Post Covid, night time, shortness of breath and racing heart.

Posted by sweetwater9 @sweetwater9, 1 day ago

I have had Covid several times and the last four times, I have been experiencing night time shortness of breath (SOB) and rapid heart beats. Each time, so far, has lasted three months. Is anyone else experiencing this and if so what has helped eliminate these symptoms?

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

sw2020 | @sw2020 | 19 hours ago

In reply to @sw2020 "Yes! Nicotine saved me! 2mg patch or gum, 1x day until you feel better. Dr Ardis..." + (show)

Full story- I have never been vaccinated and have suffered for 4.5 years. I first experienced long COVID back in 2023, which left me bedridden for three months. However, I had symptoms on and off since February 2020, when I initially contracted what I now know to be COVID-19. It was a really bad case! Fevers, sweating, coughing that felt like razor blades, and feeling as if my insides might come out. This led to Long COVID which caused a condition known as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which caused a myriad of symptoms including difficulty breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness in the legs and arms, short-term memory loss, random pains in my limbs, heart palpitations, racing heart, inability to catch my breath, fluctuating blood pressure, fainting, and gallbladder problems (which eventually led to its removal). Additionally, long COVID can result in myocarditis, which is the scarring of the tissue around the heart.

Throughout this period, I underwent numerous medical tests including X-rays, CT scans, wearing a heart monitor, and a nuclear stress test. I consulted with multiple medical professionals, including MDs, cardiologists, and neurologists, but none could provide a solution.

In 2023, while bedridden, I conducted extensive research and thought outside the box. I discovered a popular dewormer that, with some research, I found to be beneficial for humans as well as animals. After using it, I felt significantly better within a week, although the symptoms were not entirely gone. I noticed that the symptoms would return if I exercised, was exposed to heat, or remained inactive for too long, as POTS causes blood pooling in the abdomen when lying down excessively. I struggled to regulate my temperature and was nearly bedridden again in December 2024, which made me consider the possibility of being unable to work anymore.

During this time, I never stopped advocating for myself and continued researching. I joined a long COVID Facebook group, which had 100,000 members at the time and has likely grown by thousands since. This is when I realized, vaccinated or not, we were all sick! I eventually found Dr. Ardis and information that was not widely discussed. I was open, ready to hear anything that might help me. I watched many of his shows on COVID/long COVID and read much of the research he provided. Desperate for help, I tried his protocol involving nicotine and experienced a complete recovery.

It is crucial for everyone to conduct their own research and keep an open mind to find the help they need. I personally recommend watching "The Dr. Ardis Show," particularly the episode titled "The Other N Word" on YouTube, where "N" stands for nicotine. Additionally, I suggest watching "Watch the Water," Parts 1 and 2. These resources were instrumental in my healing journey. Every ones journey is there own. Dont trust me, research as I have. I am here to tell you that I was suffering! My job was suffering! My mental state was suffering! Nicotine healed me and I know of MANY others that have been healed by this as well. The suggested shows will explain it all and explain it very well with resources included so you can follow up on it and take part in understanding what is really going on! You don’t have to trust me. Look into this and go from there. Just know, I would follow Dr. Ardis's protocol for my children or any of my closest loved one in a heartbeat!

If anyone wants to talk, I am happy to catch up outside of these posts. After all my suffering, it is my responsibillity to share. Too many are suffering. You can take the information and make your own decisions.

sw2020 | @sw2020 | 19 hours ago

In reply to @sweetwater9 "sw, I am considering the nicotine, but wonder since it is a stimulate, that it will..." + (show)

It will make you feel a little jittery when you first start. 2mg is a very small dose and the jittery feeling will not last long. Maybe 15min. After a couple of days, you wont feel it at all. Before anyone calls me out, I am not a medical professional. I am only speaking from my personal experience. My heart goes out to you @sweetwater9, if you want to connect offline, I am happy to do so!

covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | 19 hours ago

In reply to @sweetwater9 "Thanks for responding. I had two chest x-rays during one of these episodes and both were..." + (show)

sweetwater9, I did NAC and Quercitin....I still do on occasion. The downside of NAC is it can
dry you out too much, so I take a very low dose and drink lots of water with it.

