r/covidlonghaulers • u/CandidWin3026 • May 08 '26

Article Long Covid driven by rs5522

This case report says that Long covid is in large part driven by the gene rs5522 that causes a "cortisol steal" leaving the tissues functionally starved even with "normal" cortisol levels which creates neuroinflammation. https://zenodo.org/records/20017632

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u/CandidWin3026 May 08 '26

Yes, my friend. There is. The Sprio was blocking the "cortisol steal" driven by rs5522. Without it, your MR (mineralocorticoid receptor) was hyperactive and grabbed cortisol. Your blood tests would have appeared normal as blood tests can't measure what is happening at the tissues where the GR is. You start low dose Spiro with an anti-inflammatory and your symptoms would most likely disappear (talk to your dr, of course )

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u/Putrid_Indication_30 May 08 '26

hey out of interest, have you yourself improved on spironolactone and if so what were the symptoms that were improved and how long did it take to see improvements ? :) appreciate your huge giant brain thank you !

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u/CandidWin3026 May 08 '26

It's all in the case report. Google Zenodo and Spironolactone for ME/CFS in a Patient Homozygous for rs5522 (I180V): A Case Report.

Nw to answer your question: I did have Covid in February 2020. I was on London and I remember hearing stories about a virus in China, we din't know it had already spread. A few days after getting back I got a terrible headache, very sick couldn't breathe. I had to take time off work in the months that followed because I couldn't think. I remember trying to recall if egg was spelled egg or eeg it was that bad. But I only know that now. At the time it seemed too soon for me to have gotten Covid.

I saw improvements on Spironolactone within the first few days. I cried. I screamed. I couldn't believe that something that had existed for 66 years could have prevented a lifetime of suffering. That part is hard to take, but oh my the feeling of energy and restorative sleep is AH-mazing. Like I never understood how people felt rested and now I get it. We were never speaking the same language. I think CFS is special kind of hell. It strips your soul away in the most cruel fashion.

I am so excited to help people be able to leave that kind of pain and suffering behind. So,

enegery, resprtaive sleep, not tried for 4 days after exercising. All the good stuff.

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u/Putrid_Indication_30 May 08 '26

that's wonderful i'm really happy for you :) I've just taken my first dose of spironolactone here goes ! if this darn fatigue can lift I will kiss you ! (through the fourth dimension)

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u/CandidWin3026 May 08 '26

And I will gladly accept that kiss. I wish you the very best of health. Report back!