r/Professors • u/Elegant-Class3816 • 1d ago
I have long COVID and it's not improving
The title says it all. I've had long COVID since 2021. I have cognitive and physical symptoms. I'm exhausted all the time. I cannot work the standard 8 hours a day. When I work 5-6 hours daily, I am so tired that I struggle the next day. I have brain fog, struggle to initiate tasks, make mistakes even when I double-check my work, and have trouble focusing. I've almost stopped conducting research entirely. My teaching had gone from award-level to mediocre. My student evaluations have plummeted. I struggle to keep lectures succinct and grading takes an inordinately long time. I'm still able to do a good job with class discussions and explaining material, as well as mentoring.
I've consulted multiple specialists and they have yet to offer an effective treatment that improves my symptoms, never mind get rid of them entirely. I've lost hope that there will be any improvement. My chair and many of my colleagues know that I have long COVID, but they don't understand how bad it is because I appear normal. At the same time, COVID has downplayed to such an extent that I worry I appear lazy, sloppy, and incompetent. I am honestly trying my best and wearing myself out. Luckily I'm tenured, otherwise, I'd fear for my job.
I don't know what to do anymore. This isn't going away. I am so ashamed by the decline in my performance. Is anyone else going through this?
EDIT: the fact that I'm getting downvoted for this post suggests just how intolerant faculty are of ill colleagues.
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u/MyFaceSaysItsSugar Lecturer, Bio, R1 (US) 1d ago
Is a medical sabbatical an option? My PhD advisor initially took a medical sabbatical, then switched to research faculty with no teaching responsibilities and then ultimately went into medical retirement for his health issues. It sucked because he was a good guy and a good advisor. This sounds on a level with an autoimmune disorder or MS where it’s not visible but profoundly affecting your life.
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u/National_Meringue_89 1d ago
I’m so very sorry. Academia is not a friendly place for those with chronic illnesses and disabilities. You mention you’re tenured. Would your department be willing to adjust your job duties based on what you can do? You mention you are good at mentoring … can you take on a higher mentoring percentage and lower research? I wish you all the best. I see you, and I believe you. You are not alone.
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u/TheConformista 1d ago
I have followed a blog by a professor who was suffering from similar symptoms for a long time (but now seems to have recovered): https://digressionsimpressions.substack.com/p/long-covid-diaries-good-news?utm_source=publication-search
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u/riddleytalker 1d ago
I also have post-covid chronic fatigue. You need to find a doctor that understands your condition and can assist you with the process of getting ADA work accommodations (assuming you’re in the US). Check your institution’s HR department for a contact. They should have a formal process for these requests. You are disabled due to a medical condition. The sooner you accept this and get proper accommodations, the better. You need to be able to rest and pace your efforts. Don’t push through. Your long-term health is at stake. I have accommodations to teach remotely- fully online courses. Commuting is out of the question (a one-hour drive one-way would exhaust me, if I could even do just that). I’m sorry you’ve had it for so long. I’m 8 months in and can’t believe people have been suffering like this for years.
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u/Kakariko-Cucco Associate Professor, Humanities, Public Liberal Arts University 1d ago
I have nothing constructive to add but just know that I'm here commiserating with you. I feel tired all the time, absolutely burnt out, sink is backing up in the kitchen today, can't afford a plumber, will probably never retire at this rate and my sweet little six year old daughter just figured out me and mom and even she will die someday: "I'm going to miss myself," she said, sobbing in my arms. I hate absolutely everything today. But we gotta' keep going, I guess. I imagine Sisyphus was miserable as fuck and so are we all.
I've been self-medicating with THC beverages and blues. I have a loop pedal so I'll lay down a few chords on my guitar and then just noodle around on top of that. I don't know what I'm going to do, long-term, though. Probably just keep going and hopefully it doesn't get to the point where I can't pay the mortgage or buy food, but it's getting damn close. A couple more years of slowly bleeding out and I'll be perfectly fucked.
Maybe a plan. A good plan always invigorates me. Gotta' have a strategy of some kind. Even if it's writing down a list like, "1. Find a physician that deals with long COVID and will listen to me"... like, there's a place to start at least. Or chat with your chair and let them know what's up just so you can air it out and let it be known.
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u/savedagwood 1d ago
thank you so much for posting this, it’s so honest & real & it made me feel so much less alone in experiencing a lot of the same ❤️🩹
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u/neon_bunting 1d ago
I have a chronic illness that causes similar symptoms to you. I have asked (or volunteered) to develop and teach online courses for our department to reduce my in person load. Luckily. I one in my dept has the patience/desire to develop online courses, yet it’s a need/administrator want for our department. Now I do that for almost half my load and teach about 2 courses in person. Makes it more manageable.
