition: Long COVIDI went for more than a year without knowing Long Haul was a thing until I stumbled on this sub. In context ↗
  • At worst: SevereI went from top of my game at 30 weighing 175lbs and running endurance events to 130lbs bedridden and exhausted. In context ↗
  • Now: Much betterBetter but never made 100%, been a steady roller coaster. In context ↗
  • Began after: COVIDI believe I had covid early on in 2020, acute was fever/cough/ general flu like symptoms. In context ↗
Read from 147 of their posts and comments; links to the 56 this page draws on

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Summary

A previously athletic man in his early thirties believed he caught COVID-19 in March 2020 and became very weak, dropping to 129 lb, with a heart failure diagnosis that was later rescinded, POTS, breathlessness and suspected gut overgrowth. He credits exercise, breath work, cold exposure, diet and gut testing. A vaccine dose and an Omicron reinfection each set him back for about a month or two. By mid-2022 he had started intense strength training and zone 2 cardio and said heart symptoms had diminished, though fatigue remained.

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What they tried

What they credit

cold showers, Pacific swims and ice baths (Wim Hof method)· Helped a lot · mainstrength training and zone 2 cardio· Helped a lot · mainTMS / mind-body brain reprocessing (The Way Out)· Helped a lotPlant Paradox diet· Helped72 hour and 7 day water fasts· Helped · wore offanti-Klebsiella herbal protocol (shock and awe cleanse, kill list)· Helpeddaily breath work and guided meditation (Headspace)· Helpedreal rest· HelpedBerberine· Helpedquercetin· Helped

