1. < Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19

Anyone using medication for COVID-related anxiety and/or depression?

Posted by summerof42 @summerof42, Jun 19, 2023

I tried Zoloft, Escitalopram which worked somewhat, but the Citralopram, and a few other made my already racing heart crazy! It's a double-edged sword for us.

I read online that Covid, as we all know is an inflammatory / immune nightmare, creating pain, and host of symptoms that Duloxetine, which is for anxiety/depression and pain has helped a lot of people.

Also, since Covid affects our nerve endings, for those folks that get the awful nerve sensations that want to make you jump out of your skin, Gabapentin helps.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

yasmineseropian | @yasmineseropian | Jun 21, 2023

Thank you so much for your kind response. I have been fortunate in the sense that I do not have any more anxiety and mental stress since I started the probiotic Lactobacillus Rhamnous; it really helped with the anxiety, thank God. I still have lot of symptoms of Long Covid, like my gut, my weight and fatigue. It is a lot better than it was the first two years; I was basically bedridden and I am much better now. Taking tons of supplements and avoiding all kinds of sugar and most starches.
Propanol is a beta blocker and it makes you very tired. I already suffer from fatigue so that would not be good for me.
I hope you get better soon!

REPLY
mitfit | @mitfit | Jun 22, 2023
In reply to @summerof42 "@yasmineseropian - have you considered an Rx for Propranolol? In reading many of the posts on..." + (show)
@summerof42

@yasmineseropian - have you considered an Rx for Propranolol? In reading many of the posts on this forum for Long Term Covid, many folks who talk about the internal trembling and racing heart (that's me) said it really helps. In reading it up online it indicates it's also very helpful with anxiety and 'flight & fight" mode - that's me as well 24/7 and I can't seem to get my mind and body of this state.

Jump to this post

I have this. It works immediately. It calms the racing heart and internal trembling.

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jrg200911 | @jrg200911 | Jun 22, 2023

Near 3 years Long COVID...

I have recently been prescribed Metoprolol 25mg/day for racing, high, spiking heartrate. It has done the job. My average heart rate has decreased 10 beats per minute - from 80-90's to 70-80's. We're monitoring my blood pressure to make sure it doesn't bottom out. So far so good.

For anxiety/depression I am on Wellbutrin XL (BuPROprion XL generic) 300mg/day. My therapist has used 'miracle' in describing my progress.

In the past week I have begun Rx LDN-Low Dose Naltrexone 1-4mg/day to treat multiple symptoms- Fatigue, Brain Fog, (Chest) Pain. Some report wonderful results, others not. We are all different... I started at 1mg-1st week, 2mg-2nd week, 3mg-3rd week, 4mg-4th week. Just started 2nd week. Will follow up with doc after 4 weeks to see what progress, if any, I have made and go from there.
REVIEW Article on LDN:
https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/should-doctors-consider-low-dose-naltrexone-for-long-covid
Blessings and good health to all as we navigate through this together!

REPLY
jrg200911 | @jrg200911 | Jun 24, 2023
In reply to @summerof42 "@yasmineseropian - have you considered an Rx for Propranolol? In reading many of the posts on..." + (show)
@summerof42

@yasmineseropian - have you considered an Rx for Propranolol? In reading many of the posts on this forum for Long Term Covid, many folks who talk about the internal trembling and racing heart (that's me) said it really helps. In reading it up online it indicates it's also very helpful with anxiety and 'flight & fight" mode - that's me as well 24/7 and I can't seem to get my mind and body of this state.

Jump to this post

Here is that pdf attachment I told you about...
Newest Guidelines for Neurological Complications of Long COVID

Shared files

article230624_pasc-newestguidanceneurologiccomplications (article230624_pasc-newestguidanceneurologiccomplications.pdf)

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summerof42 | @summerof42 | Jul 6, 2023

As we ALL know and large percentage of folks, like myself, also are dealing with anxiety, depression and or PTSD, caused by this awful best that covid is and messing up our hormones and nervous system.

I do realize that everyone is different and responds differently to the medication, but I thought it would be helpful to hear what most folks are using and what has helped. I'm down to 89 lbs and KNOW I need medication.

