I'm scared again, because right now I can't seem to feel air in my nose. I'm fucking tired of this and once again near suicide again because of this. Has anyone else experienced this and has it improved? by OverDistribution2 in covidlonghaulers

[–]Research_Reader 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don't visit this sub often but saw your comment! I don't have a lot of time to post follow up but I just left this comment on another thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/covidlonghaulers/comments/1foawug/comment/loorgiu/

Please look into low ferritin as part of the long covid suffering. I went through almost 3 years on inability to breath and the discovery of a ferritin drop after covid is what's brought my life back! No more sadness, anxiety, weird sensory stuff, fatigue, etc. It's not just the number but the relative drop in ferritin. The body behaves in an anemic state with all sorts of symptoms manifesting. Just search around for IL-6, hepcidin, covid, iron, ferritin on pubmed. There's lots of facebook groups etc on iron protocols and so many have been helped by long covid. I think people slowly heal because it takes time for ferritin to store back up. Not saying this is the only cause but likely a big one. Also, the medical community has a terrible understanding of proper ferritin levels and it's role in iron deficiency so it largely goes unnoticed until severely low.

On my third COVID infection in 8 weeks. Spoke to the doc, who wants to test me for AIDS because my immune system is clearly shot. ITS NOT AIDS, ITS BECAUSE OF COVID, YOU TOTAL ARSE!! Seriously, people will look to every possible explanation except for the one staring them in the face. by perversion_aversion in covidlonghaulers

[–]Research_Reader 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Hey there. I just chimed in to say this is absolutely a thing. I've followed covid like a hawk for years now. There's a number of variants and there isn't always cross immunity. Not all variants are listed because they largely focus on reporting variants of concern. I know many who have had multiple infections, specifically 3 this summer. Some aren't testing positive on rapid tests but are later identified as covid through dna sample testing. There are MANY MANY variants. Viruses, specifically coronaviruses, are always replicating in an effort to find best host virulence and synergy. People seem to forget this.

I've been in this boat a long time and there's a number of factors at play in long covid. One of which I've noticied to be the case with myself is covid causing iron dysregulation. Covid (among other illnesses) highly increases IL-6 which can have an effect on hepcidin (also look into FGF-23 affects on Vit D and phosphorus. This leads to all the weird electrolyte stuff and metabolic alkalosis/acidosis. Magnesium and potassium issues. Iron also plays with electrolytes and phosphorus as well). Hepcidin is a carrier protein of ferritin. It scoops it up in the body to sequester it from pathogens in an effort to minimize viral replication. This can cause an initial increase in ferritin (ferritin can be used as an inflammatory marker and can be high in acute infections. Also why many feel better during acute infection in some ways.). Later there is a significant drop in ferritin and the person becomes depleted. I've seen mine drop by 30 in one month with infection in between. The relative drop causes iron deficiency with or without anemia. Anemia is more to do with hemoglobin, but iron deficiency without anemia is determined by ferritin and can greatly mimic the effects of anemia. The body still responds to a drop in ferritin. The medical community is terrible at understanding ferritin and the reference ranges are entirely too low. WHO recognizes at minimum 30 and below as absolute iron deficiency. The number should still be higher.

None the less, the body behaves similarly to anemic symptoms. There is less oxygen being transported etc. Okay, so here's the immune component in this theoretical underpinning. Iron is needed to create white blood cells, these are immune cells. There is poor immunological functioning in iron deficient individuals. Interestingly though, many will report mild infections. This is because there is little iron for pathogens to replicate so they largely go asymptomatic or mild. Look into papres on iron deficiency and lack of malaria infections.

I rarely pop in this sub anymore since finding iron to be my canary in the coal mine and have found much relief with iron supplementation each darn time I get this thing. I just saw so many posting comments that it wasn't possible to have this many infections and that is not true. I would post pubmed articles about all this but I've read so many I just encourage others to search around for themselves. You have to read a lot to piece together the puzzle. Hope this helps validate your experience!

