Show Notes
This episode of the Long COVID Clinical Podcast, hosted by Drs. Anita Chopra, Andrew Schamess, and Aaron Friedberg, features Dr. Hector Bonilla, an infectious disease specialist from Stanford University School of Medicine. The discussion centers on the innovative use of repurposed medications like low-dose naltrexone and Abilify in treating long COVID and ME/CFS. Dr. Bonilla shares insights into the overlap between these conditions, highlighting symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog, and explores how these symptoms can be managed with off-label therapies. He explains the science behind targeting immune pathways and the potential of these drugs to reduce inflammation and improve patient outcomes. The episode also covers Dr. Bonilla’s clinical trials, dosing protocols, and the promising results seen in patients. It concludes with practical strategies for clinicians and patients, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based approaches in managing chronic illness.
Edited and Produced by Christopher Chiu and Carissa Lee
More from The Long COVID Clinical Podcast
In this episode of the Long COVID Clinical Podcast, hosts Anita Chopra and Aaron Friedberg are joined by Dr. Stephanie Grach. Dr. Grach explains how conditions like Long COVID, POTS, ME/CFS, and fibromyalgia can overlap while offering practical guidance on recognizing symptoms, pacing activity, calming the nervous system, and choosing treatments based on each patient’s specific presentation. The conversation covers hydration, salt, compression, medication options, energy management, and emerging research while also emphasizing why personalized care is essential for patients with complex post-infectious conditions.
We are currently conducting a study of the educational impact of this podcast and highly welcome your voluntary participation. To participate, please visit: https://redcap.link/lcpod
We are currently conducting a study of the educational impact of this podcast and highly welcome your voluntary participation. To participate, please visit: https://redcap.link/lcpod
In this episode of the Long COVID Clinical Podcast, hosts Drs. Anita Chopra, Andrew Schamess, and Aaron Friedberg are joined by Dr. Michael Brode, medical director of the post-COVID-19 program at UT Health Austin, to discuss the complexities of long COVID management in the primary care setting. Dr. Brode explains how systemic inflammation and autoimmunity may contribute to symptoms like brain fog and fatigue. He highlights innovative research, including skin biopsies indicative of nerve damage in many patients, and discusses potential treatments like IVIG. Dr. Brode's insights provide a comprehensive view of long COVID as a systemic neuroimmunological disease, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and the potential for transformative patient outcomes.
In this episode of the Long COVID Clinical Podcast, hosts Dr. Anita Chopra, Dr. Aaron Friedberg, and Carissa Lee are joined by Dr. Alba Azola, a rehabilitation physician and leading expert on long COVID at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Azola delves into the intricacies of autonomic nervous system dysregulation in long COVID and how it can manifest in diverse symptoms such as brain fog, POTS, and temperature dysregulation. The discussion explores innovative diagnostics and therapies, including blood-brain barrier studies and interventions like venous stenting. The episode offers insights into promising treatments, such as vagal nerve stimulation and IVIGs, and underscores the need for a nuanced, patient-centered approach to research and clinical management.