Details
Name: Louise
Location: Laois
Infection Date: 18th of Jan 2021
Profession: Prison Service
Hopes for the Future
I really hope for a full recovery. I'm only 40- this can't be it for me! I've too much living to do. Hopefully they will find a treatment for this awful thing and help us all get back to normal....what ever that is
My Story
I suspect I first had covid in March 2020, I was tested but it came back negative. I felt sick for 5/6 days but then started to feel better I was a bit tired for 3/4 weeks after that but was able to resumed a normal life. Fast forward to January 2021 and through mass testing in work I tested positive, I only had a slight tickle in my throat at this stage but that soon changed. The next day my husband tested positive and the following week my 7 yr old and next my 4 yr old too, Myself and my husband were a lot sicker than the kids thankfully but it was so tough having to keep going to look after the kids but what choice did we have? On day 3 I lost my smell and taste, so many symptoms it's hard to remember them all. We struggled on for 7 long weeks before the symptoms started to lift a little.
I still had headaches, brain fog, a cough, chest pain, fatigue and dizziness. My boss had told me I was only covered for 28 days under covid so I really felt I should go back to work so after 8 weeks I went back but that was such a big mistake. I was so sick but trying to push through but after 3 weeks I couldn't carry on anymore. At this stage my blood pressure was near stroke level & my GP wanted me to go to into hospital but I promised to rest. I have had so many tests done- blood, heart and lungs they all came back clear apart from hypertension (high blood pressure).
Now, Sept 2021, and I'm still out of work. I've learned to manage to symptoms by resting as much as I can, taking many many multi vitamins and now I'm slowly increasing my exercise by 0.10 of a km each week yes I did say each week this is the slow pace that the consultant in the long coivd clinic has recommend. It has been a long journey that is far from over but I am on the road to recovery. I do believe I will recover- I have to live in hope.
Most Challenging Aspect
Apart from the symptoms the hardest part has been mammy guilt, not being able to do things with my boys. We love camping but had to cut the two trips short this year because it became too much for me and I paid the price with a crash after each trip. Its been hard for them to understand that I need to rest 💔
Most Positive Aspect
Spending more time with my boys. I'm trying to embrace this extra time that I would never of had working full time
Some people prefer to stay anonymous while telling their stories. If you or anyone you know has been affected by Long Covid, you can find solace in the Long Covid Facebook group. Click here to join.