Living with Long covid

Send a text In this episode of the podcast I thought it would be useful to discuss planning and preparing for a return to work. I wanted to share my lived experience of returning to work and what process needs to be considered and completed prior to returning to work. I tried to fumble through the process of returning to work after an extensive period of time off, and with a long term condition/di...

Send a text I have another inspirational guest on the podcast today. Emma is a nurse who has Long Covid with multiple organ damage. Emma lost her NHS job and experienced gaslighting at a time when she needed medical professional help and support the most. Suffering an inability to take care of herself and having bedsores among the multitude of symptoms Emma is living with. Emma advises her and her...

Send a text In this episode of the podcast I talk about relationships "in sickness and in health". I discuss how chronic illness/disability can impact on relationships, this does not just come down to a partner, it includes relationships with family, friends, colleagues and most importantly the relationship with yourself. I reflect on friendships and relationships, the good and bad times...

Send a text On this episode I have a guest, Kerry is a fellow nurse and advocate for Long Covid. A founding and current member of LCNMUK (Long Covid, Nurses and Midwives UK). Kerry and I discuss the impact of Long Covid, the varying symptoms and how these effect everyday life. Kerry explains she initially had over 30 symptoms, ranging from body rashes, temperatures to cognitive and speech issues....

Send a text In this episode I talk with Heidi Baseler neuroscientist at the university of York in the Hull York medical school. We talk about the brain, micro clots research and Long Covid. How these could be acutely and chronically effecting the brain. The symptom overlap with ME/CFS and other post viral conditions. Heidi discusses a research/study paper that she has had published "The negat...

Send a text This is an extra podcast ahead of the Panorama podcast this evening 'Forgotten Heroes of the Covid Front Line. I am lucky to have a special guest Rachel, founder along with her friends and colleagues, Cass and Sarah of the Keyworker petition group. If you haven't signed the petition yet, please do, you will find the link below. Rachel and her family feature in the panorama pr...

Send a text In this episode I talk about symptom overlap with other conditions. What is what? this can be so confusing and cause symptoms to not be investigated or afforded any potential treatment. I specifically look at Long Covid, peri-menopause, menopause, Testosterone and POTS. I explore some of the research and guidance relation to these conditions and Long Covid. I explain how I worked out I...

Send a text This is episode 50! I can't quite believe it, however it has inspired me to record this episode "The journey so far!"  I never thought I would be podcasting, and definitely not while trying to navigate a newly diagnosed chronic condition. It has been quite a journey which continues to be like an out of control rollercoaster. I have learnt a lot throughout my Long Covid j...

Send a text I never thought I would need to get to know myself, or a new version of me due to the impact of a long term condition.  In this episode I talk about how living with Long Covid and POTS has changed how I see myself, how the physical impact has changed or limited the things I use to do and/or enjoy. I talk about reflecting upon myself and times when I have not recognised the person in th...

Send a text This episode is part two of my return to work journey. We have had the Christmas break and I took some annual leave. I was on week 6 of my return to work journey before the Christmas break. I had built up to 7 hours of work per week at this point. I was doing 3.5 hours over two days. I discuss the difficulty of returning to work, factors to consider and provide my top 10 tips for start...

Send a text Happy new year, I wish all of my listeners a happy, peaceful and brighter new year. In today's episode I am talking with Chiara Berardelli a former GP and current musician singer songwriter. We discuss a new song Chiara has released which is inspired by her experience of Long Covid and learning to accept and live with the condition. Chiara talks about her experience with pacing an...

Send a text I know this episode will go out on Christmas Day, I had thought about leaving the podcast for a week or so, as I put it out on a Sunday however I thought someone may find it helpful.  I talk about Christmas, reflection, the ghosts of Christmas past and looking to the future...no it is not my version of scrooge I promise.  I find a year end and new one beginning does evoke reflection an...

