Join the Fight Against Long COVID: Endeavor Health Seeks Participants for Groundbreaking Research

Diane Patterson lives in Buffalo Grove and has faced long COVID. Luckily, she can now walk up and down stairs, but it wasn’t always this way. She recalls feeling an overwhelming fatigue that made her feel like she had hit a brick wall, forcing her to lay down suddenly. Diane got COVID in 2022 and describes herself as a “long-hauler.” Even three years later, symptoms linger, making daily tasks difficult.

Long COVID is a complex condition that includes around 200 different symptoms, according to Dr. Nirav Shah, a key figure at Endeavor Health. He says these symptoms can range from brain fog and memory issues to problems with the heart and lungs. Some patients even report new health issues like diabetes or hair loss. Diane has struggled with short-term memory and multitasking, and it’s hard for her to believe she’s still dealing with these challenges after all this time.

Determined to improve, Diane chose to participate in a clinical trial through Endeavor Health, which is actively recruiting participants for several long-COVID studies. Dr. Shah mentions that many patients are eager for solutions to their symptoms. A recent survey suggests that about 8% of the population has experienced long COVID, amounting to nearly 20 million people in the U.S. Most recover, but some find it difficult to resume their daily lives, making these studies vital.

Experts are still trying to understand why some develop long-term symptoms after COVID while others do not. Theories abound, from autoimmune responses to “viral persistence,” where small amounts of the virus remain in the body, keeping symptoms alive. Endeavor Health is part of a national research program called RECOVER, funded by the National Institutes of Health, which investigates these matters. Dr. Shah anticipates significant findings soon, which could shine light on long COVID.

One of the studies, RECOVER-VITAL, is exploring the effects of Paxlovid, an antiviral medication, but with a longer treatment plan than usually prescribed. Other ongoing trials, like RECOVER-ENERGIZE and RECOVER-SLEEP, are examining exercise intolerance and sleep disturbances, respectively. Dr. Shah emphasizes the importance of these studies for those living with persistent COVID symptoms. While he has transitioned several responsibilities, he remains committed to finding new treatment options.

Every journey with long COVID is different. Diane remembers how even a short walk could exhaust her. Simple tasks like washing her hair felt daunting. She has undergone physical and respiratory therapy and continues to look for ways to heal. Each small improvement gives her hope. She advises others in her situation to join a study if possible, saying, “The sooner we have answers, the sooner we can all move on with our lives.”

For more about ongoing research and updates in long COVID, check out [NIH’s RECOVER studies](https://recovercovid.org). Getting involved can help both individuals and the broader community understand and tackle long COVID.

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