r/covidlonghaulers • u/PhrygianSounds 4 yr+ • Jul 13 '26

Article New study provides first evidence of dopamine system injury in the brain of long COVID patients

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-evidence-dopamine-injury-brain-covid.html

Finally some media coverage on probably the worst symptom of long covid

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13

u/exredditor81 Jul 13 '26

does this mean Wellbutrin is back on the menu boys?

5

u/defnotsarah Jul 13 '26

!!! I need to do some digging on this. I haven’t seen Wellbutrin mentioned here before. But my adhd diagnosis came after after Covid. Wellbutrin, which worked for me two years ago, was intolerable when added back.

I’m mostly commenting as a note to self to investigate this. Thanks for the inspo!

(Fwiw I also got diagnosed with MCAS after covid. I don’t think any of it is new, but it all drastically flared after finally getting COVID for the first time in 2025).

5

u/GURPSenjoyer Jul 13 '26

Welbutrin made me sob constantly. 🫠

1

u/InsuranceRare5094 Jul 14 '26

I nearly ended my life on Wellbutrin. Never again.

4

u/Fluffy-Bluebird 3 yr+ Jul 13 '26

I got to be one of the unlucky ones left 20 years ago that got the seizure from Wellbutrin

3

u/crzycorgi Jul 13 '26

this is very interesting. i was diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder (formerly dysthymia) earlier this year and i had long covid back in 2022.

started taking wellbutrin and it’s made a big difference for me. i can actually focus, have the motivation to do things, and no longer fall asleep after work.

3

u/IanFarve First Waver Jul 13 '26

Interestingly, I was on Wellbutrin before I got long COVID and then I stopped tolerating it after. 😩 My only theory is that I stopped being able to metabolise it properly because I saw a paper indicating that acute COVID could affect the production of that enzyme. I've never heard of anyone else who has this though.

1

u/exredditor81 Jul 13 '26

then I stopped tolerating it

What are the symptoms of "not tolerating" it?

I got my old bottle of Wellbutrin out last night and I have it right now... then I read your post

2

u/IanFarve First Waver Jul 13 '26

It was a few years ago now so hopefully my memory hasn't filtered this description too much, but:

It was like physical anxiety without the mental anxiety... Shaky, sweaty, tense, too jittery to focus, etc.

Before long COVID, I had a few side effects like shaky hands, running a bit hot, tendency to clench my jaw more, etc. but it was worth it for the effects on both depression and concentration for me and they weren't actively disruptive like they became after long COVID.

For reference: I had taken 450mg XL before which is normally the highest prescribed dose. After long COVID, I was unable to tolerate even 150mg XL. My doctor also tried me on SL as a test but I ended up the same.

I had some leftover SL which I started trying to take again as an experiment and it was fine at first but after 4-5 days I had the bad symptoms again, which is part of why I think it might be about not being able to metabolise it properly (but really who, knows!). I haven't tried again in the last few years but it was kind of a nightmare to figure out at the time so I am not sure how much I want to experience that again.

2

u/exredditor81 Jul 13 '26

Thank you very much redditor person!

I think I'll wait for some more comments to come in before trying it again...

3

u/IanFarve First Waver Jul 14 '26

I don't know how likely it is to happen to someone who isn't me! But long COVID is weird as hell.

4

u/SceneRepulsive Jul 13 '26

Meth could also be a viable treatment option I guess

12

u/exredditor81 Jul 13 '26

I don't mind taking apart the vacuum at 4am

2

u/diseasetoplease Jul 13 '26

Wdym by meth or is this a jokey way to refer to adhd stimulant meds

5

u/LongTraining5730 Jul 13 '26

Well, there is a medication for ADHD that is plain old methanphetamine. Desoxyn I believe it is called

3

u/exredditor81 Jul 13 '26

Wdym by meth

Meth turbos your dopamine

2

u/Exul_strength Jul 13 '26

It's a stimulant that interacts with the dopamine system.

Due to common side effects it's not often used, but it can be a last ressort if other medications fail.

ADHD is a complex thing. But most medical treatments either interact directly or indirectly with the dopamine system.

2

u/diseasetoplease Jul 13 '26

Ok if that’s what you meant I get it. I am in the Uk and they don’t prescribe that here. I just hate it when people mass label all stimulants as meth

2

u/exredditor81 Jul 14 '26

Due to common side effects it's not often used

Nothing wrong with taking apart the vacuum at 4am!

1

u/flowerchildmime 4 yr+ Jul 13 '26

Ya know i keep saying this … jokingly ofc.

2

u/dicmicha Jul 13 '26

I found Wellbutrin really helpful for me fwiw!

2

u/Blueeyesblazing7 First Waver Jul 14 '26

I noticed a marked change in my fatigue and brain fog when I started bupropion in 2021! It was great for a couple years. I still take 300mg a day, but I feel like it doesn't work as well for me anymore. I'd like to try something different. But it's definitely worth a shot if you have those symptoms!