Covid Long Haulers Diagnosis and Approach

Long Haulers Syndrome Symptoms

Covid-19 long-haulers is a term used to refer to people that have contracted the virus, and it resolved with or without treatment and/or hospitalization, however, the patient is left with lingering and seemingly unexplained symptoms.  A range of multiorgan complications following COVID-19 infection – including respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic and renal impairments – have been observed and are characterized by the graphic below.

Covid-19 Long Haulers Typical Symptoms

  1. Coughing
  2. Shortness of breath
  3. Tightness in the chest
  4. Ongoing fatigue
  5. Body aches
  6. Joint pain
  7. Loss of the sense of taste and smell
  8. Difficulty sleeping
  9. Headaches
  10. Brain fog
  11. Chills and/or sweats

Covid-19 long haulers syndrome root causes

As a functional doctor, we look for root causes. Our research shows that any or all of the following may be the reason for long hauler’s syndrome.

  1. Viral latency: Once contracted, the virus can remain dormant in your body – eluding detection by your immune system and triggering low-level inflammation.
  2. Persistent immune dysregulation: Because your immune system perceives a continuing threat, it stimulates the ongoing production of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators to block that action – furthering the immune dysregulation.
  3. Mitochondrial dysfunction: As the virus hides out in your cells, it modifies the functions of your cells to better suit its own viral replication. This allows the virus to partially control cellular functions so that when combined with the regular work of the cells, the mitochondrial become dysfunctional.
  4. Compromised autophagy. Autophagy is an intracellular biological process that removes the body’s toxins and recycles damaged cell components. When autophagy is compromised, cells become sluggish and bogged down and this results in a reduction of cellular function that ultimately leads to fatigue and compromised bodily functions across all systems.
  5. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. (MCAS). MCAS is characterized by overactive and malfunctioning mast cells.  The result in the case of Long COVID is that the overactive mast cells start to go haywire and secrete massive amounts of chemical mediators stored in the cytoplasm of your cells.  What was intended to be a positive, protective response from your mast cells instead triggers both local and systemic negative effects. You may realize a very strong and persistent post-nasal drip, sinusitis, rhinitis (runny nose), many neurological symptoms, GI issues as well as hives, excessive itching and a host of other symptoms across the body.

The combination of the above root causes leads to immunological dysfunction and mitochondrial deficits and ultimately leads to the array of symptoms seen in long-haulers.

Proactive Wellness Treatment for Covid Long Haulers

Long haulers treatment consists of clearing any remaining low-level virus and then cleaning the terrain.  The latter will make the difference in the long-term health of the patient. Cleaning the terrain is necessary to correct immune dysregulation, the real culprit in primary COVID-19 and chronic long haulers disease.  Our treatment approach is outlined below and addresses all root causes of Covid long haulers syndrome.

Gut Restoration

  1. Gut restoration using specialized supplements
  2. Probiotic as needed
  3. Identify and eliminate sensitive foods using food sensitivity testing

Immune and Autophagy Rejuvenation

  1. Special medications to eradicate viral load. Though the patient may test negative for COVID-19, research has shown that even low levels of the virus can continue to cause immune dysfunction
  2. Special peptide for Immune modulation
  3. Specialized supplements to enhance autophagy
  4. Vitamin D enhancement if not already optimal
  5. Zinc (25 mg daily)

Mitochondrial Rejuvenation

  1. CoQ10
  2. Vitamin C
  3. Specialized supplements to accomplish mitochondrial strengthening.

Liver support

  1. Liver detox (Tudca, Kidney Liver Detox or NAC)
  2. Drink plenty of water and reduce alcohol intake
  3. Anti-inflammatory diet
  4. Identify and reduce toxic exposure using Great Plains Laboratory Non-metallic toxin test and specific detox if needed

While conventional doctors are frequently stumped at Long COVID, for us at Proactive Wellness, Long COVID looks very much like many of the other chronic inflammatory-based illnesses that we treat and we have used our comprehensive approach to treating inflammatory-based illnesses to treat Long COVID with great success.  One of the challenges is that Long COVID impacts patients in different ways from one patient to the next so cookie cutter strategies don’t work. We apply our highly-individualized approach to diagnosing and treating Long COVID to produce great results for our patients.  We do not have a “magic” fix, but our approach leverages proven therapeutics to get you back to good health.

The purpose of our approach is to provide support to vital organs and systems and to strengthen your immune system so that it can effectively repel the disease components.    Note that nothing stated in this section is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

Not a long hauler, but feeling the effects of vaccine toxicity?

Many patients that have received the mRNA form of COVID 19 vaccine have reported side effects from the vaccines and some side effects have gone unreported since patients expect that these side effects will subside.  But for many patients the side effects persist and even get worse. You should suspect vaccine toxicity if somewhere between 2-3 days to 2-3 weeks after getting the vaccine, your have feelings and discomfort that you have not experienced before.  They may be heart related like your heart is racing or cognitive issues like you feel “brain fog” but you know your body and you know something isn’t right.

