Fixing Your Autonomic Function in Long Covid | With Dr Boon Lim (Film 1)
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- čas přidán 16. 06. 2024
- Dysautonomia is one of the most common symptom drivers in Long Covid, and in this film I talk to Dr Boon Lim, Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, and clinical lead for the Imperial Syncope Unit @ Hammersmith Hospital to discuss how it presents, why it happens, and how he treats it in his clinic.
Ever wondered why you wake up in the night with your heart racing? We talk about that too.
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The Long Covid Handbook (Oct 2022), by Gez Medinger and Professor Danny Altmann and published by Penguin Books is now available in paperback, ebook and audiobook. A singular resource that brings together everything patients, clinicians and academics have learnt about the condition since early 2020, as well as lessons from sufferers and researchers of ME/CFS and other chronic conditions. It offers world leading expert advice on understanding, managing and treating Long Covid. The Long Covid Handbook is available from the following links:
US: a.co/d/0gvkJCU
UK: amzn.eu/d/9KjurGb
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Dr Lim is also author of Penguin Life Expert Book "Keeping Your Heart Healthy": amzn.to/3n6Vi4r
drboonlim.co.uk
In the next films in this series we will discuss the role of tilt tests, analyse some results, and demonstrate how breathwork can have an immediate and powerful impact on HRV.
Film 2 - Tilt Test vs Battle:
• Fixing Your Autonomic ...
Part 3: How To Boost Your HRV
• How to Boost Your HRV ...
The device used by Dr Lim is called the Inner Balance (from HeartMath). There is a discount code (StopFainting10) which you can use to get a 10% discount on the order at: www.heartmath.co.uk/shop/
CONTENTS:
0:00 Introduction
1:12 What is Dysautonomia?
3:48 The 'CLUNK'
7:10 How to Handle Activity
10:00 Pacing and Parasympathetic Stimulation
12:15 The Physiology of Yawning
15:30 How To Treat Dysautonomia?
22:20 Pharmacological Interventions
24:30 Palpitations at Night
26:15 Outro
RESOURCES:
stopfainting.com/long-covid-r...
Suzy Bolt : Rest Repair Recovery program
www.360mindbodysoul.co.uk/
ENO Breathe:
www.eno.org/breathe/
Breathe yourself better (link to Inner Balance here with 10% discount code - also supporting the www.stopfainting.com website!)
stopfainting.com/breathe-your...
Article - freely available: Autonomic dysfunction in long covid:
stopfainting.com/wp-content/u... - Věda a technologie
My heart goes out to all those who have suffered from Covid and all those long haulers, but….. I have to be honest. So few doctors understand autonomic dysfunction. I hope and pray more interest develops in the medical community to shed light on POTS and other adrenal and nervous system disorders. So many people aren’t heard or supported emotionally and physically. It’s real and real miserable. It derails your life for months, even years. Thank you gentlemen for being the frontiers and making a difference!
They know of these conditions the doctors are not trained to deal with these conditions they have no protocol to handle they almost killed me by give me nitroglycerin
I had blocked on heart rate down to 43 Beats all the way up to 189 just at a whim high blood pressure
I’m still being looked at like a hypochondriac even though I nearly died
Please see my above comment. This may help you.
This is about explaining,
What was allowed to be done to us.
Amazing Boon was my cardiologist when I was at my absolute worst with acute LC and POTS last summer. He was the first to raise the idea with me that breathwork and mindset would be an essential part of the path out (encouraging me to read James Nestor and Joe Dispenza). He was brilliant and I am eternally grateful for his holistic approach. Interestingly, I don’t think the POTS meds made much difference to me in the end. Breathwork, Sensate, yoga nidra and brain retraining made all the difference. With a side order of niacin, LDN and HRT. 12 months later and I’m so close to being fully recovered. Am so glad that more people are having the chance to hear direct from Boon. Thank you Gez ✨
So glad to hear you’re doing that much better Sophie!
Brilliant! Great news 😀
So glad you are feeling better. Can you expand on ldn and hrt? Thank you!
This is so encouraging thank u
Hi, can I ask what videos for the Breathwork, Sensate, yoga nidra and brain retraining you used? thanks!!!
This is amazing and helps me not to feel alone. I don’t have “Long Covid” but I do have a form of “long covid” after almost dying from a virus a few years ago. I’ve never been the same. Very mysterious and heartbreaking actually, but interviews like this, and increasing awareness of long covid really helps me to have hope and continue to move forward!
Vanessa - I also got sick in Africa (nearly died) and my autonomic nervous system was severely impacted five years ago - I cobbled together research and learnings on the topic as nobody in the medical establishment or elsewhere were equipped to help. This is golden for me too. Hope you are slowly finding your nervous system health back again. xxx
I do the "lie on your back, interlace fingers at back of skull and look as far to the left ( eyes only, no head movement) until you yawn, then back to neutral, then look to the right til you yawn"- vagus nerve exercise and it helps getting out of fight or flight. I do yawn a lot when being vertical but these yawns feel different as I think it is due to lack of oxygenated blood flow.
Thank you, I really needed that right at this moment! Helped me get out of fight or flight!
@@Mourningdove55 glad it helped you
A fabulous clip and advice. I've been waiting with over 2 years of Long Covid to learn about this from a doctor that really knows his stuff. My respiratory physio has described some of this but this clip really helped a lot. I definitely had problems occasionally before LC with anxiety. This video is so helpful. I feel heard and seen.
