Hilary Fitzgerald

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

But still - must be thankful - I’m far from the worst
Resting and planning may yield a small burst
How I respond is partly my choice
One day I’ll get better, and boy, I’ll rejoice!

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

It’s four years today since I got #LongCovid - so time for an anniversary poem!
*****
Four long years you’ve been in my life
Four long years, causing chaos and strife
You could have popped in; didn’t have to be perm
But instead you decided to stay long-term
🧵

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

Once more must be patient - they say time will heal
It’s clear now, with Covid, I got a rough deal
If only some genius came up with a pill
Hard to recall life without being ill

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

Acute phase was nasty; skin rash the worst
Felt a bit better - but only at first
Then came the crash; in relapse again
And now six months later, still feeling the pain

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

And then came the worst thing, earlier this year
The thing us LC’ers all learned to fear
Starting to think normal life was in sight
Then BAM! here came Covid; must restart the fight

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

We’ve had ups and downs, of that there’s no doubt
You’ve made me cry, when I’ve wanted to shout
Had to learn how to live, with you by my side
But - to be truthful - it’s not a fun ride

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

@CounsellingSam @baldypidge Sending love and hugs to Rosie & her father. Brave/important thoughts. ❤️🤗

Bad enough for the rest of us, but to be robbed of childhood/young adulthood seems especially unfair 😭

Pray that you’re able to stay strong & that your situation continues to gradually improve xx 🤗🤗

[ThePOTSPostman @ThePOTSPostman]

I don’t think many people understand what is impacted when your autonomic nervous system is dysfunctional. Here a just a few things the autonomic system controls.

-Circulation
-Temperature regulation
-Sweating
-Cognition and short-term memory
-Digestion
-Exertion
-Ability to sleep and wake up
-Processing of pain
-interpretation of external stimuli

And so much more.

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

@ThePOTSPostman @j_b_kennedy Also add histamine reactions which exacerbate it…. And female menopausal hormone fluctuations! 🙄
However I have finally taken the plunge to experiment with nicotine patches and they seem to be helping…

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

@ThePOTSPostman @j_b_kennedy So tiresome being nagged about when I should go to sleep/get up…. Just have to do what works for you, even if not considered “normal”…. Important thing is to get _enough_ sleep…. Sure the whole light thing is nice but sometimes it’s just not feasible… 🤷‍♀️

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

I was a patient rep for around a year with Vicky…. Whilst my experience has been a challenge, it’s nothing compared to her battles. So impressive she’s still giving up time and energy to fight the cause… ❤️

[Ellie Reeves @elliereeves]

Today is #LongCovidAwarenessDay. I met with my brave constituent Vicky who, like thousands of others in the UK, suffers from this awful disease.

We need further action to deliver the medical research needed for an effective treatment and help #ConfrontLongCovid.

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

I’ve had Long Covid for nearly 3.5 years now.

Two years ago I wrote this poem.

Today I’ve finally summoned enough energy to record it.
#LongCovidAwarenesDay #LongCovid @LongCovidSOS @LCawarenessInt @LC_UK_Action @LongCovidAdvoc

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

@gezmedinger Now rented soft chamber (1.5atm) at home. Probably helps a bit but not as noticeable as higher pressure (but maybe I’ve improved in meantime?). Obviously less travel (and cheaper).

Worth a try but difficult to judge whether long-term cost justified.

(2/2)

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

@gezmedinger >3 yrs LC

HBOT (hard chamber) ~2 years ago at London clinic. Followed by 2 series of intense sessions.

In general, have found myself more tired for at least 2 weeks but then energy improves. Osteos also said tissue more responsive/easier to treat.

(1/2)

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

@Tim_R_Nicholson @covidcns @BenedictNeuro @psychgenomics @tompollak @ajlees @RunningMadProf It’s a great city! I grew up 15 miles from there. 🙂

Hope the meeting was productive?

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

@HaultotheTop @gezmedinger I'd be interested in this too... last fortnight, been too busy w life stuff, then caned with hayfever/heat (hence crashed)... have been getting abdominal pain linked to sympathetic activation and osteo said I had massive adrenal overload (had to be addressed before ans) 29m LC

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

@onelittleword Hi Hilary - from another Hilary w LC (I'm on 29 months). Totally get the "coming out" experience is exhausting (weirdly bittersweet) - especially when bombarded by messages. Nice to know you're not alone, but make sure you pace... xx

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

@j_b_kennedy I've often wondered whether they're basically the same thing tbh... I mean a Sensate is a buzzy thing you put on your chest, so could other buzzy things have a similar effect (electric toothbrush or razor perhaps?! ...or the obvious!). Maybe lacking an algorithm, but who knows?

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

@MaryGR65 100% relate to the meds prep!! Yet another thing which takes a chunk of time and energy out of our limited capacity…. Not just the prep but “inventory management and replenishment” - not to mention the research on what else to try…

[Hilary Fitzgerald @hil_fitz]

@MaryGR65 @visible_health @HarryLeeming Thank you! I do have the ordinary app, but haven’t used it that much…. Maybe I need to give it another try! 🙂