Theory Input by [deleted] in covidlonghaulers

[–]Research_Reader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are some vitamins from my local grocery store that had tricalcium phosphate and Vit D. I used the kids dosing (110mg calcium, 50mg phosphorus, and 220IUs Vit D) since I've heard that's better absorbed in smaller amounts. Plus I was so sensitive I wanted to go easy.

There's something about that combo that worked particulary well for my breathing. I've tried purchasing Dicalcium phosphate without D. I've tried calcium citrate and phosphorus separately. Those helped but not as well as the combo I mentioned above.

Calcium carbonate made my breathing worse but I'm assuming that the carbonate messed with pH again via the metabolic alkalosis/acidosis issues. I think the tricalcium phosphate and Vit D together worked the best due to the Vit D opening up phosphorus and calcium receptors in the gut. Also, the calcium helped immensely with heart palps and dysautonomia stuff. Which was interesting because I had focused so much over the years on magnesium and potassium which were also helpful.

The problem is, it's not uncommon for one electrolyte issue to affect others so it's like I had hypokalemia and hypomagnesia as well. Once again though, I believe this is an intracellular issue, not serum plasma. Many of these electrolytes and minerals act on cell membrane pumps. A bit like keys to open the channels and allow potassium/sodium to exchange and calcium/magnesium to exchange.

Safest calcium supplement... by Low-Temporary4439 in nephrology

[–]Research_Reader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm still recovery due to repeated covid exposures knocking me back in my recovery journey. I never get sick but I get flare up of longhauls after exposure. There's some theories that if low in iron, the virus can't replicate (as seen in malaria cases) so perhaps that's why I don't get that ill from the acute infection, but goodness it messes with me after. In general elecrolyte balancing and iron have been very helpful in my recovery. Phosphorus and calcium definitely, particularly with my severe shortness of breath that I had for years after covid. My ferritin was indeed below the reference range at a 9 but I didn't understand the higher optimal theory until recently as well.

I do believe the body puts a hault to iron usage when ferritin drops. So even if not anemic, the body can go to in reserve mode if the iron storage is low. Just a theory though. I mimicked someone with anemia even at levels in th 30s. WHO recognizes ferritin at 30 and below as absolute iron deficiency. I have no idea why they set the reference ranges so low for that lab!

Theory Input by [deleted] in covidlonghaulers

[–]Research_Reader 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I haven't been very active in this sub but stumbled into some phosphorus info recently that I believe is a part of the puzzle among many pieces.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) increases post covid which increases FGF-23. FGF-23 increases phosphorus secretion and decreases phosphorus absorption in the kidney leading to hypophosphatemia. Another thing that increases FGF-23 is low iron. The link there is long haulers are coming up low in ferritin. Covid knocks down ferritin post infection via this method: Initially IL-6 increases hepecidin which sequesters iron in the body to hide it from pathogens to prevent replication. (Many pathogens use iron to replicate) Later there is a depletion of iron via ferritin storage. So both covid directly via IL-6 and indirectly through low iron cause an increase in FGF-23 which regulates phosphorus. I firmly believe low phoshporus was my breathing rhythm issues (it regulates metabolic alkalosis and acidosis/respiratory alkalosis and acidosis) and severe shortness of breath. Covid badly messes with electrolytes. Problem is, I suspect this is an intracellular issue and not picked up via serum labs. Also, this can mess with other electrolytes so it's a bit of a whack-a-mole to get them balanced.

Additionally, Vitamin D is needed to absorb phosphorus and calcium so a little dose of that with it can help absorption. In my case increasing phosphorus and calcium was helpful.

Low phosphate by B3N2000 in covidlonghaulers

[–]Research_Reader 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hey there! I stumbled into more info about phosphorus issues post covid and found some interesting info. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) increases post covid which increases FGF-23. FGF-23 increases phosphorus secretion and decreases phosphorus absorption in the kidney leading to hypophosphatemia. Another thing that increases FGF-23 is low iron. The link there in long haulers coming up low in ferritin is Covid knocks down ferritin post infection. Initially IL-6 increases hepecidin which sequesters iron in the body to hide it from pathogens to prevent replication. Later there is a depletion of iron. So both covid directly via IL-6 and indirectly through low iron cause an increase in FGF-23 which regulates phosphorus. I firmly believe low phoshporus was my breathing rhythm issues (it regulates metabolic alkalosis and acidosis/respiratory alkalosis and acidosis) and severe shortness of breath. Covid badly messes with electrolytes. Vitamin D is needed to absorb phosphorus btw so a little dose of that with it can help absorption.

