It's now 144 days that I've had lingering symptoms of #covid19 - here's an update on my symptoms. I've also found some useful resources for the #longcovid community [thread] 1/n

It's now over 2 weeks since my current relapse began, and the fatigue continues to impact my ability to do "basic tasks." Even the physical task of hoovering at home has been beyond my ability this weekend. I finally have some mental energy to write this thread 2/n

I read in an online patient group today how another #longcovid patient had reported their relapse of symptoms lasting 7 weeks. It serves as a reminder this is not a straightforward illness where one gets sick and then recovers in a linear manner 3/n

This is one of the hardest things to communicate to my friends and family who still find hard to relate to the fact that my symptoms can vary during the span of one day, e.g I feel ok at lunchtime, but 1 hour later I can be so fatigued I can't even lift my lunch tray 4/n

My joints ache with pain at random times, for no particular reason. At the moment, my right shoulder, arm and hand can be super painful at times, even when picking up a cup! Today at random times, I felt a stabbing pain in my head as if a fork was being pushed in and out 5/n

I've been eating a relatively healthy diet, listening to my body, practicing mindfulness, keeping a positive attitude and sleeping/resting when my fatigue kicks in, and yet there doesn't seem to be any real improvement over these past 2 weeks. The illness defies all logic 6/n

Art can often be used to communicate complex issues. I really found this comic from @jackDaviesart on #longcovid to be so useful. I can relate to everything! https://twitter.com/jackDaviesart/status/1299697995185819652 7/n

I came across an incredible story covering a bootcamp which is the USA's first online rehab program for COVID-19 patients - it's free of charge, you can donate if you want though https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-bootcamp-long-haulers-treatment-lingering-symptoms-2020-8?r=US&IR=T 8/n

There is a live session in the virtual bootcamp today (7pm Eastern Time), so it would be midnight UK time https://twitter.com/UTc19LongHaul/status/1300137317017944064?s=20 9/n

It looks like there is work going on in the UK to create rehab programs for #longcovid patients - this was an interesting story, with a forecast that a million people could be living with #covid19 symptoms for a long time https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/up-to-one-million-will-have-after-effects-of-covid-says-rehab-consultant_uk_5f477b22c5b64f17e139189b 10/n

Finally, I'm reminded of the power of patients to support one another and how some #longcovid patients like Caroline and David who run @HBFilms have been able to do amazing advocacy work (despite living with symptoms) https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/five-months-struggle-rossendale-couple-18841043 11/n

If you haven't already seen the 2 minute video that @hbfilms made entitled "Message in a Bottle - @LongCovidSOS" you should definitely watch it 12/n

Writing threads like this one can take me a few hours, mainly because of how long it currently takes me to "think" and "concentrate" and that I take lots of rest in between writing each tweet to avoid exhausting my brain. I hope it's been a useful read/end