Your story almost mirrors mine, only I’ve been a long-hauler for seven years, since August 2013, I caught a virus and never recovered. I now have to use a shower stool so I don’t faint due to having dysautonomia. And I can only shower twice a week because it takes me days to recover. My hair falls out continuously because I’m chronically unwell. All my dreams came to a crashing halt and there’s still no end in sight of ever returning to normal life. My virus triggered autoimmune diseases, dysautonomia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Turns out, decades of misogyny and disease hijacking psychiatrists are part of the reason why people with long-term post-viral symptoms and/or those who’ve developed Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndromes have no biomarkers or safe and effective treatments today. I’m currently writing a three part story and part three will reveal these injustices including historical letters and documentation.

Sadly, a percentage of long-Covid patients will go on to develop ME – or ME-like illness – and suffer because of this historical prejudice and medical neglect.

It’s in the best interest for all people who contract SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 – or any other complex virus – in 2020 and beyond, for history NOT to repeat itself.

This is why awareness and advocacy is so important right now! Patients need to be armed with information so they can confidently educate ignorant doctors if they start gaslighting you with, ‘oh you’re just stressed, it’s probably anxiety.’

Patients need to be believed they are credible witnesses of their own health, considering they’ve had a lifetime experience living in their own bodies.

We know when something is very wrong.