Long Covid

What is LONG COVID:

If you have been ill for months after COVID-19 acute sickness, we can help!

Long COVID is a chronic condition triggered by the virus that causes COVID-19 and lasts longer than three months after acute COVID-19 infection. The medical term for this is an infection-associated chronic condition. According to the CDC, Long COVID is a serious illness that can result in chronic conditions requiring comprehensive care and may cause disability. The common symptoms of Long COVID include:

  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Fast Heart Rate at rest but more so when moving or exercising
  • Chronic Pain
  • Dizziness
  • Memory and Cognitive problems
  • Shortness of Breath when moving or exercising 
  • Problems with taste and smell
  • Sleep problems
  • Digestive problems
  • Other symptoms

Some people with Long COVID may have other serious health issues. Diseases caused or made worse by Long COVID include migraine, lung disease, autoimmune disease, and chronic kidney disease.

Long COVID is not contagious and doesn’t spread between people.

GWCIM Long Covid Program Team

GWCIM is pioneering a Long Covid Program providing healing for patients with long-lasting consequences of coronavirus infection. In particular, Ashley Drapeau is passionate about this program as she has suffered from Long COVID. As a medical practitioner for over a decade, she was shocked at the lack of treatment options, research, and collaboration within the conventional medical system. She wishes to share her knowledge, skills, and experience with patients to assist them on their way to recovery from symptoms of Long Covid.

Long COVID Treatments

GWCIM Long COVID Program operates in close collaboration with GW Medical Faculty Associates (GWMFA). While GW MFA specialized Long COVID clinic has closed its doors due to a lack of insurance reimbursements, GWCIM will continue to work closely with the GW Departments and Centers and our Affiliates and Partners.

Long COVID is a constellation of symptoms that requires an individual approach to management. In the Long COVID groups, we provide you with the most up-to-date information, skills, and support of the community. If you decide to become our patient, at GWCIM, we offer comprehensive whole-person care.

Our approach is to see the complexity of this condition with a multitude of evidence-based and integrative medical solutions. They may include medication management, supplementation, IV Therapy, diagnostic testing, acupuncture, dietary counseling, PT, OT, and speech/cognitive therapy. GWCIM’s Long COVID Program is looking forward to supporting and working with you to achieve your goals.  We offer some of these treatments at our clinic and refer to our partners for specialties that we don’t have.

Long Covid Virtual Medical Groups is our first line of treatment

Facilitators: Ashley Drapeau PA-C, MAC, LAc, and Dr. Mikhail Kogan, MD
  • Group #1: every Thursday 5:30pm-6:30pm  (Waiting List)
  • Group #2: every Wednesdays 5:30-6:30pm  (Waiting List)
  • Group #3 every Thursday 12-1pm – currently open
  • $100/month membership (cancel any time)

For any questions and registration:
202-833-5055 or info@gwcim.com

About Long COVID Support Groups

GWCIM Long Covid groups are meant to be a safe space where participants suffering from Long COVID can get evidence-based integrative medicine advice and information, a community of supportive peers to walk along this journey together.

Group Topics:

  • Integrative Treatments for Long COVID
  • Latest scientific discoveries in the field of Covid and Long COVID
  • Latest evidence-based treatments
  • Rehabilitation
  • Nutrition
  • Mindfulness
  • Q&A and discussions
  • and more

Watch YouTube Open House recording on Long Covid Recovery, with our experts

Our Program received the Innovative Hospital 2024 Award

In 2024 GWCIM Long Covid program, led by Ashley received a prestigious Award: Innovative Hospital Awards 2024 from Health.com.

Health.com writes:

“People with lingering symptoms resulting from a COVID-19 infection may be faced with issues beyond illness and disability. The complexity of Long COVID can require frequent medical visits over long periods that might not be covered by insurance. This leaves patients with two options: forgoing the care they need or racking up significant medical debt. To address this, the GW Center for Integrative Medicine (GWCIM) implemented a Long COVID program in 2022, providing patients with affordable access to comprehensive care.

The program is run by an interdisciplinary team that can help arrange provider visits and other services patients need (physical therapy, speech and language therapy, psychotherapy, dietary counseling). Program Director Ashley Drapeau, PA-C, L.Ac, is keenly aware of what Long COVID patients face because she, too, experiences its symptoms. She and Mikhail Kogan, MD, facilitate Long COVID Virtual Group Meets that allow patients to share weekly medical visits for a monthly cost of $100. The group addresses topics including integrative treatments, rehabilitation, nutrition, and mindfulness. It’s a safe, supportive space for patients.  

GWCIM’s Long COVID program has so far served 3,000 individuals, and more than doubled the number of its participants over the past year. In the future, the hospital hopes to get the funding to reach more people in lower socioeconomic groups.”

Long COVID symptoms are chronic fatigue and brain fog

Photo by Shane on Unsplash

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