I am always happy to see you have a video out. I know I’m going to learn and be inspired to try something new in my recovery. Thank you!
Great to hear it Char!
Excellent!!!! Simple answers to what so many claim doesn’t even exist. Please continue to enlighten us all ❤️❤️❤️
Great video! Lots of great information! Thank you, sir! This will hopefully help me and a lot of others. Take care!
I remember you talking about pieces of the puzzle! Really interesting, useful info as ever. Something about POTS cropped up for me while talking with the post covid clinician. So far it’s all been about breath work with therapeutic rest and sensory meditation, but I relayed over some of my blood pressure and heart rate readings done over time, going from lying down to standing up over 8 minutes, and she said I might have some kind of Dysautanomia like POTS. Had to go back and review your earlier posts on this. Like you last winter, I had a go at getting back some of my old joys in life by swimming out back with the boys going surfing. This involves squishing my old body into a tight fitting wetsuit and prone swimming on my surfboard board in cold water. This is something I could do without repercussions for half an hour, unlike standing hitting a tennis ball these days. In other words I was successfully exercising wearing a compression body suit doing reclined physical activity in a cold environment, and it made me feel good. I feel like I have a good shaped piece of puzzle here even if it’s pattern isn’t an exact match to all that’s going on.
Lovely to see you again Gez - I can't wait for your book to be published. Fabulous podcast and your research is always spot on - Thank you 🙏
Thank you Dee!
Greetings from California! Great to have you back! I've been following you since the Fall of 2020 after being diagnosed with LC. So grateful for your research and hard work.
Thank you! Wishing you the best in your recovery :)
Yawning is a perfect way to get into the parasympathetic system. We should do a yawning video since it is contagious when you see or hear it! :) I use this and also heart coherent breathing (which makes me yawn a lot). Love this new video and also the turn it is taking. There are easy ways to induce yawning. Just start with a 'aaaa' from your throath and after two or three times a yawn will come.
it is really interesting that you mention that since my yawning is seriously messed up. When I have to yawn I cannot get to the point where you feel that ''relief'' that the yawn is over. It is really uncomfortable.
Reading that made me think of yawing then I actually yawned! lol
Yawning is very underestimated, it’s a wonderful trick
@@elenalo3963 same! It's incredibly frustrating! Also can't get a full breath, no relief and very unsatisfying
@@elenalo3963 same here. Have younfixed your yawning?
This is blowing my mind…it’s like you guys are in my brain and body. This is exactly what I had to learn to do
Nice film, as always your guests go right on the point. Good to see you again! 🌷
Thanks Francisca!
Gez, you are really angel for long covid patients
I’m 6 months in dozen appointments since and this one video has given me so much hope for a better future thank you so much
So grateful for this. I so needed this to manage my dysautonomia❤
Some of the best talks on LC / MECFS thank for the help and your work.
omg - thankyou so much - so good. to hear someone who gets it
Another great and informative video! I look forward to your book, Gez!
Thank you Scott!
Thank you for sharing. This will go a long way in helping many of my friends
Thank you Gez. We need reminders to keep doing these things...easy to stop doing things that are helpful / necessary
It really is - very easy to slip back into ‘normal’ habits as soon as we make progress - then relapse again
Excellent advice not just for long Covid recovery but overall general good health! So grateful for your dedication Gez
Thank you Helen!
For the physical therapists out there. Consider exercices in a horizontal plane. The levine protocol is worth looking at. I use it with my patients.
Thanks again giz you don't know how much you are helping me with your videos as I am living in a country where doctors have no idea about long covid.
wow, this incredible...the insight
This gentleman has a wonderful and sympathetic manner, and it seems that his compassion and empathy would go a long way toward reassuring and encouraging a patient, which to me is absolutely essential in treatment. Best of luck on your book, Gez!
Thank you Erika!
Thank you for doing all your research and sharing it on your channel! I found you two years ago when my POTS started. Interesting fact not only did I have Covid back in March, but I just found out I have a spinal CSF leak that started possibly 16 years ago after a c-section. I had surgery at the end of May 2020 by July/August 2020 I was bedridden due to another spinal anesthesia. Covid, surgery and the leak likely all are contributing to my POTS and MCAS. Thankfully the medication I’m on gets me through most days. I take multiple high dose allergy meds, Xolair injections for the Mast Cells and Corlanor for the tachycardia. My MCAS was really bad! It’s crazy that your videos about post Covid helped me even though the infection wasn’t the single trigger. I’ve been dealing with symptoms for 16 years and you helped me finally figure out what was wrong even when the doctors couldn’t. Hopefully after my leak is healed and my immune system calms down I will then be able to come off the meds. I just want to get back to running in the mountains 🏔 Thank you so much!!!!
What an incredible comment - so glad you’re able to go back to an active life again Crystal!
This is so useful. Thank you.
Excellent interview thank you
Thanks again for the great video Gez! It's nice to see doctors like Dr. Lim take an interest in LC and explain POTS to everyone. I have the high BP and not taking beta blockers as had hives. Slowly getting better and yes, my breathing has improved too! Like you, from the first wave; I bounce back and forth. Also as you mentioned in this video, I as well figured I had POTS/MCAS before and Covid sent me through the roof. I want to know more about the CLUNK, as wondered if its an actual feeling as it has happened. Thought my heart broke, literally! Keep the info coming, as well as in the Book. Thanks for ALL you do!! Nadine
Thank you Nadine! Wishing you the best in your recovery :)
This was great, I swear my progress is by doing everything he said over the past year. I rely on compression and salts and if I havent had salts by 2pm I'm clunked. I love the clunk retraining reference bit like the rewiring really but to pace it up rather than down. Great stage to be at pacing up not pacing down. I cant believe I spent a year unable to get past hbr of 65 without symptoms. I loved hearing endorsement of ongoing breathwork and mindfulness its a daily thing for me now and at last its not necessary before and after everything I want to do. Thanks Gez for keeping momentum with this it's really important that we all learn how to improve. 🙂👍
Thanks Tara - wishing you the best in your ongoing recovery!
