‘I can’t bear the thought that this might be forever’

Lucy Onyango, financial crime analyst, 28, London

‘I started to develop a fever just as the UK went into lockdown last March. I had textbook Covid symptoms: fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, loss of taste and smell. After 20 days, I felt better and convinced myself I’d recovered – aside from the fact that I mysteriously couldn’t tie my hair in a bun without getting a severe headache. I’d got into a routine of regular Pilates and signed up to a half marathon – then, in August, my symptoms flared up again and, this time, they lingered. Doing the laundry exhausted me, while Zoom meetings were followed by a lie down because I had such heavy brain fog that I couldn’t concentrate on what people were saying. On the rare occasion I met friends for a walk, it would take days for me to regain the lost energy. I’d go to bed and wake up still feeling tired; it became a demoralising, never-ending cycle. I tried to just push through, and I did until September when – after 30 minutes of yoga left me with crippling chest pain – I sought support from my GP. I had blood tests, which came back normal, and an antibody test confirming I’d had Covid. My doctor was the first to mention long Covid – she was sympathetic, which I appreciated, but had no real advice. Months later, my energy levels are improving, but breathing is still hard and my body simply doesn’t work as well as it used to. I can’t handle the prospect that this is me forever, so I focus on doing what I can – and not letting myself sink mentally.’