Scientists speculate that the side effects are largely due to the spike protein component of the vaccine.  The virus spike protein has been linked to adverse effects, such as: blood clots, brain fog, organizing pneumonia, and myocarditis. It is likely responsible for many of the Covid-19 vaccine side effects.   Even if you have not had any symptoms, or experienced adverse side effects after a jab, there may still be lingering spike proteins inside your body that is wreaking havoc on your body.

The good news is that Proactive Wellness has a treatment protocol that has been shown to help detoxify your body and get you back to feeling like yourself.  Contact us for more details about getting started.

If you want to be proactive, then we also offer a prophylactic protocol to help enhance detoxification ahead of the vaccine then continue with the protocol after the vaccine.

Our High Dose Vitamin C IV with glutathione is used as part of the protocol for the prophylactic case and the after the fact case.  Contact us to get started today.

Recently tested positive for COVID and don’t know what to do?

Call us.  We have a COVID outpatient treatment protocol to keep you out of the hospital. Once in the hospital, your treatment options are limited.  Read here to learn about our approach: Dr. Lawsons latest thinking about COVID-19 vaccines — prevention — and treatment

The single most important thing for any patient to do to lower probability of severe COVID is to ensure optimal vitamin D levels.  The optimal vitamin D (D3) is 60-80.  Here is the result of a recently published study on this point:

A study published on Thursday in the research journal PLOS One found that about half of people who were vitamin D deficient before getting COVID-19 developed severe illness, compared to less than 10% of people who had sufficient levels of the vitamin in their blood. 

A key component in our protocol that keeps patients out of the hospital is Ivermectin.  Prior to this large study, the published studies were small and as a result, had been subjected to doubt by some scientists.  This is an update from a recently published, peer reviewed, Large study about the effects of Ivermectin, which is part of our protocol for active COVID.  Read the details here:  Or, look here for yourself at the results from this study involving over 150,0000 patients:

Even if you don’t call us, avoid taking Acetaminophen as the most recent published study shows Acetaminophen is associated with worsening outcomes and longer hospital stays for patients that needed hospitalization. This is published in a highly-respected medical journal.  Read on….https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(21)02443-0/fulltext

Document Section

New 12-28-2021. Click below to read Dr. Lawson’s latest thinking about vaccines, prevention and treatment.   This is a must-read to help you navigate COVID-19.  Dr. Lawsons latest thinking about COVID-19 vaccines — prevention — and treatment

Not a long hauler but want to read Dr. Lawson’s thinking about the COVID-19 vaccines? Proactive_Wellness-DrLawson-latest_thinking_about_COVID_19_Vaccinations

Looking for recommendations for prevention of COVID and early stage treatment after a positive test? COVID-19_Complete_Guide_to_DrLawsons_thinking

Want to download this page in PDF for easy printing and sharing.  Post-Covid_Syndrome_by_DrLawson

You think the vaccines aren’t working as good as the media would have us believe?  Check this article.  Increases in COVID-19 are unrelated to level of vaccination — retrospective study

Ready to get started?

Use one of the options below.

  1. If between the hours of 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, feel free to call us now on (703) 822-5003 and our Clinical Intake Coordinator will answer any question you have and get you started.
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  3. If you know this is the program for you, then Click hereto begin the online enrollment process

Helpful Resources for Chronically Ill patients

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PATIENT RESPONSE

Hi Lynese — Great news – seems a fibroid has disappeared! The ultrasound revealed only one fibroid this time, and it is just a little teensy bit smaller than before. So it hasn’t gotten any bigger at all. And the other fibroid didn’t show up on the ultrasound. smile

Thank goodness I did not get that hysterectomy, huh? and thank goodness I came to you to start the bio-identical hormone therapy. I believe that the progesterone is working. And I’m so glad I’m not on the birth control pills anymore. BTW, haven’t had a period since September, and haven’t had any hot flashes either! Life is good.

AK - Germantown, MD

Hi – hope you are doing well. Are you ready for Thanksgiving? I’m getting there. I wanted to let you know I hit the 30 lb loss today!!! Yeah! So excited! Clothes that didn’t fit are fitting. Clothes I used to wear are too big. Feeling great! A little nervous about tomorrow’s feeding frenzy- but hoping to not overindulge too bad.

LJ - Arlington, VA

My update. I feel pretty good!!! My bleeding is under control and I am now regular for the most part. Sometimes I will have a strange menstral bleed (long and slow), but I will take it compared to my old “normal”. I still love the progesterone and testosterone I am on. They leave me with no side effects.