Gez, so glad to see you are doing so much better! I came to share that I had long Covid, with seizures, cognitive impairment, recovered, then the 2nd Pfizer returned my symptoms worsened. But I recovered and I am back to normal. Please believe! Get informed and fight!
How long did it take for you to get better after Pfizer injury?
I find it alarming that people accept this jab! Especially when your body already fought and won this bioweapon. Flower remedies and CranioSacral therapy helps our body recover as well.
Both Pfizer jabs worsened my symptoms but the 2nd was brutal and has without a doubt kept all in all off work and life for 2 years. Very slowly now beginning to find some normal recovery. Amazing information. Thanks.
@@jamesbutler1949 try to find a Naturopath to help you cleanse and repair your body. I'm sorry you experienced this.
Marina, so glad you have recovered! Thank you for the encouragement. I have had long Covid for 6 months. Would you mind sharing how long it took to recover? And if you did anything that you think really helped or was it just a matter of time?
A point on the coherent breathing-it’s very much a personal thing and those of us with severe blood oxygen problems (and lung damage) have to adapt it otherwise. Previous to Covid, I was a yoga person and could easily breathe 10-20secs, but since Covid, anything over 3-4secs invokes a ‘panic response’ as I feel like I am suffocating. Indeed, for the first 6 months or so of Covid, I was panting involuntarily, even when lying down. This is obviously the opposite of what we want to achieve with the parasympathetic-so advise people to find their own ‘sweet spot’, not necessarily 5 secs.
Hi, I’m experiencing something similar - how are you doing now?
@@ChristyCollins A bit better but it’s one of those things that doesn’t seem to improve MUCH. In my fourth year now!
@@berenairstone7202 Sorry to hear it hasn't been more of an improvement, but glad there's been some. I'd be curious to hear more about what you've tried so far, if you'd like to share here or connect via email? Hopefully I can share some insights as well...
I had a consultation with Dr Lim this February. It was the best experience with the medical specialist in my life! He was so interested in my situation, conditions and many areas of my life. He has holistic approach to patient. AMAZING doctor! I feel so lucky to meet him. Highly recommend him ❤️👌
Great to hear that Ania!
Thank you Gez once again for finding the right persons with knowledge about what is going on within our bodies. So many "lightbulbs" were lit during this session 😊.
Thanks Sara - there will be a bunch more bulbs going on in the next couple of films!
@@RUNDMC1 Hurray!
Two legends unite for an excellent video! Thanks Gez and thanks to Dr Lim. Had the pleasure of consulting with him and he was empathetic and open minded.
Great to hear that Edward!
Very interesting and informative. I had a look at the patient sheet shown in the video, and now I know I do not have dysautonomia with my Long Covid. Still diaphragmatic breathing and pacing helps me enormously.
And it all clicks in to place! Thank you Gez!
Pleasure Adam!
Wow, this video was worth the long wait, Gez. Pure gold. I wish I had a doctor like Dr Lim. He seems so open minded and willing to take information on board that goes beyond his field. Looking forward to the next installment!
Thanks Amelia!
That’s a good doctor❤🙏
Wow!! This was a really good video. I was disgnosed with POTs Dysautonomia in November 2021. I contracted covid in October 2020....20 months later now 0 I have the ability to stand more and longer now...
Amazing to see the medical perspective behind so many of the techniques we’ve found to work experientially!
Cannot describe to you how reassuring it is to hear a doctor speaking about this after years of suffering with it. Am in a massive virally induced flare rn so even knowing that the simple, holistic approaches and meds I already use will work is just so... comforting. Thank you both ❤
Hi! What has been working for you? :)
This is amazing. Dr. Boon Lim: "Forgive yourself."
I’ve been struggling with LC and my doctors have 1/10 the information I received in this episode alone. Thank you for giving me practical advice and hope for managing my symptoms!
Best of luck in your recovery Tracy!
And thank you for the super thanks!!
Thank you so much
Best wishes for the book you are writing, Gez!! I am thankful for your work and would like to chime in with some strategies I have found to be effective. When suffering with PEM, or migraine, supporting my liver via coffee enemas and bile salts (Jarrow brand) has been wellness promoting in a massive way for me. 😊😊
One of the best "expert" interview discussions you have had. I wish Dr. Boom Lim was in my town, you can certainly tell he has taken the time and has the interest to learn from his patients and practice. He also is willing to work outside the box and considers all aspects to take a more holistic approach and is not just a drug pusher. BTW, still waiting to see how Dr. Asad made out with the blood filtering clinic in Germany.
Yes I’ll be following up with Asad soon!
One of your richest interviews! So much to take away, even for non-sufferers like me.
Thanks for your continued support!!
Wonderful video. Thank-you both so much. 🙏 I am a vaccine injured dysautonomia / POTS person and as a long term meditator I am very excited to hear the doctor's take on mindfulness, compassion, being in the present etc. Excellent work!
