A 29-year-old who caught Covid-19 has spoken out about her battle with long-covid and has urged the public to get protected to reduce the likelihood of developing the long-term illness.
Danielle Bacon, of West Bridgford, caught Covid-19 in July 2020. It started with a number of symptoms, including a temperature, a headache, sickness, heart palpitations and shortness of breath and over the next three weeks she was in and out of hospital undergoing scans for potential blood clots.
After the initial virus passed, Danielle continued to feel unwell on and off for a number of weeks, so she decided to speak to her GP.
She said: “After about three weeks of feeling like I was dying, I felt like I was starting to get better and had almost recovered. Another week or so later and I started feeling really unwell again. After many visits to doctors in the following weeks, I spoke to one specific doctor who suggested it could be long Covid.
“Throughout the past 18 months I have had a whole whirlwind of symptoms. I feel like it has pretty much ruined my life, controlled it and changed it for the worse. I feel isolated, frustrated, anxious and scared to leave my house in case I get it again.
“I was a very independent person and it has been so hard knowing that I have had to rely on other people when I desperately want to do my own thing, work hard, travel and exercise. I am frightened for the future and I am becoming hopeless that I may never recover.”
Some of the symptoms Danielle has experienced include a racing heartbeat, chest tightness, a cough, headaches, shooting pain in her head and back of eyes, hot and cold flushes, shaking, muscle weakness and aching, disorientation, brain fog, nausea, severe fatigue, loss of appetite, anxiety, visual disturbances, sinus issues, hair loss, shortness of breath, dizziness, pins and needles, issues sleeping, vivid dreams and nightmares and tinnitus.
After many GP visits and blood tests, Danielle was referred to the Post Covid Syndrome Assessment Clinic – these clinics help patients who are experiencing multiple new and ongoing symptoms at 12 weeks or more after a Covid-19 infection. A team of clinicians assess patient’s symptoms, refer onto appropriate treatment services and plan on-going care.
Danielle, who is now fully vaccinated, has urged others to take up the offer of a vaccine which was not available when she first caught the virus.
She added: “For some people this virus doesn’t affect them too badly but there’s a chance that you could get long covid and your life as you know it will be taken away from you. It’s very real, unpredictable and scary and we all need to do everything we can to avoid it.”
James Huguenin, Team Leader at the Post Covid Syndrome Assessment Clinic, said: “We would like to thank Danielle for being brave enough to tell her story. Her journey is very typical of the patients who are under the care of the service. Covid can affect people in many ways, with patients often reporting multiple symptoms after having had the infection.
“Even if patients have mild symptoms at the time of infection, we are seeing people continue to struggle with symptoms over 12 weeks post Covid. We also know that the disease often has a profound effect on the young, fit and able.
“The Post Covid Service in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has triaged and processed more than 600 referrals since April 2021 and we are seeing people of all ages need the service from 21 to 60-years-old.
“We are understanding and learning more every day, but Danielle’s story shows us just how important it is to get as much protection as possible in order to try and reduce the long-term effects of this disease.”
All eligible people can book a Covid-19 vaccine through 119 or by visiting the NHS website. Or they can walk into their nearest walk-in venue.
Post Covid Syndrome Assessment clinics have been launched across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to help patients who are experiencing multiple new and ongoing symptoms at 12 weeks or more after a Covid-19 infection.
You should speak to your GP who will refer you to the clinic if it is suitable for your needs. The clinic will fully assess your physical, mental and cognitive needs, usually by telephone, and will hold a discussion with a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians to plan your care. The plan may include referrals to community and mental health services to help treat your symptoms.
Find out more: https://nottm-ccg-archive.ginger-root.co.uk/covid-19/what-you-need-to-know/your-covid-recovery/
