"The work the team does is invaluable"

I have had Covid 3 times. The first time I didn’t even know I had it. The second time completely wiped me out. No energy. Sleeping but constantly exhausted Brain fog. Headaches. Muscle and joint pain. I went to the doctors around 4 months after I had Covid as I simply couldn’t continue. They did various tests and when there was nothing physically’ wrong with me I was referred to the long Covid clinic.

They were brilliant. Gave me all round support. Not just exercises to help me improve my fitness but relaxation techniques. Let me know I wasn’t on my own and provided the support to start getting me back on my feet. With their support my fitness improved, as did my sleep pattern and mental health. I had to accept I wouldn’t get back to the same level of fitness I had pre-Covid but it was a massive improvement.

Then Covid struck again and once more I was back at square one. I am still seeing the fantastic team at long Covid and am gradually improving. It has been much harder this time round and various symptoms have lingered for longer than I anticipated.

I couldn’t have managed without Long Covid team support. As a woman it is easy to do your hair, put make up on and for everyone to think you are ok. They understood I needed the front I presented to the world but that I wasn’t ‘ok’. They let me know I wasn’t on my own. I had support and when I struggled with everything they gave me the impetus to continue. As I have mentioned, so many people ( including me first time round) have Covid and no after effects. Few people understand just how debilitating Long Covid can be. Even though I have improved I still have days when I can barely crawl out of bed and to exercise would be the equivalent of flying to the moon without a rocket. But, and this is a big BUT, they have given me the skills to cope with these days and what a difference that has made.

I sincerely hope that at some stage Long Covid is officially recognized as the work the team does is invaluable.