The vaccine almost killed me, shooting pain in legs, messed up nervous system, hallucinations! Paranoia! Heartbeat all
Over the place, getting there now, 8 months later!
Me too!
University of Maryland Baltimore is conducting a global online study of mRNA vac injuries in conjunction with React19. People with vac injury are encouraged to participate.
Wow , now I know why I have been yawning so much even when I am not tired including the eye watering . Great stuff today. I have always had slight problems with my sinuses but they were severely damaged by Covid in March 2020 and I have had countless infections. Also as someone with asthma nasal breathing is very difficult. Lots of great points today. Might go back onto the antihistamines
Countless infections since march 2020 here as well also get weird pains in the bone fo my nose and sinus headaches and earaches, neck pain, back pain, nerve pain, pain in legs, rapid heart beat and internal tremors.
Thank you so much. I have had Long Covic since June of 2020. It has slowly imporroved. I am familiar with the "clunking" and emotional habit of pushing the envelope in order to feel barely acceptable. I drink a small glass of water before I go to sleep, and usually wake up four to five hours later having to urinate with an increased heartbeat. (70-80 BPM). Afterr urinating I have another glass of water. Then I can go back to sleep for 3 hours. My heart rate has slowly been going down; it seems to normalize when I am upright. I have periods now when I don't notice it at all, which feels really great The connection between different types of stress (negative emotions) and my heartbeat is directly connected. I meditate and am learning to "chill" much more than I did before. I have realized that I was raised wtih a Narcissistic parent which created a type of feeling of emotional claustrophobiia and feeling of no way out. I have been releasing those feelings with a very good psychologist and this is helping quite a bit. I take mild but active exercise every other day. (Walking; and dance exercise for 40 minutes). I find the enjoyment of this exercise is beneficial for me. When I do it. I feel much better. I east well and have an occasional glass of wine or a decaf coffee. I don't deny myself but generally I eat my best diet. I try to follow my circadian rythms by going to bed at the time I know is best for me. Basically, this situation is teaching me to be a balanced person. That is a great gift!
Dear Gez, yet again what an incredible informative episode. It's mindblowing how you can stay so focused and dedicated to understanding the physiology of long Covid.
I have been following your channel for over two years now and have actually recovered from long Covid after about 19 months. I was supposed to ride the Liege-Bastogne-Liege cycling classic of 255 km in april 2020, then came Covid as we all know. I actually finished the same course two years later with the same entree ticket. One of the best days of my life.
Your journey the last two years was very recognisable to me, I walked a similar path and had a similar starting point. As a ski fanatic, my Covid infection was caught on the slopes in Austria March 2020. I can't thank you enough, because you were a major support to my recovery. Y Aided by pacing, breathwork (i used the Wim Hoff method), vitamin supplements and a histamine low diet with antihistamines.
May your recovery continue and I hope you will further research this devistating syndrome in the future. Cheers.
Hi Jesse - I wish I heard more recovery stories like yours. Fantastic you’re able to go back to exercise, and it gives hope to everyone else out there! Thanks so much for taking the time to write :)
Congratulations
Waarschijnlijk ben je Nederlands ;). Mag ik zo vrij zijn om te vragen wat jij precies hebt gebruikt qua supplementen met je herstel?
Two year with LC now finding help online from others that it’s Nero dr always seem scared to talk about so this is refreshing to watch I live in hope I’ll be fully recovered
Another great video! Watching interviews with Dr Boon and his colleague Dr Melanie last year really helped me to understand what could be going on with my body + what I could do to help myself. And this interview brought even more clarity! oh all those 5k runs I have attempted just after (probable) acute infection back in March/April 2020...I can finally understand why they may have been a stressor on my ANS that led to what I think was a progressive crash a few months later, due to pushing the body too much for too long.
Running after my acute infection was what I got wrong too!
@@RUNDMC1 I have come to terms I have to put running shoes aside for a bit and have recently resumed some cardio but only on short swims. But I do miss running a lot! Hopefully will be able to get back to it at some point. I'm watching the video on till test now - fascinating! I also had pre-syncope in mine, felt horrendous! But I'm only now understanding the results thanks to your video. Thanks for producing all these videos - so informative! 🙏🏼
@@analait it’s a pleasure Ana!
Thanks, Gez, certainly worth the wait! Really interesting and helpful as always! I am looking forward to the book!
On another note, would you be able to do a video looking into cardiac complications too, please? I am 8 months into my Long Covid journey and am currently suffering from my second pericarditis already, clearly caused by Long Covid. I was very fit before I caught Covid (cycling with a club, running, skiing, swimming, hiking… ) and the future is unknown. There’s hope that I recover fully but cardiologists keep saying that there are still so many unknowns about what Covid actually can do to the heart. Thanks so much!!
Leave it with me Susanne - I need to find someone who can speak to the subject with some authority, but there’s not that many of them out there!
@@RUNDMC1 Thank you very much! Yes, that’s my experience too, sadly. I have been talking to several cardiologists already and they keep saying that there are still so many unknowns. I will not give up hope….
This IS fascinating - thanks for sharing, Gez - and so appreciating Dr. Lim's commitment, sensitivity and knowledge.
Maybe you're going to get to it in the later videos, Gez - but here's a related Q.
So, my main lingering symptoms (after 2 plus years, initial infection March 2020, same time as you) feel subjectively to be cardiovascular: still a high-ish heart rate, still can get some heart pain - but thankfully, the palpitations are rare, and I never waking in the night with racing or off-kilter heart rhythm anymore. I can live a good quality of life.
