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The original was posted on /r/covidlonghaulers by /u/redditryan13 on 2023-09-07 22:30:43.

Hi all -

First my question - does anyone else feel like they experience time differently than normal? Like second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour? I never just look at my watch and go “wow, 2 hours have gone by.” Maybe this is just PTSD from dealing with LC for 2+ years. But wondering if it’s somehow part of the cognitive issues, and I can no longer just “relax” and let time pass as it normally would. My kids just went back to school, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. feels like an ETERNITY. Even if I’m working or doing something, it doesn’t matter. I can’t get rid of that sense of impending DOOM and waiting for a bomb to go off or something. Maybe it’s PTSD?

A little about me and a current update. I have both Long Vax (10/21 after Pfizer booster) and Long Covid (5/22), have posted several times, been unemployed since 2/22. But I am happy to report I’m doing MUCH better. I’ve read people say the 12-18 mos mark is a key point where you know if you’re going to get better (or not) and I can attest that it was right around 14 mos post my Covid infection that I really felt “ok” for the first time. I do think both Natto-Serra and B3 (Thorne Nicotinamide Riboside - high dose) have played a part in my recovery, but I’ve also read MANY recovery stories where people say it was ultimately just TIME that they believe was the key. I think that might be true. I’ve gone through dozens of supplements, but would say Natto and B3 are the two that made a noticeable difference. A gluten/dairy free diet and taking antihistamines helped me a ton as well (especially early on with the antihistamines). It’s still too soon for me to post any sort of “recovery” story. I still don’t feel like my “old” self, but I would say the majority of my horrible symptoms have largely gone away (heart palpitations, skipped beats, dizziness, low energy, concentration/memory issues, etc). Still dealing with HPB, tinnitus, and executive functioning issues. But I can do Wordl again. :-), can read, can do some limited work, and can exercise without relapsing. So for those of you who are losing hope, I hope my good news gives you hope.

One interesting thing just happened that’s worth noting. My wife, who somehow avoided getting Covid for 3 years despite myself and my two kids all having it in April 2022 - finally got Covid last week (there’s clearly a major surge going on). And she got it pretty BAD. 103.7 fever for a night, fever for 5+ days, pretty bad cough, congestion, and fatigue/digestive issues. I was 100% exposed (slept in same bed the night she had the high fever because she hadn’t tested positive). She’s on day 10 and just about over it (still testing positive but very faint). I didn’t get it, my son (17) didn’t get it, but my daughter (10) DID (fever for 48 hours), though never tested positive. Guessing she didn’t mount as big of an antibody response given she’s younger.

What I find most fascinating is – about 7-10 days before my daughter got the fever (2 days before my wife) – my tinnitus, which I’ve had for 2 years now but has been tolerable, started RAGING. And I mean RAGING!!! Both ears, 24/7, LOUD. This was BEFORE anyone got sick. So my theory is I was exposed to it (either from them or i gave it TO them), but somehow fought it off before getting sick. Tinnitus was my FIRST Long Vax symptom, so it’s almost become my “canary in the covid coal mine”. It lets me know if I’ve been exposed. I’m wondering if having LC gives you even MORE antibodies than most, if you believe the viral reservoir theory.

I look forward to the day I can post a full recovery story, but I can attest to the fact that this DOES improve, just brutally slowly, and supplements DO seem to help.

Thanks to anyone who might have thoughts on my TIME question. I wish I could just enjoy a day again, and stop counting the seconds ;-)