The Long Covid Self-Help Guide: Practical Ways to Manage Symptoms

by Emily Fraser (Editor), Oxford The Specialists from the Post-Covid Clinic

The first practical, accessible self-help guide to managing symptoms of Long Covid

More than 1 million people suffer from Long Covid in the UK (with 400,000 people suffering symptoms for over a year), and many more globally. Yet there is no clear guidance available to the general public, and lots of misinformation out there.

This handbook cuts through the confusing advice. Written by the medical experts working with Long Covid patients at one of the first specialist clinics set up, it is filled with helpful case studies and was written with the involvement of real Long Covid sufferers. The focus is on self-management with a simple, consistent message about improving symptoms.

Each chapter takes a different issue in turn and offers clear, friendly guidance on key areas such as breathlessness, psychological aspects, brain fog, fatigue, returning to exercise and returning to work.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 17, 2022

Reviews

[Frankie Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall pretty good book if you are starting your Long Covid recovery journey. I would be cautious of their advice to incrementally increase physical activity to aid recovery. If you push yourself too much, you can permanently worsen your condition. I also thought the "Screening Test Considered in Long Covid" section was lacking. They went over very basic tests which the vast majority will show up as normal in Long Covid patients. This book also could have spoken about MCAS, POTS, and dysautonomia as they are major players in Long Covid.

[S.J. Higbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m one of those 400,000 Brits who have now been battling with Long Covid since I got sick in March 2021. Before I went down with Covid, I enjoyed good health for my age (I’m in my mid-60s) and was active, enjoying two fitness classes a week, and loving my work as a writer and part-time Creative Writing tutor at the local college. My chief current symptoms are tinnitus, nasal drip, difficulty in sleeping, brain fog – though that is improving, swollen thyroid and lymph glands. And the one that concerns me most… fatigue – I had a terrifying relapse back in August that had me bedridden for a fortnight, where I could barely stagger to the toilet and back. And was too mentally exhausted to even care that I was so diminished. It’s taken months to get to a stage where I now feel confident enough to try to move on from spending hours a day either in bed or on the settee, because even now, I haven’t yet made up the ground I’d lost. So when I saw this book, I immediately ordered it.

It does exactly what it says on the tin. It takes us through each of the major symptoms – I feel blessed that I could completely skip the chapter on breathlessness – explaining what is going on and providing a range of tips and exercises on how to overcome, or live more easily with the symptoms described. I found the chapter on fatigue really helpful, as it confirmed my hunch that I’d become under-active and needed to – very gently – step up my daily activity. I am also finding the chapter on Up-pacing invaluable. It’s the first time I’ve encountered this term and provides me with a way to structure an exercise programme to recondition my unfit, bed-softened body while minimising the risk of another major relapse where I’m too shattered to get out of bed.

Overall, I’ve found the book massively helpful. And in amongst the good advice is the constant reminder that every patient is different, with varied experiences and health conditions, so will need to consider their own issues when working through their problems. It’s important and valuable advice to remember.

Highly recommended for those suffering with Long Covid, or know someone close who is coping with this difficult chronic condition.
10/10

[JC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of helpful strategies and exercises in dealing with the different difficulties that follows Long Covid. I got an epiphany regarding symptoms of Long Covid while reading this book, and have more symptoms then I thought. The book also have a chapter regarding returning to work which I’ll definitely use. Absolutely recommend this book if you or a loved one struggle with Long Covid- if you don’t have the mental capacity to read a lot there is summaries in the end of the book. Chapters is short and I found it easy to comprehend

[Kayli · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone with Long Covid (about 16 months now of battling symptoms, yay...), I'm glad to finally access books about managing this illness and the attention it receives in turn. I would say this one is good as a starting point or primer for those new to their Long Covid journey as it does offer some great informational basics on pacing, breathlessness, along with addressing other common symptoms. I would highly recommend though reading this in conjunction with The Long Covid Survival Guide: How to Take Care of Yourself and What Comes Next, which was not only compiled and edited by patients but offers more of a realistic lens in terms of getting a diagnosis, navigating gaslighting in the medical system, and financial barriers, etc.
Overall this is a good resource that more patients should have when accessing information can feel overwhelming.

[Libby Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful.

[Femke M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prima boek met goeie tips. Wel beetje oppervlakkig en soms onrealistisch positief.

[Rob B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a sufferer, but my wife is. Sadly, there is no cure, only treatment to make the symptoms less severe and physically (and mentally) limiting.

However, as an outsider this book does appear to gather both anecdotal and latest medical thinking on how people learn to live with, and hopefully get better from, Long Covid.

Hopefully, our knowledge and treatment of Long Covid will improve. With latest estimates suggesting 2 million Brits have some elements of long term after effects from Covid, there certainly is a demand for more solutions.

