When to accept permanent long covid?

All I can say is don't give up. My daughter finally recovered completely from CFS after 18 years! At about 15 years she was able to start work half time in a quiet low key office. Little by little she improved and went back to get a MS degree. Now, some 20 years after recovering, she had hiked the Pacific Crest Trail through the state of Washington, 268 miles. She regularly walks up to 6 miles. She was able to get a full time job and rose to be a very responsible adult in every way imaginable. The only change she has found is she is now allergic to several common foods. You might work with a nutritionist or naturopath to check that out. Again, Don't Give Up! You can't predict what your body will do, just as you couldn't predict how your body would respond to COVID. Take good care of yourself and let your body heal.

I've wondered the same since so much of the research written says 1-2 years and yours, much longer than my 2 years has to be so challenging. (Mine adds symptoms - over time - and becomes more debilitating.)

I think they do not know. I use a google alert for both some of the symptoms + Long COVID or other like term and find so many medical research that differs.

At "just" 5 years of the virus (which continues to mutate and infect) and now, especially in the US with funding dollars cut, we never know enough. I see so many long covid practices within teaching hospitals closing which does us no good nor for those who are still getting sick.

For now, because some treatments work for some and not all, some activities like yours triggers another round, or some, like mine, appear out of nowhere or so it seems.

On some days I am resigned to this for the rest of my life which at now 78 (and having just ended my consulting practice because of LC) may be lessened yet, each day I try so hard to be the me I was BC - before COVID.

To us all and to those who care to support us and the doctors who are committed to finding funds to continue research, hope.

JE

I’ve had LC since February of 2021. The PEM is what I hate the most. I can’t ever predict perfectly when too much physical effort is too much (or too much excitement) and get smacked down over and over.

Finally feeling like my old self. In my 5th year of long COVID. Dr. Jordan Vaughn in Birmingham has a treatment that is working for me. I began the treatment in July, 2024. Check it out!