I'm a 2+ yrs LT Covid sufferer and in the beginning I tried Zoloft, which helped a little, then switched to Escitalopram and I remember waking up about 2 wks later and felt like my fabulous self! Unfortunately, that was short lived and I weaned off (probably should have stuck with it). From what I learned since, that is what Covid does, it makes us really sensitive to medications and since the anxiety/depression was not my only symptom (which I didn't know at the time) the other issues needed to be addressed. What I noticed didn't help, was {{{stress}}} It would really set me back, creating a nightmare and new symptoms. Seems like Covid loves to thrive on stress and nervous and immune system.

When I saw a pain specialist, the one medication that he prescribed that was incredible and a life savor was Tramadol. I later learned it has a tiny bit of opioid in it, which I didn't know; hence feeling better.

I don't take it because i don't want to become addicted to a pain killer drug. A friend tells me, "if it works and gives you a life, take it!"

Please chime in and let us know what med is working for you. We may begin to see a lot of similarities in the Rx used which will be very helpful.

REPLY
13 replies
covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Jul 6, 2023
In reply to @summerof42 "As we ALL know and large percentage of folks, like myself, also are dealing with anxiety,..." + (show)
@summerof42

As we ALL know and large percentage of folks, like myself, also are dealing with anxiety, depression and or PTSD, caused by this awful best that covid is and messing up our hormones and nervous system.

I do realize that everyone is different and responds differently to the medication, but I thought it would be helpful to hear what most folks are using and what has helped. I'm down to 89 lbs and KNOW I need medication.

I'm a 2+ yrs LT Covid sufferer and in the beginning I tried Zoloft, which helped a little, then switched to Escitalopram and I remember waking up about 2 wks later and felt like my fabulous self! Unfortunately, that was short lived and I weaned off (probably should have stuck with it). From what I learned since, that is what Covid does, it makes us really sensitive to medications and since the anxiety/depression was not my only symptom (which I didn't know at the time) the other issues needed to be addressed. What I noticed didn't help, was {{{stress}}} It would really set me back, creating a nightmare and new symptoms. Seems like Covid loves to thrive on stress and nervous and immune system.

When I saw a pain specialist, the one medication that he prescribed that was incredible and a life savor was Tramadol. I later learned it has a tiny bit of opioid in it, which I didn't know; hence feeling better.

I don't take it because i don't want to become addicted to a pain killer drug. A friend tells me, "if it works and gives you a life, take it!"

Please chime in and let us know what med is working for you. We may begin to see a lot of similarities in the Rx used which will be very helpful.

Jump to this post

Summerof42, Are you going to your primary for your meds? It seems if so, he/she would let you try another antidepressant if one is not working, or let you go back on the one that was working. I know that primary doctors/nurses/specialists are stretched to the max right now due to shortage and overload with appointments since Covid. Have your questions ready and perhaps suggest the antidepressant that worked the best for you and see if they will let you switch back. Praying much.....

REPLY
summerof42 | @summerof42 | Jul 6, 2023
In reply to @summerof42 "As we ALL know and large percentage of folks, like myself, also are dealing with anxiety,..." + (show)
@summerof42

As we ALL know and large percentage of folks, like myself, also are dealing with anxiety, depression and or PTSD, caused by this awful best that covid is and messing up our hormones and nervous system.

I do realize that everyone is different and responds differently to the medication, but I thought it would be helpful to hear what most folks are using and what has helped. I'm down to 89 lbs and KNOW I need medication.

I'm a 2+ yrs LT Covid sufferer and in the beginning I tried Zoloft, which helped a little, then switched to Escitalopram and I remember waking up about 2 wks later and felt like my fabulous self! Unfortunately, that was short lived and I weaned off (probably should have stuck with it). From what I learned since, that is what Covid does, it makes us really sensitive to medications and since the anxiety/depression was not my only symptom (which I didn't know at the time) the other issues needed to be addressed. What I noticed didn't help, was {{{stress}}} It would really set me back, creating a nightmare and new symptoms. Seems like Covid loves to thrive on stress and nervous and immune system.