Also tried

DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice)· Helpedelectrolytes (sodium/potassium/magnesium)· Helpedelectrolytes (sodium/potassium/magnesium)· Helpedelectrolytes (sodium/potassium/magnesium)· Helpedweekly 24 hour fasts and daily time-restricted eating· HelpedHeartMath (HRV biofeedback)· Helpedrutin· HelpedCoricidin HBP (and Zyrtec)· Helpedtrazodone· HelpedVital Proteins collagen protein· Helpedsun exposure· Helpedturmeric/ginger golden milk· Helpedturmeric/ginger golden milk· Helpedfamotidine· No changeinhalers (albuterol, breo, Trelegy)· No changeomeprazole (high dose omep, PPI)· Worsebeta blocker· WorseACE inhibitor· Worseprobiotics (various, incl. Whole Foods, Seed, kombucha)· Worseacupuncture· Worseantibiotics (Amoxicillin and Clavulanic; 7-day course for mouth)· Worsemedrol pack (steroids)· WorseDr. Amy Myers gut cleanse (wormwood)· WorseWim Hof breathing exercises· WorseTHC / weed· Worsebeef liver· WorseCOVID vaccination as treatment· Worsecompression socks· Not saidJerusalem artichoke powder· Not saidAmoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin)· Not said
Their words about each treatment
  • omeprazole (high dose omep, PPI) · WorseI’m pretty confident the PPIs are a contributing factor of my SIBO symptoms. In context ↗
  • famotidine · No changespent close to a year on them (high dose omep and cycled famotidine). Felt just as miserable, minus some of the GERD. In context ↗
  • beta blocker · WorseI never had SoB until I was given B blockers and ACE inhibitors last December. In context ↗
  • ACE inhibitor · Worsesince the on and off of ace inh/ beta blockers I was hit with SoB/ vision issues/ skin issues In context ↗
  • DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) · HelpedI fixed the GERD by removing triggers and when it was real bad I would take DGL. It worked wonders In context ↗
  • Plant Paradox diet · HelpedCheck out Plant Paradox, I’ve been at this since March of 2020. This diet has provided the most relief. In context ↗
  • probiotics (various, incl. Whole Foods, Seed, kombucha) · WorseProbiotics caused a huge and sudden backslide for me in December of 2020. I won’t touch them anymore. In context ↗
  • acupuncture · WorseI used to swear by acupuncture. However, I stopped my most recent treatment early because I found it exacerbated my neuro symptoms. In context ↗
  • antibiotics (Amoxicillin and Clavulanic; 7-day course for mouth) · WorseI felt good after a week of Amoxicillin and Clavulanic ... My guts are now worse than they were prior to the antibiotics In context ↗
  • medrol pack (steroids) · WorseSteroids jacked me up, I got horribly itchy both internally and externally by day three of a medrol pack. In context ↗
  • inhalers (albuterol, breo, Trelegy) · No changeInhalers did not improve symptoms, tried albuterol, breo, Trelegy (sp). In context ↗
  • compression socks · Not saidI have tried compression socks after a really bad day, I can’t tell if they helped or if the next day just wasn’t as bad. In context ↗
  • electrolytes (sodium/potassium/magnesium) · HelpedIf I fast without electrolytes, my heart starts to get crazy again, sleep is even worse. In context ↗
  • 72 hour and 7 day water fasts · HelpedI did three 72 hour fasts in three weeks. The reflux hasn’t returned, the radiating shoulder pain is gone, bowel movements have been mostly regular. In context ↗
  • weekly 24 hour fasts and daily time-restricted eating · HelpedI now stick to 24 hour fasts once per week and intermittent fasting each day (1800-1000). In context ↗
  • Dr. Amy Myers gut cleanse (wormwood) · WorseIt caused more harm than good from what I could tell. The day after I started it, I had a complete relapse of all symptoms. In context ↗
  • anti-Klebsiella herbal protocol (shock and awe cleanse, kill list) · HelpedI eradicated the Klebsiella and am now building my beneficial bacteria. In context ↗
  • cold showers, Pacific swims and ice baths (Wim Hof method) · Helped a lotNow I go in the Pacific a few times per week and try to do at least one 5 minute ice bath per week ... This honestly has helped the nervous system the most. In context ↗
  • Wim Hof breathing exercises · WorseThe breathing got to be cumbersome, I was feeling really drained. In context ↗
  • daily breath work and guided meditation (Headspace) · HelpedI do a daily breath work and a guided meditation prior to bed each night. In context ↗
  • HeartMath (HRV biofeedback) · HelpedThe stuff to cut stress above was huge. Biggest things HeartMath, I love biofeedback In context ↗
  • strength training and zone 2 cardio · Helped a lotWalking and then regular strength training is the only thing that helped with my POTS. In context ↗
  • real rest · HelpedThe rest has been the biggest thing. In context ↗
  • Berberine · HelpedI started Berberine supplementation and my blood sugar has fallen under 100 for the first time since my LC journey began. It has helped with my fatigue and muscle aches as well. In context ↗
  • quercetin · HelpedI take rutin and quercetin twice daily, it’s a solid combo and has been helping with inflammation. In context ↗
  • THC / weed · WorseTHC made dissociation worse. Tried weed and stopped it all in a matter of weeks. In context ↗
  • Coricidin HBP (and Zyrtec) · HelpedI tried this recently and it eliminated the rest of my MCAS like symptoms. In context ↗
  • trazodone · HelpedLow dose trazadone was my go to but I’d wait until I hadn’t slept for 48-72 hours. In context ↗
  • Vital Proteins collagen protein · HelpedI’ve added vital proteins collagen protein ... it’s the only protein I have tried that hasn’t given my issues. In context ↗
  • sun exposure · HelpedAlso making sure I get into the sun a little each day. In context ↗
  • beef liver · WorseI overate beef liver that first night haha, didn’t know that was a thing until I felt like I was dying. In context ↗
  • Jerusalem artichoke powder · Not saidI’m also taking Jerusalem Artichoke in powder form. In context ↗
  • turmeric/ginger golden milk · HelpedSolid pick me up on a heavy fatigue day. In context ↗
  • TMS / mind-body brain reprocessing (The Way Out) · Helped a lotwhen it comes to my histamine and food sensitivity issues I have resolved them all through the work of brain reprocessing In context ↗
  • Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) · Not saidAfter a few days went by I was hit with staggering depression and had to pee constantly. In context ↗
  • COVID vaccination as treatment · WorseI eventually got the vax and it was my worst relapse outside of having Omicron earlier this year. In context ↗

Approaches: Alternative therapies · Brain retraining · Diet · Exercise and activity · Mind-body practices · Radical rest · Supplements

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.

