Mom is suffering from Long Covid

[BK38]

Ever since my mom caught Covid, she has had a hard time remembering words, using the wrong words and her memory is diminished. I'm really terrified of losing my very articulate Mom to this and she is very frustrated as a writer who depends on writing for a living.

Also keep in mind that my Mom is 68 right now, so some of these symptoms may be impacted by her age. She eats relatively healthily and she does exercise (walking the dog 3-4 times a day) and calisthenics in the AM.

She has been supplementing her diet with Lionsmane, Gingko, MCT oil, Shilajit resin and Ashwagandha.

Can anyone give me suggestions to help with her problems? Are there any dietary supplements that might help? Any and all suggestions I'll look in to. "Illegal" drugs are fine too, but she is not a substance user beyond her 1 beer a night.

Thank you in advance BLers, it's really difficult for me to see my Mom this way. We are quite sure it is not Alzheimers or Dementia and my Mom is very aware of her diminished capability.

 

[paltatomate]

more important than her diet - what does she with her brain?
you say she is a writer, but is she actually writing something that keeps her brain engaged? or is she stuck in some kind of writer's block?
has she had a scan? i suffer from sinusitis and whenever my sinuses get too clogged, i suffer from terrible brain fog, which makes me feel like i'm getting very stupid.

68 is not really old.
but if someone is not mentally engaged everyday, learning new things, trying stuff, socializing even if it's just small talk with people she meets while walking the dog (or trying new routes, that's good for her and the dog) the brain function starts to decline even if there is no physical cause to it. just like muscles decline when you don't use them.

 

[BK38]

more important than her diet - what does she with her brain?
you say she is a writer, but is she actually writing something that keeps her brain engaged? or is she stuck in some kind of writer's block?
has she had a scan? i suffer from sinusitis and whenever my sinuses get too clogged, i suffer from terrible brain fog, which makes me feel like i'm getting very stupid.

68 is not really old.
but if someone is not mentally engaged everyday, learning new things, trying stuff, socializing even if it's just small talk with people she meets while walking the dog (or trying new routes, that's good for her and the dog) the brain function starts to decline even if there is no physical cause to it. just like muscles decline when you don't use them.

She is doing all those things except perhaps new routes with the dog and no scans. She isn't suffering from writer's block, but she takes longer to write a piece and makes substantially more errors. She just lost her biggest client because she failed to deliver her usually flawless writing in time for a deadline. It is also affecting her verbal side. She can't find the word she wants to use and her brain will chuck up a close but incorrect answer. For example she used the word "debit" instead of "deficit" the other day.

Most of her socializing is remote, though she has a few friends here in town. I will encourage her to hang out with them more. She hasn't had a scan though maybe that is something worth looking in to. I visit her most days too. She is really frustrated with herself which probably doesn't help.

Maybe there's a silver bullet of some kind? 68 really isn't that old as you said. Thanks for your kind and pragmatic response.

 

[paltatomate]

maybe you could find a word game to play with her?
or cards, anything like that which means fun, so she doesn't get more stressed, but which makes her (and your) brain work in a different kind of way.

 

[Electrum1]

She has been supplementing her diet with Lionsmane, Gingko, MCT oil, Shilajit resin and Ashwagandha

Pretty sure you're not supposed to take Ashwagandha for extended periods of time. Maybe that is mixing wrong with another one of those things you mentioned. I think @Quasimoto had an issue with Ashwagandha a couple years ago if I'm remembering correctly

 

[BK38]

Pretty sure you're not supposed to take Ashwagandha for extended periods of time. Maybe that is mixing wrong with another one of those things you mentioned. I think @Quasimoto had an issue with Ashwagandha a couple years ago if I'm remembering correctly

I can check to see if there are contraindications re her supplement regime. Thanks.

 

[tryptakid]

Ever since my mom caught Covid, she has a hard time remembering words, using the wrong words and her memory is diminished. I'm really terrified of losing my very articulate Mom to this and she is very frustrated as a writer who depends on writing for a living.

Also keep in mind that my Mom is 68 right now, so some of these symptoms may be impacted by her age. She eats relatively healthily and she does exercise (walking the dog 3-4 times a day) and calisthenics in the AM.

She has been supplementing her diet with Lionsmane, Gingko, MCT oil, Shilajit resin and Ashwagandha.

