← Return to What helps longhaulers dealing with Chronic Fatigue?
DiscussionWhat helps longhaulers dealing with Chronic Fatigue?
Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 | Last Active: Aug 15, 2024 | Replies (43)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "I have been in the NIH Long Haul research program since 2020. I have been diagnosed..."
Mayo has a chronic fatigue program. Give them a call and get signed up. I used it and it helped.
I had the fatigue issue long before covid and have been through all sorts of testing, mostly heart, then came covid. had 2 pfizer vax, then had 2 strokes odd thing did not even know i had strokes until mri results. went from typing fast with both hands to slow one finger that takes forever. 80 yrs old now, i just want to go back to how i felt before. been to 4 neurologists, one rheumatologist, functional dr. you name. its hard when you live in an urban area to find someone that doesn't look at you like you are freaking crazy.
Been there, done that, and barring a miracle medical breakthrough, the researchers and doctors appear to be years away from fully understanding, let alone treating, long covid fatigue and other issues. Toward that end, we're pretty much on our own finding "alternative" (medical and non-medical) options that may or may not work for each individual. I will tell you that red light therapy (RLT), also known as photobiomodulation is one of the few research-based therapies that has helped me with fatigue, provided I use it daily for 20 minutes. There are a lot of "things" marketed as RLT. Be very careful as only a handful have actually been independently evaluated in medical studies, and most are foreign knock-off goods with no proof of usefulness. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals will identify which RLT devices were used and how effective they were. I used one of the RLT panels at a local spa before purchasing one; yes, it is very effective, for me, and others I've recommended them to. I suggest looking at Platinum Therapy Lights, which have been used in some studies. Related to long covid, see: https://platinumtherapylights.com/blogs/news/red-light-therapy-for-inflammation Doctors are relatively clueless about alternative therapies, but always check with yours before engaging in them.
I too suffer from unabated fatigue as a result of long Covid. And I have tried everything under the sun, including nicotine patches, Prozac, acupuncture, all manner of supplements, and various dietary regimes--all to no avail. I'm now hoping for an appointment with the National Jewish Health in Denver, which has resources dedicated to long Covid, but at the moment it's a waiting game. I'm back on the patches, hoping those might help with the fatigue, and will let you know.
It's really all a huge mystery. I wish I had some solutions for you.
Hello. I too have long covid with intense fatigue. What has helped me is low dose Naltrexone and Abilify that I got from the Stanford Long Covid/ME CFS clinic. Two years ago I could not walk around the block and could not use a computer, now I can hike and even do short backpack trips (resting along the way) and use a computer most of the day.
I wish you all the best
I use a Biomax900 series from this manufacturer, the only FDA Certified RLT panel that has been independently evaluated and the results published in a peer reviewed journal.
https://platinumtherapylights.com/
Just want to weigh in with a point about nomenclature.
Chronic fatigue is often an accompanying symptom of Long Covid. It's a symptom that accompanies numerous medical conditions.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), on the other hand, is a specific diagnosis and condition that has no direct relationship with Covid, per se. It is also referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), in places other than the U.S.
It, too, is suspected of being a type of post-viral phenomenon, although it has proven difficult to truly qualify and treat, and can have numerous accompanying symptoms.
But please do not label the chronic fatigue many of us experience post Covid as "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", as it's a separate phenomenon, despite many overlapping symptoms.
Hi,
I tried low dose Naloxone and it helped some, but I was recently put on Cymbalta. It has helped a lot. It is a serotonin norepineprhine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It has also helped with my depression and anxiety. It is not for everyone, but I know that it is used for chronic fatigue. Hang in there.
I have used LDN for three weeks now at 1.5 mg and have seen my fatigue inch away a bit. I have more energy and have been able to double the distance of my short walk. I can still get laid low if I overdue it so am trying to moderate my activity even though I feel better. A side benefit for me is that I am losing my food noise at night...so no craving after dinner.
I am now moving to liquid LDN so we can titrate the dose up and see how I do. Will be interesting to see if I do not progress on the liquid and have to move back to the pills. The compounded pills are expensive and not covered by my insurance...the compounded liquid is covered.
Connect

seidholz, To me it sounds like you have the fatigue that goes along with Long Covid. I have had it for 2 years. I had my first bout of COVID in August, 2022 (this was the worst) and then I had it again in October, 2023. I was diagnosed with Long Covid in June of 2023.
My main complaint is fatigue. I still take a nap every day. If I overdo, the fatigue is debilitating.
I take a lot of supplements for Long Covid including D3 with K2, C, B complex, Zinc & Vitamin C. I also take NAC for extra mucus. Not sure what you are taking, but, ask you doctor before trying.
I personally would go to an Integrative Medicine doctor that treats Long Covid. They can do infusions to boost your immune system. Sadly, it is out of pocket. I could not tolerate the infusions due to my sensitivity. Glutathione is used to treat Long Covid by an Integrative Medicine doctor. I could not tolerate this one either.
Also, have you had your B12 & D3 & Iron checked? COVID wiped mine out. I am on weekly B12 injections as my body has Gene Mutation issues with absorbing B12. Having low D3 can make you tired as well. A primary doctor can diagnose this.
Praying for you to feel better. Fatigue is frustrating. I will say that a nap daily since COVID does help greatly.