Someone is asking me for advice about what if any help she can get in Taiwan with some persistent symptoms she is experiencing after recovering from Covid: semi-daily headaches, sleeping difficulty, and hair loss. It’s been roughly a month since she got Covid, and recovered from the major symptoms within a week. But the headaches, insomnia, and hair loss started around the time she recovered from the acute Covid symptoms.
From what I’ve read, this is somewhat common, and the hair loss is generally temporary, with recovery beginning within a few months. I haven’t found much definitive about the headaches. I read some patients may be given a test to check whether blood oxygen levels are low, but not sure how common an issue that is. Given my experience with doctors in Taiwan, it seems likely that all she’d get by going to the hospital is a week’s supply of acetaminophen.
Has anyone heard about any treatment options here in Taiwan beyond pain relievers that she could just as easily buy OTC?
If your friend is in northern Taiwan, she should know that the following hospitals have set up specialized clinics to try to help:
National Taiwan University Hospital, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, MacKay Memorial Hospital, and Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital, along with the branches of Taipei City Hospital
I don’t have direct experience with these clinics, but it may help to visit one of them.
There are sleep clinics in a few hospitals if wanting to consider that route. Common to stay overnight on a sleep monitor, then sleep specialist will evaluate and provide appropriate recommendations.
Some smart watches and fitness bands can monitor blood oxygen levels. Not medical level quality, but sufficient as an indicator. Can pick up a Xiaomi fitness band for under NT$1000 if curious enough to self-monitor.