But mostly, I have abandoned the higher exertion exercise I enjoyed pre-Covid (light jogging, HI workouts, dancing...) - and taken on lower exertion activities, like walking, gentle biking, stretching.
However, the other day I played tennis in warm weather - and while I didn't go bananas, I think it pushed my heart rate higher than I have experienced for months.
I wondered whether the sensations while playing were unfamiliar due to lack of conditioning or still some response due to long-Covid and ongoing changes in my physiology - but the next few days made me think the latter: I experienced a definite higher-than usual heart rate that night, and I've had more heart pain.
[To be fair, my anxiety levels are up because my kids have Covid and I'm in the house (well ventilated, with a mask) but I feel concerned about reinfection...Please send all the good vibes on that front].
Anyway, so here's the Q: if it is the case that gently pushing my envelope sets off that over-reactive threshold (setting off some pain and increasing my heart rate - not to concerning levels, just higher than your average resting HR) - is that ok? Are there any dangers here? Is there benefit, such that I could gently 'work at' some kind of increasing exertion tolerance?
Or am I better to think of this as a new 'permanent baseline' and I really will do best to keep my exertion low and work at those breathing and other strategies that KEEP soothing this vagus system and helping me stay in parasympathetic.
And I guess, even on a personal note - does your recovery vision and dream include the ability to resume old athletics or more that your quality of life thrives best and works with very much a 'new normal?'
Hope this is clear, and sorry if your next videos are about to already cover this!
Sending more recovery good energy your way, and thanks, as always, for your ongoing efforts and dedication.
Take care, Nicola
Hi Nicola - great question!
I think the trick is to try and increase your activity level whilst NOT incurring the subsequent weirdness you experienced post tennis. So halve that time you played tennis for, and work up from there.
Your reaction to the exertion sounds dysautonomic, but we still don’t know what those post exertional drivers are that switch on the dysautonomic response.
I would dearly LOVE to go back to competitive running, football and everything else, but I’m at peace now with the idea that I won’t. My current goal is just to be able to jog a 5k again. Half an hour will do, don’t need to go sub 18 minutes again or anything 🤣
Fascinating, cheers to you both, Dr Lim and Jez. Now, to see if the good doctor's accepting referrals . . .
Thanks Jablicka! Think he works in the private sector too 👍
Thanks for the video, Gez. Very helpful info from you and Dr. Lim! Love what was discussed about taking up a physical activity you used to do pre-covid and how to break it down into manageable steps to avoid the "clunk". I was fascinated by what you said about how you paced while skiing and focused on breath work on lifts. I hope to get back to skiing next season and this brings me hope that I might be able to do it. Sounds like my yoga breath work skills will come in handy, too!
Keep doing the yoga - super helpful!! And yes, skiing is possible but you need to be very careful about overdoing it.
Excellent, excellent interview and answers. On the yawning, funny thing is I actually yawn sometimes after drinking coffee or after exercising. I also wake up with a racing heart often but my doctor never had any answers
Absolutely brilliant interview Gez, makes sense. I'm on a H1 & H2 antihistamine blocker, Ivabradine & Sodium tablets and just started Suzy Bolt's yoga & meditation/breathing etc (just came back from her yoga retreat in Turkey & along with full body Turkish massages, felt great most of the time (didnt have normal household jobs either). Thanks again
Sounds like you’re on the right track Melanie!
Fingers crossed. Like you, I get odd times when I've done too much where the symptoms start again but trying to stop, do the breathing etc. Take care & thanks again
@@melaniegreen4217 how are you now?
@Amyia_ Marie so much better from regularly doing Suzy Bolts Rest, Repair, Recover online classes and completing her Fern Programme in January/February. Also had hypnotherapy with Sarah Noordewier via zoom & doing regular breath work to calm my autonomic nervous system. Can do more in a day without symptoms returning. On my way to recovery. How are you?
Hi Gez, first of all what a great video. I just wanted to say that after really struggling with what I’d feared would be a permanent and life changing illness, having being diagnosed with Pots after covid, I have to a large extent beaten it.
My numbers have come down, I’m doing lord and feeling better. I see in the comments some are criticising you on the basis of the language used in this video. Please do not change a thing, you are one of us and it is just as much your right to talk freely about how you find things as it is anyone else’s right to stop watching the video. Lol. I’m not offended by any language you use because I know where you’re coming from. You have a good heart and have been trying to share your experience in order to help others.
For me I actually found a few things really helped in my recovery. 1. A positive outlook!!!! 2. Overcoming the fear. 3. OTC H1 blocker, iron, B vitamins, reconditioning through exercise and rest when needed. I believe FOR ME the vits and antihistamines provided scaffolding and allowed me to break the reconditioning cycle so that each week I could do a bit more after 6 months of doing nothing. It is now one week over a year and I’m not far off normal. You WILL get there Gez, your mental outlook is quite correct as is your general approach take your time but keep moving in the same direction.
Thank you for everything you did for me when I was at a very low point, desperately searching for a reason as to why this had happened to me and a hope of a way back. You showed me a few pathways, I took the one that made the lost sense to me and it worked for me. Thank you and if I can ever return the favour you have only to ask.
What a fantastic comment, and I’m so glad to hear you’re doing better. Thanks for taking the time to write!
