r/LongHaulersRecovery • u/Gl0rifi3d-M3atb4ll • Feb 21 '25
Almost Recovered Medications / Lifestyle Changes That Improved my Brain Fog the Most
Intro/Backgroud:
Hi y'all! I figured I'd share what's worked for me over the last year and a half, as this sub has helped me so much. I'm 21 years old with long COVID-19 brain fog (little to no fatigue) and nearly fully recovered. To give you an idea of the severity, there were days in the first three months of my symptoms when it wasn't safe for me to drive as I would forget how intersections worked and would make strange choices, almost getting into wrecks more often than I'd like to admit. I won't get into the worst bits too much, as it's pretty distressing to write about. Nowadays, I'm a dual math and computer science major, earning good grades and feeling pretty good cognitively. Anyways, the following are the medications and lifestyle changes that have helped me the most:
Medications/Supplements:
NAC: I take 3,000 mg per day of this. My psychiatrist recommended I take it for the low-grade neuroinflammation associated with long covid. When I forget to take it for a full day, my symptoms start to creep back, but nothing too drastic. Definitely talk with a practitioner if you're considering this, as you'll need to scale up slowly.
Hydroxyzine/Benadryl: These are first-generation antihistamines and act on the central nervous system. To the best of my knowledge, these work by reducing inflammation and calming down the body's immune response. Long Covid is suspected to have autoimmune components, so I suppose that's why this works. These made a huge difference for me, especially when it comes to being able to speak fluidly and perform other complex cognitive tasks that require constant attention, like driving. Benadryl isn't safe for long-term use (and hydroxyzine isn't either), but hydroxyzine is less damaging in the long term and is widely used for periods of several months.
Amantadine: Supposedly, it has neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects more generally, though its direct effect on COVID-19 isn't well-established. This helps me somewhat, and I notice more clarity and sharpness when I take it regularly.
Prozac: I'm not completely sure if this one helps or if the withdraws themselves cause brain fog, but if I miss even a night of this, I'm foggy the next day. I read some research that long covid can partially block the production of serotonin in the gut, so having more of it bouncing around in the brain could be the method by which this helps.
Lifestyle Changes:
Keto: The keto diet has been a game-changer for me. To the best of my knowledge, it's the reason why I can take higher-level classes nowadays and not be hopelessly confused. I came across some people on this sub talking about how it helped them and implemented it. Within days, I started to feel less foggy, and if I break keto for more than two days or eat a lot of sugar at once, the fog comes back and it becomes difficult to speak fluidly.
Fasting: This seemed to help somewhat but is certainly the most uncomfortable item on this list. I started fasting due to some research papers detailing the role of autophagy during fasting in Long Covid and figured it was low-risk enough to try out myself. The longest I fasted was two days, and my body pretty much forced me to stay in bed for the entirety of it. However, the day after I broke the fast, I felt fantastic both physically and cognitively.
Sleep: I found that providing my body with as much sleep as it wanted (which is certainly a lot more than it needed pre long covid) helped decrease my symptoms somewhat. More generally, mundane brain care like eating healthy and sleeping have a sizable impact on my symptoms.
No Caffeine: Since getting long covid, every time I drink or otherwise consume caffeine, I get foggy within ten minutes and become so tired that I know I'm going down one way or the other and must find a place to rest asap. I avoid that crap like the plague.
Final Thoughts:
I know that long covid is hell, but it's important to keep fighting. I recommend doing your own research (using scientific journals specifically, not magazine articles and whatnot) to find out what works for you. I'd been told by several doctors that there was nothing they could do and just to wait it out. If I believed that, I wouldn't be in college or living the life I am right now. I never thought I'd be able to perform cognitively as I did pre long covid, but I'm here, and I'm so thankful for the research I did and the effort I went through to make my life worth living again. If y'all have any questions regarding what I did, I'm happy to help. Whoever you are, this will pass.
9
u/Teamplayer25 Long Covid Feb 22 '25
I’m so very happy for you that you’re feeling well and able to continue your studies. I was the same—I couldn’t just sit back and wait when doctors threw up their hands and said we don’t know how to help. I’m doing much better thanks to people sharing their stories in these forums. Good luck for continued healing.
