New online group for long Covid sufferers
People who are suffering with long Covid – symptoms of Covid-19 for months after testing clear – can now find support and advice from others in a similar situation with a new support group set up by Tamara O’Brien.
Ms O’Brien caught Covid at the start of the island’s second wave in January last year, before she had any vaccinations, and said that she was bed-bound for a week-and-a-half.
‘They classed me as recovered from Covid on day 21 but I still had symptoms,’ said the mother of three.
More than a year later and after two vaccinations, plus a booster, she is still suffering with some Covid symptoms, including extreme sensitivity to light and sound, loss of taste and smell and tiredness and ‘brain fog’ which makes it hard to think clearly.
‘I get unbelievable tiredness. I have to do stuff in the mornings because come the afternoon and evening I can’t do anything.
‘I’ve also had problems with my legs. I can’t walk far any more since I get pain a couple of days later. Walking up and down the stairs can be exhausting as well as causing breathlessness.’
Another effect has been pins and needles which can affect her lips, tongue and her back.
Her knees have swollen, too, but she said that scans came back clear.
‘I keep on getting chest infections as well, so I’m in the middle of medical investigations for that.’
She said long Covid was like a hidden illness.
‘It’s totally changed my life but at the moment there’s nothing much they can do for me. I’ve tried so much medication and had so many tests but they can’t figure it out.’
Realising that other people were going through a similar experience, she decided to set up a group where long Covid sufferers can share their experiences and offer any useful advice to others locally.
‘Nobody else talked about long Covid much'.
‘People started messaging me asking for advice on how I manage day to day. I just plan how I’m feeling and what’s important to do that day,’ she said.
‘We can’t give medical information but we can give out advice that might help other people.’
The private Facebook group has nearly 40 members and Ms O’Brien said she has joined similar groups in the UK to gather more information about how people are coping.
To join the Guernsey Long Covid group go to bit.ly/3Lie42L