My situation is the same. I have had POTS since January and it's pretty much resolved itself now. Cautious exercise (rowing, recumbent bike and walking) have helped. Or maybe it's just the passage of time, but it's pretty normal now after being fairly bad for months (I still forced myself to work despite bad symptoms). My heart rate would be crazy for 1 to 4 hours after getting to work each day and then would I'd "switch" back to feeling almost totally normal. Now I just feel normal. This is my second POTS flare up. The first time was after walking pneumonia but that only last 6 to 8 weeks. This time it took months to resolve. The first time I thought it was simply anxiety and anxiety treatment made it feel like flipping a switch then I felt better. There is surely a psychological component involved. I also use an Alpha Stim along with meditation and my sleep has gotten much better after a long period of insomnia.
My pots comes back just when I think it’s resolved ☹️
If I may ask, what is the scientific name of the H1 antihistamine are you taking? I tried Fexofenadine but it wasn't effective?
@@IVFRegulation what dose fex were you on? Normally 180mg twice a day is required, and it’s best when combined with famotidine (H2)
I forgot about Suzy Bolt! We used to be in the same post-covid group. She was a life saver.
I appreciate you and the work you're doing, Gez.
Thank you Amira!
I don’t have LC but I am \/ injured with parasympathetic excess and sympathetic withdrawal. I have also been testing my stamina but I appreciate the breathing advice. It’s excellent advice that I didn’t realize would help. Thank you 🙏🏻
It will make a massive difference. Vax injured are particularly dysautonomic!
Yes. I believe it will eventually be recognized as 1 of the biggest and most debilitating issues with the \/
Same here. Experienced anxiety, nocturnal anxiety attacks, depression and extreme fatigue after the v. Ice baths, Wim Hof’s breathing, celery juice, medical medium’s heavy metal detox smoothies, kefir and adding 5000 iu of Vidal in d (with k2), zinc, magnesium and vitamin B complex made me recover.
I experienced it for about 8 or 9 months.
Being denied the opportunity to openly question the narrative leading to social isolation, free floating anxiety, self doubt, and insomnia also is not helpful. Thank-you for the video!!!
This makes so much sense. I actually ran a 5k a few weeks after Covid and that was the cliff that started me off.
I also randomly yawn when stressed such as in interviews and my wedding day, maybe unrelated but this might give me some justification, other than being generally a bit odd.
I defo think yawning is the body’s response to being in sympathetic overdrive for too long!
22:37 "the mindset affects the autonomic alot more than we think" this is an important point for me, I need to remember this!!
If you interview Dr. Lim again in the future, perhaps get him to elaborate on this more, it's fascinating!
Watch my film with Suzy Bolt for more on this subject!
Makes so much sense
I had a friend who got Covid very early and developed this issue.
It took a few months but she gradually re-acclimated herself to physical activity
Great info!
My 'clunk' happens within a minute. I'll be doing ok, then it hits me and my eyes want to close. I know right then my day is ruined. I will try the breathing and the muscle tightening. I will try anything at this point. It's been over 2 years of misery.
Thank you for helping others and I really hope you fully recover soon.
Your day isn’t ruined. Every day is a good day. A blessing. You’re alive. You’re one of the lucky ones who got an infection and survived. It’s a miracle we even exist on this planet to experience long covid…!
Please stay positive. Work hard on your mindset. Look for the little things in your life to enjoy and celebrate. It’s part of the route out of this thing. For what it is worth (from some random on the internet!!) I’m realising working healthy psychology is just as important as everything else we’re told to do. I hope this helps and you have a speedy recovery to normality. Stay strong 💪🏼 stay positive 🙏🏼!!! You’re blessed!
@@georgeboothroyd2866 Thank you George! I completely understand what you are saying. Everyday I am grateful for the many things I am blessed with in this life. We are lucky in so many ways. This is actually a cool experience, being on this planet as a human, at this time.
I have started taking antihistamines and my life force has returned! I just hope & pray it remains.
You are a kind soul. I wish you great health and happiness.
it sucks!!! yes your eyes just fall!
Great explanation of why anti-histamines help me sleep through the night. Can’t wait for part 2&3. Thank you!
Do u still have to take them?
@@carmella88 Yes. I have been on them for about 14 months.
@@aimeeippersiel7599 how are you feeling now?
Great video, as always! It was worth the wait. I enjoy how easy you make it for people to follow along... very important for those suffering from brain fog as well.
When my POTS symptoms started improving, one of the things that lingered for months were the night palpitations. They always seemed to happen at around 9-10 pm. I had never considered the mast cell implication, but that makes a lot of sense!
Thanks Ioana!
Thanks!
I feeling this might be useful for those of us with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and C-PTSD.
I also suspect that training the nervous system like this might help prevent flare-ups (not cure) of some auto-immune diseases
Completely agree
This makes so much sense to me, it's always baffled me how I sometimes (perhaps for a few hours) feel literally normal and its as though something has 'switched'. I also really notice how when I'm having a dip, the back of my neck is super sore - maybe pressure on the vagus nerve? Great video as always Gez :)
Thanks Harry!
For that sore neck check out "Coat-Hanger pain", Harry Boby.
Same. When I have a flare my left shoulder blade gets sore and costochondritis flares.
Hey Harry, are you not recovered now?
@@bencunningham1548 I thought i was a little while back but had quite the dip - I'm now hovering around the 80-90% mark, I can train gym, yoga and some judo which I'm grateful for but still feeling a bit foggy and fatigued but we're getting there!