Send a text On this episode I talk about communication, the importance of having a voice and how Long Covid may impact on our communication.  I discuss the various methods and restrictions of communication, how having my voice distortion has effected the person I once was, before the pandemic.  I reflect on what I have learnt during my career as a carer and a nurse and methods I have used to suppo...

Send a text On this episode of the podcast I am honoured to have a guest, Dr Wes Ely MD, MPH. Dr Ely is an internist, pulmonologist and critical care physician in Nashville. Dr Ely advocates for patients with Long Covid, he is the author of a book, Every deep drawn breath; 100% of the proceeds from this book Dr Ely donates to support ICU and covid survivors and their families rebuild their lives....

Send a text If you follow me on social media you may be aware I have started a slow phased return to work. I want to share this journey with you, the highs, lows and anything in-between.  I am hopeful my experience can support others in their own journey. I talk about planning the return to work, what to consider and how a very flexible plan needs formulating and agreeing. I discuss how a standard...

Send a text In today's episode I  am honoured to have a guest; Dr Jacob Teitelbaum MD talking with me about his own journey with post viral ME, and how this was one factor which shaped his life's work. Dr Teitelbaum is the author of several books including from fatigued to fantastic, he also is the lead author of 8 studies. Dr Teitelbaum breaks down how the SHINE protocol can be used to...

Send a text In recent months I have been contacted by many people feeling very low and even experiencing  suicidal thoughts. I felt compelled to acknowledge this and after expressing my concerns, my wonderful son suggested he could come onto the podcast to share his,  journey with self harm, mental ill health and suicidal thoughts. I appreciate this is a difficult topic but one that is not spoken...

Send a text Today is episode 40 of the podcast, I can't quite believe that I have recorded 40 episodes, had some excellent guests join me; and most of all reached so many people across the world. Thank you for listening to the podcast, I hope you find it helpful. In today's episode I am privileged to have my first ever guest return for a catch up, Ian and I talk about how he is managing...

Send a text In this episode I am fortunate to have Nilihan join me to talk about a pacing trial that is underway. Nilihan has a vast knowledge and experience in research and trials. Today we talk about the pacing trial, how the trial is being undertaken and how the results will be used to provide therapeutic resources for people not only with Long Covid but also ME/CFS. we discuss the current lack...

Send a text In this episode I talk about how the changes of the season may effect symptoms of Long Covid and other long term conditions. This can be improvement or exacerbation. This is something I have noted over time and now work to prepare my body for the seasonal change and manage my symptoms.  I have found the weather effects people in different ways and some work better in warmer climates wh...

Send a text In today's episode I am extremely lucky to have another fantastic guest; Dr Binita Kane. Dr Kane is a consultant respiratory physician at Manchester University Foundation Trust. A Long Covid advocate and Long Covid kids champion and also the co founder of South Asian heritage month. It was a pleasure and a privilege to talk to Dr Kane about her personal Long Covid journey with her...

Send a text This episode of the podcast comes from the heart. I wanted to talk about how becoming unwell has taken my sense of purpose, almost my full identity however it has also encourage me to get to know and appreciate myself in so many ways. I am hoping you can resonate. I discuss how I/we are not Long Covid, we are not a long term condition, we are so much more than that. Words often have a...

Send a text In this podcast episode I talk about returning to work, and how life needs to be much more than a process of work, rest, recover, repeat. In my personal experience I have found this approach impacts the mental, emotional and social health requirements of a good quality of life. I reflect on what I have learnt following my relapse in March and how I hope to approach a return to work. I...

Send a text I have recently been on holiday, this is usually a time of excitement, looking forward to family time, exploring new places, eating delicious food and drink and having some downtime from general life. Now don't get me wrong many of the above have and are still the case for me, however living with long term conditions has forced me to think more, plan more and learn how to navigate...

Send a text In todays episode I talk with returning guest Cass. I have recently been away and prior to going I had so many fears and reservations, learning to live with chronic conditions will do that to you! Cass, was really supportive and offered out her own experiences and lots of tips to support planning and taking a trip or holiday. I found so much value in these tips, Cass kindly agreed to c...