My recovery story

Hey everyone 💛 I just wanted to share some real hope. I spent most of 2023 to early 2024 dealing with brutal long COVID dysautonomia, constant chest pressure/pain, sleep disruptions, awful post exertional crashes, low blood pressure, palpitations, disorientation, dizziness, and that miserable wired but exhausted feeling. There were times I truly thought I was dying, and the fear was just as hard as the symptoms.

BUT… I’ve improved so much that I barely recognize that version of myself anymore.

For me, the biggest slow but steady game changer was consistent NAC. I took it daily for months (started around 2,000mg, now down to 1,000mg). It wasn’t instant, but over time it dramatically calmed inflammation, improved circulation, eased chest weirdness, and helped my autonomic system get out of constant fight or flight. I also noticed shorter crashes and less PEM over time.

Magnesium before bed has also been huge, especially for muscle tension, nerve calm, and sleep. On nights I forget it, my body definitely reminds me. Adding salty foods/electrolytes on flare days helped stabilize BP, especially when I had that “low pressure, woozy, noodle-limb” feeling. Warmth, rest, gentle pacing, and learning to listen to my limits all mattered too.

The biggest sign of healing for me is how rare symptoms have become. In 2023, everything was constant chest sensations, flares, sleep jolts, disorientation, triggers from exertion, altitude sensitivity. Now? They only show up occasionally when I push too hard or I’m dehydrated, and they resolve quickly with rest, vitamin D3+k2, occasional dewormer supplements (I know that’s strange but idk it works), and electrolytes. I even handled flying this summer without issues, which would have been impossible last year. Hiking is back in my life, somewhat, something that would’ve wrecked me before.

If you’re in the thick of this right now, I know how scary it feels. I know how isolating it is to have a body doing bizarre things that doctors can’t fully explain. But I really want to say this clearly: my symptoms have faded dramatically, and I’m still trending better every month. Dysautonomia symptoms from long COVID absolutely can improve.

For me, the milestones were small and subtle: shorter flares, fewer triggers, less intensity, and more “normal” days strung together. And eventually one day I realized I wasn’t living in survival mode anymore. I was just… living.

If you’re still in the dark part of it, please hold on. There really is a path forward, and healing can happen slowly and quietly in the background even when you can’t feel it yet. I wish I could bottle my relief and hand it to everyone here. Just know: improvement is possible and I’m proof. 💛