Long Covid, MD

69. Protecting Our Caregivers

Join the community at longcovidmd.comCaregiving can slowly reshape a relationship, often in ways people do not talk about. In this episode, Dr. Zeest Khan speaks with Kim Moy about the emotional and practical realities of long-term caregiving.YOU'LL LEARN:Why burnout creeps up slowly, and the early warning signs to watch forWhat "ambiguous loss" is and why naming it changes everythingHow to keep your relationship alive when illness takes overPractical tools: the task audit, the 5-minute morning ritual, and the "good jobs list"When and how to ask for help even when you have no budgetKim has spent more than 30 years caring for her husband who lives with ME/CFS while raising two children and working full time. She shares the idea of “ambiguous loss,” the grief of losing the person someone once was while they are still physically present, and why acknowledging that grief can help caregivers reconnect with their loved ones.Kim also shares practical tools she teaches caregivers. She explains how to spot early signs of burnout and how to keep illness from defining the entire relationship. She also shares simple daily practices that help caregivers restore their energy and recognize the invisible work they do.Listen to the episode to hear Kim’s insights and practical guidance for navigating caregiving while protecting your health and your relationship.Resources for chronic illness caregivers:Website & support resources: https://www.caregiverwisdom.netWeekly caregiver newsletter: https://newsletter.caregiverwisdom.netCaregiver burnout quiz: https://www.caregiverwisdom.net/burnoutquizSupport the showSubscribe for free written summaries of each episode, resources, and more.  LongCovidMD.substack.com/subscribeSupport by donating at BuyMeACoffee

68. The NEW Study on Stellate Ganglion Block

Dr Anna Maria Bombardieri is a Stanford physician-scientist working with the NIH. She is helping design the RECOVER-TLC study on stellate ganglion block for long COVID. In this mini-episode, she explains the process, who's involved in this developing study, and what the goals are.Until March 3, 2026, the study design is available to review and open to public comments. Listen to Dr Bombardieri explain the study and watch/listen to our longer video explaining everything about stellate blocks. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CcGChFTZwvY Then, be part of the science! Share your input with RECOVER-TLC: https://recovercovid.org/news/recover-tlc-seeks-input-planned-study-possible-long-covid-treatmentJoin the LCMD community for support, science, and news. Sign up at http://LongCovidMD.com#longCOVID #COVID #fatigue #MECFS #POTS #medicine #scienceSupport the showSubscribe for free written summaries of each episode, resources, and more.  LongCovidMD.substack.com/subscribeSupport by donating at BuyMeACoffee

67. Stellate Ganglion Blocks, Explained by Experts

👉 Free newsletter & resources: https://longcovidmd.comWatch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CcGChFTZwvYCan a stellate ganglion block (SGB) help long COVID?In this episode, physician and long COVID patient Dr. Zeest Khan speaks with two experts to explain the science, patient experience, risks, and research behind this procedure now being studied in the NIH RECOVER program:-Dr. Anna Maria Bombardieri, physician-scientist helping design the NIH RECOVER study on SGB  https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/anna-maria-bombardieri-Dr. Sara Herman, anesthesiologist performing stellate ganglion blocks in clinical practice. https://softrebootwellness.com/YOU'LL LEARN:• What the stellate ganglion is and why blocking it may help autonomic symptoms• What the procedure feels like• Which long COVID symptoms may improve (brain fog, POTS, fatigue, smell/taste changes)• Side effects, variability, and realistic expectations• How to vet a provider and stay safeBE PART OF THE SCIENCE: The RECOVER-TLC study design is now open for public comment. Learn more at https://recovercovid.org/news/recover-tlc-seeks-input-planned-study-possible-long-covid-treatmentJoin the LCMD community for support, science, and news. Sign up at http://LongCovidMD.com#longCOVID #COVID #fatigue #MECFS #POTS #medicine #science Chapters:00:00 Understanding Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for Long COVID01:36 Personal Insights and Professional Perspectives on SGB02:36 Why SGB Got Attention05:20 How SGB Is Currently Used06:54 What's the Stellate Ganglion?11:35 Side Effects12:26 Anatomy Lesson You Need to Know17:07 TL;DR: SGB anatomy17:58 How SGB Can Reset the Nervous System23:46 Is SGB Permanent?25:58 What Does SGB Feel Like?33:15 Possible Results34:12 How to Find a Provider38:43 Can SGB Cure Long COVID?40:05 SGB Research40:29 TL;DR SummarySupport the showSubscribe for free written summaries of each episode, resources, and more.  LongCovidMD.substack.com/subscribeSupport by donating at BuyMeACoffee

66.How Close Are We to an Approved Long COVID Treatment? | RECOVER-TLC Research Update

RECOVER-TLC released a public update on four major long COVID treatment trials. Many patients are asking the same question: how close are we to an approved treatment?In this episode, I break down how RECOVER-TLC chooses treatments to study, why the research process takes so long, and where each of the four current trials stands right now. I’ll also explain what this progress realistically means for people living with long COVID—without hype and without false hope.This is for people who want a clear, honest explanation of long COVID research and timelines, and who want to understand how close—or far—we really are from approved treatments.In this episode:-Why approved long COVID treatments take so long-How RECOVER-TLC selects and designs clinical trials-Updates on baricitinib, low-dose naltrexone, GLP-1 agonists, and stellate ganglion block-What this research means for patients right nowChapters:00:00 Understanding Long COVID and Research Delays01:43 The Process of Choosing Targets03:49 Designing Clinical Trials07:32 Join the Community08:25 Baricitinib09:54 Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)11:08 Semaglutide: Exploring GLP-1 Treatments14:08 Stellate Ganglion Block16:52 Key Takeaways and Future Outlook#longCOVID #COVID #fatigue #MECFS #POTS #medicine #science #RECOVERTLC #NIH #FDA #NIAIDSupport the showSubscribe for free written summaries of each episode, resources, and more.  LongCovidMD.substack.com/subscribeSupport by donating at BuyMeACoffee

65. Why Has Your Recovery Stalled?

Many people with long COVID see early improvement—then hit a recovery plateau. In this episode, physician and long COVID patient Dr. Zeest Khan explains why long COVID recovery stalls and the three patterns she sees most often when progress gets stuck.Topics covered:Why long COVID recovery plateausThe push-crash cycle and energy envelopeMental health, grief, and decision-making in chronic illnessWhy trying treatments at random can backfireHow to think strategically instead of reactivelyEpisodes referenced:#43: Sensory Integration Therapy for Long COVIDSupport the showSubscribe for free written summaries of each episode, resources, and more.  LongCovidMD.substack.com/subscribeSupport by donating at BuyMeACoffee