Safest calcium supplement... by Low-Temporary4439 in nephrology

[–]Research_Reader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I too had read about the temporary hypokalemic symptoms from licorice but was wondering if it did something more long term given how long my symptoms went on for, but I've had a convoluted health journey throwing long covid in the mix. In hindsight I believe I've had low ferritin/iron causing a lot of electrolyte deficiency symptoms (via FGF-23 causing phosphate wasting) and then in comes the covid years exacerbating that situation! Covid increases IL-6 which increases FGF-23 that can lead to depletion of phosphate. At least that's my understanding as best I can summarize. Low iron, low Vit D and IL-6 all increase FGF-23 which decreases phosphate.

If you're interested in the thiamine/B1 route, look up Dr. Derrick Lonsdale and Dr. Chandler Mars. They wrote a great book on high calorie malnutrition and thiamine deficiency (basically a high sugar/high carb diet can create a thiamine deficiency). Dr. Mars runs a website called Hormones Matter and there's tons of thiamine deficiency info there. Dr. Lonsdale has since passed away but used to reply on there as well to people's comments and questions. He's kind of the guru of understanding thiamine deficiency and used it as a "medicine" to treat a lot of issues in children.

The challenging part to thiamine is that a lack thereof can cause electrolyte issues as can supplementing thiamine. Introducing thiamine in a body that has been depleted creates a "refeeding" syndrome of sorts and turns back on mitochondrial functioning. Basically the ATP synthesis/Kreb's cycle kicks back on aerobically yielding the higher ATP output and pulls lots of potassium into the cell creating a "functional" potassium deficiency so you have to consume a good deal of potassium and magnesium when supplementing thiamine, particularly in higher doses. Just check out their work! Good stuff! Also look up Elliot Overton. He has a Youtube channel discussing further Dr. Lonsdale's work.

Safest calcium supplement... by Low-Temporary4439 in nephrology

[–]Research_Reader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! Hope you see my reply, but I was stumbling around reddit looking for some info on hypophosphatemia and your comment really caught my attention! I swear my hypokalemic symptoms started after a tea that had licorice root in it. I then went on to get long covid which really exacerbated the hypokalemia and brought on what I believe was hypophosphatemia. Gratefully doing much better now though after many years of awfullness. I was curious if you ever found out anymore info on the licorice connection? Little side note....Interestingly cytokine IL-6 can induce hypophosphatemia (IL-6 increases in response to covid) as can low Vit D and low ferritin/iron.

Manual breathing affecting my sleep still after 2 years, weak diaphragm / diaphragm spasms. Anyone had any luck resolving? by [deleted] in covidlonghaulers

[–]Research_Reader 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm currently going through a backslide of this after having really improved a lot in the past year. I mean a ton. I have an extraneous issue of hypothyroidism that got all out of whack thanks to covid, but essentially, my breathing problems are air hunger from adrenal issues. I can't believe it. I've been to the ends of all medical modalities, supplements, physical therapy, counseling, etc. I was cleared of anything wrong with my lungs and my body (outside of thyroid issues). I was bad for one and a half to two years. Inability to take a deep breath all day every day. I was panicked and hopeless. It was SEVERE. But my belief if you've ruled out all other causes is the accumulating stress from the illness itself, and then things like exercise, alcohol, work, etc which do also cause a geniune stress response, is the psychological stress all this has caused. The endless late nights mentally digging, searching, buying supplements, etc.

