Long Covid sufferers from Birmingham worry they'll never recover
Two women from Birmingham who've been fighting coronavirus symptoms for six months say GPs "don't know what to do" with them.
Last updated 16th Oct 2020
The long lasting impacts of coronavirus have left two women from Birmingham out of work, despite them beating the virus months ago.
Sophie Rice and Clare Haynes have both been struggling with symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue since they tested positive in April.
Clare used to be a Salsa dancer- and could often dance for 3 or 4 hours without stopping. Now, she sometimes struggles to get out of bed.
"It's been really frustrating" Clare says. "I think because the doctors don't really have any answers, there's no timescale. There's no do this or do that and you'll feel better."
Sophie thinks she picked up the virus whilst working as a healthcare assistant on a Covid ward at a hospital in Birmingham. She had to take four months off work and has been in and out of A&E ever since.
"It was really awful, very scary. Especially after what I'd already witnessed on the ward" Sophie admits. "I've actually had to leave the ward that I worked on and take a slightly easier job because I can't physically do it."
Both Sophie and Clare say GPs have been left scratching their heads and are unable to offer any treatments. Clare's even been going to a specialist clinic but all she can do is rest when the chest pains get too much.
**60,000 people in the UK probably have long Covid**
A new report has suggested Long Covid could be four different symptoms and that could be why some of them are going untreated.
The National Institute for Health Research says better care is needed for patients- who are often told when they test positive that they will recover in a matter of days.
It's warned of the psychological impact coronavirus could have on people like Sophie and Clare.
Meanwhile the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is putting together new guidelines for GPs.
Paul Chrisp, director of the Centre for Guidelines at NICE, said “There is growing evidence to suggest Covid-19 is a multi-system disease that for many people involves persistent symptoms with longer term impacts on their health. It is important, therefore, that people requiring ongoing support and treatment are identified quickly and are supported by the NHS throughout every stage of their journey".
A support group has been set up on Facebook for people who are struggling with Long Covid and thousands of members have already signed up.
You can also head to https://www.longcovid.org/ to find out more.