In the middle of the night I felt as if I was going to wet the bed. It was a different feeling....as a nurse I knew the virus screwed things up. It also has affected my pancreas and blood sugar levels.😳👀😳 No clotshot. LC has also compromised my immune system......take things slow. I tried yoga and it helps!
How did you diagnose your blood sugar probelm? I have observed my POTS symptoms would get worse if I don't eat every a few hours
Totally agree with the eating small and often
Oh that’s just great😂🤦♀️🤦♀️
Thank you so much for your research and videos, Gez. You have helped me more than most doctors I've seen. I have dysautonomia and MCAS symptoms and was told to try the TENS machine but found it triggering after only a minute and on the lowest setting. I've been afraid to try it again since. Is the Alpha Stim maybe a better option? I've been using the Brain Waves app using the Deep Sleep mode for a few minutes each day (the other presets are too intense for me). I think it has helped with my brain fog (though I'm early in my recovery journey so it's hard to be sure of anything just yet!).
Sorry to hear you struggled with the tens machine - I’d suggest just use it for 30 seconds at a time, but at frequent occasions. Can’t say for sure the alpha stim would be better if you’re that sensitive to the tens!
Since that vids I now can switch to parasympathetic mode very easily. This is insane to control our body so well. During breath work I feel at a certain point tears production, then I yawn and bam ! The switch happens. This is crazy cool 👍 Very useful for long Covid symptoms management.
Great stuff!
Great video - again :-)
Thank you!
Finally -- a doctor who knows what he's talking about! One of the best videos on long COVID to date. It's so true that my heart rate increases at night, and mast cell activation syndrome is DEFINITELY a factor, because it helped to get me back on track in just 5 days (1 pill/day). Before the anti-histamines (loratadine), I had really bad reaction every time I did the slightest thing -- even eating. And yes the low heart rate. Very interesting to hear how you pace yourself. Will definitely try the 5 sec breathing reps. Going to research more into the vagus nerve. Question: does probiotics help heal the gut for long haulers?
Probiotics an excellent idea - do a Google for the Phyto-V study
Probiotics are good but you have to take low histamine probiotics
@@zakhmejigar where can you get them?
Hi Gez! Thank you for another great video. You have been such a great resource through this long Covid hell.
I haven't watch the other 2 videos yet, but they are on my playlist.
I do have a question in relation to this one, though...
When Dr Lim describes the night time palpitations, he mentions mast cell activation. That theory is definitely interesting and makes sense. However, have you come across in your research anything about adrenaline dumps at night also causing this issue? I came across hyperadrenic POTS and from what I've read so far, it seems like there are times that this might explain a few things. I still suffer with nighttime sweats, palpitations and dizziness after 27 months.
And I while my tilt table tests were inconclusive, every morning I have a 30+ point increase in my heart rate and my blood pressure goes from around 100/60 to as high as 150/98 just from standing up.
Would love your thoughts on this.
Keep up the fantastic work. I am so grateful for all you have done these past couple of years. I"m looking forward to your book in October.
Hi Tammy, sounds very plausible but I’ve not come across anything that adds any value to anything you’ve already found!
What has helped me the most is meditation and healthy eating. I know these things are hyped up all the time, but your body needs protein and vitamins to make repairs, and your brain needs ways to relax and recalibrate. Also exercise, but don't do any more than you can tolerate. For me at first it was just one or two mile slow walks. Now I'm up to a normal workout routine, but anytime I've tried to go back to my old intensity (I was a casual endurance athlete) I've had a flareup of symptoms for days afterwards.
Very interesting I upped my fluid and salt intake due to transient drops in bp on standing .It has helped to stop me ferling really faint on standing .I will try compression stockings too .Thank you
Very affirming video.. I just had covid and after I thought I had recovered I started having ( what I call) sleep panic attacks. The scariest feelings of panic for lack of air... It felt like I was suffocating. I became very hyper during these episodes. I discovered sitting up to sleep, deep breathing and ice packs were the only thing that would calm the panic and recenter my breathing! I went to the hospital only to be prescribed anti-anxiety meds. I never took them. Walking dailey helped. I realized I had to tell my sns to chill! I don't know why this happened for 2 weeks, but yes breathing deeply saved my life. Today is the first day I haven't had this state of panic. I think my pns has started stepping back in. I tried telling my doctors that there was something wrong other than a panic attack! Glad to know I'm not crazy! Please speak on this more. Thank you!
@@MK-gy1ug what were your symptoms?
Also try celery juice! That’s what helped me.
Look up night time hypoxia
Have you been tested for sleep apnea? I've had night terrors for years, turns out I have mild sleep apnea. Covid made it horrible but now it's controlled with a dental device a sleep dentist made for me.
This is fascinating and informative. Would love to have him as a dr. I am experiencing symptoms since may...have had some tests but won't know the results until next week. It sounds like I have symptoms of long covid...but I had covid back in 2022. I don't know how soon or how late you can develop long covid after having the virus. Very interesting.
Thank God your back. Most doctors are not helpful.
Brilliant, thankyou for this video.. I feel I would like to chat to Dr Boon Lim.. I've had long Covid since April 2020 .. still some disturbing symptoms... always been heart and fatigue related. Haven't mentioned anything to my GP as I know there's no answers.. but recently I've experienced a strong pain across the top of my chest and down both arms! This hasn't happened often maybe 3 or 4 times when walking, but it is scary... very interesting video, I try to practice mindfulness and breathing but I'm not very disciplined 🤔
Sounds like a nice Docter. Thx you so much for the video. There a definite clunk thing with the nervous system. I notice when I stop and rest and try and relax I notice my body sort of resist the relaxation and i get some adrenaline and vibrations and head pressure.