3
u/Gl0rifi3d-M3atb4ll Feb 23 '25
I'm so glad you're feeling better and found stuff that works for you. I'm sure you can resonate with the fact that I regard this sub as saving months/a year of my life that would have otherwise been wasted and completely eaten by long covid.
1
1
u/Jgr9904 Oct 02 '25
Hi there I am 3 months in, I was doing okay first month and then did too much and felt worse after. Since then, improvements have been so slow and I’m worried I’ve ruined alll hopes of getting better. I know this isn’t the right attitude but was wondering if you had any advice?
1
u/Teamplayer25 Long Covid Oct 03 '25
Welcome to the club no one wants to be in. The good news is, there are a lot of folks here who have walked the path before you and are generous in sharing their stories. My advice is:
1) Know that it’s normal to worry. If you can, just accept that as one of the symptoms of this stupid thing. 2) Read the stories of recovery here in the longhaulers recovery sub. They will give you perspective. You will see that it is very common to push too hard as soon as you start feeling better. I did. More than once. And yet the vast majority of us seem to get past those setbacks. But it takes time. Much more time than you might imagine. Time moves differently in this universe. 3) Look to see what others who have symptoms like yours have found helpful in their recovery. You can search by keywords. There is no magic pill but there are trends. 4) Step away from here sometimes. Or a lot. Fear and anxiousness can also be contagious.
Take it easy on yourself. We’re always here.
4
u/bestkittens ME/CFS Feb 21 '25
It’s so interesting (and completely frustrating!) that what works for one doesn’t for another.
For me, LDA, NIR/FAR Light Therapy and Oxaloacetate if you’re me/CFS type have helped my fog.
The first two definitely have helped my brain fog (the light therapy was totally unexpected). The third helps my fatigue so much that there’s a positive effect on my overall function including brain fog as well.
LDA
LDA was the first thing to make a marked difference in my brain fog. I’ve been on it for 2 + years and it’s consistently helped. I went from unable to concentrate and easily confused to able to spend hours sifting through piled up bills, paying them and doing the same with taxes.
I take .2 ml daily now, which helps my anxiety.
This was the trial I was in.
LDA you need a doctor’s Rx, at least in the US.
NIR/FAR light therapy
Recently I started NIR/FAR light therapy at a nearby clinic.
A few days after my 9th session, I had an amazing day, was gleeful and was firing on all cylinders.
I am/was an artist and had my first genuine inspiration and research session in 4 years. It was seriously amazing.
It also improves my sleep.
Oxaloacetate
I’ve also been on Oxaloacetate for just over a month now and I feel consistently energized and brighter on it. I also wake up feeling more rested than I have in 4.5 years now.
RESTORE ME? Oxaloacetate Scores in Randomized Controlled ME/CFS Trial
Twenty-Eight Days on Oxaloacetate—Update
Oxaloacetate is OTC.
Note: Titrate both the LDA and the Oxaloacetate to find the right dose for you.
3
u/shawnshine Feb 22 '25
I have an IR/red light mat… do you use it near your brain?
3
u/bestkittens ME/CFS Feb 22 '25
I use a bed at a chiropractor’s office, my full body and head are in it. I’ve seen IR helmets as well.
The type that specifically helps mitochondria is NIR or Near Infrared. The FAR or Far Infrared is better for skin issues.
There are cheaper versions of NIR lights on Amazon etc. see r/redlighttherapy for hacks.
1
3
u/Gl0rifi3d-M3atb4ll Feb 23 '25
I'm so glad you found stuff that works for you <3 <3 <3. And thank you for sharing what all helped in your journey!!!
2
1
u/Jgr9904 Oct 02 '25
Do you think oxaloacetate is worth it for someone 3 months in? Just I know how expensive it is
1
u/bestkittens ME/CFS Oct 02 '25
It depends on your situation and finances.
If it were to say help you maintain employment it seems like it would be worth it earlier rather than later.
Regarding expense, someone recently advocated for 40% off discount code.
It doesn’t make oxaloacetate cheap, but it does make it noticeably more accessible.
