It’s been about six months and I REALLY need to start updating this blog a lot more. I’m aiming for fortnightly. Fortnightly, yeah.
So, to update those who aren’t new and to give a background to those who are, I’m a nurse who caught Covid in the first wave. For reasons, I wasn’t tested. Took me nearly six weeks to initially get back to work. Within a month, symptoms of what we all now call Long Covid started kicking in. I’m now on my second period of long term special leave (aka sick leave) with no end to it in sight. I’ve got neurological issues, a long QT interval heart rhythm, worse asthma, increased pain and now walk with a rollator. I have insomnia, dizziness, unexplained tachycardia, altered smell, no appetite and things just don’t work. My GP has done what they can, but there’s no obvious referral pathways and I still don’t know what it’s done to me as beyond some blood tests, a chest x-Ray, ECG, 24 hour Holter & cardiac USS, nothing has been done and it’s all been basic. I’m waiting for two referrals to send appointments. It’s constant waiting and I had no other help. In desperation, I self referred myself to the council and have now had some more aids delivered, am waiting on a safety rail for my shower and physio input, but I’m not fit enough to actually do rehab exercise. I’m now referred to a dietitian. I’m also waiting on my pharmacy dosset boxes to start as I keep forgetting to put meds in the boxes I was doing myself. I’m on so many supplements that I swear I rattle. They do help. Kind of. But it’s hard to remember and I lack energy to do much, even wash, dress or feed myself properly.
And one of the cats now has a long term condition, oh joy. Thank god for insurance.
We had a debate in our parliament last week: I was unimpressed by the government’s attitude. On a personal note, I’ve been unimpressed at responses I’ve received to letters I’ve sent asking for SOME support for healthcare staff.
I genuinely feel like I’ve been left to rot without knowing what’s actually wrong. I can’t afford to go private and I certainly can’t travel, even if I had the money, to centres who ARE testing for things like endothelial damage and microclots.
Financially, I’ve taken a hit as well, tho hopefully that’s going to resolve itself recently. I do have a GoFundMe now, which some very kind people have donated to. It’s paid for the cat and some bills in the meantime. I’ve also gone to StepChange to try and sort out my unsecured debt which was out of hand. But I’m so worried about losing my job, as I’ll lose my home. Nightmare scenario.
I’m involved in advocacy - I work with Long Covid Scotland and was also recruited for a profession-specific group as well. I do what I can, but I’ve had to take time off as I’ve not been well and pushing myself far too hard.
It is really hard to have to deal with everything going on and the state I’m actually in. I’ve never been like this before in my life - not to the point I am struggling to look after myself. After more than two years, the future really is uncertain.
So that’s the update. Don’t catch Covid. Please. You’re risking Long Covid, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
More posts soon!
