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Metformin has been shown to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Why isn’t it more widely used? - The Sick Times

Recent studies add evidence to a prior phase 3 clinical trial, suggesting that taking the diabetes drug during acute COVID-19 reduces the risk of long-term symptoms.
thesicktimes.org thesicktimes.org

Key points you should know:

  • Metformin is a medication that is prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels and is often used for treating type 2 diabetes.
  • A major clinical trial, which included about 1,300 participants, found that taking metformin during acute COVID-19 reduced the risk of developing Long COVID by 40%.
  • A second major clinical trial, which included nearly 3,000 participants, also found a reduced risk of developing Long COVID in patients who took metformin during acute COVID-19.
  • A new retrospective cohort study similarly found that higher-weight adults who took metformin during an active SARS-CoV-2 infection had a lower chance of developing Long COVID.
  • In spite of this evidence, metformin is not widely used to prevent Long COVID, with many doctors unaware of this benefit.
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www.medscape.com

Long COVID in Kids: What Pediatricians Need to Know

New research suggests that children and teens who get COVID a second time face twice the risk for developing long COVID.
www.medscape.com www.medscape.com

Secondary Infections and Long COVID in Kids: What Pediatricians Need to Know​

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It was there, under Malone’s care, that Denault finally received a diagnosis — postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a condition associated with long COVID — and a treatment plan that changed everything.

A key part of that plan was the medication midodrine, used to manage hypotension, which Denault called his “miracle drug.”

“It got me kind of off the couch and into the classroom, which was really awesome,” he said. “It definitely gave me a boost.”

The second part of his recovery was a meticulous physical rehabilitation regimen, monitored by Malone. The goal was to find a delicate balance: doing enough exercise to challenge his body without pushing it into a relapse.

This painstaking process, which also included a rigid sleep schedule and structured daily routines, eventually paid off. Nearly 2 years after contracting long COVID, Denault, who once needed a wheelchair for college tours, stepped onto the basketball court for his senior season.
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Pandora Org​


Dear ME/CFS Community,

After decades of dedicated service, education, and advocacy, the Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Diseases Organization for Research and Advocacy (PANDORA Org) will officially dissolve. As we close this chapter, we pause to honor the remarkable work, compassion, and perseverance of all who have advanced awareness and improved the lives of people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and related neuroendocrine-immune diseases.

PANDORA Org, previously known as CFS Solutions of West Michigan, was led by Lori Chapo-Kroger, RN, President and CEO, along with Board Members Donna Robillard, Teresa Dutmer, Dawn Schulte, and Laurie DeDecker (deceased). Together, this dedicated team guided the organization’s mission to support patients, educate medical professionals, and advocate for recognition and research.

Our work began in 2005 with in-person support groups across Michigan, continuing through 2014. These gatherings provided education, resources, and fellowship at a time when few medical professionals understood ME/CFS. In 2007, we hosted the first-ever ME/CFS continuing medical education conference in Traverse City, presented by Kenneth Friedman, PhD.

On July 15, 2011, Marly Silverman of PANDORA Org, Mike Munoz of the Rocky Mountain CFS/FM Association, Lori Kroger of CFS Solutions of West Michigan, and independent advocate Mary Dimmock submitted the first-ever advocacy proposal to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics to reclassify the U.S. ME/CFS diagnostic code. This effort sought to move ME/CFS from R53.82 (unspecified chronic fatigue) to the neurological chapter of the ICD-10-CM. After years of persistence, the proposal succeeded in 2022, establishing the new code G93.32 for myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

In 2012, PANDORA Org and CFS Solutions of West Michigan merged and continued operating under the PANDORA Org name, expanding our advocacy at both state and national levels.

In May 2018, Michigan advocates met with Senator Debbie Stabenow’s office to discuss advancing ME/CFS funding and medical education. Her staff connected us with the Michigan Department of Health, medical leaders, and members of the Health Policy Committee to help move forward Resolution 0372.

On May 12, 2018, PANDORA Org helped host a free community screening of the documentary Unrest at the Clinton-Macomb Library, followed by a panel discussion and visibility action. Led by Kristina Osobka, attendees recorded messages to NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins, urging for increased research funding and a cure.

In March 2019, Senator Lana Theis introduced a resolution recognizing ME/CFS as a serious, debilitating disease and calling for improvements in patient care, medical education, and research. With the leadership of Michigan advocate Brian Schull, the resolution was adopted on May 15, 2019.