I wonder if hypnosis will help with this! Totally relaxing and calming changing of mindset! 🤷🏻♀️
I’ve used hypnosis in the past.. I might try that same tape and see!! It actually put me into a different state of relaxation! Great content thank you!!
Might well do!
That’s interesting about the yawning. When I have some trouble breathing or taking a deep breath, usually when I’m having severe LC symptoms. I find myself yawning in order to breathe more efficiently? I will definitely work more on my breathing from now on.
Very interesting film. What is the electro device you are using? And how does it work. Is it like a Cefar tens ?
Similar - mine is an alpha-stim
Not a bad video…. With summer here I’d recommend emphasizing heat or outdoor elements on the autonomic nervous symptoms. I had tachycardia and high blood pressure, I’m on beta blockers because of that, just as suggested in the video. I’m also on h1 and h2 antihistamines.
Thanks so much for this video. I was diagnosed with POTS after having food poisoning in November and my life has been flipped upside down ever since. The only truly debating symptom is my brain fog. It has not gone away at all since the day I got sick.
I’m so sorry to hear this Rylee :(
@@RUNDMC1 Thank you so much. I'm optimistic, but some days are harder than others. I've been hearing that a procedure called a Stellate Ganglion Block has been helping those with Long Covid recover, would you ever consider doing a video on it? I know there isn't much research out there about it yet but there is one case study.
17:00 and forward, Dr. Boon describes his protocol. The first point of which is an increased fluid intake. His argument is that this is supposed to increase the low blood pressure. He also states that he tries to ignore all the other pathophysiological processes for his own diagnosis. I think this is a fallacy as we can see with this particular example. Just speaking based on my personal research on CFS/ME, it is associated with hyper filtration and polydipsia (excessive thirst). This can be triggered metabolically and/or (dys-)autonomically via the central nervous system. The mechanism of hyper filtration isn't necessarily helpful because the kidneys will filter good and bad metabolites, irrespective of their desired concentrations. Kidney activity, in turn, also affects the activity of the adrenal glands, which can be overresponsive, leading to excessive hormone levels, or eventually exhaust their metabolic precursors. It can also lead to a loss of electrolytes. And this is where the second point comes to play. Water, in itself, will not even help against low blood pressure if the body doesn't have the electrolytes to hold it. Salt alone, however, might be potentially counterproductive without potassium, due to another issue in the pathophysiology of CFS/ME, which is a dysregulation of sodium, calcium and potassium pumps. The approach also ignores the underlying cause of the low blood pressure, as I understand it, namely the autonomic regulation of blood vessel tension. An increased blood volume won't fix this issue. For that, the blood volume would have to be low in the first place, which might be the case or not. In my view and based on my experience, it's more helpful to use vasoconstrictors such as Butcher's Broom to partially compensate for the underlying issues in the vascular system, or one of the drugs Dr. Broon lists for more severe cases, which unfortunately, most doctors won't prescribe regardless. Protocols are always difficult if they only look at one mechanism of a condition and ignore potential interactions with other mechanisms. It's not meant to degrade any of this work. I think Dr. Broon is beyond what most other doctors are willing to invest or have achieved. It's not a lack of competency that would be available. It's a systemic issue in the medical system that prevents any meaningful progress unless there's coincidentally a single drug for a specific mechanism that fixes most of the problems, so it gets approved and recommended in a one size fits all manner. We've seen the same issue during the pandemic, only promoting vaccines as the only solution whilst ignoring all other holistic, dietary, and repurposed pharmaceutical approaches.
My naturopath colleague is working with me on some effective equivalents to what Dr Boon is suggesting including the MELT method, using a roller and balls to strengthen fascia, which provides natural compression. I would be happy to put her in touch with you
yes,yes,yes on the yawning...so embarrassing as well sometimes..just can't stop it along with the eyes watering!!
Yes the eyes water loads - that’s when you know it’s a good one!
Thank you for this. I am wondering how functional neurology plays a huge role in terms of therapy for dysautonomia. I am looking into this for my daughter.
Yawning is a powerful release and also "intake" of new energy (whatever than means)- I have the most intense yawning "attacks" during psychedelics, deep somatic work, vagus nerve exercises.
This is amazing info. I have had unexplained dyspnea for over a month now that came out of nowhere - with no relief in sight. i am very terrified. Im 43 single mom of 3 in relatively (what i thought ) good health. I am seeing cardiologist. Tests seem ok - except high ldl, and im having high blood pressure. I have had anxiety my whole life. All I hear is it is anxiety, but it came when i wasnt under stress and hasn't left. I just miss my old life. I only think about breathing all day long and i feel like im suffocating in my own body. I miss my life before this started. you don't appreciate something easy like being able to breathe normal - until YOU CANT. Something is off but I don't know what. Decreased sense of smell and taste as well. no positive covid test today- but Ive had it twice most recently being beginning of this year. Had bronchitis symptoms for 3 months after. i need relief, this at least gives me somewhere to start. This is ruining my life. I can not get a full deep breath but every 10-15 times i try and the air runs out quick. Then my body tries to yawn but it wont finish or i wont have a satisfying yawn. Its scary and I* am scared. I feel like im suffocating and i panic.
Restorative yoga and plain Jane diaphragmatic breathing helps support the nervous system.