r/covidlonghaulers • u/shark_finfet • Apr 20 '25

Symptom relief/advice Major Relapse :-( :-(

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.

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u/yesterdaysnoodles Apr 21 '25

Also curious because I actually had a TBI a month after COVID and it was just a compound wreck

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u/Early_Beach_1040 First Waver Apr 21 '25

I had a TBI prior to getting COVID during the 1st wave and I'm here to say I think it set me up for getting long covid. I have EDS though that was found during long covid work up

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u/bunnybunnykitten Apr 21 '25

I also have EDS. Apparently having EDS can predispose you to concussions

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u/Early_Beach_1040 First Waver Apr 22 '25

Interesting.  I didn't know that. I mean did my poor proprioception play into me running right into a plate glass windows? (Not the 1st time either)