iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Hi long covid crew, I’d like to see a Dr to run tests for reactivated viruses and determine if my swollen and worsening lymph nodes are anything other than MECFS. Any recommendations for a good Dr MA, NH, ME?

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Now that I have POTS can I deduct pickles from my HSA? It seems only fair…

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Got the flu shot at Walgreens. Pharmacist noted ‘better late than never.’ He said antibiotics and cough med orders were through the roof. I was the only person masked 🙃

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

I have an increase in headaches & nausea, and new sudden vomiting with POTS from longcovid. It’s not improving after stopping Mestinon. Anyone have recommendations for things I can ask my neuro’s NP next week?

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Good to know. I need to be more consistent with CoQ10 & will keep watch for side effects

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

I’ve been on Mestinon for long covid for 3 months and have had such a slow increase in GI problems I didn’t realize it was related until now! If you have strange new symptoms check your meds!

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

My cashier at TJs said her husband had cancer and they had to cancel plans because all of their immediate family was sick. She asked if the same thing happened to me. I said no, I mask as a precaution to avoid viruses. She thanked me for doing so. Sometimes it’s that easy 💛

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

😂 yes! A close second for me is the sound of tinnitus. One track on repeat all year.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

My heart breaks for all the young people that have long covid. 💛

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Second #longcovid study visit. When I stand blood flow to my brain decreases by ~40%. It’s so validating to have data to explain why I feel awful and combat the gaslighting of everyone pretending covid risks aren’t real.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

3 years later and I have a POTS diagnosis! I know this will make for a challenging second half of life, but today I’m celebrating having a name for it. #LongCovid

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

I participated in this. I thought the research team was terrific.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

I think Mestinon is helping my long covid PEM! I took on a huge home project yesterday and was ready to wake up to flu like symptoms. No sore throat, no fever/chills. Really sore muscles and a mild headache. Hopefully this holds true for tomorrow too 🤞🏻

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Thanks for sharing. I just started this med.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Yes! I take mine with breakfast. When I increase a dose it makes me a little foggy, if it could impact my work I take 80% early then 20% 2-3 hours later. I get a little nauseous midday with an AM dose, but I think that’s only partly LDN.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

I’ve been frugal after having to take a year off work because of long covid. But this year I decided to invest in seeing some specialists. I’m nervous about what my upcoming bills will be but I hit my deductible today so hopefully that will help.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Woah I got a call today that I could do autonomic testing in a week! I thought I’d be lucky to get in this year. I’m interested to see how I fare in the tilt table test. I failed the NASA lean test at minute 9.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Yes! My Ivabradine from CostPlus is $40, with insurance at a big name pharmacy it was $75.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

On the verge of happy tears. Finally saw an autonomic neurologist that was not phased by long covid and is ordering blood work, autonomic testing, and having me try Mestonin. Check out local Dysautonomia groups for people in your area. I waited a year for this appt and damn was it worth the wait.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Rationing heart medication because a specialist wants me to get it from my primary care form now on, with zero notice 😡

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

100%. It’s taken me a while to learn how to balance & honor my past and present identities.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

How interesting, thanks for sharing. Saving this for later 📌

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

I’m super sensitive to meds, so that might be why. Are you taking that dose for LC? I’m still increasing and not sure when I’ll stop. At 2.5mg now.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Thank you! Yeah it will be a test to see if the Ivabradine helps reduce the PEM or not.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

The stars aligned today and I cleaned out my shed, despite my long covid. Yesterday I increased my LDN, resulting in an energy boost. It was not super hot. Ivabradine kept my HR in check. And I have off work tomorrow to rest. It felt so good to be active. But these stars align infrequently.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

First bit of good news at a Dr appt! I became prediabetic after covid, and following three years of hard work + meds my numbers are normal again. 🙌🏻 Now to sort out my other long covid symptoms. Has anyone had luck addressing swollen and painful lymph nodes under the jaw?

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

This week marks 3 long, miserable years of long covid. It’s been awful. And I’m also really proud of what I’ve been able to endure and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. And of course the drop in barometric pressure is kicking my ass this week just for fun.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Worth getting tested. Mine showed a past, not current, infection. But I’ve had swollen lymph nodes for 3 years and a sore throat 50% of the time. It’s so frustrating.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

I identify as disabled after LC. I had a dynamic disability before that (endometriosis) but LC has been a lot more debilitating.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

So far I’m loving Ivabradine. No side effects apart from needing some extra sleep! Body battery increasing! Taking it for pots-like symptoms. Yellow arrow is when i started. #longcovid

Garmin body battery graph shows an increase in body battery after starting Ivabradine about 10 days ago.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Trying Ivabradine for my long covid pots-like symptoms. My HR spiked when I checked on my garden on this hot night but I don’t feel terrible after. I’m so very cautiously hopeful.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Same! I write it, I practice it out loud. And it never goes quite to plan…but I am realizing we’re both humans and it’s never going to be perfect.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

What an impossible task, to communicate the last three years of struggle in a short appointment. #longcovid

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Thanks for sharing I’m going to save this to read on the tough days 📌

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

My friend said “how are you?” I said it’s raining. She said that doesn’t sound bad as long as it’s short-lived. I realized I was actually in a lot of pain but it’s hard to talk about that so I substituted in the rain. 🙃 Figuring out how to live with pain and chronic illness is tough.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Yes! And fully remote meaning no travel - there are so few of those jobs.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Haha, Congratudolences is perfect, thank you!

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

I failed the NASA lean test in minute 9. My first set of real data for long covid and POTS. I’m feeling two things - I know it’s a serious issue and that’s scary but I’m also happy to have my health challenges affirmed.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

I am a part of a Long Covid study on Thursday. I am holding my breath hoping it won’t be cancelled with these budget cuts. WTF.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

It is so fitting that I’m randomly in a major MCAS flare for Long Covid Awareness Day. On the upside I sat in the sun today and that was great.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

I just got the flu vaccine. It is surreal how I can feel my body reacting to it. And uncanny how similar that reaction feels to a bad day with long covid. There’s a heaviness in my chest, I’m not breathing deeply, my muscles and joints hurt.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

I’m realizing I might need to adjust my language about my Long Covid. I leave my house once a week and experience the severe symptom of internal tremors. I know it can be so much worse, but I think especially to Drs. I’m telling a more optimistic story.

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Mask Bloc 603 is a NH group, in case that’s helpful to know

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Lavender (she/her) @lavender63.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

I am retraining my brain to eat in ways that improves my blood sugar. It is so hard but I’m making tiny steps forward.

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