Shortness of breath a year and a half after recovering from Corona

is the symbicort helping do you think?

Dear Romeo51 and all who continue to have shortness of breath due to Long Covid. My situation does not offer a solution, so am simply sharing more than five years of experience. I have been to three cardiologists, one pulmonologist and had testing during the five years. Since I never smoked, have never been overweight, and because LC symptoms are often elusive to the medical community, the results of all tests indicated that my heart and lungs were "fine." I choose not to take any medications because none of what I've heard or read "cured" Long Covid. My additional medical conditions preclude "experimenting" with medications yet those additional conditions do NOT cause shortness of breath. Prior to Covid I was very energetic, never breathless, never fatigued and never experienced any of the symptoms spawned by Long Covid. As I previously wrote, my P.C. believes that this condition is life-long. Like many of you, I need to pace myself and carefully prioritize activities. Having enough energy to partake in a family gathering now means planning nothing for at least a day or two later because "recuperating" is always necessary. On some days just attempting to remain awake is all I can manage while hoping the next day will be better. For me "hope" and Long Covid are ongoing, but battling this disease is daunting, exhausting, debilitating, demoralizing, unexpected, unpredictable and unrelenting. Many of us feel alone in this fight. However, although no one on this site "lives next door" we are connected via this disease by time, circumstances, information and an understanding about LC that only we can appreciate. We all need each other, need to read what is written, need to be kind to ourselves and need to love ourselves for whatever or how much we can do. I hope to continue finding generous understanding by strangers who also experience this debilitating disease. We are a very diverse group yet are a lifeline for one another by being one in spirit.

Shortness of breath and fatigue are my two main issues. My situation is somewhat unique in that I had a double lung transplant in 2022. I was diagnosed with COVID in 2023 which is when I first started experiencing symptoms. My lungs and heart are very good. So I went to multiple specialists trying to get a diagnosis for my symptoms.
I was finally given an I-CEPT , Invasive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test. This yielded 2 important results that help explain my symptoms. 1) the blood returning to my heart had an unexpectedly HIGH level of oxygen. This indicated that the mitochondria in my skeletal muscles were not effectively utilizing oxygen so my muscles were being starved of oxygen, sort of like a 6 cylinder engine running on only 3 cylinders.
2) with exercise, my vascular system was not returning enough blood to the heart. This is called cardiac preload insufficiency. The heart is pumping but there is not enough blood returning to the heart to keep up with demand. Consequently, one feels breathless and dizzy.
TREATMENT. This is all symptomatic treatment. 1) For the mitochondria I've been prescribed amino acid powder, alpha lipoic acid, and B vitamins. Limited help. 2) For blood return insufficiency I wear compression socks, take salt tablets, midodrine which increases blood pressure , and fluodrocortisone which helps increase blood volume.
I also try to exercise using my recumbent bike in 15 minute sessions 2-3 times a day as tolerated.
Hope my experience may give you some ideas. I live my life in 15-20 minute bursts followed by extended rest.

Have you had a Pulmonary Function Test? I was able to finish my second test (failed gloriously on the first one) and came up with a low DCLO. A low DLCO (diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide) can be associated with inflammation, particularly in conditions affecting the pulmonary vasculature or the alveoli. Inflammation can impair the lungs' ability to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream, leading to a reduced DLCO. Since Long Covid can affect the pulmonary vasculature, I believe this is the reason I am tired all the time and can have shortness of breath.

Hi @doug8576. First your. double lung transplant is the greatest gift and what you have gone thru is indescribable Im sure. Thank you so much to take the time to share this test and explain what so many are probably experiencing yet systems and providers are still finding answers within insurance coverage. Hopefully this post allows patient/provider conversations to request medical necessity tests to be covered for all those suffering who could benefit from it and others. 🤞Quickest healing journey to you and all😊🌈

June 08, 2025 Likewise. Thx. for sharing. Losing weight is helping, and slowing increasing exercise and conditioning level which wasn't bad to begin with. Vitamins. Good doctors. Plenty of water. Cut out any alcohol, even if only a moderate drinker. We aren't going to live forever, but it has to be good!

Of course, I am not a doctor but shortness of breath could have many causes. COVID can affect your heart, lungs and vascular system. If your heart, it may have damaged the muscles or valves. If your lungs were affected they may not be oxygenation your blood properly. There is a simple device called an oximeter ($25) that can tell you if your blood is properly oxygenated. Anything below 90% is probably a concern. Finally, if the vascular system was damaged you may not be getting enough blood returned to the heart. This is called cardiac preload insufficiency. COVID can also impair the mitochondria which utilize oxygen in your muscles. However, you are probably more likely to experience fatigue than shortness of breath if that were the cause. You may want to use these as talking points when you discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Good luck and best wishes!