The diagnosis and treatment of invisible illnesses in Canada can be a difficult process.

Fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, chronic pain, allergies, Lyme disease and mental illness are notoriously ignored, unacknowledged and underfunded in the Canadian health care system.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis symptoms overlap in some cases of Long Covid. In Canada, the journey for a proper diagnosis of ME includes a great deal of hurdles. If a diagnosis is made, there is little to no treatment or support after the initial diagnosis.

Organizations such as #ME ACTION are dedicated to research, advocacy and support for those living with ME. Their recent campaign, aimed at Long Covid tells us the importance of #STOPRESTPACE

Dysautonomia is also documented both early on in the Acute stage of Covid 19 and is indicated as a possible answer for the months to years long sequelae that Long Covid sufferers across the world are now facing.

Dysautonomia International states an average of SEVEN years is often the span it takes for a patient to receive a formal diagnosis of POTS, a form of Dysautonomia. Multiple presentations of Dyautonomia in all ages are occurring after a Sars-Cov-2 infection.

The same website has only 12 physicians across Canada to recommend as knowledgable of Dysautonomia. As many patients in Canada know, finding a doctor who is even aware of the condition’s existence is few and far between.

Studies are showing that 1 in 3 individuals who come into contact with Covid 19 will go on to develop long term symptoms. The amount of Canadians who are experiencing Long Covid, ME and Dysautonomia far outweighs medical professionals in Canada who are able to diagnose and give appropriate treatment.