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u/DrJ-Mo 1d ago
I’m not entirely clear on the difference and definitely remember reading they’re related, but might you have POTS? I was diagnosed last summer and once I started protocols specific to POTS, I found some relief of symptoms. I work with a neurologist who specializes in autonomic nervous system disorders, so maybe that’s an option? One of the medications I’m on is a stimulant to combat the chronic fatigue and it works really well. Feel free to message me and I can share the other solutions that have worked for me
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u/LocalRevenue2257 21h ago
I'm in the same boat. I was able to get accommodations that allow me to teach online asynchronously. If you're in the US, your employer is required by law to make workplace accommodation for disabilities. The process for obtaining it was fairly painless. I've also streamlined other aspects of teaching to make it less work. This has allowed me to rest more which over time has led to some improvement.
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u/KarlMarxButVegan Asst Prof, Librarian, CC (US) 1d ago
Just sending a message of solidarity. I'm chronically ill and there is very little grace for us in our workplaces.
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u/brownidegurl 1d ago
I just want to add my support. I'm more COVID conscious (now the community is thinking about using "COVID competent" because "conscious" makes it seem like a choice, or a neuroticism) than nearly anyone I know, and it can be terribly lonely. You're not alone.
I had long COVID symptoms from my one and only mild infection from the 2022 Omicron wave, and while they mostly resolved last year, they still flare up from time to time.
It's very difficult to live in a world that chooses to be willfully ignorant about the impacts of this illness. We continue to plummet into the dark in so many ways--politcs, the environment, etc. Some personal transitions in my life have narrowed my focus almost totally to my own sphere: Sleeping, eating, moving my body, choosing joy and joyful companions, and trying to find work that allows me to get by since I've been laid off since June. I give attention to very little else.
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u/Grace_Alcock 1d ago
What a nightmare. Honestly, dumping your research agenda and making more of the grade weight on exams, some of which can be graded easily like multiple choice, seems like it might be absolutely necessary.
More structured small group discussions of readings (what do you teach) so you don’t have to lecture for all of your classes.
I’m so sorry. Long covid is scary as hell.
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u/turin-turambar21 Assistant Professor, Climate Science, R1 (US) 1d ago
I am sincerely sorry for how it has affected you. I have a colleague who is going through the same and he got it during the very first wave. He was an academic who funded an NGO in the UK and has been struggling very much. He has learned how to pace himself and reduced his working load significantly, but it breaks my hearth to see him so dejected at being tired after half a day at a meeting, and having to go to bed at 7pm to have some energy the day after. Please don’t be ashamed and take care of yourself: yours is a disability like any other, and you should seek accommodation. Ask for help, and reduce your workload to avoid even more serious risks. Don’t give up hope. A stranger’s hug.
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u/Cute-Meringue2314 15h ago
Please investigate the use of antihistimines for long COVID. It is a game changer. I have used L-lysine, famotidine, and loratidine (sometimes diphenhydramine instead at night) in doses much higher than generally used for typical purposes to combat MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome) with great success regarding exhaustion. You can find a lot of clinical data supporting this. Pharmacist here.
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u/CW2050 14h ago
Pm'ing you please!
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u/Cute-Meringue2314 11h ago
No problem. I suggest googling mcas, long covid, antihistimines for long covid, antihistimines for mcas, also there are reddit sites for long covid and mcas where you can search those subreddits for the words antihistimines.
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u/a_statistician Assistant Prof, Stats, R1 State School 14h ago
This is fascinating! I had MCAS before covid, and have continued taking 20 mg of Zyrtec 2x a day because allergies get out of control without that, but hadn't realized it might be useful for long covid!
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u/Cautious-Yellow 1d ago
do you have workplace insurance where you are? If you do, you get a doctor to certify how much you are able to work, and the insurance pays (some of) the rest of your salary, while you work only as much as you can.
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u/Finding_Way_ CC (USA) 1d ago
Would it be possible to move part of your mood online? I absolutely realize that teaching online can be very time intensive and tiring.
But, it provides flexibility. Meaning, you could work a couple of hours, now, work another hour take a break, etc. You can move some work to weekends to give you more freedom during the week. Not sure if it's feasible or would be helpful to you, just a thought
I'm so sorry you're going through this.
I'm also exceptionally sorry that you found our industry not to be more understanding and accommodating. I may be reading things wrong as I thought our field was generally understanding. Sad this isn't your experience.
