ISRRT_COVID-19_book

My relief and improvement were short lived however as after only being at home for a week
my symptoms worsened and GP blood tests revealed the onset of sepsis and Acute Kidney
Injury. I was once again taken to A&E and admitted to the “COVID-19 Ward” in isolation.
Further rounds of I.V. antibiotics, anticoagulants, nebulizers and analgesia continued for over
a week. The respiratory Consultant performed an ultrasound chest scan and said he could see
Kerley B lines in both bases, a term I recalled from my student days but had never heard since.
After cannulation for I. Vs became near on impossible due to collapsed veins it was decided
to switch me to oral drugs at which point I seized my chance and asked to be discharged as
the loneliness in isolation on the COVID-19 ward was becoming very difficult. I was
surrounded by patients with dementia, who were obviously confused and distressed and
cried out during the night, sleep was impossible and it was very upsetting to hear. The food
was very limited, there was a shortage of fruit that was attributed to the lockdown restrictions
and the lack of healthy options was not conducive to a speedy recovery.
I managed to convalesce at home for almost 3 weeks until my blood test on Christmas Eve
morning revealed a very high potassium level and reduction in renal function. A call from the
out of hours General Practitioner (GP) doctor insisted I attend the Medical Assessment Unit
some 40 miles away. As Christmas day arrived, the staff hurriedly treated me so I could at
least spend most of the day at home. I suffered many long-term effects, cardiac arrhythmia,
tachycardia at rest, chest pain shortness of breath and dysphagia. I continued to try to build
up my stamina by walking, gradually increasing the distance despite the ongoing fatigue.
I was absent from work for a further three months, resulting in the feelings of isolation
returning, before an Occupational Health assessment allowed me to trial a phased return to
work. As happy as I was to be returning to some form of normality I continued to struggle
with fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath exacerbated by the fit tested masks and the
visor I had to wear. Communication with patients and colleagues was very difficult and
exhausting initially and still can be a challenge today.
My Rheumatologist insisted my GP refer me to The Long COVID-19 Clinic for support and
treatment of my ongoing chest pain, cardiac arrhythmias and breathing issues. I had all the
pre referral tests done back in February 2021 and received a letter to say there is a long
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