That same year, Kristina Osobka reached out to the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) to propose continuing medical education (CME) credits focused on ME/CFS. Through collaboration between PANDORA Org and the Bateman Horne Center, this initiative helped educate physicians across Michigan.
In 2019, PANDORA Org presented a poster at the International Conference for ME/CFS on the challenges patients face accessing knowledgeable care. That same year, our study, “Lack of Knowledgeable Healthcare Access for Patients with Neuro-Endocrine-Immune Diseases,” was published on ResearchGate, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change. Tina Tidemore was the lead author.

Also in May 2019, Congressman Jack Bergman met with Dr. Ron Davis at Stanford University to learn more about ME/CFS—an introduction made possible through our advocacy. Congressman Bergman later spoke at ME/CFS Day in Washington, D.C., and sponsored letters supporting increased federal research funding.

In September 2021, PANDORA Org joined other national organizations to submit a proposal to add ME/CFS to the U.S. International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-CM). The proposal was approved, and as of October 1, 2022, ME/CFS is officially recognized in the U.S. classification system—allowing improved data tracking and visibility for patients, including those who developed ME/CFS following COVID-19 infection.

Beyond advocacy and education, PANDORA Org reached people in deeply personal and practical ways. Under Donna Robillard’s leadership, the “Covered in Love” Quilt Program provided more than 150 handmade quilts to people with ME/CFS as gifts of warmth and hope. The “PANDORA Delivers” Meal Program supplied over 1,200 meals to patients across the U.S., led by Sandy Sizemore. Volunteers also distributed gas cards for medical travel, testified before the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee (CFSAC) in Washington, D.C., and provided in-service education for hospitals and physicians’ offices.

As PANDORA Org concludes its formal operations, we do so with deep gratitude to every volunteer, advocate, donor, and supporter who made this mission possible. Together, we built community, educated the public, and gave voice to thousands of patients too often overlooked by the medical system.

Though the organization is closing, our shared commitment to awareness, compassion, and change will live on—in every quilt sewn, every meal delivered, every voice raised, and every life touched by PANDORA Org’s enduring legacy.

In Loving Service,
Lori Chapo-Kroger, RN, President & CEO
and the PANDORA Org Board of Directors
 
www.westword.com

Art Show It Comes in Waves Brings Long COVID Stories to Light

Artists and incarcerated illustrators share powerful depictions of living with Long COVID at Aurora’s People’s Building.
www.westword.com www.westword.com

Art Show It Comes in Waves Brings Long COVID Stories to Light​

Artists and incarcerated illustrators share powerful depictions of living with Long COVID at Aurora’s People’s Building.
By Toni TrescaNovember 5, 2025
A piece created by incarcerated artist Riccardo Kirven for It Comes in Waves, a visual art exhibition about Long COVID.
Courtesy Of Riccardo Kirven


The pandemic may have faded from headlines, but for thousands of Coloradans still living with Long COVID, its effects continue to ripple through their daily lives.

That ongoing reality is the subject of It Comes in Waves, a new exhibition opening November 7 at the People’s Building in Aurora. Through a combination of illustrations by incarcerated people and mixed media work by Colorado artists, the show captures the resilience of those whose lives were permanently changed by the virus.


“COVID isn’t gone,” says Heather Schulte, founder and director of Stitching the Situation, which organized It Comes in Waves. “It’s still very much present as a virus that infects people, and so many people experience Long COVID in some form or another. I hope this exhibition reminds people that this is something that we should be paying attention to and that public health resources and research funding should be going to learning more about it.”

Running through December 30, It Comes in Waves invites viewers to consider what happens when a crisis slips from public view but its consequences remain. Supported by an INSITE Fund grant from RedLine Contemporary Art Center, the project builds on artist Schulte’s ongoing initiative Stitching the Situation, a national effort to document the human toll of COVID-19 through collective textile work.
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Found this article from march:
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5 years later: What it's like living with long COVID

At a time when the world seems eager to declare the COVID-19 pandemic a closed chapter, I — along with millions of other Americans — continue to confront a relentless, invisible enemy that has redefined every aspect of my existence: long COVID.
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Ed Hornick also wrote several other articles about his fight with long covid: https://www.edhornick.com/longcovid

AI Summary:
Five Years Later: Living with Long COVID

A Lingering Battle
Five years after first contracting COVID-19 in early 2020, Ed Hornick continues to live with long COVID — a chronic condition recognized by the CDC as lasting at least three months after infection and involving more than 200 symptoms. Despite partial improvements, he still struggles with fatigue, brain fog, pain, and dysautonomia. Research estimates that around 400 million people worldwide have experienced long COVID, with significant economic and personal consequences.

Searching for Answers
Hornick’s journey began with misdiagnoses before long COVID was officially recognized in 2021. Doctors remain uncertain about its cause, citing theories such as autoimmunity, inflammation, viral persistence, and microclots. This uncertainty has led many patients, including Hornick, to try varied treatments while managing frustration and ongoing symptoms.