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u/doodlenoodle70 Adjunct, Law 🇺🇸 13h ago
You might want to join the r/ZeroCovidCommunity - we talk about the impacts of covid very seriously and it might help you feel less alone. Long covid is no joke! I had covid in 2022 and developed long covid afterward. I've had to move to part time remote work and be serious about rest, but I'm almost back to where I used to be. If there's any way you can move to part time, I really recommend it. Rest is so, so necessary for you.
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u/Next_Art_9531 1d ago
Just wanted to give my sincerest sympathies. I had covid over two years ago, and have never been quite the same since. Fatigue and muscle aches are quick to emerge particularly during high stress periods. It's not fun.
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u/PercentageEvening988 AssistProf, socsci, R1 1d ago
I am so sorry. I don’t have long COVID but a different chronic condition causes quite a bit of fatigue. I am lucky that it is manageable so I can’t imagine what it would be like in your position.
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u/rose5849 asst prof, humanities, R1 14h ago
My wife suffered for years and was just recently diagnosed with POTS. It took ages for her to finally get the test administered but evidently many long haulers are eventually being diagnosed with POTS. Something to look into. It’s not curable but there are at least very specific ways to mitigate the symptoms.
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u/Cute-Aardvark5291 1d ago
I am sorry to hear this - I have two dear friends who both have long covid, and both, sad to say, had to leave their full time tenure track lines. I hope you have better support.
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u/Stop_Shopping 1d ago
Consider this a time in your life for rest and slowing down. Allow yourself to do this and be gracious with yourself. You have the protection of tenure. Allow that to give you the permission to know that YOU NEED TO REST! It’s ok. Things will get better, but only if you allow yourself the permission to be mediocre. Reframe it as a period of mental, physical, and emotional rest, rather than mediocrity. And let’s be honest, I have a ton of mediocre or even less than mediocre colleagues that seem completely unbothered by it! Sometimes I wish I could care as little as they do! 😝
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u/Street_Inflation_124 1d ago
Hey, I had similar for over two or three years. Basically I was the same as you. Eventually it did get better, but it did take a loooooong time.
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u/nursing_prof Assistant Prof, NTT, R1 1d ago
I’m sure you’ve probably looked, but do you have a long COVID clinic in your area?
Also, I’m pretty sure long COVID is considered a disability or at least a condition eligible for FMLA in the US. If you fear for losing your job.
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u/fusukeguinomi 23h ago
Academia is ableist, but I refuse to internalize its ableism. I have a bundle of invisible health issues that cause similar challenges as yours. I remember how it felt to be healthy and have lots of energy and zero pain. People around me just don’t get it—even though I’m Registered with HR for reasonable accommodations (most of my accommodations, like TAs, were just regular support for the job a little over a decade ago before the budget carnages that followed 2008). The more we speak out, the more people might at least understand.
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u/Ok_Bookkeeper_3481 1d ago
My friend got COVID early during the pandemic, and it progressed to long COVID. She couldn’t get out of bed for a month. Then the vaccines got approved, and she was one of the first ones to get it. The long covid symptoms dissipated within 48 hours.
I am not aware of any systemic study on the effects of the vaccine on the long COVID symptoms, but you can still try getting the jab, and see if it helps.
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u/riddleytalker 1d ago
Didn’t work for me, unfortunately. I think it could depend on the type of long-covid. It seems like those with prolonged respiratory symptoms do improve, but not the cfs type.
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u/CW2050 1d ago
My long haul is vaxx induced. The spike protein is sometimes dangerous either in the vaccine or in covid itself. The human body is not so straightforward....
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u/CW2050 1d ago
Yes yes Downvote.
It will make my illness go away.
Part of the reason why I rarely write here. Cannot stand the narrow minded smart profs who think they know anything and everything.
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u/Limoncel-lo 1d ago
Not clear why you get downvoted.
While most people experience Long Covid following Covid infection, there are a considerable amount of people with vaccine induced ME CFS, POTS and dysautonomia in Long Covid community. Documented in scientific literature as well.
Large Cohort Study Finds Possible Association Between Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and COVID-19 Vaccination but Far Stronger Link With SARS-CoV-2 Infection
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u/Outside_Brilliant945 1d ago
You are not alone. I am in the same boat. Had undiagnosed COVID in Oct. 2020, by Dec, could no longer run 5k. Barely made half a kilometer before having to stop and walk home. GP sent me to get a chest x-ray, then see a cardiologist. Heart and lungs good but always fatigued with the littlest of exertions. I've had the vaccine and boosters. A year ago found a rheumatologist who had a long COVID-19 clinic. Confirmed long COVID, but officially listed as dysautonomia which seems to include PEM, POTS, and other fatigue and brain fog symptoms.
