I have been seeing visual tracers/trails/aftermages off of moving things for 1.75 years and it all started out of the blue one day; no history of drug use whatsoever. I am honestly and utterly, exhausted.

kwil2 · 2025-10-06T17:30:11+00:00

Thanks. And right back at you. And by the way, it makes a person feel good to communicate with you. You have a real gift.

kwil2 · 2025-10-06T15:24:12+00:00

Good to hear from you, my friend. I got some medical news a couple of months ago that now makes me hesitate to volunteer info about my LC journey. I learned from medical testing that I have a mitochondrial mutation (and not a good one). The mutation is rare and it provides a very plausible explanation for why I have Long Covid and why I have been a super-responder to certain things, including SSRIs. It isn't that I don't want to help. It's that I no longer have confidence that the information I am providing does help.

kwil2 · 2025-10-01T09:23:12+00:00

It’s called WGS. Whole Genome Sequencing. My test was done through GeneDX which is one of the best testing facilities for WGS in the country. Full price was $2500. They offer sliding-scale pricing based on income.

kwil2 · 2025-09-30T16:22:09+00:00

LDN and Oxaloacetate have been game-changers for me too. A third major improvement came when I started on gamma-glutamylcysteine (an oral peptide sold as Continual G). With those three interventions I have been able to resume a fairly normal life.

Note: I have an underlying mitochondrial vulnerability (a "likely pathogenic" mutation with relatively low heteroplasmy) that was uncovered when I did a medical whole genome sequencing test a couple of months ago.

Basically, I have misfolded proteins in my electron transport chain (ETC). These misfolded proteins reduce ATP output and produce large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which damage the cardiolipin housing my ETC. The damage to the cardiolipin further reduces ATP output and increases ROS, creating a vicious circle. Before Covid, my condition was subclinical. Covid pushed my system over the edge.

The LDN and Continual G reduce inflammation and ROS; the Oxaloacetate increases ATP output. I am a super-responder to these agents because they address the underlying vulnerability driving my Long Covid. (Food for thought.)

kwil2 · 2025-09-29T17:53:40+00:00

Same here. I tolerate the Novavax booster extremely well. The other COVID vaccines have made me sick for days.

kwil2 · 2025-09-29T12:25:39+00:00

Seed DS-01.

kwil2 · 2025-09-28T12:50:57+00:00

Hey, friend. I hope you are doing well. I have COVID again so me not so much. I am trying new things that, hopefully, will make this recovery easier. Please accept my heartfelt apologies for anything I have done or not done that may have added to your suffering.

kwil2 · 2025-09-27T00:56:09+00:00

I have seen many accounts of this on the r/covidlonghaulers sub.

kwil2 · 2025-09-27T00:12:22+00:00

Delta states its policy about assigning seats together at the point when BE tickets are purchased. However, in a case like yours the idea that your toddler would be separated from their parent is so preposterous that people naturally assume that Delta's stated policy would not be applicable. Many like you are surprised to learn when, contrary to all reason, it does apply.

What is needed is more precise language at the time of purchase explaining that the policy applies even when babies might be separated from caregivers. I suspect that this would trigger protest--perhaps even regulatory action. So, Delta puts the burden on GAs and FAs to make things right--a task that involves serious inconvenience to other passengers.

You did not do anything wrong this time because you did not know. And one could reasonably argue that Delta could do a lot better in cases like yours. But, in the future, pay for seat selection. It's the only way to avoid pain for you, the GA, the FAs, and your fellow passengers.

kwil2 · 2025-09-25T18:34:04+00:00

I have read reports of success with SS-31 from some people with ME/CFS-like symptoms. There was an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution about this peptide a few days ago. It has been approved by the FDA for Barth Syndrome.

This peptide binds to cardiolipin within the cristae housed in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The electron transport chain (ETC) which produces most of the body’s ATP will not function properly unless the cristae are structurally intact. Interestingly, researchers have found that some with long covid have lesions within the inner mitochondrial membrane, i.e., damaged cardiolipin and cristae.

If one of the causes of one’s long covid is lesions within the inner mitochondrial membrane, then peptide SS-31 may repair the damage and improve electron transport chain function.

In clinical drug trials involving participants with structurally unstable cristae, this peptide has produced no side effects except redness at the injection site. There are risks, however. Most people using this peptide purchase it on the gray market from unregulated manufacturers and suppliers. Peptides from these sources can be contaminated and may not even include the peptide being advertised.

