Montrealer hangs onto hope as long COVID research continues

Ludovic Begin, 19, has been struggling with shortness of breath, cognitive issues and heart palpitations since he developed long COVID in late 2023.

Ludovic Begin used to be a semi-professional soccer player, a student and a social butterfly. Now, even a 30-minute visit from a friend leaves him exhausted.

It’s been this way for over a year, ever since the 19-year-old athlete developed long COVID.

“I got dizzy, I had heart palpitations, a lot of cognitive issues ... a lot of muscle weakness and just being out of breath,” he said.

Begin struggles to keep his heartbeat stable as he sits us and says even light and sound can be unbearable.

He had only mild symptoms when he caught COVID in November 2023, “it was just a little cold,” he said.

Everything changed after a concussion in January.

Now, he’s followed by two doctors, bedridden 22 hours er day and taking up to nine pills at a time – including for sleep.

“My heart is always pounding super hard, even if I’m just resting and laying down,” Begin said.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Emilia Liana Falcone says some long COVID patients recover within months.

Others are still suffering, even four years later.

“We still have … a very long waiting list of individuals that are looking for care. As long as there is COVID-19, there is long COVID,” said Falcone.

Falcone says physical, mental, or emotional stress can make symptoms worse, and those symptoms can persist for days or even weeks. She says listening to the body and pacing one’s activities is key.

Begin believes more people need to pay attention.

“I know we’re kind of tired of hearing about it but it still does a lot of damage,” he said.

As the clinic prepares to submit new findings, Falcone says the need to support research remains crucial.

“We’ve made great progress,” she said.

Claudine Prud’homme, Begin’s mother, says she holds onto that hope.

“There is hope because we know the research is there,” she said.

Though the struggles are tough, Begin keeps pushing forward with determination.

“I have great support, and I try not to look at the future and what it’ll look like. I keep it one day at a time,” he said.