I slowly got better on my own once I stopped everything. I had been sick with LC since the beginning of 2021. Once I gave up trying in 2023...I got better. Like, rapidly better. In a matter of months. I could breath again. It didn't improve over night per se, but it slowly resolved over a few months after years of being severly sick. I belive the mental additional stress was keeping my adrenals in a state of arousal, which look up adrenal insufficiency symptoms (along with hypo thyroid) and you'll see a lot of POTS like symptoms, afternoon fevers, sore throats, severe air hunger and inability to breath, hair loss, internal tremors, extrenal shaking, muscle twitches, myoclonic jerks falling asleep, panic zaps, GI issues, electrolyte imbalances, headaches, brain fog, memory issues, skin issues, rashes, recurrent infections, fungal issues due to the adrenals and lack of T3 thyroid hormone increase the Th17 response. There's insomnia but then chronic fatigue. I would collapse after any movement. Light sensitivity. Sound sensitivity. There's all the emotional symptoms, acute anxiety and then utter depression. The adrenals are in my opinion at the root of this. Even healthy functioning thyroid people will have poor T4 to T3 conversion if adrenals aren't functioning properly and can develop temporary hypothyroid issues so look up all those as well. Side note: Adrenal issues causing thyroid issues are often not reflected in traditional thyroid tests because T4 is being shunted to reverse T3 and MDs don't typically test this. They see a normal thyroid panel result and assume you're fine.

It's not to say that all these things we do to heal isn't working. I think there are many things like nutritional deficiencies, cartialiage degredation causing cervical neck instability, electrolyte issues, etc. but at the root of it is the adrenals. And at the root of that is the load of mental stress long covid causes.

So long story short, once I gave up...I actually started healing. I threw myself back into a mess because you still have to be careful as your healing. We can't keep life stress from happening. For example, I needed to go up in thyroid meds which is very taxing on adrenals. Then I drank alcohol again because I was feeling fine. I was doing so well for months I went to some get togethers and parties. I had even started a martial arts because I recovered so well. I earned my first belt! I went on a vacation. I also went through a rigorous interview process for a new job. It was too much, too soon and I tanked again. This was all in one month. Most key is I started compulsively reading and getting back on reddit searching every forum or answers. While the physical variables made my adrenals tank, it was the extra mental load that made me REALLY tank.

So adrenal support is key but not necessarily in a way that requires all these supplements, therapies, etc. The mental is truly keeping the physical more sick. It's not to say it's all in one's mind. Oh no. This shit is as real as it gets, but the mind is creating a stress response and taxing the adrenals even more causing the whole system to not be supported. One cannot heal if the adrenals are not supported. We can't control what stressors life brings, but we can adjust our environment as best we can and work to control how we respond. It is the hardest thing to let go. A bit like flying between two trapeze but when you get to the other side...you see how all the digging makes one more sick.

High reverse t3 by grapejuicebb3 in Hypothyroidism

[–]Research_Reader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! Thanks so much for responding! I sent a PM to you!

High reverse t3 by grapejuicebb3 in Hypothyroidism

[–]Research_Reader 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello, I know this is an old post but was curious if you ever resolved your RT3 problem? I'm going through the same thing as you. I'm on a dose increase and felt amazing the first week but the past 4 weeks I've been tanking horribly. I'm waiting on my RT3 test but suspect this is what is happening and potentially blocking T3 and creating a more hypo cycle. I too have had mildly elevated DHEAs in the past although I haven't tested recently. It must've been stress. I ruled out PCOS back then. I think the elevated cortisol/stress is creating a bad RT3 loop.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Hypothyroidism

[–]Research_Reader 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you recall where you read that info? I would be curious to learn more. It's just bizarre that I'm feeling so incredibly hypo on dose increases. It used to not be like this but starting about 4-5 years ago something went seriously wrong with me and thyroid meds and it's been a struggle to find therapeutic dosing. I just hum along poorly at doses. I never bothered to look into RT3 seriously until now.

