Nagging, fatigue-related hunger, anyone?

Posted by friedrich @friedrich, Aug 6, 2024

I’ve experienced the Covid-related weight gain reported by others: 12 pounds (7%) over 6 months. This might have been caused by feeling hungry (and eating) every 1-2 hours in spite of little physical activity.

The hunger is driven by a feeling of significant fatigue and depletion that needs more than rest to address that depletion. And that feeling of significant fatigue occurs every 1-2 hours.

I’m guessing that it’s a detection-and-response error. Covid-fatigue is being detected (mistakenly) as true fatigue resulting from intense mental or muscular work, and the appetite management system is generating the feeling of hunger so that I’ll eat to replenish the energy stores that were depleted by that [illusory] bout of “intense work.”

This view is simply my guess. I couldn’t find it addressed in the scientific literature. It will help me to know if others have experienced this Covid-related “nagging hunger” phenomenon. Has anyone?

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

Profile picture for friedrich @friedrich

To joanland —

I just realized that I never responded to your Comment on 08/11/2024 about using electrolytes to treat LC-based excessive fatigue. So, I just now looked online for medical-science-based opinion on using electrolytes to treat that fatigue.

The advice I found was to simply remain well-hydrated, with plain water — unless medical tests indicate an electrolyte deficiency.

Of course, as with LC symptoms generally, each longhauler may experience fatigue for reasons particular to them, and have their own particular response to electrolyte supplements.

Optimally, one should consult with one’s healthcare professionals about whether or not to use electrolyte supplements, and how much and how often.

I’m optimistic that ongoing LC research will provide better guidance in the future about treating LC symptoms.

Wishing us all steady progress in our recovery from LC !

— friedrich

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Thanks for your thoughtful reply, and for the research. Somehow with LC doing research is a lot more difficult now, as is most everything. Brain fog can be nasty. I'm in a really difficult spot right now. Nothing seems to give me any energy other than doing nothing for several days to weeks, and I'm hoping some modicum of energy will come back. Again, thanks. This area does have an MD who works with Long-COVID people. Although she is a neurologist by training, she was involved in COVID and Long-COVID research for several years in another state. I have an appointment scheduled with her for next month, which will be coming up soon.

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Profile picture for joanland @joanland

Thanks for your thoughtful reply, and for the research. Somehow with LC doing research is a lot more difficult now, as is most everything. Brain fog can be nasty. I'm in a really difficult spot right now. Nothing seems to give me any energy other than doing nothing for several days to weeks, and I'm hoping some modicum of energy will come back. Again, thanks. This area does have an MD who works with Long-COVID people. Although she is a neurologist by training, she was involved in COVID and Long-COVID research for several years in another state. I have an appointment scheduled with her for next month, which will be coming up soon.

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To joanland —

I salute your seeking out a healthcare professional with a demonstrated commitment to learning how LC works.

Best wishes for a productive visit that leaves you encouraged that your health will one day improve !

— friedrich

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I will tell you that LDN curbed my appetite and I have found my metabolism is functioning well again with the LDN; have noticed a loss of about 2 lbs a month since taking; not that that's a lot, but when I wasn't losing any when I should have; walking, etc, 2 lbs a months makes me feel better.

I am attaching the LDN guides from LDN Research Trust where I gathered much info. Hope it helps.

Shared files

LDN 2026_Patient_Guide (LDN-2026_Patient_Guide-1.pdf)

LDN 2026_Prescriber_Guide (LDN-2026_Prescriber_Guide-9.pdf)

LDN 2026_Mental_Health_Guide (LDN-2026_Mental_Health_Guide-9.pdf)

LDN 2026-DOSING-GUIDE (LDN-2026-DOSING-GUIDE-3.pdf)

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I also need to say that the filler the pharmacist uses; LDN Research has a piece on that somewhere, but from personal experience, the small capsule that the pharmacist compounds "lactose" with is the only filler that worked for me. I checked the others out because I am an IBS person, and ended up going back to the lactose and just changing my diet some, turns out Lactaid milk and ice cream taste just like ones without lactase/lactose in them.

I did try 3 other compounded LDNs with different fillers from different pharmacies and their capsules were large and so the filler was more than in the smaller capsules, and they didn't work for me; I took a couple and felt nothing.

Went back to Medtown Parmacy on Beach Blvd and with the lactose filler because it the only one that works when I take them. I pay attention because I have always been very sensitive to medications, chemicals, etc, all my life, and LDN Research trust mentions the fillers somewhere and I read about them; that some fillers interfere with the effectiveness of the medication and I found that to be true.

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