WhenWhat happenedAfter
March 2020COVID-19 infection; long-haul symptoms followedI believe I had covid early on in 2020, acute was fever/cough/ general flu like symptoms. In context ↗
December 2020heart failure diagnosis, panic attacks, regressionDecember was weird, was told I was dying, panic disorder hit all time high and recovery regressed In context ↗
2021bedridden at 130 lb with heart failure, POTS and breathlessnessI went from top of my game at 30 weighing 175lbs and running endurance events to 130lbs bedridden and exhausted. In context ↗
mid 2021cardiac symptoms resolvedAfter nearly a year and a half all of my Cardiac symptoms had resolved until I had gotten backed in December and then again when I believe I had covid a few weeks back. In context ↗
December 2021relapse after COVID vaccinationVaccine (Dec ‘21) set me back for a month. All heart and breathing symptoms returned. In context ↗
March 2022Omicron reinfection; worst relapsegot covid (Mar ‘22). That was weird, felt good for a week following and then Long Covid symptoms rushed back to their original mess. In context ↗
June 2022strength training and zone 2 cardio; POTS resolvedBy the third week of exercise my POTS symptoms have gone away completely. In context ↗Everyday exercise and activity
July 2022flare after feeding gut overgrowth; household virusWent from the two best months of the past 2.5 years, I’m now in my third week of possibly the worst flare I’ve had. In context ↗
November 20227-day water fast and gut work; heart and neuro symptoms largely goneI did a 7day fast two weeks ago, it was the best I’ve felt in 2.5 years. In context ↗Extended water fasting (3+ days)
July 2024histamine and food sensitivities resolved with brain reprocessingwhen it comes to my histamine and food sensitivity issues I have resolved them all through the work of brain reprocessing. In context ↗Sarno / TMS / somatic tracking / JournalSpeak

Adverse events

Symptoms mentioned

Anxiety & low moodBrain fogBreathlessnessGut problemsHeart symptoms & palpitationsLoss of smell or tasteMast cell (MCAS) & allergiesMuscle weaknessNeuropathy & tinglingPOTS & dysautonomiaPain & fibromyalgiaPost-exertional malaiseSleep problemsTemperature regulationTinnitusVision problems
Their words about their symptoms
  • Post-exertional malaiseI went out an ran, PEM and was bedridden. In context ↗
  • Brain fogCurrent symptoms, adrenaline dumps, cardiac issues, breath issues, brain fog, mouth/stomach issues. In context ↗
  • POTS & dysautonomiaBy the third week of exercise my POTS symptoms have gone away completely. In context ↗
  • Mast cell (MCAS) & allergiesmild MCAS presentation (food sensitivities/joint pain/abundance of cherry angiomas appearing in a short period of time) In context ↗
  • Sleep problemsI wasn’t sleeping, I was so mad and sad and utterly destroyed that I could never wind down. In context ↗
  • Pain & fibromyalgiaI still have aches and pains that didn’t exist before In context ↗
  • Gut problemscovid and subsequent treatment destroyed my gut In context ↗
  • BreathlessnessIt’s weird, my breathing sucks most days. In context ↗
  • Heart symptoms & palpitationsHeart palpitations, chest tightness, tachycardia have come in cycles and faded. In context ↗
  • Muscle weaknessThe level of weakness, fatigue, muscle atrophy, heart stuff, all hit me in week two. I could barely walk. In context ↗
  • Neuropathy & tinglingThe skin crawling and little twitches have persisted, they are intermittent now though. In context ↗
  • Anxiety & low moodA large part is the bad medicine and a lot of health and medical anxiety. In context ↗
  • Loss of smell or tasteSmells also appeared faint and still do. In context ↗
  • TinnitusTinnitus is pretty constant still with high and low points. In context ↗
  • Temperature regulationI was chronically cold and could not sweat for 1.5 years. In context ↗
  • Vision problemsSince the on and off of ace inh/ beta blockers I was hit with SoB/ vision issues/ skin issues. In context ↗

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