Blessings & Prayers....

sweetwater9 | @sweetwater9 | 19 hours ago

In reply to @sw2020 "It will make you feel a little jittery when you first start. 2mg is a very..." + (show)

sw, thank you sooo much for sharing all your information about your experience with healing. I think I am hesitate about the nicotine only because, my heart races and I am afraid, since nicotine is stimulating, the nicotine will make it worse. Did you have trouble with SOB and racing heart before using the nicotine?

sw2020 | @sw2020 | 17 hours ago

Also, in my opinion, the jitters for an extremely short duration (15-20min at a time each day, if that) and only for the first couple of days, FAR outweighs how you feel now. It never made me feel like my heart was any worse. I was only a bit jittery like a drank a cup of coffee. I want you to get the relief you need so badly. I know I had some pretty dark thoughts over the years.

wilsonanderson | @wilsonanderson | 1 hour ago

In reply to @dlydailyhope "@sweetwater9 Have you been to a pulmonologist or cardiologist for testing? You may benefit from a..." + (show)

@dlydailyhope

@sweetwater9
Have you been to a pulmonologist or cardiologist for testing? You may benefit from a sleep study for sleep apnea to ensure you breathe regularly while sleeping. You may need a cpap.

After having the Covid shots, I started having breathing issues and wheezed and felt I was not getting enough oxygen during the day. I also started having chest pain like a heart attack (I am female). Later that year doctors diagnosed me with sleep apnea and an old myocardial infarction (heart attack)! This was when I was in my early 50s. My heart races when my oxygen level drops to increase respiration. I use an oximeter to keep an eye on my oxygen levels (it beeps at me when it drops below 94 to remind me to breathe more regularly and deeply throughout the day and I wear my cpap at night to ensure I don’t hold my breath. You can die if your heart stops because you are not breathing enough oxygen and your heart does not have enough oxygen to function properly. Sleep apnea is no joke and needs to be treated with cpap to prevent early death and damage to heart, kidneys, lungs, brain, etc.

Here is what AI recommends:
“ Experiencing shortness of breath and a racing heart at night after recovering from COVID-19 can be concerning and may be related to several factors. Here are some potential explanations and considerations:
1. Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC)
Also known as "long COVID," some individuals experience lingering symptoms after the acute phase of COVID-19. These can include respiratory issues, fatigue, and cardiovascular symptoms like palpitations.
2. Anxiety and Stress
The experience of having COVID-19 and the ongoing concerns about health can lead to anxiety, which may manifest as shortness of breath and a racing heart, especially at night when the body is at rest.
3. Respiratory Issues
COVID-19 can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs, leading to ongoing respiratory symptoms. This may result in difficulty breathing, especially when lying down.
4. Cardiovascular Effects
COVID-19 can affect the heart and cardiovascular system, potentially leading to conditions such as myocarditis or pericarditis. This can cause symptoms like palpitations and shortness of breath.
5. Sleep Apnea or Other Sleep Disorders
If you have developed sleep apnea or another sleep disorder post-COVID, this could contribute to nighttime shortness of breath and heart racing.
6. Deconditioning
Prolonged illness can lead to physical deconditioning, which may result in increased heart rate and shortness of breath during normal activities, including at night.
Recommendations
Consult a Healthcare Provider: It's essential to discuss your symptoms with a healthcare professional, especially if they are persistent or worsening. They may recommend tests such as a chest X-ray, echocardiogram, or pulmonary function tests to assess your condition.
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of when your symptoms occur, their severity, and any potential triggers. This information can be helpful for your healthcare provider.
Manage Anxiety: If anxiety is a contributing factor, consider techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or speaking with a mental health professional.
Lifestyle Modifications: Ensure you are engaging in light physical activity as tolerated, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting adequate rest.
Follow-Up Care: If you have had significant respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms during or after COVID-19, follow-up care with specialists (like a pulmonologist or cardiologist) may be beneficial.
Conclusion
While experiencing shortness of breath and a racing heart can be distressing, it is important to seek medical advice to determine the underlying cause and appropriate management. Early intervention can help address these symptoms and improve your overall well-being.”

Jump to this post

AI doesn’t seem to have picked up many LC sufferers have symptoms like mine ( high BP at rest but ‘postural hypotension, not Pots’, random high HR, breathlessness etc etc) without having heart or lung conditions as shown on scans/xrays, echocardiograms etc etc. I tried early intervention 5 years ago ending up on 5 different antihypertensives, full syncope and a completely useless Breathing course. I have tried lots of self help supplements and tips, and started swimming 26 months ago (50 mins 5 x a week) to do something about potential deconditioning, but still can’t stand /walk few a few minutes, never mind hobbies like cooking or gardening!