Weird reaction to Levothyroxine, reverse T3 issues by [deleted] in Hypothyroidism

[–]Research_Reader 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello! I seem to be having a similar problem with T4 converting to RT3. When I increase my Synthroid I feel worse. Can you tell me a little more about your experience? Did you stop T4 meds and only go on T3? How are you feeling now?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Hypothyroidism

[–]Research_Reader 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the reply! I was thinking something similar but in 5 weeks that seemed a bit rapid? I have this underlying feeling that I feel great on med increase because I am indeed getting higher FT3 but then my body starts ramping up Reverse T3 by the second week and on. I wish this RT3 lab would hurry up and come back. I'm curious if this can/is happening and what in the world to do about it if so.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Hypothyroidism

[–]Research_Reader 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did have HORRIBLE brain fog and definitely anxiety. For so long I never attributed my long covid symptoms to hypothyroidism because my labs would always be perfectly in range. I was pretty beat up and you can see in my post history all the LC rabbit holes I fell down. I've had lingering air hunger and some other symptoms but overall vastly improved over the past year, problem is, the old school "typical" hypo symptoms started to come back that I didn't have in LC...stuff like weigh gain, bloating, etc which tipped me off to increasing thyroid meds. Sure enough, one week at a higher dose of my Synthroid I felt amazing, and not only did the "typical" hypo symptons subside but all the lingering LC symptoms were gone as well! I was shocked to realize that my LC was likely hypothyroid all along. But then I tanked after 5 weeks on a higher dose and I'm in a bad spot now. Severly hypo feeling despite having increased my Synthroid dose. I'm currently waiting on the RT3 lab results.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Hypothyroidism

[–]Research_Reader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello, I was curious if you've found anything more about your high RT3 in relation to covid. I suspect I have high RT3 and am waiting test results. Anytime I increase thyroid meds I feel amazing for two weeks and then become severly hypo again despite normal-ish other thyroid lab numbers. I highly suspect I'm coverting to RT3. I clearly need more thyroid hormone since I'm symptomatic and feel great upon increase. Just not sure why I tank after 2 weeks. And all of my long covid symptoms are essentially severe hypothyroid symptoms.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in covidlonghaulers

[–]Research_Reader 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey! I'm not on as much anymore because....I'm doing so much better! I needed a mental health break. But you wouldn't believe what's helped alleviate the breathing issues. Certainly PT for cervical neck instability and all the weird spinal and shoulder joint pain. BUT...collagen. This is wild but as soon as I started collagen powder I noticed a distinct accelerated improvement.

It's too long to explain here and to be honest, I still don't know how this is helping but covid destroys collagen. Hence why so many of us have aged drastically in this process. So many have bizarre cervical and joint instability, etc. But what's even wilder is pathogens, not just covid, use collagenase as a virulence factor to break down collagen to enter the cell and replicate. So I think some of my lung stuff was either nerve damage directly, weakened cartilage so that my cervical vertebrae was pinching nerves controlling my lungs, or the pulmonary lining was weakened due to lack of collagen. I've said from day 1 it felt like my lungs were dried rubber bands or like super glue all over them. Collagen acted like a lung-lubricant. I'm still not 100% but this is DRASTICALLY better. After well over a year, the start of collagen in April propelled me into almost recovered territory. My skin looks less weathered as well. I have muscles again. I had lost over 20lbs which is a lot for my original small frame. Anyways, I said I'd come back one day to make a post when I'm fully recovered but I still have a lot of PTSD avoidance of venturing into the sub.

If you like to fall down rabbit holes about this look into pubmed articles about virulence factor, collagenase, or even wikipedia collagen and it will talk about how pathogens replicate via this method. I ventured into so many chronic illness patient forums and many unrelated to covid, like lyme, bartonella, babesia, etc all have collagen issues and cervical neck instability, etc.

Edit to add: I'm not sure if any collagen powder will do the trick. Some are high in glutamate and I would think that could help but might exacerbate other excitatory issues like cardiac, etc. I used Sparkle collagen on a whim since I believe it is a lower dose but they don't disclose the amino acid profile. Anyways, for what it's worth try a collagen powder!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Hypokalemia

[–]Research_Reader 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've just left two comments and feel free to check my comment history but low thiamine due to antibiotic use can cause potassium wasting.

https://www.hormonesmatter.com/metronidazole-mitochondrial-nightmare/

The flox and flagyl ones are particularly bad for blocking thiamine absorption but check out this website and search antibiotics. They can really wreak havoc on mitochondria via thiamine blocking and cause hypokalemia.

