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It is a privilege to have a  guest join me on the podcast; Oonagh Cousins is a professional athlete living with Long Covid. Oonagh made the difficult decision during Christmas 2022 to retire from her rowing career and from her place on the British rowing team. 
Oonagh talks openly with me about her journey with Long Covid, the impact of her symptoms and trying to rehab with her old club ULBC before rejoining the British rowing team in September 2020.
We talk about the sterotypes of Long Covid and the difference in Oonagh's experience, due to her being an athlete. Oonagh talks openly about her Long Covid journey, and her loss and the experience of loss everyone has in different ways with Long Covid. 
Oonagh talks about her return to exercise following a year and a half of rest and recovery, Oonagh explained her return to exercise was not graded exercise and she worked with a physiologist to workout what was possible. Unfortunately Oonagh was then diagnosed with Dysautonomia and eventually she experienced a relapse. 
We talk about Oonagh's decision to leave her rowing career and her thoughts for the future among much more. I thank Oonagh for joining me on the podcast and hope you enjoy this episode, as always take care. 

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: [email protected] for more information

Episode sponsor; Turnto - This is a brilliant app, a one stop shop to support anyone living with, caring for or supporting and additionally professionals working with people living with Long Covid and or MECFS - please mention The Long Covid podcast n the "how did you hear about us" section, thank you
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On this episode of the podcast I discuss the term "brain fog" and if this is appropriate when talking about neurological impairment in Long Covid. I discuss research and two papers which explain neurological complications with Long Covid and other post viral conditions. Cognitive dysfunction is scary, experiencing the loss of words, forgetting full conversations, moments in your life. Cognitive dysfunction effects many of our systems and evokes a multitude of associated symptoms.
I also discuss how cognitive impairment is often suggested by medical professionals, as being a mental health condition, anxiety/depression rather than being acknowledged as cognitive dysfunction. This is detrimental to any treatment or therapies required for either/or cognitive dysfunction or mental health. It is imperative that further research is undertaken, and medical professionals have extended training, on the multi complex condition Long Covid is and how to appropriately address and treat the associated symptoms that effect the person, physically, cognitively, emotionally and mentally. I hope you enjoy this podcast and always please take care.

Nature reviews microbiology - Hannah. E. Davies et el
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-022-00846-2
National Library of medicine - Brain fog as a long-term sequela of covid 19
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9685075/

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: [email protected] for more information

Episode sponsor; Turnto - This is a brilliant app, a one stop shop to support anyone living with, caring for or supporting and additionally professionals working with people living with Long Covid and or MECFS - please mention The Long Covid podcast n the "how did you hear about us" section, thank you
https://turnto.ai/download?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=livinglongcovidpodcast

Linktree:
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https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
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This episode of the podcast was difficult to record. I worked so hard to achieve my nursing qualification with the aim to work and look after patients within the NHS. I had aspirations, aims to continuously develop my nursing knowledge and experience. To deliver optimum care and support to patients and their families.
Facing a pandemic may have been unprecedented times however this does not excuse the ill prepared approach that was undertaken from the onset. The risk placed upon so many frontline workers, people lost their lives and millions now live with a long term disability/condition.
That is only one part of the journey, as subsequently those very frontline workers including myself are losing their jobs. This is not being reported freely, the treatment of NHS staff, carers and other frontline workers is underhand and inexcusable.
I am aware while under contract workers are muted, however I have lost my job, I no longer have a contract (or an income) so I am no longer muted. I speak openly about my journey to losing my job, the lack of support or empathy.
I repeat several times because it is relevant, I was made redundant, we are 50k nurses short in the UK and I lost my job, without good reason. The irony is also in my job title, Nursing recruitment project lead, it is incomprehensible. I hope you find this episode useful, please share far and wide so we can highlight what is going on within the workforce. Even if it saves one person from losing their job and educates employers that is worthwhile.
As always, thank you for listening and take care.

