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 plateaus
• The push-crash cycle and energy envelope
• Mental health, grief, and decision-making in chronic illness
• Why trying treatments at random can backfire
• How to think strategically instead of reactively

Episodes referenced:

#43: Sensory Integration Therapy for Long COVID

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For immediate crisis support in the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, offering free, confidential 24/7 help for mental health, substance use, or emotional distress via call, text, or chat.

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Wondering whether to focus on treating Long COVID symptoms or finding the “root cause”? In this episode, Dr. Zeest Khan explains why chasing a cure can lead to false promises and wasted time—and why treating your most pressing symptoms is the fastest, safest way to improve quality of life. Learn how building small wins creates positive momentum, reduces hypervigilance, and empowers you to collaborate effectively with your doctors.

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This week we're sharing an episode from the archive, Dr Khan's appearance on the medical podcast "Taking Healthcare By Storm." Dr Zeest Khan tells Dr Jean Storm about her long COVID journey and the lessons she’s learned as both a physician and a patient. They discuss peer support, medical uncertainty, and why claiming your own story can transform the way you navigate chronic illness. A candid, empowering conversation.

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A quick life update.

Learn about Alice Wong: https://x.com/doctor_zeest/status/1991929577841868847?s=20

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Dr Khan interviews Dr. Julia Moore-Vogel, Scripps Researcher and lead scientist of the new study using tirzepatide to treat Long COVID. The study is called LoCITT-T, and it is actively enrolling participants. They discuss the study's design, eligibility criteria, and the potential benefits of the drug. Julia shares her personal experience with long COVID and how it has influenced her work. The conversation also covers the importance of making clinical trials accessible to those with disabilities and the innovative use of wearable technology in the study.

Keywords

Long COVID, tirzepatide, clinical trial, disability, wearable technology

Resources:

Long COVID Treatment Trial-Tirzepatide (LoCITT-T): https://www.longcovid.scripps.edu

Fatigue Severity Scale: https://www.med.upenn.edu/cbti/assets/user-content/documents/Fatigue%20Severity%20Scale%20(FSS).pdf

FUN-CAP 27: https://batemanhornecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FUNCAP27-questionnaire.pdf

DSQ-COVID: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360476212_DePaul_Symptom_Questionnaire-COVID

Eric Topol, MD Ground Truths: https://erictopol.substack.com/

All of Us Research Hub: https://www.researchallofus.org/ 

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In this episode of Long COVID MD, Dr. Zeest Khan is joined by Katherine Marie, an nurse practitioner, long COVID patient, and podcast host. They discuss ways to navigate the holiday season while managing long COVID. They share personal experiences and strategies for maintaining health and energy, such as planning energy like a budget, setting boundaries, and building recovery time into schedules. The conversation highlights the importance of self-compassion and adapting traditions to fit current capabilities.

Hear more from Katherine Marie: https://longcovidrealtalk.com/

Keywords

Long COVID, holiday season, energy management, self-compassion, setting boundaries

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Read the Newsletter: https://longcovidmd.substack.com/p/nasal-sprays-a-sure-fire-way-to-reduce?r=478j9x

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In this episode, Dr. Zeest Khan discusses the importance of nasal hygiene in reducing inflammation and preventing infections. She shares practical tips and techniques, including the use of saline and oxymetazoline, to open congested nasal passages. Dr. Khan also highlights the role of nasal steroids and antihistamines in managing symptoms, especially for those with long COVID and allergies.

Keywords

nasal hygiene, inflammation, saline, oxymetazoline, nasal steroids, antihistamines, long COVID, allergies, nasal passages, health tips

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In this conversation, Dr. Zeest Khan discusses how she manages acute infections while dealing with the ongoing effects of long COVID. To recover quickly and reduce side effects of medications, she teaches you to personalize your treatment. In this episode you'll learn the 4 categories of cold medicines, common side effects, and how to read a medication label effectively. Take exactly what you need, and ONLY what you need to recover from an upper respirator infection FAST.

Links:

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Newsletter for this Episode available November 4, 2025. Sign up so you don't miss it!
Hydration the Right Way

Chapters
00:00 Personalized Cold Care Matters
01:11 My Story
02:08 Medical Disclaimer
02:36 Understanding OTC Cold Meds
03:03 Decongestants and Their Effectiveness
03:48 Four Categories of Cold Meds
04:08 Pain/Fever
04:21 Pick the Right Decongestant
04:58 Antihistamines Explained
07:09 Side Effects of Decongestants
07:57 Antihistamines
09:01 Join the Community!
09:19 Tailoring Treatment to Individual Needs
09:52 Cough Meds
11:05 Practical Application of Cold Care
12:07 The Importance of Pain Management
13:31 Personal Experience with Cold Treatment
15:00 Why You Need Personalized Treatment
15:36 Rest, Hydrate, & Stay Positive

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Is scientific research vulnerable to political instability? Dr. Zeest Khan explains how the current US government shutdown could disrupt the billion-dollar NIH RECOVER project, delay clinical trials, and jeopardize the chances of discovering effective treatment. Guests Michael Sieverts and Ezra Spier share insider perspectives on why transparency, stable funding, and patient collaboration are essential to saving Long COVID research and restoring trust in science.

Read more on this topic at Substack

Referenced Episodes:

Tylenol-COVID Connection

Takeaways from RECOVER-TLC 2025

Episode 18: Long COVID Advocacy

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