Episode 30 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Dr Gavin Francis, a GP and writer whose new book "Recovery - the Lost Art of Convalescence" strikes a chord with many Long Covid sufferers. We chat about the book as well as his thoughts on long term illnesses such as Long Covid. I really enjoyed speaking with him, so I hope you do too. Links: Recovery - Profile Books Gavin Francis: doctor & writer ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Long Covid Podcast is ...
Apr 13, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Episode 29 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Lorna Nicholson, founder of PoTS UK and breathing aficionado. We try to de-mystify the condition of PoTS that so many people with Long Covid seem to have developed, as well as talking about my new favourite topic of breathing and how we can help our bodies. Lorna's experience of having PoTS means that she really gets what a lot of us are going through. I hope you enjoy listening to her as much as I did. Links: http://lornanpilates.co.uk/ https:...
Apr 06, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Episode 28 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Dr and researcher Ziyad Al-Aly who has been doing research into Long Covid based in St Louis, USA. We chat about his findings so far, his thoughts on the response to the pandemic as well as Long Covid, and his frustrations around the lack of research into post-viral conditions. Ziyad is an absolute wonder to chat to, so I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Links: Ziyad's LinkedIn profile Ziyad quoted in Guardian article "The WHO is letting dow...
Mar 30, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Episode 27 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Dr Jenny Ceolta-Smith, Occupational Therapist and Co-Founder of Long Covid Work & Occupational Health for Long Covid. In this episode we discuss the situation in the UK that sadly a lot of people with Long Covid are now in - what happens when you have to leave work? What options might you have, and what can you do afterwards? We have plans to do another episode in the future, so if you have employment questions, please do get in touch and w...
Mar 23, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this BONUS episode of the Long Covid Podcast, Jackie talks about what she has learned from her experiences of Long Covid over the past 2 years. Although recovery is not linear, frustrating and definitely not there yet, she discusses some of what has helped her so far, and what she's learned about Long Covid and herself. Hopefully some of this might help you, or someone you know, too. Disclaimer - as always - I am not a medical professional! This is what I have learned about myself through my ...
Mar 18, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Episode 26 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Dr Jacqueline Maybin, Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Consultant Gynaecologist at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh. She is doing research into Long Covid and womens reproductive health funded by the royal society of Edinburgh. We chat about the studies that she is currently involved in - one that is currently at the analysing stage, and 2 that are actively recruiting - one UK-wide, and one a small tissue...
Mar 16, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Episode 25 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with singer David Douglas and composer Gareth Williams about the work they are doing with Scottish Opera's Breath Cycle project which is designed around helping people with Long Covid. The project is currently in pilot stage and they hope to roll it out to a bigger group soon - but it sounds like a fabulous project, mixing together music making, creativity & social interaction with a wonderful team of musicians, as well as the health benefits. I...
Mar 09, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Episode 24 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with artist & poet Alec Finlay who has is the lead artist on the Covid Memorial project in Glasgow. We chat a bit about his experiences both of Long Covid & ME as well how he got involved in the project and how it's gone so far. You can still get involved now in lots of different ways. Alec is an absolute inspiration to speak to - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did Links: "I Remember" blog & info Herald article Herald announces Robert ...
Mar 02, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Episode 23 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Psychologist Sally Riggs, who is also recovering from Long Covid. We chat a bit about her experiences, how this has given her a greater understanding into her patients' struggles and also how looking back on her experiences can help others. We discuss some of the emotions and feelings that become a huge deal throughout a long illness and her advice on what we can (and can't!) do and why. Sally was a pleasure to chat to and there are so many use...
Feb 23, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Episode 22 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Eddie Duncan from the University of Stirling about the LOCO-RISE research study he and his team are doing. We chat about the study, what they are hoping to find out and some of his initial thoughts on rehabilitation for people with Long Covid. We also talk a bit about what we can do, currently, versus what we can't do - and how helping some symptoms is better than helping none. It was a pleasure speaking with Eddie, so I hope you find it as int...
