Chris
1 year since diagnosis
Age at interview: 38
Chris is in a unique situation where his doctors believe that he had COVID in 2020 when testing was not widely available, but then also was formally diagnosed with COVID in late 2021. He has been suffering from long-term symptoms since 2020, and after his second infection has been mainly experiencing an elevated heart rate when standing while also experiencing some exercise intolerance, vertigo, tiredness, digestive issues, and new food sensitivities. Living with long-COVID has impacted his work and personal life. While others have gone into the office, Chris has had to adjust his work hours and continue working from home because it is difficult to work longer hours and have a long commute to the office. Because of this, he is unable to participate in many assignments, presentations, work travel or promotions. At home, living with the symptoms, at times unpredictable, is worrisome when parenting a young child, but he has a strong support network from his spouse and family to help manage at home. He recently got into a long-COVID rehab clinic and has been learning how to better manage some of the symptoms. Chris hopes that long-COVID continues to be acknowledged by the medical community, that awareness improves, and that more types of these services are made available to people with long-COVID.
More content
- Getting Care for Long COVID – ChrisChris was unable to access a specialist long COVID rehab program after a trip to the ED.
- Tests and Investigations – ChrisChris explains why he thinks it's often hard to capture long COVID symptoms at medical appointments.
- Symptoms of Long COVID – ChrisChris has many symptoms but finds POTS to be the most disruptive.
- Complementary and Alternative Care – ChrisChris says "my OT, physiotherapist, and kinesiologist have done an immense amount of positive things for me."
- Recovery and Thoughts About the Future – ChrisChris has hopes of being able to travel again one day.
- Advice to Policy Makers – ChrisChris thinks that everyone should have access to multi-disciplinary rehabilitation.
- Seeking Information About Long COVID – ChrisChris finds that doing research ahead of time makes for more productive medical appointments.
- Support From Employers, Colleagues, and Worker’s Compensation Boards – ChrisChris's employer and colleagues are supportive but he still worries about his professional future.
- Impacts on Work and Career – ChrisChris has a supportive employer but still feels that brain fog is impacting his career.
- Coping Strategies and Self Care – ChrisChris is using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to get back to some activities in his life.