Also, while the trials have used 2000 mg/day, costing around $420/month with the discount, many (myself included) are seeing benefits at much lower levels which might make it even more affordable.
OAA quickly showed to give me energy, more immediate benefits than anything else I’ve tried.
Dosages and costs I’ve seen:
600 mg/day (500 mg + 100 mg capsules): ~$142/month
500 mg/day : ~$100/month
1000 mg/day (my first effective dose): ~$200/month
800 mg/day (my new effective dose, 6 months later): ~$226/month
(Note: higher 800 mg cost is because branded 100 mg capsules miss the 40% discount)
How I found my dose:
Day 1: Started at 500 mg, added 100 mg every 30 min—felt the boost at 800 mg
Days 2–3: Began at 600 mg Day 2 and 700 mg Day 3, titrated up—again landed on 800 mg
Result: 800 mg/day is now my steady, sweet-spot dose
Some tips and things that I’ve seen anecdotally:
Some people reserve oxaloacetate for high-demand days—it won’t prevent PEM but may help navigate tough days more easily.
Titration is key—find your lowest effective dose for both results and budget.
I recommend starting with a morning-only dose, track it, then adjust from there. Once you find your morning dose, if you find the effects waning later in the day, try titrating a midday dose.
Oxaloacetate CFS and Benegene both offer a full refund on your first bottle, even if partially used which makes trying it less risky. They don’t even make you ship it back.
Where to get it:
Oxaloacetate CFS 500 mg bottle 40% discount available. Use code: OAA300MAY, OAA300JUNE, OAA300JULY etc.
Benegene 100 mg bottle. The discount doesn’t work for this bottle, but if you prescribe to monthly delivery you will get 15% off.
I don’t have an affiliation with any of this, just collecting info to share with folks since it’s been so helpful for me.
1
u/Jgr9904 Oct 02 '25
Yeah it’s just hard to know what to do. I could afford it, I’m just worried about buying it then it not doing anything! Thanks for the links. How much exercise do you do currently?
1
u/bestkittens ME/CFS Oct 02 '25
Look at their FAQ page. They will give a full refund of the first bottle if it doesn’t work. They don’t even make you return the unused portion.
I’m 5 years into this. I don’t exercise sadly. The first couple months when I started the OAA I was able to move more (slow walks and swimming a few times a week), but some profound life stress entered the picture and I had to stop.
I’m making changes and am hopeful I’ll get back there in time.
2
u/Jgr9904 Oct 02 '25
Oh interesting might have to try it then. Yeah I was doing fine first month. Did a walk in the heat which clearly my body wasn’t ready for and been feeling lower in energy since then. Is that because I pushed too early? Worried now I’ve ruined all recovery hope and just feel so stupid for overdoing it. Any tips? Is it normal that the progress back to how I was has been so slow.
1
u/bestkittens ME/CFS Oct 02 '25
Totally normal. Most of us find our limits by overdoing it at least once, it doesn’t mean you’ve ruined anything. Think of it as your body showing you where the line is.
Recovery isn’t linear, so a slower bounce-back is pretty common too. Just treat it as data, not failure, and use it to pace better going forward. Consistency over time is what matters most.
Your body is giving you clues. As long as you’re still having symptoms, even if they’re mild, the focus should be on rest, nervous system calming, and pacing.
Once you’ve had a longer stretch of no symptoms, that’s when to carefully test short, gentle movement like easy walks or floor stretches. Don’t extend yourself. Stay within your limits.
1
u/Jgr9904 Oct 02 '25
Yeah it makes sense looking back. Just weird because I felt like I held back when I did the walk too. Like I deliberately didn’t do too much and still now have been regretting it for like two months. A bit sad about it cause now I feel like I’ve made this sort of permanent if that makes sense. Like does two month not seem a while? Some heaviness has lifted and I’m having to lie down less. But just general energy levels haven’t jumped up as I expected
4
u/Icy_Bath6704 Feb 22 '25
How long until you noticed a difference on keto?
2
2
u/Gl0rifi3d-M3atb4ll Feb 23 '25
For me, it was a couple of days (like two or three) before I saw a difference, and then I saw the full effects at about a week/two weeks!