https://amp.thegaurdian.com/society/2023/mar/26/nhs-england-staff-shortages-could-exceed-570000-by-2036-study-finds
https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/global-nursing/nurse-shortage-branded-a-global-health-emergency-23-03-2023/

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: [email protected] for more information

Episode sponsor; Turnto - This is a brilliant app, a one stop shop to support anyone living with, caring for or supporting and additionally professionals working with people living with Long Covid and or MECFS - please mention The Long Covid podcast n the "how did you hear about us" section, thank you
https://turnto.ai/download?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=livinglongcovidpodcast

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https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn
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https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc

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On this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with the founder and CEO of The Visible App, Harry Leeming.
If you haven’t downloaded the app the link is below, after listening to the podcast I am sure you will want to have this useful tool. Harry explains the app, how it monitors the HRV (heart rate variability) and HR (heart rate) along with self reported information. The app can then provide information and a pattern which can support you to understand when the body is at baseline, under stress or at risk of being under stress, which is a great tool for identifying potential crashes/relapse. Allowing the user to adapt, pace and try to avoid crashes/relapse.
Harry explains the app is constantly being improved and added to and gives an insight into the future of Visible. Which is exciting, you will definitely want to hear the future plans.
Harry also shares his own journey with long covid and how this led to the development of the App.
I hope you enjoy this episode and as always take care. See you on the next podcast. 
Harry’s links:
https://www.instagram.com/visible.health/
https://twitter.com/visible_health
https://twitter.com/HarryLeeming
http://makevisible.com/blog

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: [email protected] for more information

Episode sponsor; Turnto - This is a brilliant app, a one stop shop to support anyone living with, caring for or supporting and additionally professionals working with people living with Long Covid and or MECFS - please mention The Long Covid podcast n the "how did you hear about us" section, thank you
https://turnto.ai/download?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=livinglongcovidpodcast

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
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https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
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https://www.instagram.com/julie_livingwithlongcovid
Planners:
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
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Well being planner:
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In this episode of the podcast I had the honour of speaking with Dr Asad Khan.
Dr Khan talks openly about his own experience of Long Covid, the treatment he has had, the gaslighting experienced, subsequent diagnosis of MCAS, POTS and pericarditis.
Dr Khan explains the treatments he has had to date and how he has had to travel to access these treatments as we are not undertaking these in the UK. This has been undertaken privately and Dr Khan acknowledges how not everyone can afford or are able to access treatments abroad.
We discuss how this impacts life,  how people have lost their lives and taken their lives due to the disabling impact of Long Covid.
Dr Khan and I talk about vaccine injury, organ damage and the possibilities that appropriate research and treatment may offer.
Dr Khan offers hope for the future and advises people to try to understand and read up on their symptoms, implementing some pacing, vagal nerve stimulation, protecting the gut microbiome and other symptom management.
I hope you enjoy this episode and 
Support Links:
https://findahelpline.com
https://www.papyrus-uk.org
https://www.samaritans.org - Tel 116 123
Dr Asad Khan Links:
https://linktr.ee/doctorasadkhan?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&Itsid=37c3e9a1-c15d-40d5-ab31-a9ef41b92ca4
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/doctorasadkhan
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/doctorasadkhan 

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: [email protected] for more information

Episode sponsor; Turnto - This is a brilliant app, a one stop shop to support anyone living with, caring for or supporting and additionally professionals working with people living with Long Covid and or MECFS - please mention The Long Covid podcast n the "how did you hear about us" section, thank you
https://turnto.ai/download?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=livinglongcovidpodcast

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
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https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/julie_livingwithlongcovid
Planners:
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
Return to work planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn
Well being planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc

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On this episode I talk about how I try and see light in the darkest of times. It is often a lonely and scary place to be when we are going through a dark time of our lives. It can be difficult or impossible to come out of that dark place. We can forget, loss is grief and grief has many stages and manifests differently for each person. We also forget that grief is not just the loss of someone human or pet (which is a very difficult time and I am not undermining this) but it is any significant loss to us, anything that has an impact on our lives, the loss of a relationship, a job, a failed exam etc. Loss comes in many formations to our lives, as does the way those losses impact us.
Losing your health means losing independence, the life we once had, the dreams, aspirations and future plans, that is a huge thing to deal with. Working through the grief cycle is different for everyone, and is not linear. We can go in and out of this cycle for a very long time, there is no right or wrong way to deal with loss.
I talk around, trying to see light through the darkness and owning all of our feelings while trying not to stay in the darkness for too long. I personally feel, we learn from everything in life including the most challenging times of our lives, when nothing seems to make sense. It is ok to not be ok, to reach out for help. I have put some support links in the show notes. I hope you can see light in the darkness and know every storm is followed by a rainbow. As always, thank you for listening to the podcast and take care.

https://www.samaritans.org  - Samaritans call 116 123
https://unitedgmh.org - United for global mental health
https://grief.com - Five stages of grief by Elizabeth Kubler Ross and David Kessler

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: [email protected] for more information

Episode sponsor; Turnto - This is a brilliant app, a one stop shop to support anyone living with, caring for or supporting and additionally professionals working with people living with Long Covid and or MECFS - please mention The Long Covid podcast n the "how did you hear about us" section, thank you
https://turnto.ai/download?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=livinglongcovidpodcast

Linktree:
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Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
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https://www.instagram.com/julie_livingwithlongcovid
Planners:
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
Return to work planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn
Well being planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc

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In today's episode of the podcast I am lucky to have a brilliant guest; Emily Bland is a clinical physiologist and POTS and Fatigue Specialist.
Emily and I discuss her own journey with POTS, ME/CFS and endometriosis and how this has led to Emily taking her career path and studying over many years to specialise in this area. Emily is focussed on holistic person centred care and the individualised approach to supporting people with their condition(s) and accompanying symptoms.
Emily explains what the role of a clinical physiologist and how specialist the role is and how it supports people living with chronic illness.
This is an interesting conversation which many people will resonate with, Emily has provided links to charitable organisations and also links to her website, LinkedIn and social media below.
I hope you find this episode of the podcast useful, I hope you have the best day you can, Take care. 

Charitable Organisations:
https://www.potsuk.org/ - POTSUK
https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/ -EDS Society
https://meassociation.org.uk/ - ME association

Emily Bland contact details:
https://www.facebook.comExPhysEm - Emily's Facebook
https://www.linkedin.com/in/exphysem - Emily's Linkedin
https://www.instagram.com/dog.autonomia/ - Emily's Instagram
https://www.exphysem.com - Emily's Website

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: [email protected] for more information

Episode sponsor; Turnto - This is a brilliant app, a one stop shop to support anyone living with, caring for or supporting and additionally professionals working with people living with Long Covid and or MECFS - please mention The Long Covid podcast n the "how did you hear about us" section, thank you
https://turnto.ai/download?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=livinglongcovidpodcast

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
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https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/julie_livingwithlongcovid
Planners:
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
Return to work planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn
Well being planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc

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This episode of the podcast follows on from the last where I talked about Post exertional malaise (PEM), I talk on the subject of crashes. I have found the cycle of crashing and relapsing (boom and bust) very difficult. In the early days I found crashing challenging to deal with or to understand, I have pushed many times causing PEM and crashes. I did not initially understand what was happening.  I was just trying to push through with the aim of getting back to my old self,  my old life. This was never going to be a possibility and I have made myself much worse at times.
This is difficult to come to terms with but it is important to try and make peace with where I was at and work out how I could manage, stay within my energy envelope and avoid crashes. I use various symptom management tools and of course I always champion the 4Ps as pacing is the key when trying to manage energy and avoid those crashes.
It is important to note that this is individual to each person considering lifestyle, tasks, symptoms, responsibilities, abilities etc.
I still have the 4Ps planner available on my Linktree which can be used to support you with pacing. I also champion the visible app which you can download from your App Store.
I hope this episode is useful, as always please get in touch with any comments, or questions. I hope you have the best day you can, as always take care.

