Covid appointment
A few days ago I had a hospital appointment related to my long Covid. I wasn't sure what to expect as the only referral I had was to the long covid clinic and this appointment was with the respiratory medicine department. Once I got there and started talking through my symptoms the Doctor said there's not really anything he can do and I shouldn't really be there. Apparently because the long covid clinic is so busy the health trust is basically treating the respiratory department as a bit of an overflow car park for cases since lung issues are quite common with covid but as the doc said I'm not really experiencing breathing issues (I do get shortness of breath and even wheezing if I'm overly fatigued but this has always felt more like a muscular issue than lung related) and most of my symptoms are neurological based.
This doctor was actually great and is really the first health professional that I felt actually cared about my situation. We ran some tests that he could do through his department just to rule things out more than with expectations of finding anything.
The first tests were a series of breathing tests that check on my lung function and also how well they take in oxygen and get rid of the carbon dioxide. The tests were actually pretty horrible but came back that everything was basically bang on average and working as it should. So that means even with some shortness of breath there isn't an issue with my lung function.
The last test was just running some blood tests as it is 4 months since my last lot and it's just to check on things. It almost felt the doc felt sorry and just wanted to offer me every test he could.
As well as the tests he offered what referrals he could but they were pretty basic and limited. One was online help with managing fatigue but we both agreed it wasn't too appropriate as it was just some basic guidance and I was already self managing the fatigue well. They may possibly be able to help with some of the issues I'm having with my left arm and hand although probably not if it is in fact a neuro issue. We basically decided they could ring me to discuss things and see if there was anything they can do. I'm waiting for that call and will also be written to about the blood tests that we expect to be negative.
What happens next
Basically now it's just a case of carrying on as I am on my own. In time I will either get better (which can even happen randomly overnight with some people) or I could be like this indefinitely. Currently there's no treatments to help but there are a few different trials going on so there is a chance something will come along to help.
Hearing there's no help at the moment is obviously a little frustrating but is exactly what I expected so I'm not too down about it. I'm now at peace with my current limitations and the unknown nature of how things will turn out. I'm just taking things a day and a week at a time and we'll just have to wait and see what the future brings.