Feb 16, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Episode 21 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Nutritional Therapist Moira Newiss about all things food. We chat about how "normal" doesn't necessarily mean "optimal", a bit about energy production and how we can eat foods that will help our bodies (and our gut) to work much better and keep us healthier - hopefully allowing our bodies to recover. And much more! Listening to Moira definitely made me realise that I could eat in a way that would help me more, so I hope that it helps you too. L...
Feb 10, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Episode 20 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Amy Engkjer who has recovered from Long Covid and set up "Positively Covid" which draws on her own experiences in order to try to help people through. We chat about her experiences with Covid & Long Covid, what she found helped her to recover (and what didn't), and about what inspired Positively Covid - which is a huge resource of helpful strategies as well as the all important Recovery Stories - how important it is to hear that people do r...
Feb 03, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Episode 19 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Cass MacDonald who has had experience of living with chronic conditions for years before also adding Long Covid to the mix, and we look at some of the practical solutions for coping. We talk about some of the adjustments they have made both in their personal life at home as well as at work which help them to manage symptoms. We also chat about their experiences of returns to work, benefits and managing expectations of both ourselves and others....
Jan 27, 2022•59 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Episode 18 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Louise Cummings, Professor of Clinical Linguistics at Hong Kong Polytechnic University & also a speech & language therapist. We talk about the work she has been doing around the cognitive & linguistic difficulties a lot people with Long Covid have been experiencing. She is able to explain some of her interim results, as well as how she is going about assessing people. Routledge: Cognitive-linguistic difficulties in adults with Long ...
Jan 20, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Episode 17 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Wibbs Coulson from Mandukya Yoga. Wibbs is a Yoga & movement teacher with a background as an A&E nurse. His Yoga teachings alone are of great benefit to all, but he has started Long Covid Breathing Classes to help those suffering. We talk about how breathing well can help anyone, especially those with Long Covid, and how important it is to calm down the nervous system and allow the body space to heal. Wibbs and his classes have ...
Jan 13, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Episode 16 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Emilie Combet and David Blane who are leading the ReDIRECT study - a study into how weight management can help people with Long Covid. The study is modeled on one that has already had some successful results in other areas. This study is now live and recruiting - if you are interested, or even think you might be interested, please do go to the website below to sign up or ask any questions that you might have. ReDIRECT website: redirects...
Jan 04, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Episode 15 of the Long Covid Podcast is a bit like a festive tapas - a little bit of everything. Maybe you haven't heard all the episodes and would like to whet your appetite? Or maybe you have heard them all but would like a few pearls of wisdom? I hope you enjoy this compilation episode. The Long Covid Podcast will be back in January - I have some awesome episodes lined up for you. I hope you have a very restful, peaceful and Covid-free festive season. My fabulous guests were: 01 Barbara Melvi...
Dec 27, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Episode 14 of the Long Covid Podcast is a bit different - I am focusing on creativity and these wonderful people who have made something beautiful out of something horrible. Rather than having just one guest, today I am joined by a whole host of wonderfully talented people, all suffering from Long Covid. Artwork mentioned in the podcast, as well as links to visual elements are featured on this page on the podcast website Brighid O’ Dochartaigh – "Recovery Is A Long Time Coming" was published on ...
Dec 21, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Episode 13 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with AJ who has been living with Post Concussion Syndrome for over 3 years, following a brain injury in 2018. Similar to many suffering with Long Covid, AJ lived a very full and active life until her accident when everything changed in a moment. Since then, she has had to adjust her expectations and the way she approaches everything as well as coping with many varying and unpredictable symptoms. In this episode we talk about some of the ways...
Dec 13, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Episode 12 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Kelly Mitchell, the Breathing PT. Kelly is a specialist respiratory physiotherapist and has been treating lots of people with Long Covid, as well as other long term conditions. Kelly has a passion for all things breathing and how it can affect our whole body; breathing poorly can bring on all manner of symptoms and not always the ones that we might expect. This is a fascinating chat and has so much that can help so many people with Long...
