Finding the support you need can be difficult but it is important that you do seek advice and we hope this section will make it easier.
People living with Long Covid have found keeping a diary or making a note of their symptoms helpful.
Consider making a note of the answers to these questions before your appointment:
- When did you have the COVID-19 infection that has resulted in new symptoms?
- What new symptoms are you experiencing?
- Do these symptoms impact on your usual activities?
- What impacts do these symptoms have on your life?
- Does anything make these symptoms worse?
- What triggers your symptoms?
- When did you notice the new symptoms?
- What would you like to happen next?
Do feel free to return to ask for help from another member of the practice team if you feel the consultation did not go well.
You could discuss with your GP the possibility of a referral to a post-COVID service (also known as a Long Covid service). These are services that have been set up especially to provide care for symptoms of Long Covid.
We are aware that there are variations in service provision in different areas.
You might find it useful to connect with social prescribing. Social prescribing is a personalised approach to improving health and wellbeing by linking with different organisations and services that can support your needs. It is open to everyone. You can speak to your GP about accessing social prescribing.
This grid has been produced by ‘Joined Up Care Derbyshire’ fauzia.begum2@nhs.net. It has been developed to help people with Long Covid describe the severity of their symptoms to professionals. This can be taken to your primary care consultation.
Please note: This grid only contains the most common symptoms associated with Long Covid. Please feel free to add in the symptoms that are bothering you the most if this is more helpful to you. ‘I am back to normal’ may mean that this symptom is the same as it was prior to your COVID-19 infection.