Can anyone give me suggestions to help with her problems? Are there any dietary supplements that might help? Any and all suggestions I'll look in to. "Illegal" drugs are fine too, but she is not a substance user beyond her 1 beer a night.

Thank you in advance BLers, it's really difficult for me to see my Mom this way. We are quite sure it is not Alzheimers or Dementia and my Mom is very aware of her diminished capability.

For starters - I'm sorry to hear about your mom's struggles. It's tough to witness cognitive decline regardless of etiology. I've watched my dad steamroll his way towards it on a diet of Caldwell's Vodka and Grapefruit juice for my entire life. He's hardly the guy I grew up knowing, and it's difficult to hold much of a conversation with any time of the day (but definitely in the afternoon/evening).

Low dose Ketamine could be something to look into. It causes an uptick in cognitive activity on the tail end of using it. Pairing that with herbal treatments (but being mindful of the possible risks associated with any of these things, as well as contraindications) as well as cognitive excercises like crossword puzzles. The New York times has a robust catalog of various cognitive-enhancing games that my mom, my mother-in-law, and my wife all play and find enjoyable as well as helpful exercise.

Physical exercise is also helpful with cognitive enhancement, mood improvement, and overall vascular health. Sedentary lifestyles are linked to cognitive decline, and metabolic syndrome can worsen this when poor diet, poor health, and physical inflammation exacerbate one another.

From the NIH:

MetS negatively impacts cognitive performance and brain structure. Potential explanatory models include impaired vascular reactivity, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and abnormal brain lipid metabolism.

 

[BK38]

maybe you could find a word game to play with her?
or cards, anything like that which means fun, so she doesn't get more stressed, but which makes her (and your) brain work in a different kind of way.

She does Chinese on duolingo religiously as her kind of fun, but maybe I can find a scrabble kit or something. We used to play a bit of chess together, but I'm 15-0 with her and that is a bit of a non-starter.

 

[BK38]

For starters - I'm sorry to hear about your mom's struggles. It's tough to witness cognitive decline regardless of etiology. I've watched my dad steamroll his way towards it on a diet of Caldwell's Vodka and Grapefruit juice for my entire life. He's hardly the guy I grew up knowing, and it's difficult to hold much of a conversation with any time of the day (but definitely in the afternoon/evening).

Low dose Ketamine could be something to look into. It causes an uptick in cognitive activity on the tail end of using it. Pairing that with herbal treatments (but being mindful of the possible risks associated with any of these things, as well as contraindications) as well as cognitive excercises like crossword puzzles. The New York times has a robust catalog of various cognitive-enhancing games that my mom, my mother-in-law, and my wife all play and find enjoyable as well as helpful exercise.

Physical exercise is also helpful with cognitive enhancement, mood improvement, and overall vascular health. Sedentary lifestyles are linked to cognitive decline, and metabolic syndrome can worsen this when poor diet, poor health, and physical inflammation exacerbate one another.

From the NIH:

I don't think I can source Ketamine where I'm at, but magic truffles are available and I thought maybe a micro-dose regimen could potentially help her in terms of neuro-placticity. Thoughts?

 

[tryptakid]

I don't think I can source Ketamine where I'm at, but magic truffles are available and I thought maybe a micro-dose regimen could potentially help her in terms of neuro-placticity. Thoughts?

It's certainly possible.

Here's an article looking at MDMA and psilocybin self-medication with good effect:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ccr3.8791#:~:text=Long%2DCOVID%2C%20a%20syndrome%20persisting,self%2Dprescribing%20psilocybin%20and%20MDMA.

 

[thujone]

I can check to see if there are contraindications re her supplement regime. Thanks.

I specifically avoid supplements with major contraindications and Lionsmane, Ginkgo, and Ashwaganda all fall under that category.

I'd start with Vitamin C + Lysine for anti-viral effect. Lysine is known for treating cold sores (herpes) and Vitamin C should ideally be from natural source (fruits).

Also would try going for a blood test to see if Vitamin D is deficient as that is suspected to be related to cognitive decline.

