Anyone experiencing muscle atrophy/muscle wasting due to Long COVID?

Just a tidbit here - my 4-year long journey would take up too much space. However, I thought to mention that I am a female, 82 years old and am just now noticing what I consider muscle-wasting (maybe it also has to do with my age...) but, anyway...I take *a lot* of supplements: Astragalus for muscle strength, L-Carnisine and other amino acids for mitochondrial support (plus PQQ) And, after reading this thread, I am considering some creatine.
I tried it way back in the beginning but didn't notice anything positive (nor negative). But now...4 years later, it might help me. My best to you.

I'm a female, 82 years old and 4 years post-covid and am just now starting to feel 'muscle-wasting'. I was very active; hiking, etc. but had to give all that up because of bouts of PEM. I take *a lot* of supplements which have helped to various degrees. I absolutely love L-Carnosine and Astragalus to name just a couple...but, now, I think I may need to try Creatine. My best to you.

I have weight loss and muscle atrophy I believe due to long covid. I was 6'5'' 225#'s, now 6'5" 175#'s. Have been to 2 long covid clinics, both have verified I have long covid. I have a atrophied pancreas, therefore on digestive enzymes replacing those pancreas is apparently no longer producing. I have post exertional malaise.

For me. the muscle wasting has been due to inactivity due to shortness of breath and exercise malaise. You may want the doc to check you for the genes for myositis which can cause muscle wasting. In many cases, the stress and burden Long COVID places on the immune system can bring out hereditary diseases you would possibly never have had.

Consider researching Astragalus a bit more and make sure your pills are from a trusted source. The FDA does not regulate supplements, so the level of selenium and other included metals can vary widely. Astragalus plants grow in high-selenium soils, which also tend to be high-uranium soils. I was a uranium exploration geologist almost 50 years ago and we would sample and analyze Astragalus leaves as a marker for uranium because they concentrate under similar geochemical conditions. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/astragalus

Thank you 😊

Hi to everyone. Just my experIence with keeping muscle during years of post covid. My PT and post covid clinics explained usual processes at cellular level affected that also affect muscle retention and building. This is slow and steady to maintain current muscle to build upon with your healthcare systems PT, nutrition, and your persistence! 🙂 Find something you do everyday that allows for second nature routine lifting of 1 lb weight, or bottled water etc, in each arm, about 3 times a day, spread out evenly during your tolerable functioning time of day. Mine is 8-2 so every 2 hrs and yours may be less or more weight/time based on your individual needs. Keep in mind- Easier to start low and slow to avoid crashes🙃 Start with one rep, yes just one! while laying in bed, sitting, … Next week do two, next three. After several weeks see if bending down with weight tolerable and same start with one rep for week….Then increase weight to 2 lbs when tolerating with no symptoms brought on🤞Again goal muscle without crashing so you shouldnt expect to feel your muscle at first. That would take energy so over time you will feel and see the muscle and please dont get discouraged! Healing journey to all🌈

To law59 —

Thank you for your detailed description of a program for gradually building back muscle while avoiding crashes. And for your kind words of encouragement!

— friedrich

I really question the head of your long Covid clinic. I was in one and I believe I was dropped when I couldn’t produce the positive results. They want to report on their patients so what your clinic told you was that it’s your fault you have muscle atrophy and weakness. I assume you’ve had all the blood test that look at this as I have. It's just unbelievable to me that out of 3000 patients you are the only one when this is a known symptom of long covid. Good luck to you and please know that it's not your fault.

I have had this muscle wasting for three years now. I've gone through several rounds of physical therapy for my legs. My muscles with collapse some times. I have to be very careful. I had a bad fall in the shower while alone and could not get up because my muscles in one leg would not support my weight. On the back side of all this long haul stuff is my FMLA processor my work uses, Seddgwick, will not allow continuing physical therapy and I have to convince my doctor to renew it every time. Now, my primary care, is pushing back, and does not accept that long haul issues can last this long. I'm having to have a phone talk with his office today because they are not wanting to extend my current one. Most of my treatment problems are because Sedgwick (FMLA processor AND my primary care) refuse to accept the diagnoses under the Long hal dx approved by the FDA and Medicare. So, I have been required by Sedgwick to file a claim for each and every dx that comes under Long Haul Covid. I'm in the process of switching all my doctors over to Vanderbilt who work together in regard to Long Hall Covid so I don't have to put up with these private practice doctors who are so desperate for money that they charge me fifty bucks for any FMLA form or extension to be filed out by them. Over the past couple of years I've racked up a lot of form completion fees. Not only do I have the wasting muscles issue; I also have neurological nerve damage in both hands and one foot; chronic inflamation that literally outlines my veins in pink/red when it is active and burns; and chronic digestive system pain in my gut and stomach. I never had any of this prior to my two months in a coma with COVID.