Challenging the stigma of long Covid with Film director/producer

Discussion on upcoming Long Covid Solutions Congress on March 12th. • 0:08

Introduction of film producer/director and patient advocate for long Covid. • 2:17

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s engaging presence at a film screening. • 3:36

Experience at film festivals like Cannes and premieres in London. • 4:00

Importance of Cannes Film Festival for filmmakers. • 4:15

Involvement in independent movie world and market dynamics. • 4:26

First movie premiere experience in Leicester Square, London. • 5:06

The process of filmmaking and watching own film with an audience. • 5:31

Filmmaker pitching movie ideas in Los Angeles in February 2020. • 5:58

Filmmaker developed scripts for two movies post-pandemic outbreak. • 7:29

Filmmaker returned to the UK in March 2020 and contracted Covid-19. • 8:14

Rapid spread of Covid-19 in London due to lack of mitigation measures. • 9:04

Filmmaker experienced mild symptoms of Covid-19. • 9:44

Experience of initial COVID infection and early recovery. • 10:06

Discussion on severity of long COVID compared to initial infection. • 10:51

Importance of understanding varying symptom severity in long COVID. • 10:58

Exploration of research needed to understand long COVID progression. • 11:05

Differentiating long COVID from post-viral complications. • 11:25

Realization of unique symptoms indicating long COVID. • 13:01

Creation of first YouTube film on long COVID. • 13:38

Support groups like the Body Politic group on Slack provided a platform for long Covid patients to share their experiences. • 14:26

Initial film on long Covid gained viral attention within affected communities due to its representation of their struggles. • 14:52

Patients faced dismissive attitudes from GPs who compared long Covid symptoms to the flu, leading to confusion and frustration. • 15:51

Gaslighting in the context of long Covid refers to the dismissal and lack of investigation into patients’ symptoms, leaving them feeling ignored and uncared for. • 17:48

Patients with long Covid may experience invisible symptoms that are difficult to diagnose. • 19:02

Clinicians may struggle to address unusual symptoms due to lack of established treatments and limited time for investigations. • 21:01

Increased sensitivity and reactions to various stimuli, including skin products, can be common in long Covid patients. • 21:23

Western medicine relies heavily on evidence-based practices, which may not have clear guidelines for managing long Covid. • 22:15

The complexity of symptoms in long Covid makes it challenging for doctors to connect and treat them effectively. • 22:39

Time constraints during medical appointments can further complicate the diagnosis and treatment of long Covid. • 23:00

Long Covid poses challenges for the medical field and patients. • 23:26

Lack of understanding and acceptance by the medical fraternity may lead to long-term issues for patients. • 23:32

Personal experience with researching autoimmune diseases since February 2020 provides insight into long Covid. • 23:52

Energy depletion from long Covid may hinder individuals from speaking out about their struggles. • 25:01

Personal sacrifice in career and research to address long Covid stigma and find solutions. • 26:05

Fear of repercussions from employers and industries may prevent people from disclosing long Covid. • 27:06

Footballers and individuals in demanding industries may face career setbacks if they reveal long Covid. • 27:18

Contributing factors to silence on long Covid include lack of energy, fear of stigma, and career implications. • 27:58

Long Covid can affect 10-30% of individuals, potentially leading to long-term struggles. • 28:04

People from various fields, including politicians, doctors, and celebrities, may suffer from long Covid. • 28:23

Some public figures like Lewis Hamilton and Alyssa Milano have shared their experiences with long Covid. • 28:36

Stigma and lack of awareness around long Covid hinder proper acknowledgment and support for those affected. • 29:17

Individuals with long Covid often struggle to maintain work performance and may eventually have to stop working. • 30:07

Balancing daily life activities becomes challenging for individuals with long Covid, requiring difficult choices and sacrifices. • 31:29

Comparison between physical injury and long Covid highlights the severe impact of the latter on daily functions and quality of life. • 31:50

Long Covid can strip away basic functions like eating and drinking, making it a debilitating condition. • 32:14

Fatigue in long Covid is debilitating, surpassing any pre-existing fatigue levels. • 32:57

Cognitive dysfunction and brain fog are common in long Covid, impacting daily activities. • 34:30

Physical symptoms like skin issues can consume a significant amount of cognitive energy. • 34:36

The illness is invisible to others, leading to misunderstandings about the severity of the condition. • 35:26

Despite improvements, daily tasks remain challenging and require extensive rest periods. • 36:02

Long Covid affects physical abilities, such as the inability to engage in activities like running or consuming certain foods. • 36:31

Alcohol consumption is one of the many lifestyle changes necessitated by long Covid. • 36:37

Long Covid impacts various facets of life and relationships, making communication difficult. • 36:43

Symptoms of Long Covid can lead to cognitive exhaustion and the need for frequent rest. • 37:26

Managing energy levels is crucial, similar to carb counting for diabetics. • 38:22

Balancing acceptance of the current state with maintaining hope for recovery is a common struggle. • 39:31

Staying in a sympathetic fight or flight state can worsen symptoms, emphasizing the need for parasympathetic rest. • 40:03

Long Covid patients face a cyclical nature of the disease with fluctuating hopes for recovery. • 41:02

Challenges of hope and resilience in facing the recurring setbacks of long Covid recovery. • 41:18

Shift in focus from acute to long Covid management and the importance of understanding the disease. • 41:53

Call for a strategic approach in research to fill the gaps in the puzzle of long Covid. • 43:52

Emphasis on integrated understanding and targeted research to advance pathophysiology and treatment options. • 44:07

Lack of effective treatments for long Covid patients and the challenges in accessing suitable options. • 45:03

Acknowledgment of the energy limitations faced by individuals dealing with long Covid. • 46:34

Discussion on Long Covid and its impact globally. • 45:55

Announcement of Long Covid solutions congress on March 12th. • 46:03

Expecting participation from 800+ people with a goal to reach thousands. • 46:26

Encouragement to attend the conference for valuable insights. • 46:34

Acknowledgment and appreciation for sharing information. • 46:42

Recognition of the need for a break to recharge energy. • 46:53

Gratitude and anticipation for future discussions and ideas. • 47:08

Closing remarks and thank you message. • 47:45