Good luck getting her back to normal

 

[ageingpartyfiend]

fresh unprocessed food, physica and mental excercise, good sleep health, a social life, some meaningful way to pass time (working or whatever), fresh air, nature, animals, doing what she loves to do, being accepted fully by those around her, the arts and the sciences, meditation (an actual stuctured daily mindfulness practice can be something special), dietry/supplement/medicinal experiments with a 'do no harm' motif and strong boundary

acceptance of the reality of the present moment regardless of what has caused or may change the situation (from both of you)

she is ageing though mate, we may say 68 "isn't that old" but most of
us can expect some quite serious decline in various aspects by then for sure

 

[rentedbythehour]

Ever since my mom caught Covid, she has had a hard time remembering words, using the wrong words and her memory is diminished. I'm really terrified of losing my very articulate Mom to this and she is very frustrated as a writer who depends on writing for a living.

I used to have this happen as a side effect of a medication I was on. I would do all kinds of puzzles, hidden object, crosswords, number games, sudoku, etc. I would also read often. Anything that helps with brain function.
I know you said you don't think it's Alzheimer's or dementia, but keep in mind those are 2 different things. Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia, but it's not the only thing that can cause it. My step dad had Alzheimer's that led to dementia, and he was very aware of the deficiencies. He would get very frustrated when he couldn't find the correct word or someone's name.
My question for you is, why do you think it's long COVID? Does she exhibit other signs of long COVID? Fatigue, stomach issues, cough, heart palpitations, dizziness, fever, etc? I know brain fog is one of the symptoms and that usually resolves itself after a period of time. Is having her evaluated an option?
I looked this up and thought it might be helpful.

Long COVID Brain Fog: What It Is and How to Manage It

Yale Medicine doctors discuss “brain fog” and how it can affect people with Long COVID. It’s not curable, but treatments and coping strategies can help.

www.yalemedicine.org

Sorry about your mom. I'm sending wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

[JackARoe]

Pretty sure you're not supposed to take Ashwagandha for extended periods of time. Maybe that is mixing wrong with another one of those things you mentioned. I think @Quasimoto had an issue with Ashwagandha a couple years ago if I'm remembering correctly

I remember Quasimoto posting about issues with ashwagandha. So much I decided to not touch it for anything. And I for sure would look at the other herbals added. A few people I knew that thought they had long covid had some other issues. So many variables.

Walking the dogs is the best activity at the moment. I also am dealing with diminished parents. Well my mother could not remember anything the few months before she died at 91. But she had metastasized cancer, did not know and passed two months later. Quick. My father is 91, can't walk or do a lot of things but mind is fully there. I worry about diminished capacity too. He is all there but slow. Also there is a difference between senility and dementia. Senility happens as we age.

Good luck OP, 68 is not old for 2025. (if it were the 1800's that would be ancient). Keep your eye on her and please post. Some of us are going through the same thing. I think possibly some other issues as well as long covid could be the culprit.

 

[BK38]

My mother and I sat down and went through all of the posts in this thread. Thank you all for contributing, she was really touched. She even said "no wonder you like your bluelight friends."

She was somewhat open to ketamine therapy, which surprised me, but she preferred the idea of micro-dosing magic truffles first (we tripped together on them once; good times).

Any more suggestions are welcome and I will relay them to her. I hope this thread stays alive and we can all get more insight into long covid, aging etc.

 

[kiely]

I'm so glad that your mom is doing so well. I was so worried, felt so bad.

I am so glad she is relaxed and opened to new ideas and optimum support.

I have seen a lot of others though that have had adverse reactions to strong herbs

and remedies like that. Because they can become too heavy of a dose and

accumulate that way.

But, yes, the mushroom and treatments of one time therapeutic

dosing I have heard can be so beneficial. I have been hearing also, that micro

dosing mushrooms have been helping many in the older crowd also !!

I really don't have much more than that to be able to say except I really wish the

best support for your mom and in getting the best and safest options for her

to have the best optimum help. She sounds strong and let's do our best to keep

her the healthiest as possible.

I have her in my thoughts and heart and really do feel for her to get better and feel

well too. And I hope that you have the very best support that you can. K

I am glad that you can be stronger together and have more super strong strength

that way !! That's cool. Help each other and it will feel and be so much better.

K. Bye !!

Take Care. Hearts to you. Smiles. Stay Awesome you two !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay Strong Rules Yeah !!!!!! That's Greatness.

 

[BK38]

I'm so glad that your mom is doing so well. I was so worried, felt so bad.

