Long COVID-19
This Facebook group serves as a portal for anyone seeking to reach out to others with this condition, to medical professionals, or legal consultants, as well as those seeking more information on therapy treatment options.
Long Covid-19 is a chronic illness that occurs as a result of a Covid-19 viral infection that goes by several names including Long-haul Covid, Post-Covid or Post-Acute Covid Syndrome (PACS). However, the medical community has not arrived on an exact definition of Long Covid-19 as there are no diagnostic tests for Long Covid-19. At this point it is purely a clinical diagnosis.
Up to 30% of people who are infected by Covid-19 have developed long-haul symptoms.
Anyone who becomes infected by the virus can develop Long Covid-19. The virus affects all age groups even if the initial infection was mild and they were previously healthy and fit. Some studies report women are at a higher risk than men for Long Covid-19. Our comprehensive program shifts the patients anaerobic threshold to increase stamina and strength and improved muscle energetics.
Long Covid-19 is a condition defined as:
the continuation, recurrence of, or emergence of virus symptoms lasting more than 4 weeks after recovery from the initial, acute phase of the disease. We have seen patients with symptoms lasting up to 2 years. Patient symptoms vary widely from one patient to another. The most prevalent symptoms we see at La Mesa Rehab with our patients who have Long Covid-19 include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Persistent cough
• Brain ‘fog’
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness or pain
• Joint pain
• Heart palpitations
• Sleep difficulties
• Nerve pain
• Anxiety or depression
• Dizziness
The recovery process from the COVID-19 virus is variable, and depends on the patients’ previous health status and the severity and duration of the initial episode.
To address the Long Covid-19 crisis, La Mesa Rehab instituted its Long Covid-19 Treatment and Recovery Program. At its foundation, Long Covid-19 is a pulmonary virus that invades multiple systems. Being specialists in pulmonary rehabilitation, we developed respiratory and physical therapy protocols for patients with Long Covid-19 to address symptoms, improve breathing mechanics and improve cardiovascular conditioning and endurance while working closely with the referring physician.
La Mesa Rehab is the only Outpatient Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation provider in San Diego. Our program is designed to help patients with Long Covid-19 symptoms feel and function better, and return to their pre-Covid-19 lives.
After consulting with your physician, our team of respiratory therapists and physical therapists will create a personalized plan of care that addresses your specific needs and symptoms and provides optimum benefits. We monitor your vitals and lung mechanics regularly and provide continuous progress assessments to your referring physician. We check your oxygen levels, blood pressure, and heart rate during therapy and monitor any changes in symptoms you may be experiencing.
La Mesa Rehab’s Long Covid-19 Recovery Program has helped many patients with symptoms that can be debilitating and create absence from work and home life. Many patients who have completed our program have been able to return to work and report improved stamina and reduced symptoms.
Each patient is different in their response to treatments, and the duration of their program can vary depending on severity of symptoms and length of time since initial positive virus diagnosis. The Long Covid-19 Recovery Program at La Mesa Rehab is structured for patient care 3 times per week for 36 visits.
Our highly skilled, compassionate staff at La Mesa Rehab uses state-of-the-art techniques and equipment to provide comprehensive and tailored treatments. In addition to Long Covid-19, we also treat many other lung diseases including
• Chronic Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• COPD
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Bronchiectasis
In addition to the services we provide at La Mesa Rehab, we also help by sharing additional resources that may prove useful in helping you cope with Long Covid-19:
GENERAL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
EMPLOYMENT-RELATED INFORMATION
Long Covid-19 will be with us long after the crisis of the pandemic subsides and will impact the well-being of future generations to come. Let us help you find the resources, support and treatment you need.
In October 2021, the CDC authorized the use of the code (U09.9) for the official diagnosis of Long Covid-19 for use in treatments, disability filings and work accommodation requests, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HSS). Long Covid-19 can be so devastating that it is now considered to be a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