When I saw a pain specialist, the one medication that he prescribed that was incredible and a life savor was Tramadol. I later learned it has a tiny bit of opioid in it, which I didn't know; hence feeling better.

I don't take it because i don't want to become addicted to a pain killer drug. A friend tells me, "if it works and gives you a life, take it!"

Please chime in and let us know what med is working for you. We may begin to see a lot of similarities in the Rx used which will be very helpful.

Jump to this post

@covidstinks,
Yes, Doc put me back on the Zoloft, but it's not working. She''s willing to let me try anything, but nothing is working. As a matter of fact, I feel worse! The past few days were really bad with burning of the tongue and lips, and also my throat. Went to urgent care to make sure I didn't have Strep or Covid, tests were negative. it's this stinki' Covid that creates these horrible symptoms in our body.

Another poster indicated that Covid also makes us really sensitive to medications and react differently than a normal person. I find this to be very true. When my chalazion developed due to Covid, won't go away and steriod shot made it go crazy and create a severe abscess below, I had two surgeries to no avail, because our bodies don't heal and the antibiotic made me really ill. Normally, all of this wouldn't have happened.

REPLY
1 reply
da69 | @da69 | Jul 6, 2023
In reply to @summerof42 "As we ALL know and large percentage of folks, like myself, also are dealing with anxiety,..." + (show)
@summerof42

As we ALL know and large percentage of folks, like myself, also are dealing with anxiety, depression and or PTSD, caused by this awful best that covid is and messing up our hormones and nervous system.

I do realize that everyone is different and responds differently to the medication, but I thought it would be helpful to hear what most folks are using and what has helped. I'm down to 89 lbs and KNOW I need medication.

I'm a 2+ yrs LT Covid sufferer and in the beginning I tried Zoloft, which helped a little, then switched to Escitalopram and I remember waking up about 2 wks later and felt like my fabulous self! Unfortunately, that was short lived and I weaned off (probably should have stuck with it). From what I learned since, that is what Covid does, it makes us really sensitive to medications and since the anxiety/depression was not my only symptom (which I didn't know at the time) the other issues needed to be addressed. What I noticed didn't help, was {{{stress}}} It would really set me back, creating a nightmare and new symptoms. Seems like Covid loves to thrive on stress and nervous and immune system.

When I saw a pain specialist, the one medication that he prescribed that was incredible and a life savor was Tramadol. I later learned it has a tiny bit of opioid in it, which I didn't know; hence feeling better.

I don't take it because i don't want to become addicted to a pain killer drug. A friend tells me, "if it works and gives you a life, take it!"

Please chime in and let us know what med is working for you. We may begin to see a lot of similarities in the Rx used which will be very helpful.

Jump to this post

I won't recommend a medication but will say for myself that Mayo helped a lot...Turned out i was a CYP2D6 or something along those lines and i am missing this gene or its not working right....I am not a doctor but this is what i gathered..... (Cytochrome P450 Family 2 Subfamily D Member 6) is a Protein Coding gene. Diseases associated with CYP2D6 include Drug Metabolism.
Basically i am a poor metabolizer of certain meds.
Maybe a genesight test or something like that will help you out.
My medication choices became limited due to this but what they have me on now is working and not a normal med for listed symptoms....I am still on one they prescribed and one made me itch like crazy so they made me stop the one and increase the other and it is slowly helping a lot.
I won't recommend any med i have or am taking because what works for one may be a disaster for somebody else.
I leave that to the pros...Do not give up...Keep pushing until you get some relief.

REPLY
summerof42 | @summerof42 | Jul 6, 2023
In reply to @summerof42 "As we ALL know and large percentage of folks, like myself, also are dealing with anxiety,..." + (show)
@summerof42

As we ALL know and large percentage of folks, like myself, also are dealing with anxiety, depression and or PTSD, caused by this awful best that covid is and messing up our hormones and nervous system.

I do realize that everyone is different and responds differently to the medication, but I thought it would be helpful to hear what most folks are using and what has helped. I'm down to 89 lbs and KNOW I need medication.