I am so glad she is relaxed and opened to new ideas and optimum support.

I have seen a lot of others though that have had adverse reactions to strong herbs

and remedies like that. Because they can become too heavy of a dose and

accumulate that way.

But, yes, the mushroom and treatments of one time therapeutic

dosing I have heard can be so beneficial. I have been hearing also, that micro

dosing mushrooms have been helping many in the older crowd also !!

I really don't have much more than that to be able to say except I really wish the

best support for your mom and in getting the best and safest options for her

to have the best optimum help. She sounds strong and let's do our best to keep

her the healthiest as possible.

I have her in my thoughts and heart and really do feel for her to get better and feel

well too. And I hope that you have the very best support that you can. K

I am glad that you can be stronger together and have more super strong strength

that way !! That's cool. Help each other and it will feel and be so much better.

K. Bye !!

Take Care. Hearts to you. Smiles. Stay Awesome

The positive vibes are great, but maybe you misread what I was saying. My Mom is not doing so well as a result of long-covid. I hope to change that and sought advice on here. Anyways, have a great day @kiely ! Your bubbly attitude is always welcome.

 

[kiely]

The positive vibes are great, but maybe you misread what I was saying. My Mom is not doing so well as a result of long-covid. I hope to change that and sought advice on here. Anyways, have a great day @kiely ! Your bubbly attitude is always welcome.

I am so sorry. I hope that she has a healthy diet. And that she can improve. I thought that she was for a while there. But I think that she can.

What can be done for it. Did she get a diagnosis. All the best to your mom.

I was thinking that maybe it was a flare up and will pull through this soon. I also hope that she has good support from the people she is close to at home

and with family. I felt that she was strong and young enough to keep persevering through the worst of it. I do hope that it gets better though too.


edit : spelling. from support of family and all.

I hope she stays as well and is still doing alright as possible. It's terrible to go through ailments. Sori.

 

[chippermonk]

I used to have this happen as a side effect of a medication I was on. I would do all kinds of puzzles, hidden object, crosswords, number games, sudoku, etc. I would also read often. Anything that helps with brain function.
I know you said you don't think it's Alzheimer's or dementia, but keep in mind those are 2 different things. Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia, but it's not the only thing that can cause it. My step dad had Alzheimer's that led to dementia, and he was very aware of the deficiencies. He would get very frustrated when he couldn't find the correct word or someone's name.
My question for you is, why do you think it's long COVID? Does she exhibit other signs of long COVID? Fatigue, stomach issues, cough, heart palpitations, dizziness, fever, etc? I know brain fog is one of the symptoms and that usually resolves itself after a period of time. Is having her evaluated an option?
I looked this up and thought it might be helpful.

Long COVID Brain Fog: What It Is and How to Manage It

Yale Medicine doctors discuss “brain fog” and how it can affect people with Long COVID. It’s not curable, but treatments and coping strategies can help.

www.yalemedicine.org

Sorry about your mom. I'm sending wishes for a speedy recovery.

I agree about it maybe being a side effect of medications she is taking. I remember my grandma getting really weird and confused, like a whole personality change, after my grandpa died. Turned it had something to do with meds they were giving her. She stopped and went back to being her old normal smart sweet self.
Likewise, when my mother in law was taking oxycodone, she was hallucinating devils and ghosts of dead people and fire. Not the reaction I get from oxy... Point being, people get all kinds of out of the ordinary reactions to drugs( or herbs) they take, and maybe worse with age ( not that 68 is so old)
But I'm sorry to hear about her. I know she's been a mainstay for you. It must be very painful and sad

 

[BK38]

I agree about it maybe being a side effect of medications she is taking. I remember my grandma getting really weird and confused, like a whole personality change, after my grandpa died. Turned it had something to do with meds they were giving her. She stopped and went back to being her old normal smart sweet self.
Likewise, when my mother in law was taking oxycodone, she was hallucinating devils and ghosts of dead people and fire. Not the reaction I get from oxy... Point being, people get all kinds of out of the ordinary reactions to drugs( or herbs) they take, and maybe worse with age ( not that 68 is so old)
But I'm sorry to hear about her. I know she's been a mainstay for you. It must be very painful and sad

Thank you, as far as I know my mom isn't on any medication right now, just supplements.