I'm Sara - a 26 year old from Wales, working in a management role within the NHS.
Coronavirus or COVID-19 has made an impact on each and every one of our lives, whether we’ve contracted the virus or not.
I am a fit and healthy woman, and yet contracting the virus has still had an immense impact upon me. I suffer from very mild asthma, and a number of severe food allergies; but no other medical conditions. So I question, why me?
This piece is a short account of my experience of what it’s been like to contract COVID-19.
Having developed COVID-19 almost six weeks ago now, I feel like I have experienced a roller coaster of ill health, utter exhaustion and a concoction of emotions. Despite not being hospitalised, my experience to date has felt long and extremely frightening; with my symptoms varying and fluctuating each day.
Back when the virus became a known, and real threat to our country; it was clear in the reports that those most vulnerable within our society (over seventy, or with pre-existing health conditions etc.) were most at risk of contracting a severe case of COVID-19. Therefore as a fit and healthy woman in my twenties, I did not feel particularly concerned for my ability to shake off the virus should I become infected.
So back in early April, when I began to experience a headache, and pains in my legs and back – I dismissed the symptoms and put it down to either fatigue from working long hours, or the development of a mild dose of the virus that would pass with a few days rest.
At this point, some of my colleagues within the Health Service who I had been working closely with had developed the defined main symptoms of the virus (which at that time included a new or persistent cough, shortness of breath and a fever/temperature). These colleagues were then tested for COVID-19 and many came back as positive. In light of this information, it made sense for myself and my household to self-isolate and for me to be tested.
My initial result came back as negative, which given my display of only vague symptoms, made sense.
However, over the next of 5-7 days, the aches and pains only became worse. The most excruciating throbbing pain in my hips, my knees and calves developed – which were only mildly comforted by a hot water bottle and paracetamol. This was followed by tightness in my chest, a dry cough and awaking every morning with a throbbing and persistent headache. It was at this point I questioned the result of my COVID-19 test – and following a further swab, results confirmed I was indeed COVID-positive.
It felt reassuring to receive a concrete diagnosis; and myself and my house-hold felt comforted that despite the initial negative result, we had followed our instincts and continued to self-isolate. The feeling that we could have put others at risk unknowingly left me feeling mortified.
From that point on-wards, my condition only deteriorated. The shortness of breath started with my family noticing my inability to form a sentence without taking sharp breaths between words. This was followed by a struggle to catch my breath when doing anything more than walking along a flat surface.
Walking upstairs.. brushing my hair.. kneeling down to put on a pair of socks.. - it all felt like a chore. Fatigue like nothing I have ever experienced before. And the contrast of this, compared to my usual routine of doing exercise or running four or five days of the week has left me feeling utterly hopeless.
One morning, three weeks following my COVID-positive diagnosis, I awoke from bed with a thumping headache as if I had drunk a couple of bottles of red wine the previous night, tightness in my chest and upper back, a racing heart rate and very shallow breathing – and my instinct told me I needed to ask for help.
This resulted in me being reviewed in a COVID-Red-Zone GP practice, from where I was referred to the Medical Assessment Unit at my nearest hospital. I was presenting a number of symptoms, which included tachycardia (high pulse rate – mine was in the region of 130-160 beats per minute, 60 to 100 being considered normal), variable oxygen saturation (level of oxygen in your blood) and acute chest and upper back pain. This led medics to query the presence of a blood clot (pulmonary embolism) in my chest – which I learnt is a common complication from COVID-19.
Thankfully, tests confirmed this was not the case for me and I was discharged home – given advice that my ongoing symptoms were likely persisting signs of the virus.
But every day - day after day, the extreme fatigue continues. It’s like waking up to a lucky dip draw each morning, minus the pleasant surprise. What will it be today - a muggy head? ..chronic back and chest ache? ..vivid and torturous dreams during sleep? ..breathlessness? ..sweat outbreaks? ..dizziness? ..nausea? ..fever? ..swollen eyes?
Some days, I feel more optimistic, and make small attempts to try and feel normal again– a short walk, cooking lunch.. some very light gardening – but this is nearly always followed by feeling dreadful the next day. Which leads me to believe I am almost ‘paying for’ making my body do more than the very bare minimum.
When you google ‘covid recovery times’, for people who have not been hospitalised, it is described as a period of about two weeks.
I have not been hospitalised, yet I still continue to feel unwell; questioning why I am not getting better in the time frame suggested. For someone who functions at almost a 100 miles an hour most days, the contrast has been immense – and led me to question whether I am exacerbating my own symptoms.. making it persist for longer than it needs to..
It has been the most lonely I have felt in my entire life. Not knowing anyone or being able to relate to someone going through the same as I have has left me feeling isolated. I have been so touched by those around me that have helped me cope. Friends, family, colleagues – people quietly stepping in, reminding me that I am not alone and ‘this too shall pass’.
For others out there experiencing similar to me, it is not abnormal to have symptoms which persist for weeks, or far beyond what you may perceive to be the ‘normal’ recovery time. As I work in Healthcare, I have been fortunate to receive the support and guidance of many of my clinical colleagues, who have been able to reassure me that what I am experiencing is normal.
Though, hearing from someone going through the same experience may have allowed me to accept the virus and its nasty repercussions sooner, in turn allowing it to run its course. It’s not ‘just a virus’ – it’s important that people understand its repercussions can have far greater significance.
I am continuing to recover, and perhaps invisibly to me, I am making small progress each day towards feeling better. But I do recognise it may take a little while.. For now, I am going to sit back, and try think of this period positively - a period of rest and relaxation, where it is acceptable for me to do close to nothing - as let's be honest, when else does life ever offer me that opportunity?
Alexa, cue the beach..
Hello have just discovered this story from BBC 2020. I've had very similar symptoms now for nine weeks on and really interested to know how you have all done with recovery several years on? I am a keen runner/active and now can hardly run up the stairs without being out of breath/tight chest - interested to know if any treatment offered for tight/heavy chest?
Thanks Steve
I cannot begin to tell you how relieved I am to read that I am not alone in this. I am a twenty-eight year old healthy female, but almost four-months on from contracting the virus (tests were unavailable when I began to fall ill) I am STILL suffering from breathing difficulties and fatigue. My experience in the initial four weeks were horrific, and If I'm completely honest I know I should have gone to the hospital, but I was so scared that I decided to wait it out at home. There were nights when my lungs and throat were so inflamed that I went to sleep from exhaustion not knowing If id be able to keep myself breathing through the…
Hi Sara, I Am a fit 44 year old, also work for CAVUHB and have had a similar journey to yours. I think I contracted Covid mildly in March at the start of lockdown. Had 2 weeks off mainly due to fatigue with mild symptoms but then went back to work. I am still (3 months later) having days when I can’t breathe easily, heart races and nerves start tingling in my arms. Weird dreams and interrupted dreams. I also went to A&e and they found nothing. Now off sick from work again and can’t even walk 100 yds or climb stairs without fatigue, nausea and short of breath symptoms. I’ve been told it’s a nasty post viral condition th…
Good to hear from you
Hi Sara,
I’m from Pembs too and have been suffering for 9 weeks from the same symptoms as you. Thanks for the article, it’s good to know we are not alone in this fight. My symptoms are generally easing up, you’re over the worst. Keep going! Lucy x