
Support Suzanne's Fight Against Long Covid
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I am a Pediatric Emergency Room Nurse who contracted COVID-19 in July of 2022. I was diagnosed with Long Covid in September of 2022. Long Covid is also known as Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).
I suffer from profound fatigue, brain fog, unsteady gait, inability to walk more than a block or so at a time, tremors, joint pain, tinnitus, 24-hour headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and intermittent chest pain. I have been unable to work since first becoming ill in July of 2022.
I have tried many, many treatments - including supplements, various medications, participation in research studies, mindfulness practices, breath work, physical therapy, acupuncture, etc. Most with little to no improvement.
I have been approved for workers' comp/temporary disability. This is approximately half the income I was making as a nurse, but I have made do. Workers' comp covers some of my medical expenses but denies coverage of certain medications and treatments. They will also approve a medication/treatment but then refuse to reimburse me for months, sometimes years. I do have a lawyer who helps me with this.
I have recently had three different doctors suggest a procedure called "Stellate Ganglion Nerve Block (SGB)" I also have two friends with Long Covid who have very much the same symptoms as I do. They are both nurses. Both have undergone this treatment. One of them, as a result, has been able to return to work on modified duty.
Workers' comp has denied my request for this treatment. Below I have put links to research studies that have shown the benefit of this procedure, not only for Long Covid but for chronic pain and headaches, all of which I suffer from.
The doctors who have recommended this treatment are those who have been involved with my care from nearly the beginning of this journey. I have witnessed the benefits of the treatment via my two friends.
The cost of SGB is $550 for the initial consultation and $2000 per treatment. Usually, treatment is needed every 6-12 months (hopefully not long term!). I am anticipating getting two treatments over the next year.
I have no resources to pay for this treatment, so am reaching out for help. I have exhausted my savings, and 100% of my disability payments go to my mortgage and basic daily living expenses.
I love being a nurse. I miss working, hiking, hanging out with friends and family without limits, volunteering in my community, and all of the things I did before becoming ill. I am not looking at this as a "miracle cure." Just simply something to aid me on my path to improved health.
Thank you so much
Suzanne
Organizer
Suzanne Eick
Organizer
San Francisco, CA