Dec 06, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Episode 11 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Iain, who is a long time friend of mine from years back. Iain talks about some of the strategies that he and his partner, Cal, use in their relationship. Cal has Chronic Fatigue and for many years has dealt daily with many symptoms that Long Covid sufferers will be able to identify with. We talk about the difficulties of chronic illnesses, but what shines through is the way that Iain and Cal are a team, and how they find ways to support...
Nov 25, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Episode 10 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Amanda Finley from the USA. Amanda caught Covid right at the start of the pandemic before developing Long Covid and since then has been a real force of nature helping those with Long Covid. We talk about her initial illness, how it progressed and how things in the USA are very different to my experiences in the UK. Amanda has crossed paths with and helped so many people, despite being ill and dealing with many of her own struggles, and ...
Nov 19, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Episode 09 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Claire Hastie. Claire became ill with Covid right at the start of the first wave in the UK and like so many of us, is still suffering the effects of Long Covid. She started the Long Covid Support Group on Facebook in early May 2020 which has grown into a real force to be reckoned with. We talk about her experiences, how the group came to be and what they are fighting for - there have been some really fantastic accomplishments, but sadly...
Nov 10, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Episode 08 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Rachel Whitfield. Rachel has recovered from Long Covid and we talk through some of her experiences and what she thinks has helped her to recover. It gives us all a little bit of hope! It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that neither of us are medical professionals and although the things that Rachel talks about have helped her, there is no guarantee that they will work for everyone. Everyone's journey is different, so please...
Oct 27, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 8
Episode 07 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Suzy Bolt from 360 Mind Body Soul. Suzy has recovered from Long Covid - it's both inspiring and useful to hear what has helped her to recover and how she used her knowledge as a Yoga teacher & NLP coach as well as experience with talking therapies to aid recovery. Suzy is now using her experiences to help others - hear about her Rest, Repair, Recover program for Long Covid sufferers, the research & interviews she has done and ho...
Oct 19, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Episode 06 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Nick Sculthorpe, Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of the West of Scotland. We talk about the two Long Covid studies they have been given funding for - Tracking Persistent Symptoms in Scotland (TraPSS for short) & the NIHR Pacing Study. We talk first about the TraPPS study - skip to 22 minutes to hear about Pacing Study only. Pacing study information (now recruiting): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZZmitb...
Oct 11, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Episode 05 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Dr Amy Small. Amy has had Long Covid having caught Covid-19 at work and has been heavily involved in advocating for those who are not able to advocate for themselves. Her combination of medical knowledge & lived experience gives her a unique ability to help and perspective on the situation. Call CHSS freephone Advice Line Nurses: 0808 801 0899 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Long Covid Podcast is...
Sep 27, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Episode 04 of the Long Covid Podcast is a conversation with Chris White & Jane Ormerod from the Long Covid Scotland Research Group. We talk about the importance of getting involved in research projects, how they can benefit you and some of the projects that are currently running. We feature the Glasgow Science Festival which is an annual event in Glasgow. This year it features a large online segment on Covid & Long Covid. It's a huge and fascinating piece of work and has unfortunately no...
Sep 20, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Episode 03 of the Long Covid Podcast is a chat with Chiara Berardelli; former GP, now Singer Songwriter. We talk about how being ill for such a long time impacts on our mental health, frustration with certain medical professionals & society as well as the difficulty of going from being healthy and active to often housebound and isolated. At the end of the podcast we hear a song that Chiara has written about Long Covid; "Tyrannosaurus" is her pet name of LC because the headaches were like a m...
Sep 12, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Episode 02 of the Long Covid Podcast is a bit of a personal one - my partner and I share our experiences of Covid and Long Covid over the last 17 months, coming from a lifestyle where we were very fit and active together to me having to deal with him going out without me, as well as him having to do so many things for me. Although my Long Covid isn't as severe as some, it's a sobering lesson in what long-lasting effects the virus can have on someone young and previously very fit & completely...
Aug 22, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 2