Treatment and Research
Hornick sought help in long COVID clinics in the U.S. and Italy, where he finally felt understood and supported. He now participates in studies at Johns Hopkins University and Mount Sinai, hoping his experience contributes to scientific understanding and future treatments.

Adapting and Coping
Learning to pace himself has become crucial. Hornick prioritizes rest, sets boundaries, and practices “dolce far niente” — the sweetness of doing nothing. Light exercise helps him find hope and measure progress.

Finding Community and Hope
Through social media, he connected with others facing the same struggle, forming a supportive network. Five years later, Hornick feels cautiously optimistic. While recovery remains uncertain, he continues to advocate for research, awareness, and empathy for those still fighting an invisible illness.
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AI Summary:
How Long Does Covid Booster Protection Last?

Study Findings
A new study in JAMA Internal Medicine examined how long protection from the 2024–2025 covid-19 vaccine lasts. Data from about 1.8 million Americans showed that only 13 percent received the updated shot. The vaccine reduced infection risk by 45 percent after four weeks, 36 percent after ten weeks, and 17 percent after twenty. Protection against emergency visits was 45, 43, and 39 percent at the same intervals. The strongest defense was against hospitalization and death, with effectiveness of 57, 50, and 34 percent respectively.

Consistency and Implications
These results align with previous research: vaccines are most valuable for preventing severe illness, especially among older adults, who made up nearly 80 percent of hospitalizations. While protection against infection fades quickly, vaccines remain crucial in preventing serious outcomes.

Safety Evidence
A separate Danish study of 1.5 million people found no rise in adverse effects from the 2024–2025 booster. Additional research confirmed the safety of covid, flu, and RSV vaccines. Experts emphasize that updated boosters are safe and effective, urging eligible individuals not to skip them.

Future Recommendations
The CDC has not yet decided on a spring booster, though evidence suggests that vulnerable groups might benefit from two doses per year.
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www.medscape.com

Long-COVID Patients Find Relief With Alternative Therapies

In the absence of FDA-approved long COVID treatments, desperate patients look to alternative medicine. Here’s a look at what might help and what won’t.
www.medscape.com www.medscape.com

AI Summary:
Patients With Long COVID Find Relief With Alternative Therapies

Living With Long COVID
Christie Stabile, 56, developed long COVID after first being infected in 2020. Her symptoms included fatigue, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat, later diagnosed as mast cell activation syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Despite specialist care, she turned to complementary therapies such as red light therapy, supplements, vitamin infusions, and apheresis, spending thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Turning to Alternative Treatments
According to the World Health Organization, about 6% of people with COVID develop long COVID. With no FDA-approved treatments, around 45% of patients try complementary and integrative health approaches. Long COVID expert David Putrino warned that some products are ineffective or unsafe but acknowledged that certain therapies may help.

Supplements and Nutrition
Coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid may reduce fatigue by improving mitochondrial function. Other supplements like vitamin C, NAD plus, and proteolytic enzymes may address fatigue and microclots. Patients are advised to choose third-party tested products and avoid peptide supplements, which can cause harmful side effects.

Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques
Mindfulness-based methods such as resonant breathing, yoga, and meditation have been shown to reduce fatigue, breathlessness, pain, and stress. Humming may help by raising nitric oxide levels and improving oxygen flow.

Massage and Red Light Therapy
Massage has eased pain, fatigue, and anxiety in long COVID patients, supported by several studies. Red light therapy may improve mitochondrial activity and reduce symptoms like brain fog and fatigue.

Hyperbaric Oxygen and Caution
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment shows mixed results and remains expensive. Experts caution against unproven and risky options like stem cell therapy or blood washing and advise consulting medical professionals before pursuing alternative treatments.
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From MedPage Today:

Public Health Workers March to HHS, Demand RFK Jr.'s Removal
— American Public Health Association closes its annual meeting with organized protest
MedPage Today said:
WASHINGTON -- Hundreds of public health workers and their allies, flanked by photographers shading their eyes from the glare of the afternoon sun, marched from the National Mall toward HHS headquarters at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building on Wednesday.

Their mission: Demand HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s resignation.

Prior to the march, the protesters, many of them former federal public health employees, convened near a stage and listened to speeches from physicians, policymakers, scientists, and other thought leaders at a rally organized by the American Public Health Association (APHA) and partners on the final day of the association's annual meeting

APHA is currently suing Kennedy, joining a lawsuit from the American Academy of Pediatrics and others, over what APHA Executive Director Georges C. Benjamin, MD, called "unlawful, unilateral vaccine changes."
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