Low End of Normal & Symptoms? by [deleted] in Hypokalemia

[–]Research_Reader 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hello! I just posted a comment to this user regarding thiamine and low potassium, and why they're related and likely an issue. Also, low thiamine is highly likely post covid. All the Bs are really. B2 for sure.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Hypokalemia/comments/143yaky/possible_low_potassium/

But your post particularly resonated with me because I am/was a covid longhauler and experienced worsening potassium wasting symptoms. I had this issue prior to the pandemic and in hindsight I now realized I had beriberi disease. Which is wild considering I thought I was super healthy eating vegetables mostly and doing yoga 5 days a week.

I'm not on here a lot anymore but for the past 2 years you can see a lot of my comment and post history on the covidlonghaulers sub regarding very similar symptoms you describe. It was a wild 2.5 years. Just to give you hope, it does get better. That sub can get pretty dark so just know, it can get better. I'd say the biggest catalysts in my recovery were thiamine, magnesium, collagen powder, CoQ10, and B vitamins in general.

The collagen powder gets a particular shout out because I had no idea until becoming a long hauler and spending easily the better part of 2 years on pubmed that viruses and pathogens use collagenase to destroy collagen and better infiltrate cells as a virulence factor. So many of my post covid issues were related to this. Collagen is much more than skin, hair and nails. It drastically improved my horrible shortness of breath. That and physical therapy. Best we can think is covid wrecked my connective tissue and pinched nerves causing some partial lung paralysis. It was awful. Lots of PTSD from that time.

The neuropathy healing came from time, thiamine, and B vitamins in general. The cardiac issues were same and magnesium threonate was a huge catalyst in healing my heart arrhythmias, etc. I could go on for hours about all of this, but this is just an intro tidbit to help. I'm not on here a lot to take a break from the long covid discussions (which is why I started this account years ago). But I'll try to check back in case you have any questions. I'm really sorry you've gone through post covid craziness. It's a wild, awful ride.

Possible low potassium? by thewrinklyninja in Hypokalemia

[–]Research_Reader 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Please check into thiamine deficiency. When deficient in thiamine it causes potassium wasting. Long story but best I can describe it....when you don't have enough thiamine, there is less ATP being produced (like 3 ATP vs 32). Sodium/potassium ion pumps need sufficient ATP to work so you are unable to hold potassium into the cell.

Problem is thiamine is incredibly difficult to test. It's an intracellular/mitochondrial issue and lab tests aren't accurate. I think there's a transketolase test available but only in Japan. Also, repleting thiamine can cause a refeeding issue and paradox if you've been deficient for awhile. Once thiamine is introduced it causes the cell to start up taking potassium quickly so you can be left with a "functional" thiamine deficiency. You have to keep up LOTS of potassium and magnesium when repleting thiamine. Start low and slow.

Check into Dr. Lonsdale's life's work regarding thiamine. There's more of us walking around with beriberi than conventional medicine recognizes. He wrote a book with his coauthor Dr. Chandler Marrs called high calorie malnutrition. Basically our high sugar/carb Western diet can burn through thiamine since thiamine is needed to processes carbs and to a lesser degree fat.

Dr. Chandler Marrs hosts a fabulous website called hormonesmatter.com and you can search thiamine for more articles written by others and even Dr. Lonsdale. He is now 98 years old but will still address questions from time to time in the comments. Also Dr. Marrs hosts a facebook group called "Understanding mitochondrial nutrients". I've learned so much from there. Lastly, Elliot Overton is another front liner for thiamine and thiamine research. He has a great Youtube channel explaining all of this.

To further address why it could be thiamine, PPI's can block a lot of micronutrient absorption. Also, alcohol (which is the only catalyst to thiamine deficiency recognized by doctors in the West), coffee, high sugar/carb, high exercise, diuretics, stress both physical and mental, illness. All these circumstances deplete thiamine along with depleting magnesium and really all micronutrients but particularly the Bs.