UK helplines:
https://www.samaritans.org  Tel: 116 123
https://www.mind.org.uk

International helplines:
https://www.thecalmzone.net

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: [email protected] for more information

Episode sponsor; Turnto - This is a brilliant app, a one stop shop to support anyone living with, caring for or supporting and additionally professionals working with people living with Long Covid and or MECFS - please mention The Long Covid podcast n the "how did you hear about us" section, thank you
https://turnto.ai/download?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=livinglongcovidpodcast

Linktree:
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Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
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Planners:
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Return to work planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn
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This episode considers PEM/PESE why is it so difficult to understand, manage and avoid? I discuss what PEM/PESE is and how is triggered and what that means to daily life.
I have spoken with many people who find they struggle to manage PEM as they can't understand what it is and what it does to the body. I have struggled with this myself as it seems to be able to occur with no reason.
PEM is triggered from exceeding the energy envelope which can be due to physical, emotional or mental use of energy. I find this makes it a taskmaster, working out what your personal triggers are, the delay in symptom exacerbation can make it confusing to work out at what point PEM was triggered.
I discuss journalling, to identify triggers and using pacing, monitoring symptoms, exacerbation of symptoms can be identified using this method and could be a tool to help avoid PEM. You can download my 4Ps planner from my link tree, the link is below. I hope you find this episode useful, as always please take care.

Today's links:
https://emerge.org.au
https://www.jospt.org - Lessons from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome for Long Covid: Postexertional symptom exacerbation is an abnormal response to exercise/activity
https://covidcharity.org
https://longcovid.physio

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: [email protected] for more information

Episode sponsor; Turnto - This is a brilliant app, a one stop shop to support anyone living with, caring for or supporting and additionally professionals working with people living with Long Covid and or MECFS - please mention The Long Covid podcast n the "how did you hear about us" section, thank you
https://turnto.ai/download?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=livinglongcovidpodcast

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
X
https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/julie_livingwithlongcovid
Planners:
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
Return to work planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn
Well being planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc

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On this episode of the podcast I am talking about a very simple question, most people ask most days "how are you?" Such a simple 3 little words, so why do they fill me with dread? 
Simply put I don't know how to answer this anymore, I feel it is a reflex question that goes, "how are you?,  "I am fine thank you, how are you?" and I am not ok, so I can't bring myself to say that I am. I have noted if I have ever said, 'I am fine thank you" the response when I see a person another time, they can be like, "oh are you unwell again" and that is so frustrating. No I am not unwell again, I am living with a long term, currently incurable/treatable condition. 
Is this an opportunity for education? should we stop asking "how are you" unless we truly are interested in the other person's wellbeing? 
I think it is key to consider how this 3 word open ended question could adversely effect the other person, it could prevent someone from feeling they can open up and seek help, if they are not ok. It could cause people to retract from society to avoid these types of empty questions. 
I hope this episode of the podcast is useful, if you do need support please reach out and seek help. This may vary from area to area and country to country , if you are unsure ask your healthcare professional to point you in the direction of support. 

Links:
Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org
Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk

My Links:
Long Covid clinic -Dr Binita Kane & Julie Taylor; Email: [email protected] for more information

Episode sponsor; Turnto - This is a brilliant app, a one stop shop to support anyone living with, caring for or supporting and additionally professionals working with people living with Long Covid and or MECFS - please mention The Long Covid podcast n the "how did you hear about us" section, thank you
https://turnto.ai/download?utm_source=link&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=livinglongcovidpodcast

Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/joulest
X
https://twitter.com/julieTa58407536
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/livingwithlongcovid/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/julie_livingwithlongcovid
Planners:
https://amzn.eu/d/9v9MP4v
Return to work planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/1QVK8zn
Well being planner:
https://amzn.eu/d/a1Safxc