The Long Covid Collective

Hi Jemma, I stumbled on your account having been in a rut since I was infected with post Covid back in 2022. It Left me practically half paralysed. Thankfully that is no longer the case. My brain was also no longer functioning normally and it was like I had a split personality living from the outside looking in. I knew something was really wrong when I screamed and yelled at my best friend who was 8 months pregnant at the time. I was never a violent person. I also nearly burnt our house down, twice, because I forgot to turn off the stove (thankfully my husband woke up in the middle of the night and smelled the gas). Etc. Etc.  Anyways… As you know, all in all, I had countless symptoms/ incidents(cognitive and physical). I was labelled (like many others) burnt out/ psychosomatic. But, to me it wasn’t logical, it did not make sense. My symptoms only got worse with time. Shortly before getting infected I got engaged. I was so excited! Then I got sick. This didn’t stop me from planning my dream day as I had something to look forward to, at the time I also believed (was talked into believing) that I was just paranoid and that somehow I talked my self into it all. I truely believed That on my wedding day I would be me again and that everything would go back to normal. I got married in 2023 and the fact that I missed 50% of my own wedding and got really sick, stuck in a wheelchair, was a big indicator to me that it was not psychological. During all that time I have seen multiple doctors and after lots of trial and error I was advised by my family who were again advised by other post Covid diagnosed patients to do the hyperbaric chamber oxygen therapy, as there were multiple with succes stories. I did an intake and after a lot a bit of convincing the doctor, they let me be part of the therapy since actually I was too weak. (But I am very stubborn and didn’t want to give up) I must say, it was not easy, in the beginning I came out sicker then when I went in the chamber, however after 40 sessions of 2 hours I would say I recovered 80% of my cognitive abilities. I’m still perplexed because I just can’t believe how I feel. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still on the road to recovery because of a lot of other physical issues I’m dealing with, but, in case you didn’t know about this therapy, I thought I would share.  Every little bit helps. Only downside is it’s expensive. I’m not able to add the link since it protected but here is a picture, you can google it for more information! I wish everyone much strength not to give up or give in to this stupid virus! You are not alone in this. Thanks Jemma for setting up such a platform!!!