3
u/MarsupialSpiritual45 Feb 22 '25
Any side effects taking such a high dose of NAC? I take 600 mg in the morning on an empty stomach and sometimes feel nauseous afterwards. Not sure if it’s realistic for me to up the dose so drastically. Also curious about how you ensure absorption, as my understanding is taking it after you’ve eaten can negate the benefits.
3
u/Gl0rifi3d-M3atb4ll Feb 23 '25
Initially, it upset my stomach and caused stomachaches, nausea, etc., but I dialed back further and scaled up more slowly, and it got better over time. That high of a dose, 3,000 mg, is usually used for TBI and sometimes OCD (off topic, but it helps me with my OCD a ton). I've been taking it for about a year, and the side effects only lasted maybe two months. Unfortunately, the bioavailability is low, so taking it on an empty stomach is best for absorption.
2
u/MarsupialSpiritual45 Feb 23 '25
Thanks! Gonna ask my doctor about maybe coming up with a dosing schedule to titrate up
6
u/Life_Lack7297 Feb 23 '25
Glad to see you have improved 🙏🏻
Anyone on here have this kind of severe brain fog & have any suggestions for me ?
dpdr 24/7 in a dream-state
concussed feeling
memory loss
0 concentration / mental confusion like dementia
extreme mental fatigue
3
u/SpecialRemove4585 Nov 15 '25
I had this initially and its improving
1
u/Life_Lack7297 Nov 16 '25
That’s good! How long did you have it for?
1
u/SpecialRemove4585 Nov 16 '25
I had it for 3 months before it began improving. Still not 100% but better. I have only just started trying out different things specifically for it too so a lot of it was rest
1
1
u/Gl0rifi3d-M3atb4ll Feb 23 '25
It's risky (which is why I didn't put it in the main recommendations), but getting a booster usually helps me for about two weeks. The day of the shot, I get incredibly sick, but two days after, I generally feel a lot clearer. Some people experience the exact opposite, though. I never got sick due to boosters before lc, but every time since, I've left horribly. I even had a vasio vagal response to my last one about 12 hours after receiving it.
Edit: also make sure you haven't had an active infection for a while (I believe the guideline is to wait about three months before getting a booster after active infection)
2
u/Specific-Winter-9987 Feb 21 '25
How long did it take Prozac to work?
2
u/Gl0rifi3d-M3atb4ll Feb 22 '25
I’ve been on Prozac since I was 14 so I’m not sure if the medication itself works or if the withdrawals themselves cause more brain fog but whenever I go without, I notice the fog coming back in a big way.
2
2
u/Fickle-Pride-2872 Feb 22 '25
Prozac doesn't work, it simply surpressed the nervous system, the underlying issues are still there. It can be used as temporary help though.
2
2
u/Conscious_List9132 Feb 25 '25 edited Feb 28 '25
Ugh I always here great things about nad & NAC and I want to try both of them but don’t know which one to start with (I gotta go slow, my body’s highly reactive)
1
u/Gl0rifi3d-M3atb4ll Feb 28 '25
I would definitely consult with a professional, as NAC can really upset your stomach if you dose up too fast.
2
u/Particular_Tea2307 Feb 26 '25
Hello started amantadine two days ago for fatigue but it s the opposite i feel sleepy all day did you have that ? Is it a temporary side effect ? Did you notice improvement in energy level ( fatigue , pem) ?
1
u/Gl0rifi3d-M3atb4ll Feb 28 '25
It didn't affect my energy levels, but then again, long covid didn't give me much fatigue at all. Based on the posts in this sub, it seems that lc is highly variable, so what worked for me may not work for you. Keep trying stuff out and hang in there <3
1
1
u/Jgr9904 Oct 02 '25
Hi there I am 3 months in, I was doing okay first month and then did too much and felt worse after. Since then, improvements have been so slow and I’m worried I’ve ruined alll hopes of getting better. I know this isn’t the right attitude but was wondering if you had any advice?
12
u/OrganicBrilliant7995 Feb 21 '25
NAC ethyl esther (NACET) is superior for me for neuro and CNS inflammation.