"Long covid"

I developed long covid following an initial mild covid infection in May 2020. When my long covid symptoms developed 5 weeks after initial exposure, I was very anxious and frightened due to the SOB and chest tightness. I have suffered multisystem impact from Covid 19, with all of 2020 getting strange health issues, which resolved and then came back. In Nov 2020 I had a complete crash which I'm still dealing with. 

As a result of chronic fatigue, dysautonomia, insomnia, pain, mobility issues, cognitive/ communication problems, I have been put forward for ill health retirement from my job.

I was struggling mentally and physically with long covid before getting a referral to the post covid service.

To be able to speak to professionals who had an understanding of the issues I was experiencing, was such a relief because I was extremely distraught. I personally felt that I was not being believed and I got the impression that I was becoming an issue. I went from rarely going to the practice to having a significant presence at the health centre.

The team offered support with the one to one interactions and group programmes.

I required CBT for a number of weeks to deal with anxiety and I'm using the techniques I learnt, to deal with the loss of my health and function, the loss of my career and the need to sell my home of over 20 years.

I learnt how to manage fatigue and the need to be aware of prewarning indicators because I was constantly crashing. Plan, prioritise and rest has become a vital component of my life.

Insomnia has been another issue for me and my OT on our one to one sessions was able to give me tips on how to deal with this.

So in conclusion the South Eastern post covid service has been vital to me managing my condition and its complexities.

Forever grateful.