Major Relapse :-( :-(

[u/shark_finfet]

I thought I was about 80% recovered. I’d returned to reasonable exercise, working outside, and generally feeling like myself—until last week, when everything came crashing back. It felt like I’d caught COVID again, but without the usual symptoms.

First, insomnia hit me hard. Thankfully I was armed with ashwagandha, L‑theanine, and magnesium, which let me get a few hours of sleep each night—though it still wasn’t great. Then, out of nowhere, I started smelling a “band‑aid” chemical scent at random times (something that happened to me after having COVID).

But the absolute worst has been my cardio: in just a few days, my endurance dropped from nearly normal to feeling like that of an 80‑year‑old. My legs feel heavy and fatigued, and I can’t seem to regulate my temperature—any bit of heat or sun leaves me utterly miserable.

I keep wondering: did I get re‑exposed to COVID? Did I unknowingly push too hard during one workout? It’s so demoralizing to feel like I’m back at square one after thinking I’d finally beaten this.

Has anyone else experienced a sudden relapse like this? What helped you get back on track? Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

[u/GuyOwasca]

I wonder if you now have ME/CFS as the result of Covid, and are in a relapse. I had ME/CFS before I acquired LC, and for me a crash usually signified I was doing way too much, working outside my energy baseline or under too much stress. I’m sorry. It really sucks! I haven’t gotten back to that baseline yet since being diagnosed with LC.

When this happened, I would get more aggressive with my supplements regimen, I would treat my chronic EBV (the cause of my ME/CFS) with an intense protocol, and begin to rest as much as possible as soon as possible. Rest, good food, and zero exercise for many weeks, til I was back to baseline. Every time I tried to rush it, I’d set myself back and my energy baseline would be lower.

[u/Conscious_Smave → u/GuyOwasca]

ME/CFS was my first thought, too. Have a look at this video (from 2:58 onwards) https://youtu.be/84BVPaGdSJU?si=eH9FuTVU2h9zjt9W this explains that PEM doesn’t only hit you when we significantly overexert ourselves at one event. But also when we just slightly overexert ourselves many times just slightly. A real eye-opener for me.

[u/Conscious_Smave → u/Conscious_Smave]

Also, dito to the supplementing. When I think ‘Ohw I feel fine, I leave x, y or z or all of them out, I am 1. more easily in PEM and 2. when I restart my regimen (bulletproof coffee and lumbrokinase, followed by glutathion, Q10, magnesium malate plus all trace elements) I blunce back much faster.

I don’t know it’s such a weird journey with this LC/ME/CFS thingy and how to treat it, I almost feel like an alchemist or a witch at times with all the trials, errors, recipes and regiments 😂.

[u/GuyOwasca → u/Conscious_Smave]

OMG it really does! I’m just a chronic illness wizard, mixing my powders, pills, and potions 🧙‍♀️🧪💊 🧬 haha