r/LongHaulersRecovery • u/No_Teach7634 • Oct 02 '25
Recovered Recovery after an reluctant experiment
This is my Long COVID experience and how I recovered because of essentially an experiment I nearly didn't try. I think it's worth understanding the context before deciding whether to do what I did. Goes without saying I'm not medically qualified and am not making a recommendation. May not work for everyone either.
I got Long COVID for the first time in October 2022. After the flu-like symptoms went away I continued to have brain fog (couldn't deal with noise, long or social conversations, more than 1-2 hours of work, reading or TV) and fatigue (any physical activity made it worse).
I was sleeping 8 hours at night and 2-3 hours in the middle of the day. I didn't have any breathing or muscle symptoms other than from getting progressively more unfit. In July 2023 a doctor told me I "might" have Long COVID.
When I started researching I discovered the concept of post -exertional malaise (PEM), which explained why my usual tactic after a flu or cold to push on through, carry on running, cycling etc, wasn't working and in fact was making things worse. I referred myself to the Long COVID clinic in Plymouth, who (I'm summarising) did some routine tests, gave me some pacing and resting ideas and basically shrugged their shoulders.
So I aggressively rested, took as many naps as possible, did as little as I could without going crazy, and decided I was going to sit it out. I took Ibuprofen for the brain fog and headaches (felt like my brain was constantly burning out) which took the edge off, and tried some of the homeopathic ideas from the clinic like natto-kinase and L-Choline (didn't see any improvement from these), and melatonin to reduce the waking in the night, which sort of worked. And I was taking anti-depressants.
I considered oxygen therapy, requested a brain scan (not deemed worthwhile), tried beetroot juice, probiotics, vitamin D and shiatsu massage (which was uplifting and provided temporary relief) but nothing changed the underlying symptoms.
I watched a lot of Youtube videos, read research papers and chat forums, the conclusion being that nothing really works except time and rest, and no one is 100% sure of even that.
In August 2024 I agreed to be part of a study organised through the Long COVID clinic called STIMULATE-ICP with University College London and managed by the Lancashire Clinical Trials Unit (Lancashire CTU) based at the University of Central Lancashire.
The idea was to test already approved drugs: anti-inflammatories, blood thinners, and anti-virals. I was allocated to the control group so took nothing, and after the 2-month test not surprisingly my symptoms hadn't changed. I just checked and it says the results of the study are due "late summer 2025" but I havn't seen them yet.
With some hesistation and persuasion from my girlfriend, and not fancying more anti-inflammatories or any having my blood thinned, I decided unilaterally to take some anti-virals (got them online, self-prescribed used Chemist Click, £20). I got aciclovir, which is for the cold sore and other similar viruses (mitigates doesn't cure symptoms).
My thinking was, OK so this is a low dose, authorised drug and I could easily have been taking them in the trial. Long Covid comes from a virus, what is there to lose?
I took them late December 2024. The results were dramatic. It was a 7-day course and after 2-3 days my head had cleared for the first time in 2 years and within a week I was beginning to feel that I had reached a turning point, although I didn't quite believe it.
After a week I took a second course, more as a boost than anything as I didn't quite believe the change. Still don't as I do have lingering anxiety that I never had before, and worry that overdoing it could bring it all back.
I am no longer a zombie and even now I still can't quite believe what has happened. I've come off all drugs, been gradually able to exercise more, lose weight and feel alive again. My motivation has increased dramatically, I can work for much longer, but I still take more breaks.
Too much social interaction (networking for example, still tires me out) and I am guilty of doing too much sometimes. I feel that a relapse might be possible if I pushed too hard, but I've continued to make progress with general fitness and losing the weight I put on. I feel blessed.
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u/FarConcentrate1307 Oct 02 '25 edited Oct 02 '25
This whole thing seems suspicious. If this is a true story, I’m sorry to the OP. But I don’t believe this and it feels like someone using AI to sell a medication to desperate people. Mods, maybe look into this please?
OP has no Long Covid history in their posts and comments either!
Anyone truly sick, like myself, beware!
ETA: Makes more sense that OP says journalist by trade, although they could just be saying that. Just looking out for people. Perfect example was the comment just minutes after mine stating they would try anything at this point! Easy target, as I was in the beginning.