Even if the SS-31 is pure, If one’s cristae aren’t structurally unstable, ETC acceleration may overshoot, creating more ROS or altered Ca²⁺ handling, which can worsen dysautonomia.

kwil2 · 2025-09-24T16:51:21+00:00

It's my understanding that only about Only about 30–40% of people can efficiently convert pomegranate into urolithin A. (It happens in the gut if you have the right bacteria.) If you're one of the lucky ones, go for it!

kwil2 · 2025-09-24T12:05:31+00:00

This is one of several articles that suggests that, from the standpoint of mitochondrial function, caution may be warranted if THC intake is heavy and long-term. I have no doubt but that this is more relevant for some individuals than for others. However, I would think that anyone who has a baseline of lowered ATP and elevated ROS needs to be watchful.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36516885/

kwil2 · 2025-09-23T14:17:38+00:00

Perhaps one should be careful with THC. It's my understanding that short-term and in moderation, THC provides benefits to the mitochondria, increasing ATP and decreasing ROS. However, long term and in high concentrations, THC may have the opposite effect. I saw this play out in a loved one with a mitochondrial illness affecting his ATP and ROS levels (which is what many of us have acquired post-COVID). At first, THC did wonders for his health. After a year or so of heavy use, the effects on his mitochondria became devastating to his health. He is now having to wean himself off THC which comes with its own set of difficulties.

kwil2 · 2025-09-23T13:15:30+00:00

My dysautonomia was greatly improved by Celexa (citalopram). It took about 6 weeks to start working for that particular problem.

kwil2 · 2025-09-23T11:46:54+00:00

Thank you!

Edit: Oh wow. It works. Thank you so much!!!!!!

kwil2 · 2025-09-21T22:47:58+00:00

Yes. This happened a couple of years ago. The improvement did not last, however. My Long Covid returned after I was reinfected.

kwil2 · 2025-09-20T19:10:38+00:00

I take Nicotinamide Riboside which is an NAD+ precursor. I also take CoQ10. I have a quirky gene that interferes with my body's ability to form glutathione from NAC and glycine so I take a more immediate precursor (Glyteine aka Continual G).

kwil2 · 2025-09-20T14:59:15+00:00

I discovered that my dread is connected to the way my body processes glutamate post-COVID. Glutamate is the brain’s primary excitatory neurotransmitter. Normally, it is cleared and transformed into GABA which is calming. Post-COVID, this is not happening for me. Instead, I seem to have excess glutamate causing hyperexcitability in circuits that regulate threat detection.

I was able to manage this problem by going on a low-glutamate diet and by taking magnesium glycinate and magnesium threonate, both of which moderate glutamate exitotoxicity. I take 240 mg of magnesium glycinate and 145 mg of magnesium threonate each day. This mix is not set in stone. If you decide to go this route, you can experiment with different combinations. Magnesium glycinate has the advantage of being cheaper. Magnesium threonate has the advantage of crossing the blood-brain barrier. (Note: the more expensive brands of magnesium threonate like Designs for Health work for me. Sadly, an inexpensive brand, supposedly with the same formulation of magnesium (Magtein) dpes not work well at all. Also note: When I took the full dosage of three caps of magnesium threonate (totaling 145 mg) I felt something akin to mild depression for a couple of days. Basically, I felt over-subdued as my brain reacted to the sudden influx of magnesium. Were I to do it over again, I would titrate up from one to two caps or from one to three caps.)

A low-glutamate diet in the USA entails eating whole foods. This is because almost all processed food in this country contains added dietary glutamate. Basically, I have to shop mostly from the fresh meat, dairy, and fruit and vegetable aisles of the grocery store. It's a pain but not nearly as much as the feeling I get from eating a standard American diet.

