Long COVID treatments: What works, what doesn't, and what to ask your doctor

When Long COVID, a condition where symptoms persist for weeks or months after a COVID-19 infection. Also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), it affects millions who thought they were done with the virus—but aren't. This isn’t just lingering fatigue. People report brain fog so thick they can’t remember simple words, heart palpitations after climbing stairs, or breathing issues that feel like asthma but don’t respond to inhalers. It’s real, it’s messy, and it’s not going away on its own for many.

There’s no single pill for Long COVID, but there are patterns in what helps. Fatigue management is often the first focus—small, consistent movements like walking 10 minutes twice a day, not pushing through exhaustion, and pacing activities. Brain fog relief isn’t about memory supplements—it’s about sleep hygiene, reducing screen time, and managing stress. Blood pressure and heart rate issues? Some patients benefit from increased salt and water intake under medical supervision. And while many try vitamins, IV drips, or unproven protocols, the real wins come from targeted rehab: physical therapy for deconditioning, occupational therapy for daily function, and sometimes low-dose antidepressants to help with nerve pain or sleep.

What doesn’t work? Antibiotics for no reason. Steroids without a clear immune trigger. And waiting for your doctor to say "it’s all in your head." Too many people have been dismissed because there’s no lab test for Long COVID. But that doesn’t mean it’s imaginary—it means we’re still learning. The most effective approach is personalized: track your symptoms, find a provider who listens, and build a plan around what your body can handle today, not what it could do last year.

Below, you’ll find real stories and science-backed advice on how people are managing symptoms like chronic fatigue, brain fog, and heart rhythm issues after COVID. No fluff. No promises of miracle cures. Just what’s helping—and what’s not—based on actual patient experiences and medical insights.