I am ill and constantly exhausted...as I have been for 10 weeks now
– Sufferer Barbara Melville
Barbara Melville, from Edinburgh, is still bed-bound and battling for her health and answers, 10 weeks after contracting Covid-19.
At times during her lengthy home recovery, the formerly fit 37-year-old has feared for her life.
“It’s hard to sleep when you can’t breathe properly, which was a problem around week four. “I was never sure if I’d wake up the next morning,” said the IT executive.
Barbara first developed a dry cough on March 14, followed by a sore throat, fever and shortness of breath, which quickly worsened.
She was initially told by 111 call handlers that her laboured breathing was caused by anxiety. She was later admitted to Western General Hospital after she collapsed at her home – two weeks after first experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.
“When I tried to stand, I collapsed,” said Barbara. “I had a fever, my heartbeat was erratic.
“The hospital put me on fluids and ran blood tests. They said it was highly likely to be Covid-19 based on my symptoms and bloodwork, but that they weren’t allowed to test me for the virus.
I was discharged that day when my observations were normal and I could walk again.”
In the following two months, Barbara has convalesced at home, cared for by her partner Ben.
She was reassessed in hospital five weeks into her recovery. Doctors said she had Covid-induced pneumonia and that while the virus had gone, her recovery could be lengthy.
“I’m bed-bound. I cannot walk more than a few paces without feeling unwell. Standing up causes breathlessness, tachycardia and sometimes dizziness.
“I have constant fatigue and don’t even have energy to wash my hair. My hands and feet are freezing. My nails initially turned blue and are still ghostly white.
“It’s hard to have frightening symptoms and not know what’s coming next. But I have a great support network and I do believe I’ll get better.”
Barbara wants to see more support for those in long-term recovery: “I have a new GP who has devised a recovery plan and is looking into post-viral conditions, but we need research into Covid-19 longevity and the longer-lasting symptoms, so GPS are better equipped to support us.