Today marks 3 months since I came down with #COVID19 symptoms. I’m still nowhere near better. I’m 32, was perfectly healthy before and I was trying really hard not to expose myself to the virus #LongCovid 1/10

I’m still struggling with chest pain, joint pain, body aches, head aches, cognitive issues and fatigue. I also now have heart palpitations and a daily sore throat. I am slowly improving but the recovery is so gradual I can only see it by looking back month by month. 2/10

The joint pain means I can‘t write, and it hurts to hold things, type & use a knife & fork. Some days it’s hard to walk. The cognitive issues mean I have trouble remembering words, sometimes my speech is slow & stuttering, and I make lots of mistakes when I type. 3/10

I am extremely tired all the time and the smallest daily tasks exhaust me. Working is hard (only working 3 mornings a week now). Exercise is impossible. I can’t read. I can only minimise symptoms by lying on the sofa all day & doing very little. 4/10

It is soul-crushing and disabling - I have very good mental resilience but this is really taking a toll on me psychologically. I know it is taking a toll on those around me too. 5/10

I most likely have post-viral fatigue. It’s very common after a nasty virus. There could also be unknown complications specific to covid, we just don’t know yet. It’s hard not to be frightened by that uncertainty. 6/10

But even with a classic case of PVF, there’s a risk it could develop into ME/chronic fatigue syndrome and last for years. I’m remaining optimistic that I will recover, but I am also facing up to the fact that this could now be my new normal. There is no treatment for ME/CFS. 7/10

1 in 3 doctors across the UK are seeing people with long covid. Thousands of us in the UK have joined support groups. Some are now in wheelchairs & can’t walk, others have developed complications like kidney problems & blood clots. I’m one of the comparatively lucky ones. 8/10

I’m not saying this for sympathy or attention. I’m saying it because the media isn’t. We still don’t know why I got long covid and the next person recovered after 2 weeks. It’s all remote statistics and sad stories about other unlucky people... until it happens to you. 9/10

The virus is still in the community, you could still get long covid. If you thought lockdown was a challenge, you’ll need even more resolve to get you through this if it happens to you or your loved ones. Keep your distance, wash your hands, wear your mask & stay vigilant. 10/10