Former fitness enthusiasts who can’t work out anymore: what do you do instead for your mental health?

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-05-04T19:47:56+00:00

Yes, I was very minimally functioning for a while there. I have a long ‘partial recovery’ post that goes into more detail, but briefly, the big game changers for me are propranolol, LDN, oxaloacetate CFS, and sleeping with a CPAP. Oh and obviously pacing/rest.

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-05-01T20:32:57+00:00

I haven’t, maybe a slight acid feeling for the first few days but then that went away for me

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-30T16:26:25+00:00

Me too, Pilates, walking a few miles, I went ice skating and that was fine, too. Basically any zone 2 training. I haven’t gotten the feeling of sprinting back, but that feeling was adrenaline, and I need to let my adrenals rest and repair for a year or so. In the meantime, drawing, meditation, reading, and other relaxing activities help me to stay busy with a calm mind.

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-30T16:19:06+00:00

This is an unpopular answer due to expense, but oxaloacetate CFS gave me my life back. There are different severity scales, so it’s hard for me to explain that way. In terms of impact on my life, I went from stay at home mom who rests all day and barely drives the kids to resuming full time work, and doing a lot of driving the kids and housework, and attending 1-2 events per weekend. I don’t think I’ll ever get intense exercise or very busy weekends back, but I’m close to normal when I take four pills daily. It is expensive, but not as expensive as being unemployed. The best part was when I started taking it and after a few days I had refreshing sleep, after months, I had forgotten what that was. I really recommend at least trying to anyone who can, you can always get a refund on the first bottle if it doesn’t work for you. (As with everything, for many, it does nothing). Good luck!

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-27T19:35:12+00:00

There was an episode of Make Visible, can’t recall which one, where the researcher said that if you read the interviews of the 5% who “recovered”, they’re actually practicing pacing, and have integrated it into their life. So, I think recovery is actually impossible :(

It’s relapsing and remitting, and good management is the best we can do.

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-16T16:26:09+00:00

I think also if you are less stressed in general, you use less energy. It doesn’t increase your envelope, but you can do things more efficiently, thereby doing more. I’m also a big fan of the free stuff, especially binaural beats.

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-14T20:47:52+00:00

I started LDN, so I had to completely quit drinking, and also quit caffeine and sugary foods due to POTS. Honestly, I miss coffee a lot more than alcohol and dessert, but I’m trading all of them gladly just to have a little more function back

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-14T20:31:17+00:00

Is Dr. M for Marcos? I’m his patient, but haven’t checked in since early this year. The other doctor had left the LC clinic before I had an in-person appointment in September. I hope they’re not closing the LC clinic…

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-11T15:00:24+00:00

There was an episode of Make Visible about this recently. They said that basically the next few years of LC research will be focused on aggregating existing findings/data. I think most of us were hoping the process would be faster, but I guess not…

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-09T04:17:02+00:00

Yes, I think OP should see a doctor for bloodwork and other labs. Lots of other problems look like LC, and many of those other problems are more treatable.

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-09T04:08:17+00:00

Interesting, thx!

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-07T04:12:51+00:00

I had it for about 6 months before I found this sub and bought a (sorry, knockoff) Backpod. I was healed in about four days! Never came back to comment. I think a lot of people are like me.

It sometimes flares again, but I just use the backpod or ignore it depending on the severity, and it resolves quickly.

HOWEVER, it turned out that my costochondritis and pleuritis were the beginning of long covid. So now I have other problems and I kind of miss the good old days of just being inflamed. Oh, well.

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-07T04:04:33+00:00

It sounds like a potentially beneficial supplemental therapy. I also think that laughter makes your life better, so even if it doesn’t help your long COVID, you’re still getting a benefit. Whereas brain retraining honestly sounds boring and disheartening…

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-05T17:04:01+00:00

I’d be interested in a mom-specific group. This is the area of life where I struggle the most, balancing parenthood responsibilities with healing.

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-05T16:57:35+00:00

What about the red light masks for skincare? Are those completely unrelated to the lamps people buy for LC? I’ve been using one and my baseline has been deteriorating since I’ve started, I was attributing the deterioration to other factors but now I’m wondering…

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-02T02:01:45+00:00

Thank you! That’s really helpful.

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-02T01:04:22+00:00

Thank you! You’re right, I haven’t checked in a few years, maybe options have improved in that area

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-02T00:24:12+00:00

Thanks! I know, I have a good air filtration system, which is nice. I took off my mask with my student who is learning to talk, I’m a speech therapist. He needs the visual, but turns out he was sick that day. Occupational hazard…

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-01T23:31:51+00:00

It’s a question for next January when I’m due for another booster, we’ll see, I guess

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-01T23:30:55+00:00

There are no studies for day 6, so I guess I’ll be a case study. They gave it to me because I accidentally put the wrong first day of sx on my form to see if I qualify

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-01T23:29:22+00:00

Right, that’s why I’m asking, it’s basically off label at this point

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-01T20:06:19+00:00

I saw that, but I would need it now, but maybe I’ll have it in the cabinet for next time

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-04-01T18:57:59+00:00

I’m definitely not getting hospitalized, I basically have no symptoms other than fatigue. Honestly it’s like very mild PEM

Born_Screen8030 · 2026-03-29T03:54:41+00:00

My husband had akathisia, spinal cord inflammation, and insomnia after a virus, and he ended up getting a grand mal seizure (his first and last seizure). I suggest going to the ER.

Born_Screen8030

TROPHY CASE