5 ms·

The last para suggests that this is not reversible. But does anyone have any treatment options or supplements/nootropics to recommend?

firecall 3y ago
Long Walks, Sleep, Ritalin :-)
- sa-code 3y ago
  Long walks and Ritalin can trigger PEM so I would be careful with those, for anyone reading
  - fgkramer 3y ago
    What’s PEM?
    - npunt 3y ago
      PEM is post-exertional malaise, the hallmark symptom of mecfs and some portion of what we call long covid. It's brutal, trying to push through it can lead to permanent worsening of symptom severity.
      - deleted 3y ago
        [deleted]
    - deleted 3y ago
      [deleted]
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
- ljf 3y ago
  While my wife would love nothing more than long walks, her long covid still stops her from exercising - before covid she was down the gym 5 days a week and loves being outdoors. There can be mitochondrial damage in some LC patients which will stop them being able to release energy the way they used to. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240104/Study-identifies-mitochondrial-dysfunction-as-cause-of-long-COVID-fatigue.aspx https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240104/Study-identifies-...
- hollerith 3y ago
  Most experts on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) would advise most CFS sufferers to avoid stimulants because they tend to make the fatigue worse (once the stimulant effects wear off). And that has been my experience.
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
fragmede 3y ago
TMS, tdcs, Ritalin, abilfy, lamotrigine, ketamihe, b6, B12, egcg
sa-code 3y ago
This is a bit out there but I read some books on polyvagal theory that suggested I could induce the "rest & digest" state by leaning into and completing the "fight or flight" and "shutdown" states. There are many nervous system calming techniques that help e.g. rubbing my coat hanger area (if you draw a coat hanger between your neck and shoulders on the front & back), chanting om or making sighing noises, and taking long hot showers to name a few Yoga nidra (sleep meditation) has been quite helpful. What really helped is also performing nervous system calming techniques not only at rest, but slowly when I walk around as well when I was able. Got the idea from Becca Kennedy who just posted this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZFtWx1YvM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZFtWx1YvM The downside is that a lot of people are out to take your money when you read about this. I'm skeptical of brain retaining courses. I trust Deb Dana's books
- algorias 3y ago
  Calming the sympathicus is one of the very few things that somewhat works for me. It helps to relax and get good sleep. One technique I'll add to the list: skin massage (literally pinching it with your fingers) around the sympathicus area: along the lower ribs, up the sternum and into a V-shape around the neck (roughly following the collarbones). The nerve endings on the skin literally stimulate the sympathetic system, allowing it to "reset". I don't know the exact mechanism, but I can vouch for it actually working.
  - sa-code 3y ago
    That's really interesting. Did you learn about this somewhere or was it more by yourself?
    - algorias 3y ago
      I learned about it from a physical therapist. This seems to be old knowledge that was somewhat widespread (in the german-speaking world at least), then discredited in modernity as medicine was looking to be more evidence-based, and is now making a slow comeback. NB: I have nothing against evidence-based medicine. But our bodies are much weirder than the high modernists were willing to admit.
A_D_E_P_T 3y ago
Vinpocetine is known to increase bloodflow to the brain, and it possesses neuroprotective effects. "Vinpocetine, a derivative of the alkaloid vincamine, has been clinically used in many countries for treatment of cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke and dementia for more than 30 years. Currently, vinpocetine is also available in the market as a dietary supplement to enhance cognition and memory..." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5766389/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5766389/
webworker 3y ago
I'm using something called "Sharpmind - Brain Formula" by Solaray. I don't have an hard-evidence that the ingredients are working against this particular issue, but I can say that it has made me feel a lot better/more present in my mind than I ever was post-infection. I have recommended it to a few others, one of which who has actually tried it and seems to feel similar to me about its effects.
andrius4669 3y ago
NMN

firecall 3y ago

Long Walks, Sleep, Ritalin :-)

sa-code 3y ago
Long walks and Ritalin can trigger PEM so I would be careful with those, for anyone reading
- fgkramer 3y ago
  What’s PEM?
  - npunt 3y ago
    PEM is post-exertional malaise, the hallmark symptom of mecfs and some portion of what we call long covid. It's brutal, trying to push through it can lead to permanent worsening of symptom severity.
    - deleted 3y ago
      [deleted]
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
ljf 3y ago
While my wife would love nothing more than long walks, her long covid still stops her from exercising - before covid she was down the gym 5 days a week and loves being outdoors. There can be mitochondrial damage in some LC patients which will stop them being able to release energy the way they used to. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240104/Study-identifies-mitochondrial-dysfunction-as-cause-of-long-COVID-fatigue.aspx https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240104/Study-identifies-...
hollerith 3y ago
Most experts on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) would advise most CFS sufferers to avoid stimulants because they tend to make the fatigue worse (once the stimulant effects wear off). And that has been my experience.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]

fragmede 3y ago

TMS, tdcs, Ritalin, abilfy, lamotrigine, ketamihe, b6, B12, egcg

sa-code 3y ago

This is a bit out there but I read some books on polyvagal theory that suggested I could induce the "rest & digest" state by leaning into and completing the "fight or flight" and "shutdown" states. There are many nervous system calming techniques that help e.g. rubbing my coat hanger area (if you draw a coat hanger between your neck and shoulders on the front & back), chanting om or making sighing noises, and taking long hot showers to name a few Yoga nidra (sleep meditation) has been quite helpful. What really helped is also performing nervous system calming techniques not only at rest, but slowly when I walk around as well when I was able. Got the idea from Becca Kennedy who just posted this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZFtWx1YvM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZFtWx1YvM The downside is that a lot of people are out to take your money when you read about this. I'm skeptical of brain retaining courses. I trust Deb Dana's books

algorias 3y ago
Calming the sympathicus is one of the very few things that somewhat works for me. It helps to relax and get good sleep. One technique I'll add to the list: skin massage (literally pinching it with your fingers) around the sympathicus area: along the lower ribs, up the sternum and into a V-shape around the neck (roughly following the collarbones). The nerve endings on the skin literally stimulate the sympathetic system, allowing it to "reset". I don't know the exact mechanism, but I can vouch for it actually working.
- sa-code 3y ago
  That's really interesting. Did you learn about this somewhere or was it more by yourself?
  - algorias 3y ago
    I learned about it from a physical therapist. This seems to be old knowledge that was somewhat widespread (in the german-speaking world at least), then discredited in modernity as medicine was looking to be more evidence-based, and is now making a slow comeback. NB: I have nothing against evidence-based medicine. But our bodies are much weirder than the high modernists were willing to admit.

A_D_E_P_T 3y ago

Vinpocetine is known to increase bloodflow to the brain, and it possesses neuroprotective effects. "Vinpocetine, a derivative of the alkaloid vincamine, has been clinically used in many countries for treatment of cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke and dementia for more than 30 years. Currently, vinpocetine is also available in the market as a dietary supplement to enhance cognition and memory..." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5766389/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5766389/

webworker 3y ago

I'm using something called "Sharpmind - Brain Formula" by Solaray. I don't have an hard-evidence that the ingredients are working against this particular issue, but I can say that it has made me feel a lot better/more present in my mind than I ever was post-infection. I have recommended it to a few others, one of which who has actually tried it and seems to feel similar to me about its effects.

andrius4669 3y ago

NMN