Chronic Fatigue & Long COVID Treatment

You've been to five doctors. They ran basic labs. Everything came back "normal." They told you it's stress, or depression, or "just getting older."

But you know something is wrong. You wake up exhausted. Simple tasks feel impossible. Brain fog is constant. You used to be able to do everything—now you can barely function.

Here's what most doctors miss: Chronic fatigue isn't laziness. It's not "all in your head." It's mitochondrial dysfunction, immune dysregulation, chronic infections, hormone imbalances, or gut inflammation—often all at once.

At Rooted Health Clinic, we specialize in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), post-viral fatigue, and Long COVID using functional medicine protocols that actually work.

What We Treat

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS / ME/CFS) Severe, persistent fatigue lasting 6+ months. Not improved by rest. Often triggered by viral infection. Accompanied by brain fog, post-exertional malaise (crash after activity), unrefreshing sleep, muscle pain.

Long COVID (Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19) Persistent symptoms 3+ months after COVID infection. Fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, exercise intolerance. Some patients never fully recovered.

Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome Fatigue triggered by viral infection (Epstein-Barr, influenza, enterovirus, HHV-6). Similar to CFS but may resolve faster with treatment.

Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Reactivation EBV stays dormant in most people. When immune function declines, it reactivates—causing fatigue, brain fog, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, body aches.

Fibromyalgia Widespread muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, brain fog. Often overlaps with CFS. We treat underlying triggers: gut dysfunction, infections, mitochondrial dysfunction.

Adrenal Fatigue / HPA Axis Dysfunction Chronic stress → cortisol dysregulation → exhaustion. Morning cortisol crashes, wired but tired at night.

Mold Illness (CIRS) Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome caused by mold toxin exposure. Fatigue, brain fog, respiratory issues, joint pain.

Lyme Disease & Co-infections Chronic infections causing fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, neurological symptoms.

Our Approach: Treat First, Test When Needed

Most doctors want to run $2,000 worth of tests before trying anything. We start with what works.

Step 1: Start Treatment Based on Clinical Presentation

We don't make you wait months for test results while you suffer. If you have post-viral fatigue, Long COVID, or chronic EBV symptoms, we start proven protocols immediately:Ivermectin — First Line for Post-Viral Fatigue This isn't just for COVID prevention. Ivermectin has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties that work remarkably well for chronic EBV, Long COVID, and post-viral fatigue. This approach is supported by protocols from the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC) and Integrative Medicine Alliance, including the I-RECOVER Long COVID Treatment protocol. We've seen patients go from bedbound to functional within weeks.

Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) — Immune Modulation & Mitochondrial Support LDN modulates immune function, reduces inflammation, improves energy, and helps with pain. We start at a very low dose and increase gradually based on your response. Especially effective for CFS, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune-driven fatigue.

Mitochondrial Support Protocol Your cells need energy to make energy. We support mitochondrial function with targeted supplementation:

• CoQ10 (ubiquinol form for better absorption)

• L-Carnitine (helps mitochondria burn fat for fuel)

• NAD+ precursors (supports cellular energy production)

• B-complex vitamins (especially B2, B3, B12 for energy production)

• Magnesium (critical for ATP production)

• Alpha-lipoic acid (mitochondrial antioxidant)

Gut Healing — Because Inflammation Drives Fatigue Leaky gut, dysbiosis, and gut infections drive systemic inflammation that exhausts your immune system and mitochondria. We start with:

• Elimination diet (remove gluten, dairy, sugar for 4-6 weeks)

• Probiotics + digestive support (restore good bacteria, improve digestion)

• Anti-inflammatory supplements (omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, vitamin D)

• Gut-healing nutrients (amino acids, minerals, and targeted botanicals)

Many patients see significant improvement just from treating gut inflammation.

Hormone Optimization Thyroid, cortisol, and sex hormones all affect energy. We optimize:

• Thyroid function (T3, reverse T3, not just TSH)

• Cortisol patterns (address HPA axis dysfunction)

• Sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone as needed)

Sleep Restoration Unrefreshing sleep perpetuates fatigue. We address sleep architecture, cortisol timing, melatonin production, and sleep hygiene.

