Long-covid sufferer calls for more research
A dad of three with long-term effects of the virus has opened up about feeling "useless" and "left-behind".
Last updated 24th Jan 2022
A 43-year-old man with long-covid is appealing for the Department of Health to do more research into the condition.
John Cairns tested positive for coronavirus in January 2021 and was diagnosed with long-covid several months later in April.
John is one of approximately 20,000 patients in Northern Ireland impacted by long term symptoms of covid-19.
His chest pains were so serious that he struggled to sleep, climb stairs, is tired out by small tasks and generally feels "useless" because of his condition.
“I was up to A&E three times in the first couple of months with severe chest pains, really struggling to breath, it was just horrific.”
John broke down as he told Downtown Cool FM about the struggles of going from working 50 hours a week, to being fatigued by several minor tasks.
“It’s completely life changing. It’s not just issues with my health, I feel like I’ve let my family down,” he said.
John is calling for more research into a treatment.
“I don’t want to live with this, I want a treatment, I want to get back to work, I want to be the husband and father I used to be”.
“To hear that there’s no covid study in NI, there’s no help for over 23k people here, it’s just very upsetting.
“The more you sit at home because you’ve got no energy, the more it gets frustrating and isolating.
“We’re just told at the long covid clinics about learning to live with it because they don’t know much more,” he said.
A petition calling for the same has reached nearly 8,000 signatures.
The Government has to respond when a petition hits the 10,000 mark.
You can click here to view the petition.
It reads: “The Government should fund urgent research into the possible relationship between vascular dysfunction like microclots and platelet hyperactivation and both long Covid and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, This could help develop diagnosis and treatment protocols for people suffering from these conditions.”
The Department of Health say post Covid-19 services in Northern Ireland have been designed in line with NICE guideline NG188 on managing the long term effects of Covid-19, which covers identifying, assessing and managing the long-term effects of COVID-19.
A spokesperson said: "The Health Minister launched the first dedicated assessment and treatment services for post-Covid syndrome on 1 November 2021. Since that date, one-stop-shop multidisciplinary assessment clinics have been accepting referrals for post-Covid-19 syndrome across all Trust areas.
"These clinics allow people to have a comprehensive assessment of their condition and will help them access the services and expert advice they need to support them in their recovery. They refer patients on to other services where appropriate, and provide patients with advice on how to manage their condition to aid recovery.
"We are now starting to see the first data on the demand for these services and the number of referrals into them. The latest information is that up to end December 2021, a total of 697 people have been referred into the MDT Assessment service.
"Clinics are designed for people over the age of 16. The Department of Health will continue to study the emerging evidence in relation to long-Covid in children and to make sure we have the right services in place for assessment and treatment.
"The MDT clinic is one element of the suite of services that are being established for post-Covid-19 patients. Other elements include:
• Bespoke pulmonary rehabilitation / dysfunctional breathing service for patients with significant respiratory symptoms post COVID-19;
• Additional support for patients discharged from critical care (both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19);
• Strengthening psychology support to all Trusts; and,
• Signposting and access to self-management resources.
"Work is well advanced on establishing these services across Trusts."
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