Svetlana Blitshteyn: On the Front Line With Long Covid and POTS

A pioneer in dysautonomia with pearls on approaching patients with Long Covid and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
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[@boogiebegs]

great stuff, thank you both for your tireless dedication and compassion to LC and POTS... you're both doing incredible work, thank you....

[@marymetzler2705]

Very informative!

[@ParanoidBishop]

In the UK, my GP refuses to diagnose and treat my dysautonomia. As a trail runner who got 'mild COVID' last winter, I knew from fellow athletes what to look out for. My Garmin showed ALL the telltale signs for long COVID dysautonomia. A rise HR/RHR, a drop in HRV and high stress throughout the day/night (unrefreshing sleep), whereas previously this only happened after exercising and eating. I pointed out to my GP that a paediatric dose of beta blockers is the first thing to try. Instead, I got put on an SSRI (which I know has benefits for LC), with the suggestion being this is all in my head and just anxiety. Cold showers/plunges, some supplements work, as does yoga nidra. The important thing is to reconnect with the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system, which is also anti-inflammatory. Frankly, in a sane UK, we could at least try beta blockers, instead, I am forced to take cold plunges in the garden.

[@AdAstraCan]

I'm curious what model of Garmin you have. I used a 735XT for many years and when than finally conked out I bought a Garmin Forerunner 265 two months ago, which is a recent model. I am quite amazed at what it does in terms of tracking heart rate variability, sleep/naps, body battery, and stress, with associated time series plots, all of which match my perceptions quite well. As a 20x marathon finisher, and "Novid" (my wife and I still haven't caught it, partly due to working at home and wearing a mask and getting our boosters), having my system screwed up is a fear. My "internal governor" is still working well after decades of being an athlete: I can do a 20 km run and without looking at my watch I'll be within seconds of the elapsed time when I try it again two weeks later. I am guessing that has something to do with a well-functioning autonomic system. I wish you a full recovery.

[@ParanoidBishop]

@@AdAstraCan hi, I have the same watch. I only just got into trail running last year. I have been ultra careful, but still ended up with COVID last Winter (also got the Alpha strain). Not being able to run sucks, as does seeing my metrics go South. Thanks for the well wishes, fortunately I have a mild case of dysautonomia. Most people who don't measure these things wouldn't even know something is wrong (apart from having less restorative sleep).

[@AdAstraCan]

​@@ParanoidBishop I hope it allows you to train safely and with maximum benefit. No doubt you are already in tune with your body in other ways, as most athletes are.

[@Analoguedialog]

The NHS is shite. I've left my GP over this condition, they have done nothing.

[@leopoldofregoli3817]

It would be interesting to know which immunoglobulin therapy and which plasmapherisis Dr. Blitshtey is talkin about at 43:55

[@louiseburnside8353]

Are most cases vaccinated with mRNA? Seem to be here in NZ

[@KasperSndergaard-ou9tq]

The most common tricker for POTS is your mRNA GMO treatment. No benefits only harm

[@Nick23at63]

Don't block me, Eric.