[Ben Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book and overall it does a great job of providing patients with actionable things that they can do in order to help themselves.

There are issues - it comes very much from in the system so does not really address all the challenges patients will often face getting suitable diagnosises, leaves out some key issues such as dysautonomia and the chapter on pacing is very much on the sort side...and the chapter on employment presupposes patients will recover sufficiently to return to work etc. but overall this is an excellent book particularly considering it was one of the first long covid books written.

[Camilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some good advice, but as often with post-covid, there is a lot that needs to be adapted to the individual. I also perceive some advice as downright wrong, such as the advice to gradually increase your training when many people cannot tolerate effort at all without the risk of setbacks. If you are new to post-covid, you can read the book but think about what works for you. I appreciate the chapter on pacing with planning aids best. This review is written with the help of Google translate since it’s hard for me to write now.

[Heike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re medical info: There wasn’t a lot of new things in here which I hadn’t already heard from my Long COVID doctor, the Physio Therapists, my Therapist or the Nutrition Specialist. But.. it helped me hugely verifying and confirming my symptoms, my feelings and how to go about this awful illness !! I’m so glad I found this book. I also would recommend it to people who have a loved one suffering from long COVID ❤️‍🩹

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m happy that Long COVID-19 is finally being recognized by the medical world. I’ve been suffering from it since June 2020. This book gave some helpful suggestions on how to approach some of the most common and annoying symptoms. When I utilize what I have learned, I do feel better. It also made me realize that I was being too hard on myself and that recovery will take time.

[Michelle Cornish · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential resource for anyone navigating the challenges of Long Covid (or any chronic respiratory illness). Combining expert medical knowledge with compassionate, practical advice, Fraser provides a well-rounded, easy-to-understand guide that empowers readers to take control of their recovery. Super helpful and eye opening!

[Moniek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bevat veel informatie en tips die je verder kunnen helpen als je langdurig ziek bent na een Corona besmetting. Het boek is compact en to the point. De duidelijke indeling maken dat je kan kiezen wat voor jouw relevant is. Een aanrader dus.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

My new (favourite) reading topic of choice. In a bid to understand Long Covid it would appear I am about to add books to my new medicinal literature shelf!
Practical. Easy to read / understand. Nothing ground breaking as there sadly is no magic wand!

[Chickpea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some useful tips on managing long covid. Nice to have time to read information written by a doctor/expert rather than media scaremongering. Made me feel better knowing that what I am actually experiencing is real! Empowering being given ways forward but still scary as so much is still unknown.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapters about fatigue, breathlessness and sleep were the most useful for me. Sadly, they barely mention ME/CFS and post exertional malaise. And they think that most of the people are back at their job after 1.5 years. Well, I wish...

[Isca Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It didn't have much to help my own particular long covid issues in here, but I can see this being an extremely helpful book for a lot of people. It's empathetic in its writing and informative without reading like a medical paper.

[Susan Ayars · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so thankful I found this book! It described what I have been experiencing for almost 3 months and removed the embarrassment, guilt and sadness I was feeling for not being able to just get back to normal. It gives lots of suggestions for managing symptoms. Very helpful!

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing 4 years into a pandemic we don't have the answers/treatments for those who suffer post viral infection.

[kirsty barrowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've past this book to occupational health to help guide other on the right path to recovery. I particularly liked the self heal tool kit

[Malaika · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not waste your money on this book! It is one of the worst books I’ve ever read full of misinformation,dangerous practices and gaslighting.

Full review to follow when I have the spoons

[Terry Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good strategies and information clearly explained

[Luna E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay but Not keen on the increasing exercise advice. This sort of thing made my relative with long COVID worse and felt alienating for those with more severe protracted conditions.

[Kelly Dombroski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of practical advice to managing your slow recovery from covid. I found it really helpful and calming.

[Amanda J Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read

Excellent read & great to have to read up on different symptoms or situations as they occur. . . .

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het eerste deel van het boek vond ik goede tips en informatie bevatten. De informatie was me wel al bekend, ik hoop dat de meeste patiënten deze informatie krijgen van hun ergotherapeut.
Daarna kwam er een stuk over bewegen en dat was voor mij echt een ver- van- mijn-bed-show en ik merkte dat ik daar wat afhaakte. Later in het boek kwamen er veel enge ziektes en symptomen die je misschien wel eens zou kunnen hebben. Het lijkt me niet bevorderlijk voor je gemoedsrust om een opsomming van ziektes te horen. Ik vond dat deel ook vrij negatief.
Al met al een prima boek voor long covidmensen die nog geen hulp gehad hebben en niet snel in de paniek schieten, omdat ze denken een dodelijke ziekte onder de leden te hebben.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Professioneel, goed onderbouwd, maar inmiddels al weer enigszins gedateerd en een beetje oppervlakkig (en te positief) geschreven