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The incomparable science journalist David Tuller (https://crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/42302) shares how he dissects and reports on medical research. He made a name for himself contesting the methods used in the PACE trial, a study that claimed to support the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exercise as a treatment for ME/CFS, but has now been debunked. He sees similarities between the approach to ME and now Long Covid. I ask David about the legacy of the PACE trial today, and how we can we trust what we read in scientific journals.

David is an independent science journalist and holds a fellowship at UC Berkeley Center for Global Public Health. His position is entirely funded by donations from the public. Consider supporting his work here:  https://crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/42302

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Welcome to The Medicine Cabinet, a series of episodes where I pull out a pill bottle and explain why it might be used in Long Covid.

Today we're covering the Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, the two antivirals currently FDA approved to treat acute covid infections, and sometimes Long Covid. They are very different drugs, with very different side effect profiles...and they're not for everyone. Learn the basics on the very first episode of the The Medicine Cabinet.

What's in your medicine cabinet? What drug or supplement do you want to learn more about? Email me at [email protected]

*The contents of this podcast are for educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Talk to your medical professional before starting any new treatment.*

Links:
Molnupiravir https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/antivirals-including-antibody-products/molnupiravir/
Paxlovid https://www.fda.gov/media/158165/download

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Season 2 is here! It's also episode #13 so for something spooky, let's talk about getting reinfected with the virus that changed your life forever. Today I discuss how my recent reinfection felt, how reinfection affected my Long Covid symptoms, and how I responded. I'll share how antivirals work, who they work best for, and who shouldn't take them. We'll also peruse the existing literature on reinfection and Long Covid. 

How did reinfection affect you? Email me at [email protected]

Links:
https://www.fda.gov/media/158165/download
https://www.pfizer.com/science/coronavirus/severe-covid
https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/antivirals-including-antibody-products/molnupiravir/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10454552/
https://www.longcovid.org/images/Documents/Reinfections_in_Long_Covid_Survey_Report_by_Long_Covid_Support_and_Long_Covid_Kids_080922.pdf

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In the final episode of Season 1 I discuss my favorite subject, anesthesiology. I explain how anesthesia works, whether it's an injection at the dentist or general anesthesia for major surgery, and discuss how your experience with anesthesia might change now that you have Long Covid. 

Expect a break in episodes while I prepare Season 2.  It's going to be bigger, bolder and even more informative. Follow me on X to stay updated.

Links
My article about Long Covid for the California Society of Anesthesiologists
https://csahq.org/2022/06/13/experiencing-long-covid-as-a-physician-and-a-patient/

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We doctors are an odd bunch, I will admit, but the medical system is even more odd. It's complicated, it's constricting, and the business of medicine infiltrates the patient-physician relationship.  Most doctors are as unhappy about this as you are. Today I explain the constraints doctors work within that directly affect your experience as a patient, and how to work within these constraints to make the most out of your doctor visits. 

Links:
Why Doctor Visits Are So Short
https://www.kevinmd.com/2014/05/10-minutes-doctor.html

Changes in Patient Outcomes Associated With Private Equity Acquisition
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2813379

Physician Burnout 
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2810256

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Some significant news hit the press this week, with significant backlash. Today I explain the news, the backlash, and how I stay up to date on Long Covid without getting swept up in the response. Emotions are important and require energy, so I share my step-by-step approach to processing heavy events without damaging my recovery. 

What do you think? Email comments to [email protected]

Links

Deep Phenotyping of Post-Infectious Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45107-3

David Tuller, Virology Blog, Interview with Neuroscientist Michael VanElzakker
https://virology.ws/2024/02/28/trial-by-error-an-interview-with-neuroscientist-michael-vanelzakker-about-the-just-published-and-long-awaited-nih-study/

CDC Updated Covid Isolation Guidelines
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/background/index.html

Ashish Jha's X post
https://x.com/ashishkjha/status/1763661662739943810?s=20

Happiness Lab Podcast
https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos

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America hasn't found a cure or even a treatment for Long Covid. Today I explain why. It's about money, but it's more complicated than just money.

Links:
RECOVER https://recovercovid.org/
https://www.statnews.com/2023/08/09/long-covid-nih-trials/#:~:text=Among%20the%20trials%20announced%20so,along%20with%20several%20behavioral%20options.
AHRQ  https://www.ahrq.gov/coronavirus/long-covid.html
PAHPA https://aspr.hhs.gov/legal/pahpa/Pages/default.aspx

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Congressional support for Long Covid research influences all of us, but can be hard to understand. I researched so you don't have to, and in this episode I tell you what I've learned.

On January 18, 2024 the US Senate HELP Committee held a hearing "Addressing Long Covid: Advancing Research and Improving Patient Care." I'll explain the who/what/where and why and explain what Long Covid research funding exists today.

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Links:
https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/addressing-long-covid-advancing-research-and-improving-patient-care

Bernie Sanders Op-Ed: "US Is Turning its Back on Long Covid"
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2024/01/26/long-covid-paxlovid-costs-plaguing-american-healthcare/72337750007/

Senators Kaine/Young/Inhoff Advocate for LC
https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/4181662-after-the-pandemic-ends-long-covid-still-needs-congressional-attention/

https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-kaine-introduce-bill-to-support-americans-living-with-long-covid

RECOVER Initiative
https://recovercovid.org/

AHRQ funding for Long Covid
https://www.ahrq.gov/coronavirus/long-covid.html

Long Covid Moonshot
https://longcovidmoonshot.com/

Long Covid Action Project Media Release
https://longcovidactionproject.com/long-covid-activists-disrupt-senate-hearing/

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Welcome 2024! This is NOT another new years resolution list. Instead, I discuss the priorities I set for myself to support my recovery and make the most of my resources. Some of them require action around the new year, some of them require reflection throughout the year. On this episode, I share 5 of the things I am doing around the New Year to protect my health and continue my recovery from Long Covid.

I want to hear from you! Email me at [email protected]

Find me on X @doctor_zeest

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It's easy to feel out of touch with Long Covid science.  Recently, three of the most prestigious Long Covid researchers updated a group of prestigious physicians on this very topic. Lucky for us the meeting was recorded and shared. Lucky for you, I've summarized it and translated the medical jargon.  

In this episode I summarize the words of Drs Ziad al-Aly, Michael Peluso and Akiko Iwasaki, as they presented their research to a group of physicians at UCSF. The meeting, Internal Medicine Grand Rounds was held on December 14, 2023 and was moderated by department Chair Dr Bob Wachter. The scientists each discuss their groundbreaking Long Covid findings, their current research studies, and their predictions for the future.  I did my best to present their work in a way that is accurate and accessible to everyone.  

Email me at [email protected]

Watch the original meeting on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMt6ZV-hHSE

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