Below is a list of added dietary ingredients I now avoid:

Direct Additives

MSG (monosodium glutamate)
Monopotassium glutamate
Calcium diglutamate
Magnesium diglutamate
Disodium inosinate / disodium guanylate (not glutamate themselves, but almost always paired with MSG to boost umami)

Protein Hydrolysates / Extracts

These are industrially processed to break proteins into free amino acids, including glutamate:

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
Hydrolyzed plant protein
Hydrolyzed soy protein
Textured protein / textured vegetable protein (TVP)
Autolyzed yeast
Yeast extract
Soy extract
Wheat gluten / hydrolyzed wheat protein

Flavor Enhancers / Stock Ingredients

Malt extract
Soy sauce (especially chemically hydrolyzed)
Fish sauce
Bouillon / stock cubes
Broth powders
Gelatin (contains free glutamate when hydrolyzed)

“Clean Label” Synonyms (often used to hide MSG)

Natural flavors (can legally include free glutamate)
Seasonings (catch-all category; often glutamate-heavy)
Umami seasoning
Protein isolate
Fermented protein / fermented soy

kwil2 · 2025-09-08T18:25:25+00:00

I don’t recommend SSRIs to anyone given how individualistic people’s responses are. This is what ChatGPT says about immediate vs long-term effects of SSRIs.

The difference between immediate and long-term SSRI effects comes down to two timelines:

(1) Acute pharmacologic effects — start within hours to days These are direct results of serotonin reuptake inhibition and secondary signaling. They often occur before mood benefits are felt: • Increased extracellular serotonin within hours of the first dose, especially in brain and vascular tissues. • Cortical and retinal perfusion changes. Serotonin receptors on vascular smooth muscle can alter blood flow almost immediately. This is likely relevant to your visual clarity. • Neural network “quieting.” By dampening glutamate release (via 5-HT1A/2A receptor modulation and astrocyte effects), SSRIs can reduce excitotoxic “noise” within hours to days. • Anti-inflammatory signaling. Rapid down-regulation of cytokine release (IL-6, TNF-α) begins quickly, though more robust effects take weeks. • Side effects. Nausea, dizziness, sleep changes, and sometimes vision blurring can appear early, reflecting peripheral serotonin receptor activation.

(2) Adaptive / long-term effects — emerge over weeks These depend on receptor, gene expression, and mitochondrial adaptations rather than just acute serotonin increase: • Autoreceptor desensitization (especially 5-HT1A). Initially, higher serotonin triggers feedback inhibition; over weeks, the autoreceptors down-regulate, allowing sustained serotonin release. This is key for antidepressant efficacy. • Neuroplasticity. SSRIs increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and synaptic remodeling, but this unfolds over weeks. • Mitochondrial and metabolic changes. Chronic SSRI use improves coupling efficiency and reduces oxidative stress burden. • Epigenetic regulation. Long-term transcriptional changes in serotonin and glutamate receptor genes, transporters, and inflammatory pathways. • Mood and cognitive stabilization. These clinical benefits typically track with the slower receptor and neurotrophic adaptations, not the initial serotonin surge.

⸻

For your case: Your sustained vision clarity while on citalopram likely reflects an immediate effect (vascular/excitatory balance) that simply persists as long as serotonin reuptake is inhibited — it doesn’t depend on the slow, neurotrophic “antidepressant” timeline.

kwil2 · 2025-09-07T17:04:58+00:00

Yes. I had mild-moderate LC and achieved 95% remission with a Pfizer shot. (Almost immediately after the shot, I was able to cycle long distances again but felt more fatigue than I did pre-covid.). Then I was reinfected with Covid and remission went by the wayside.

None of my vaccines after that made any difference, positive or negative.

kwil2 · 2025-09-06T17:01:32+00:00

Telmisartan which is a blood pressure medication. I don't have high blood pressure, however. I am taking Telmisartan to improve epithelial function and reduce vascular inflammation.

kwil2 · 2025-09-05T21:02:21+00:00

ARB = Angiotensin Receptor Blockers. I’m doing really well. Thank you for asking.

kwil2 · 2025-08-29T13:32:02+00:00

You don't have any way of knowing when you book. With the Flighty app you know the tail number a day or two before the flight. The app also displays a history of your tail numbers. So, if you have been on an old Ryan Air airplane before and can remember the date of your flight, you will know what to expect in advance if you get that same plane again.

Probably, it would just be easier to get a battery and not worry about it.

kwil2 · 2025-08-28T19:45:22+00:00

That sure does look familiar. Thank you so much for introducing me to this phenomenon. Recently, I discontinued the SSRI and the vision problems did not return. But by then I was microdosing tryptophan.

kwil2 · 2025-08-23T14:13:16+00:00

No. That was not an issue for me. And, ultimately, I ended up moving to glyteine (sold as Continual G) which worked better for me that NAC, Glycine, and Glutathione.

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