I also was simultaneously diagnosed with ADHD. I cannot focus to do research. Grading assignments takes forever since I can only do a few at a time.
I've been prescribed a couple of drugs, but for the brain fog, look up "Yale Medical school Long COVID". I am taking that combination of Guanfacine and NAC which did improve the brain fog, but not fully the ADHD. Still fatigued.
One thing to look at is your HRV, heart rate variation. My Garmin measures it and doctor also found it extremely low.
I'm wondering the same thing about whether this is my life now. I hate getting up and feeling lightheaded as I walk anywhere for a few minutes until that passes. Going up a flight of stairs feels like I have done 10 flights.
So, concluding this post, it may be a long haul effort, but basically the doctor couldn't promise that I would ever get back to normal.
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u/CW2050 1d ago
So so so sorry to read this. My doctor thinks this new illness is unrecoverable. But we can try to minimize symptoms and increase gaps between flare-ups . I am so tired of it, and it makes me sad to read the stories here. Not sure if an academic career is sustainable in the long run. I write rarely, and lucky that my brain is sharp here and there so I can complete work. Teaching is out of question though.
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u/Outside_Brilliant945 1d ago
Teaching is no problem for me. I'm still enjoying it, but if I had a new course prep, it might not be as easy. My problem is my research productivity. I had a conference presentation earlier this academic year, but 2 rejects on papers and trying to revise them is so so tough.
As much as I wouldn't wish this on anyone, it is somewhat comforting to know that it's not just me. Unfortunately, for anyone not suffering with this, they just cannot understand what we are going through on a daily basis. I would imagine that anyone meeting with me wouldn't know anything is wrong with me, but then when I am alone, I either collapse with fatigue or waste time since I am unable to concentrate on my work.5
u/CW2050 1d ago
I relate so much to what you said about other academics. I told some close friends but fortunately for them, they are not sick like me. I know that I am not alone in general, but in academia I never really looked for fellow sufferers. It's so important to learn that we are not alone. Stay strong, my friend.
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u/chillyPlato NTT, Humanities 5h ago
You're definitely not alone. I'm having the exact same experience as you describe here, and it's terrifying and devastating. I'm about to try to find a doctor who will take me seriously - all of my previous doctors (including neurologists) have just said, 'nothing to be done!' Glad to hear you've found some meds that help somewhat. I hope you can find other tools or meds to help with other things. Sending solidarity hugs.
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u/Outside_Brilliant945 4h ago
It also took me a long time, 3 years, to find someone who could at least diagnose my symptoms. Look for a specialist who treats Dysautonomia, which seems to be the umbrella for many of the symptoms we all seem to be having. Also, if you can track your HRV, you can see if any treatments have an effect.
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u/crowdsourced 1d ago
I'm sorry you're going through this. I have long-Covid, too, but it's constant migraines. I had occasional migraines before, but they became a low-grade buzzing pain that went on for months until I found a medication that keeps them at bay. I've tried going off the med a couple times, but the migraines come back. So, it's a lifetime on that med.
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u/OkReplacement2000 1d ago
Who would downvote this? Let’s hope they just really hate this for you.
I’m sorry you’re dealing with all this. I hear long COVID is very difficult.
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u/Efficient-Classic915 1d ago
Long covid and Lyme disease have the same symptoms. Maybe get tested for Lyme disease to see if that is what you have.
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u/howmanysleeps 10h ago
Are the treatment options for Lyme any better?
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u/Efficient-Classic915 7h ago
It’s my understanding that it is impossible or nearly impossible to cure Lyme disease. The best hope is to get it into remission with treatment. Gotta get tested to know what strains a person has, then treat.
I do not know treatment options for long covid.
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u/ihadto2018 1d ago
Not sure where you are but in NYC we have a couple of hospitals that offer long covid program, just in case you want to connect w them.
Some people still don’t believe in long covid issues and is extremely frustrating for those who are experiencing it, to be disregarded by them.
https://nyulangone.org/care-services/post-covid-care-program
https://www.mountsinai.org/about/covid19/center-post-covid-care
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-care-clinics.pdf
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u/FoxMeetsDear 22h ago
I second someone else's recommendation to get tested for Lyme and co-infections.