Step 2: Test When Initial Protocol Doesn't Fully Resolve Symptoms

If you're 50-70% better but plateauing, or if symptoms suggest specific infections, we test strategically:

Infection Testing:• Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) panels — distinguish active vs. past infection

• HHV-6, CMV, Coxsackie — other viral reactivations

• Lyme disease — if clinically indicated

• Mycoplasma, mold toxins — if exposure suspected

Immune/Inflammatory Markers:

• C-Reactive Protein (CRP), ESR, ANA, inflammatory cytokines

Mitochondrial Function Testing:

• Organic acids test (OAT) — shows mitochondrial efficiency, nutrient deficiencies, gut dysbiosis

Nutrient Testing:

• Vitamin D, B12, folate, magnesium, zinc, iron — deficiencies worsen fatigue

Hormone Panels:

• Comprehensive thyroid (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, antibodies)

• Cortisol patterns (4-point salivary cortisol)

• Sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA)

Mold/Toxin Testing:

• Urine mycotoxin panel — if mold exposure suspected

Testing is optional and only done when elimination protocols don't resolve symptoms. Many patients improve dramatically without expensive testing.

What to Expect

First Visit (60-90 minutes)

We'll review your full history: when fatigue started, triggers (viral infection, stress, mold exposure), what you've tried, what helps/hurts. We'll discuss your gut health, sleep, stress, and hormone symptoms. We'll create a personalized treatment plan and start medications/supplements immediately.

Follow-Up Care

We see you regularly (every 2-4 weeks initially) to adjust protocols as you improve. Recovery from chronic fatigue is a process—usually 3-6 months to see significant improvement, sometimes 6-12 months for full recovery. But you should start feeling better within weeks.

Membership Model

We don't accept insurance because insurance doesn't pay for the time chronic fatigue patients need. Our Direct Primary Care membership gives you:

• Unlimited office visits — as often as needed

• Text/email access to Dr. Altman — questions don't wait for appointments

• Wholesale supplements — significant savings

• Affordable labs — through LabCorp direct billing

Membership Pricing:

• Pediatric (0-17): $185/month

• Adult (18-64): $245/month

• Senior (65+): $225/month

Testing and specialty treatments are additional, but you'll never be surprised—we discuss costs upfront.

Success Stories

"I got my life back." "I had Long COVID for 8 months—couldn't work, couldn't think, constant fatigue. Three other doctors told me to wait it out. Dr. Altman started me on ivermectin, LDN, and gut healing. Within a month I was 60% better. By 4 months I was back to work full-time. I cannot thank him enough." — J.M., Temple, TX"Finally, someone who listened." "I've had chronic fatigue for 5 years. Every doctor said my labs were fine and offered antidepressants. Dr. Altman found reactivated EBV, thyroid dysfunction, and severe gut dysbiosis. His protocols actually worked. I'm not 100% yet but I'm 80% better—that's life-changing." — S.R., Salado, TX

"Fibromyalgia doesn't control my life anymore." "LDN changed everything. The pain is manageable now, my energy is better, and I can do things I haven't done in years. Dr. Altman treats the cause, not just symptoms." — T.K., Killeen, TX

FAQ

Do I need to stop my current medications? No. We work with your current treatments and optimize from there. Always tell us what you're taking.

How long until I feel better? Most patients notice improvement within 2-4 weeks. Significant recovery usually takes 3-6 months. Full recovery can take 6-12 months depending on how long you've been sick.

Does ivermectin really work for chronic fatigue? Yes. The research shows anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects, and clinically we see dramatic improvements in post-viral fatigue, Long COVID, and chronic EBV. It's not a cure-all, but it's remarkably effective when used correctly.

Do I have to do an elimination diet? We strongly recommend it for the first 4-6 weeks. Gut inflammation drives systemic inflammation, which perpetuates fatigue. Many patients improve significantly just from healing the gut.

What if I can't afford expensive testing? We start with treatment protocols first. Testing is optional and only recommended when initial protocols don't fully resolve symptoms. Many patients recover without extensive testing.

Do you treat children with chronic fatigue? Yes, especially post-viral fatigue, Long COVID, and PANS/PANDAS (autoimmune-triggered fatigue). Our pediatric membership is $185/month.

Will my insurance cover this? We don't accept insurance, but you can use HSA/FSA funds for membership and services. Our membership model exists so we can spend the time you need—insurance doesn't pay for 60-minute appointments.

Can I do this remotely? Yes, we offer telemedicine for Texas residents. Many chronic fatigue patients find in-person visits exhausting—telemedicine works well for ongoing care.

Ready to Get Your Energy Back?

You don't have to live like this. Chronic fatigue is treatable when you address the root cause.

Schedule Your Consultation Call or text: 254-780-0023 Email: hello@elitefamilycare.sprucecare.com

Location: Rooted Health Clinic 1401 N Stagecoach Rd Salado, TX 76571

We serve patients in Salado, Temple, Killeen, Belton, Georgetown, Waco, and surrounding Central Texas communities.This is what functional medicine looks like. This is how you get better.