I was very happy at my recent (Feb 6th) annual doc appt (physical). After the standard blood draw work up, my numbers were:
Vitamin D= 66.9 (down a bit from your work up which was 77, but still good)
Cholesterol=123 (down from 150 in Sept 2011)
Triglycerides=91 (down from 129 in Sept 2011)

So… I am the new spokesperson for HCG! I love that stuff!! smile The second round for me was amazing. I was very disciplined and determined and after about the 3rd day, it become very easy for me. I was able to drop 14lbs in an 18 day cycle!!!! AND….I am keeping that off with very little effort! OMG I couldn’t be happier! I am in the body that I am comfortable in once again! That feels so good. I am continuing to eat clean and exercise, it is a great life change!

JG—Vienna, VA

June4, 2009. “Good morning! I have to tell you that I weigh 157… down from 191!!! OMG…thank you so much! I feel incredible!”

KB – Reston, VA

You are so great! I truly appreciate all you are doing for me. Phyllis and I are so fortunate to have found you.

TB - Pottstown, PA

“So far I have lost 30#’s in 6 weeks and have the energy of a 40 year old. Am so thankful to be able to handle unpacking and shelving 6000 books. I am up and down stepladders and extension ladders with books in tow. The awful arthritis pain is there but the energy isn’t depleted from the pain like before and I keep going like this for hours.”

LL - Winchester, VA

Hi Lynese – In an old file I found a print out from an online longevity calculator I had used in 2007 (www.eons.com). I thought I was doing well because it said I would likely live to 86! But I just re-took the survey. Basically by cutting out the coffee, carbs and sugar, increasing my exercise and losing weight, I’ve apparently added 13 years to my life!! The calculator now says I could live to be 99!! With a little more exercise and a little less work, I could live to 106!! Thanks for all the added years Lynese!!!

All the best.

P.S. – I saw Diane over the weekend – she’s looking great, and is so happy with her weight loss.

AP - Falls Church, VA

Dare I say it out loud? It sure is looking as though Semorelin has given me my life back. I was so worried about skiing – afraid I’d ski one day and be in bed the rest of the week. But I was just fine. This past Saturday I prepared, served, and cleaned up (with help) dinner for 14. Sunday I was just fine.

SJ - McLean, Virginia

Dear Lynese,

Words cannot describe how happy I am with your anti-aging program. I have not felt this good in YEARS. Since getting pregnant in 1995 I have been overweight. Between 1992-1995 I was being treated for infertility and had to take all sorts of hormones that made me bloated and tired.

Now, at the age of 46 I have more energy and I look better than I have in YEARS. I actually THRIVE on exercise and do it religiously because I know it is the key to keeping the weight off and enjoying the foods that I love.

As a successful businesswoman, you often feel that you can’t have everything and I put my weight and health on hold to grow my business. You have given me the gift of being able to run a business AND look good. I am getting so much attention for my weight loss and it has helped my confidence and self esteem greatly.Since I do a lot of speaking engagements, I know that image is more important than what you say or how you say it. By looking better and appearing fit and healthy, I am a more powerful public speaker!

I can’t say enough about this gift you have given me and I hope you know how much I appreciate you.

On top of all of this, you are truly a beautiful person inside and out who provides a level of caring I have never seen from a doctor, weight loss clinic or other health professional.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KB - Reston VA

Hi Lynese – Just had to share this with you. I have appeared in an online newsletter (Legal Bisnow) twice – the first time a year ago and the second time today. Look at the difference in my photos!

It’s an absolute miracle! In the older photo even my eyelids look fat! I can’t get over how much I now look like my old self – of 20 years ago! I certainly don’t look like I’m closing in on 59, do I??

The best thing anyone has said to me so far was a comment made by a neighbor who saw me today for the first time in over a year. At first he didn’t recognize me. Then he just stared intently into my face for a few minutes and said “How is your mother?” (I was confused because he doesn’t know my mother). Then he said “I had to ask that because you look like your own daughter!” Wow!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

AP - Falls Church, VA

“With that said, I have been getting incredible compliments:
“You look like a movie star”
“What have you been doing”
“You look amazing”
“You look ten years younger”
I feel incredible”

KB - Reston, VA

Anyway – just had to tell you that my size 12 pants have been falling off of me! I went to Target this weekend to get some cheap crop pants and shorts for the summer – still not wanting to invest much in clothes that are not my “target” size. (I’ve blown past the size 14 shorts I couldn’t fit into for years). And wouldn’t you know – the 12s were too big – I fit best in the size 10!!

I’M A 10!!! I’m amazed!!

I broke the 170 barrier too – I’m now 168. Just 13 pounds to go to my goal weight. I can’t believe it. The meds have been working like a charm. I think the extra thyroid has really boosted me past a plateau. I’m cleaning out my closet like a madwoman; I can’t believe how much clothing I have for donations.

I’m still getting double takes and amazed looks from people who haven’t seen me for awhile. And after remarking how great I look, a girlfriend recently peered suspiciously at me and said – “And have you had something done to your face too? You look younger!” And I do!

AP - Falls Church, VA 6/2010

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