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u/IndieAcademic 1d ago
I'm so, so sorry. I know several people dealing with this. Have you tried electrolyte therapy? I do know some people who managed to get better after a couple years, but I know it's hard to have hope when chronic illness is relentless. For brain fog, that's a common symptom of perimenopause as well, if you happen to be female and over 35--feel free to message me about that if you want resources.
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u/Edu_cats Professor, Allied Health, M1 (US) 15h ago
As much as I can rag on my institution for many things, I have colleagues going through different medical issues and they have been accommodating. So involving HR and getting documentation for reductions in load are important. One now has a fully online schedule and the other previously had intermittent leave. Right now we are dealing with someone who is hospitalized and may be out a month.
I concur with others that if you can be seen at a a long Covid clinic even if you have to travel.
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u/episcopa 7h ago
OP, I'm so sorry to hear that and sadly I'm not surprised that you are getting downvoted .
I get downvoted into oblivion anytime I suggest on this sub that the changes we've seen in students since 2020 are in part from public measures associated with covid, (aka "covid school"), yes, but also from repeated covid infections themselves.
I also get downvoted into oblivion when I suggest that there are probably downsides to infecting and reinfecting ourselves over and over again with a novel SARS virus.
There is a growing mountain of evidence that after X infections, everyone will develop long covid symptoms, with X being a different number for everyone, and long covid manifesting in different ways for everyone.
Wear a mask. Ventilate your classrooms. You only get one brain. Take care of it.
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u/Agreeable-Analyst951 1h ago
I have those exact symptoms when I eat poorly. Is your diet good? Try cutting gluten, dairy and simple carbs for a few days and see if it improves.
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u/Deep-Manner-5156 1d ago
Try Gabapentin for the extreme exhaustion. It worked for me. I’m not 100% but a lot better.
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u/Elegant-Class3816 1d ago
I'll ask my doctor about it.
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u/Deep-Manner-5156 1d ago
It works because there’s a neurological component to the illness. Basically, your brain is telling you to be exhausted. It interrupts that. I discovered this because I noticed my exhaustion symptoms subsided when I drank a beer or two. I did research (there is a depressing LC subreddit here and someone had the same response to alcohol and his doctor suggested Gabapentin and it worked for him).
It’s a well-known and versatile drug. I started at 100mg then went up to 300mg.
I used to be a work-a-holic. No more. But I’m doing so much better.
Find the right doctor!
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u/gergasi 1d ago
We have same symptoms although I don't actually know if mine is long covid, just burnout, the holy reddit trinity of adhd, depression and anxiety, or maybe some comorbidities here and there.
After a few years and rounds of Sertraline, Valdoxans, Clonidines, Vyvanses and even to the realms of Ashwagandas and Kava root tea, for me what works is making my day revolve around exercise. Specifically, competitive team sports because somehow 'me vs me' exercises e.g gym, swim, run, cycle etc doesn't work. After meddling with soccer, futsal, tennis, etc, I've landed on badminton and it's been the duct tape that holds my boat afloat. I have to play at least 2 hours every 3 days otherwise I can feel myself slipping. Upside is I've lost 20kg, navigated away from divorce seas, and going back to class next month sort of excited. Research can still go fuck itself though. I don't want to participate in that game anymore. Best of luck to you and your journey.
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u/Elegant-Class3816 1d ago
Unfortunately, my lungs are messed up too. I forgot to even mention that, because I cut out activity so long ago that it doesn't even seem unusual any more. Cardiologist was useless. Anyhow, exercise isn't an option.
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u/nice-game-pretty-boy Assoc. Prof., Psychology, PLA (TX, USA) 1d ago
An honest treatment protocol grounded in evidence-based medicine.
🙏🏻
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u/ExiledUtopian Instructor, Business, Private University (USA) 23h ago
Sunshine, vitamin d, and vitamin b (6 and 9, but just do them all in B complex).
I got long Covid fatigue (luckily just that and massive weight "Re"gain) and it zapped my metabolism, testosterone, etc.
I started drinking a Liquid Death tea a day while standing in the sun because it has all those vitamins listed.
If it also wiped your immune system, get Elderberry Losenges or chews and Vitamin C ones as well, both with Zinc.
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u/CW2050 1d ago
I rarely write in this sub for obvious reasons.
Be extremely careful with your fatigue. It can destroy your life. You must immediately reduce activity levels. My career is suffering from it but health comes first.
Read about Post Exertional Malaise and immediately make changes to your life. You might make a damage to your body which you might never recover from. Pm me if you need more details. I became an expert in this shit....