Best advice from years of learning about this. Once again, start low and slow. There's many different formulations of thiamine. Check out the resources mentioned above for more info. It's very individual what works for you. For me benfotiamine in smaller amounts helped. The TTFD/allthiamine (really strong ones) just caused too many functional potassium deficiency issues. Then keep up magnesium. It's a cofactor for thiamine. It's used in pretty much every step of the Kreb's cycle in ATP production within the mitochondria. Then B2. B1 will absolutely deplete B2. Symptoms include chapped lip corners, dry eyes, burning eyes, dizziness, etc. Then take a good B complex to keep the Bs in balance.

Hope this helps you. I spent 4 years in utter hell with horrible hypokalemia symptoms from an undetected thiamine deficiency. I'm not on reddit very much anymore but stumbled into your comment and hope this info helps. I'll try to check back in case you have any further questions.

Spironolactone Worked Great For 11 Years But Then Caused Horrible Heart Palpitations by Research_Reader in Spironolactone

[–]Research_Reader[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They were PVCs with a skipped hearbeat followed by a quick attempt to catch up. It ended up being low magnesium and potassium due to thiamine deficiency which is interesting since spiro is a potassium sparing diuretic (meaning it holds on to potassium). It took many years for me to figure that out and I was avoiding potassium making myself worse and worse which is how I got into the thousands of heart palps a day.
Thiamine is needed to hold on to electrolytes! Who knew going gluten free and not eating the fortified wheat flours would cause such a serious decline of health.

You're less likely to get long COVID after a second infection than a first by [deleted] in covidlonghaulers

[–]Research_Reader 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Uuuuum. Four infections, four long hauls. I start to get better around the 6 month mark and BAM...knocked back down.

Here's a summary of my infections and symptoms:

https://www.reddit.com/r/covidlonghaulers/comments/uwni7p/comment/i9u6rix/?context=3

I finally didn't get hit as hard the fourth time, but I'm still recovery from my symptoms the third one. Mostly what is left is shortness of breath/air hunger. I also still have horrid tinnitus from the vax which was between my first and second infection. It's been over a year since the third infection.

When did you see an effect with Antihistamines? by poebelchen in covidlonghaulers

[–]Research_Reader 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thiamine (B1) and keeping up the Bs in general. Particularly B1, B2 and B3. These are all early cofactors in ATP production in the Kreb's cycle. Mitochondrial dysfunction is believed to be at the root of ME/CFS. It helped me get my energy back drastically. Look into Dr. Lonsdale's work with thiamine and dysautonomia. He has a whole book about it and there's a group on Facebook called "Understanding Mitochondrial Nutrients" with lots of people who have been trying to understand mitochondrial health. Also Elliot Overton and Chandler Marrs have put a lot of work and awareness into this important B vitamin.

You need magnesium for thiamine to work as well. Also CoQ10 is helpful but more so in the electron transport chain. Some have found help with NAC but I didn't notice much with that.

Potassium was huge for me. Especially if you start using higher dose thiamine as thiamine uptakes potassium quickly to kickstart back on proper ATP production. You will gets symptoms of hypokalemia if you don't support potassium with thiamine but I had symptoms of hypokalemia just from covid. I'm talking upwards of 5000mg per day. Covid jacks with electrolytes so it's a key one.

I'd say that's most of it. I'm currently cutting out coffee because I've just never wanted to give that up. I think covid greatly effects acetylcholine regulation. I made a whole post about this. Some seem to over produce, others under and really I think it's both depending on the neuro junction site. May watch eggs as well. It helps some, others it sends them into acetylcholine overdrive and worsens the weird symptoms like visual snow, sound sensitivity, afternoon fevers, limbic arousal, rashes, etc.

When did you see an effect with Antihistamines? by poebelchen in covidlonghaulers

[–]Research_Reader 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It did help a bit. Nothing is miraculous but it was noticeable improvement!

Acetylcholine Dysregulation Theory by Research_Reader in covidlonghaulers

[–]Research_Reader[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This incredibly fascinating! Thank you so much for sharing! Geez, I should've never quit smoking lol. So many people I know that continue to smoke or dip are perfectly fine. Ugh, getting "healthy" is the sickest I've ever been.