Darren Brown Profile picture
Oct 9, 2020 15 tweets 10 min read Read on X
I am living with #LongCOVID. I am experiencing multi-dimensional and episodic disability, across all dimensions of disability. My primary symptom is fatigue & post-exertion malaise. Along with other symptoms. I want to describe the nature & extent of disability I experience. Image
I have used the @WHO International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (#ICF) to describe the nature of my disability living with #LongCOVID who.int/classification… Image
Yesterday I measured the extent of disability I experience living with #LongCOVID over the past 30 days, using @WHO World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (#WHODAS). My complex sum score = 68.75% (0=no disability, 100=full disability) who.int/classification… ImageImage
I was sick with acute #COVID19 in March 2020 with fingerprick and blood tests confirming immune response in June. After 2 weeks off sick in March, I returned to work and was redeployed, including intensive care.
I returned to work for 6 months. I had ongoing symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath and difficulty with coordination on stairs. The fatigue was unpredictable, episodic, self limiting, 24hrs in duration every 1-2 weeks. I was able to exercise at that time.
5 weeks ago I had did too much. A long walk, a cycle, and a busy day at work. I crashed. I couldn’t function. And I’ve now been signed off work for 1 month with #LongCOVID.
In the last 4 weeks I’ve been bed bound and housebound with #LongCOVID fatigue and post exertion malaise. I’ve started to improve, but much slower than I expected or hoped. I remain dependent on help for cooking & food shopping. My GP has signed me off for longer.
The post exertion malaise is brought on by physical, cognitive and emotional exertion. If I do too much, 24-48hrs later I won’t be able to do much more than go from bed to sofa for a few days. I wish I had known and had precautions of this risk with #LongCOVID
The information from @PhysiosForME has helped me so much to cope and manage more living with #LongCOVID. Particularly pacing, rest, heart rate monitoring, and symptom recording. physiosforme.com
I have also found that Heart Rate monitoring has helped reduce the physically induced post exertion malaise (PEM) #LongCOVID ... but not with cognitively induced #PEM ... I’m still learning to navigate that part physiosforme.com/heart-rate-mon…
Pacing has been the most useful technique to manage the fatigue living with #LongCOVID ... the Three Ps (Pacing, Planning, Prioritising) is useful. I’ve added my own 4th P (Precauation) because of post-exertion malaise
rcot.co.uk/conserving-ene…
My new essential living with #LongCOVID is @FlipstickInt height adjustable folding stick with a seat (and carry bag 😊). It helps me pace. With social distancing, everywhere has a queue now eg. The shop opposite my flat & the toilet in the supermarket.
I am using @BearableApp and it’s been so useful to monitor my #LongCOVID symptoms, mood, diet, contributing factors & more bearable.app
I wanted to share this info about living with #LongCOVID, as part of my own rehabilitation. I’m proud I’ve been able to do it. I hope it’s useful. This last month, I wouldn’t have coped without my partner & family. I hope they know how grateful I am and how much I love them 🥰.
For anybody interested in the #WHODAS you can find out more on the following links:

👉 who.int/classification…

👉 sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

👉 nhivna.org/file/5f6201c20…

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More from @darrenabrown

Jun 4, 2023
#WorldPhysio2023 following our #LongCOVID discussion session yesterday … here is a list of some useful resources that are freely available

1) @LongCOVIDPhysio Video Series - available in Arabic, Bangla, English, Mandarin & German
longcovid.physio/long-covid-vid…
3) @WorldPhysio1951 briefing paper on safe #LongCOVID rehabilitation - available in Bosnian, Bulgarian, English, French, Indonesian, Polish, Portuguese - Brazilian, Romanian, Spanish, Urdu and Vietnamese

longcovid.physio/our-work/world…
Read 17 tweets
Sep 15, 2022
Really proud to have been a member of the @WHO Guideline Development Group for #LongCOVID Post-COVID Condition #Rehabilitation released today app.magicapp.org/#/guideline/64…
Topic 1: Components and functions of rehabilitation care #LongCOVID
Topic 2: Red flags for safe rehabilitation #LongCOVID
Read 18 tweets
Jul 15, 2022
One year ago @WorldPhysio1951 published the briefing paper led by @LongCOVIDPhysio on safe #LongCOVID rehabilitation. This was specific to the topic of physical activity & exercise. The reach of this publication is immense, and continues to impact on practice, research & policy.
How has this publication helped you? We would love to hear the stories and testimonies about the personal impact of the @WorldPhysio1951 briefing paper on safe #LongCOVID rehab.
Access the briefing paper in 11 different languages👇
longcovid.physio/our-work/world…
Read 4 tweets
Jul 14, 2022
Emerging evidence of pathogen reactivation following #SARSCoV2; with flare ups of EBV and Herpes seen in #COVID & #LongCOVID. Could we translate learning from other knowledge areas? Eg: the presentation of Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS)? 🧵
IRIS is observed when peoples immune systems recover after immunocompromisation. Classically when people have IRIS there’s risks of re-ermergent dormant pathogens or conditions.
There are broadly two classifications of IRIS:
1) "unmasking" IRIS refers to the flare-up of an underlying, previously undiagnosed infection soon after treatments used to improve the immune system are started
Read 12 tweets
Aug 28, 2021
Today I got home after a weeks holiday exploring Suffolk & Norfolk with the boyf. We had an amazing time & loved the coast. I was also #LongCOVID symptom free despite being very busy & active. Here’s a beach pic 🧵 on a particular thought about the terms “tired” & “fatigue”.
I’ll start by saying how bloody happy and grateful I am that I had a holiday (staycation), I was able to do everything we wanted, and #LongCOVID symptoms didn’t feature at all (also there’s no cure I have, other than time & pacing).
So, “tiredness”, “fatigue” and “post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE)”. Firstly, they are not the same thing. For me, they are all distinct. Secondly, on this holiday, for the first time in 18 months I felt tired only. So what’s *MY* understanding of the differences?
Read 8 tweets
May 25, 2021
#GlobalPT there are many opportunities to access 🔊🆓🔊education about #LongCOVID. As #COVID19 ⬆️ & ⬇️ in different parts of the world 🌍 Physios should not loose attention on the long term consequences of this 🦠 virus & 👷‍♀️SAFE rehab... here’s a 🧵 on current resources 💙👇
@WorldPhysio1951 made the #WorldPhysio2021 Congress #LongCOVID discussion session 🔊OPEN ACCESS🔊 and 🔊🆓🔊 for all (thank you @WorldPhysio1951 🙏🏻) longcovid.physio/our-work/world…
@PhysioplusEd provide access to their 🔊🆓🔊 course on #LongCOVID (thank you 🙏🏻 @physiopedia for your continued support) longcovid.physio/our-work/physi…
Read 16 tweets

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