I'm a 2+ yrs LT Covid sufferer and in the beginning I tried Zoloft, which helped a little, then switched to Escitalopram and I remember waking up about 2 wks later and felt like my fabulous self! Unfortunately, that was short lived and I weaned off (probably should have stuck with it). From what I learned since, that is what Covid does, it makes us really sensitive to medications and since the anxiety/depression was not my only symptom (which I didn't know at the time) the other issues needed to be addressed. What I noticed didn't help, was {{{stress}}} It would really set me back, creating a nightmare and new symptoms. Seems like Covid loves to thrive on stress and nervous and immune system.

When I saw a pain specialist, the one medication that he prescribed that was incredible and a life savor was Tramadol. I later learned it has a tiny bit of opioid in it, which I didn't know; hence feeling better.

I don't take it because i don't want to become addicted to a pain killer drug. A friend tells me, "if it works and gives you a life, take it!"

Please chime in and let us know what med is working for you. We may begin to see a lot of similarities in the Rx used which will be very helpful.

Jump to this post

I don't get it. I was at May in May and they never tested me for CYP2D6. As a matter of fact, I received the WORST care possible. I spent thousands of dollars to go out there for nothing.

They set me up with an internal MD who ordered a bunch of tests and for the follow up via phone (we had to leave early as my friend who came to support me had a family emergency) told me he "believes' I have Long Term Covid due to my numerous symptoms. I had Covid twice. He prescribed Guanfacine, told me it's a great med and told me 3 x' even his son takes it, and he took it as well when he had a head injury to head in a car. accident.

They also discovered I have a hernia, however, because of my state of health, I'm too week for surgery. I have a terrible chalazion on lower eye lid that won't go away, had 2 surgeries, all to no avail.l It hurts so bad.

Right now, I am so very ill and slowly dying with so many symptoms and down to 89 lbs and can't get help anywhere. I've seen so many doctors in the last 3 yrs, and last week I saw and END said I have LT Covid and why not try Naltexone, but he doesn't really know how to treat it or me.

Not sure if I'll make it through the night, I'm so weak.

Love you all for your kind support.

Big {{{hugs}}}

REPLY
johnschuerman | @johnschuerman | Jul 7, 2023
In reply to @summerof42 "As we ALL know and large percentage of folks, like myself, also are dealing with anxiety,..." + (show)
@summerof42

As we ALL know and large percentage of folks, like myself, also are dealing with anxiety, depression and or PTSD, caused by this awful best that covid is and messing up our hormones and nervous system.

I do realize that everyone is different and responds differently to the medication, but I thought it would be helpful to hear what most folks are using and what has helped. I'm down to 89 lbs and KNOW I need medication.

I'm a 2+ yrs LT Covid sufferer and in the beginning I tried Zoloft, which helped a little, then switched to Escitalopram and I remember waking up about 2 wks later and felt like my fabulous self! Unfortunately, that was short lived and I weaned off (probably should have stuck with it). From what I learned since, that is what Covid does, it makes us really sensitive to medications and since the anxiety/depression was not my only symptom (which I didn't know at the time) the other issues needed to be addressed. What I noticed didn't help, was {{{stress}}} It would really set me back, creating a nightmare and new symptoms. Seems like Covid loves to thrive on stress and nervous and immune system.

When I saw a pain specialist, the one medication that he prescribed that was incredible and a life savor was Tramadol. I later learned it has a tiny bit of opioid in it, which I didn't know; hence feeling better.

I don't take it because i don't want to become addicted to a pain killer drug. A friend tells me, "if it works and gives you a life, take it!"

Please chime in and let us know what med is working for you. We may begin to see a lot of similarities in the Rx used which will be very helpful.

Jump to this post

I take a low dose of lorazepam 3x daily. .5 mg. It helps me in 3 ways

1. Calms my stomach
2. Reduces dizziness (part of my migraine pattern)
3. Reduces anxiety

No side effects for me. They say it can be addictive but I’ve never experienced that and have decreased to one dose per day when not needed

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