"Collaborative approach to healthcare was so impactful"

I had covid in 2022 June. It became clear I was not recovering.  I was formally diagnosed with post viral fatigue syndrome. I had chest pains,  fatigue and reduced lung capacity (felt out of breath easier). By September I've not recovered and my breathing is worse,  area around the ribs are inflamed and my airway at my throat 'wobbles"/"spasms" involuntarily.  I contacted the British lung foundation for long covid advice where a respiratory nurse gave me a list of tests that my gp could give to help determine a treatment/ management strategy. I spoke to my gp about my chat with the charity nurse and she helped refer me to respiratory consultant.

Over a year later after multiple tests and referrals I was diagnosed with a breathing pattern  disorder. Although my fatigue was improving and i was able to do some gentle exercise (pre covid i would do exercise 5 days a week) I eventually met Susie from speech and language therapy and she became a focal point for my recovery. This after a year of my initial covid infection (and I had covid a second time since the initial infection).

As we navigated my symptoms recovery strategies she was present for multiple referrals. E.g. she sat in when ENT did an endoscopy and had me do extra voice exercises to visually indirect my voice function (while we were looking for any obstruction in my airway). She worked together the respiratory Physio (Jill) and together we agreed a regime of exercises to help improve my diaphragm breathing and reduce tension in my throat. She even organise a manual therapy session when I was struggling. She also gave some fantastic mental health support while I was feeling low. 

In a nutshell the covid support and the cross disciplinary treatment was a lifeline. Through Speech and language working alongside respiratory Physio I found dramatic improvement in my capability and for the first time felt supported and valued by the nhs. Without a shadow of a doubt this collaboration of treatment and having a point of contact who felt like they were invested in my recovery had been pivotal. I made progress and a reduction in my problematic respiratory symptoms.  

To summarise the bad: waiting for over a year to find the right treatment and needing to contact a charity to inform my local gp of treatment options and tests that might help in my recovery.  Bring prescribed an inhaler when I was not asthmatic felt a little like being fobbed off.

The good: that when I was referred for various tests and had measurements proving I had issues, I was kept within a system.  When I eventually ended up in Susie's care I felt like a human again (not a number being processed through a system). I felt valued and respected and felt like I had someone supporting my recovery and making sure I was cared for. Her engaging with her peers of various disciplines and with their support (especially Jill from respiratory physio) was a game changer for me.  

This collaborative approach to healthcare was so impactful to me and I cannot thank everyone involved enough for their support.