We are delighted that inspirational Long Covid advocate Dr Kerry Smith is joining covid:aid as a Charity Ambassador. Here she tells us about her journey so far – you can also find her blog at RoseCottageDoc and on Instagram.
Hi, I’m Dr Kerry Smith a GP living on the South Coast of England in Rose Cottage! I caught Covid-19 in March 2020 whilst at work, before PPE and lockdown 1.0.
Six weeks in I knew something was very wrong. I had no energy, I was dizzy on standing, I was incredibly short of breath when climbing the stairs, I had burning chest pains and my heart was racing. At some points I wondered when I went to sleep if I would wake up again the next day?
Now at 13 months after the acute infection I am left with diagnoses of Long Covid, Microvascular Angina, Positional Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Cognitive Dysfunction and in the last week Hypothyroidism. It really is the gift that keeps on giving!
During an incredibly lonely and emotional journey – trying to seek validation that I was still ill and a diagnosis for my symptoms – I came up against soul-destroying medical gaslighting. I was really concerned that if this could happen to me as a doctor with 20+ years experience. What on earth were other long haulers going through?
For that reason I started Rose Cottage Doc, a blog on Instagram, to share how I was helping myself, to share any relevant research I discovered but mainly to advocate for other Long Covid Sufferers.
It started, due to overwhelming fatigue and brain fog, with the odd picture of compression socks or a newspaper article. It has shifted to more in-depth research into all things Long Covid.
I have met some wonderful people along the way, all suffering the same, from all over the world. I really hope that my little blog has helped them in some way with their own Long Covid.
I am now really happy to be joining covid:aid as their charity ambassador, to continue my journey as a Long Covid advocate.
