Long Covid Treatment Specialists

Dr. Colleen Maxcy uses the latest technology and research to treat symptoms of Long Covid.

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About Colleen Maxcy, MD

Colleen Maxcy, M.D., is triple Board Certified in Pain Medicine and Rehabilitation and with the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners. She completed her fellowship in Interventional Spine at Alabama Orthopedic Spine and Sports Medicine Associates in Birmingham, Alabama.

Dr. Maxcy has been practicing Interventional Pain Medicine for over 14 years in the Tampa Bay Area and now has her own practice since 2014. She’s a fierce proponent of interventional procedures to treat patients with pain, instead of merely medicating the effects away, and also educates them about the issues affecting their quality of life. Dr. Maxcy ensures that every patient receives the highest level of care.

<center>Colleen Maxcy, MD, MPH</center>

Colleen Maxcy, MD, MPH

Medical Director

Long Covid Treatment

Long COVID Relief with Stellate Ganglion Block

Long COVID, a lingering condition after a COVID-19 infection, can cause persistent symptoms that make everyday life difficult.

What Causes Long COVID?

One theory is that dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, particularly sympathetic overactivity, is thought to underlie many of the prolonged sequelae associated with long COVID. In other words, long COVID is caused by an imbalance in the body’s nervous system, which controls many of our automatic functions.

How is Long COVID treated?

Stellate Ganglion Block

Dr. Maxcy and her team use this safe and effective procedure that can help balance the nervous system. It involves injecting a unique cocktail of medication near a group of nerves in the neck. This blocks the nerves from sending signals, which can help reduce symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of smell and digestive problems that are due to Long COVID.

Stellate Ganglion Block Treatment

Stellate Ganglion Block Testimonial

Long COVID Treatment Research

Summary of Research on Long COVID Symptoms

Summary of Research on Long COVID Treatment Using Stellate Ganglion Block

Introduction

Long COVID, also known as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PASC), is characterized by a range of persistent symptoms that can last for several weeks or months after the initial acute infection with SARS-CoV-2. These symptoms can be debilitating and significantly impact the quality of life of those affected.

Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting a local anesthetic into the stellate ganglion, a cluster of nerves located in the neck. SGB has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including pain, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Emerging Evidence for SGB in Long COVID

Preliminary research suggests that SGB may be a promising treatment for long COVID. A small retrospective cohort study published in Cureus in September 2023 found that 86% of patients with long COVID experienced a reduction in their symptoms following SGB treatment. The most common symptoms that improved included fatigue, brain fog, dysautonomia, and pain.

Another study, published in medRxiv in August 2023, reported similar findings. In this study, 41 patients with long COVID received SGB and 83% of them experienced a significant improvement in their symptoms. The most common symptoms that improved were fatigue, dyspnea, and cognitive dysfunction.

Mechanism of Action

The exact mechanism by which SGB may improve symptoms of long COVID is still being investigated. However, it is thought that SGB may help to reset the autonomic nervous system, which is believed to play a role in the development of long COVID symptoms.

Long COVID Research by The Cleveland Clinic

The Cleveland Clinic is actively involved in research on long COVID treatment. The Cleveland Clinic’s reCOVer Clinic is a multidisciplinary clinic that provides care for patients with long COVID. The clinic’s team of specialists is conducting research on a variety of potential treatments for long COVID, including SGB.

In addition to its own research, the Cleveland Clinic is also participating in several clinical trials sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These trials are investigating a variety of potential treatments for long COVID, including medications, physical therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Here are some specific examples of long COVID treatment research being conducted at the Cleveland Clinic:

  • A clinical trial investigating the use of SGB to improve smell and taste loss in patients with long COVID.
  • A study of the use of paxlovid, an antiviral medication, to prevent long COVID in patients at high risk of the condition.
  • A clinical trial investigating the use of a new anti-inflammatory medication to treat long COVID.
  • A study of the use of physical therapy to improve fatigue and exercise tolerance in patients with long COVID.
  • A clinical trial investigating the use of CBT to improve cognitive function and emotional well-being in patients with long COVID.

The Cleveland Clinic is committed to finding effective treatments for long COVID and improving the quality of life for patients affected by this condition. The clinic’s research is helping to advance our understanding of long COVID and to develop new treatment options.

ย (Cleveland Clinic Research)

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