8 Years Old & 8 Mths of Long Covid With Crippling Pain

Abigail is eight years old and has six siblings.

On 26th December 2020, Abigail tested positive for COVID-19. She was the last one in her family to test positive. Her initial illness was moderate and she did not require treatment in a hospital. Eight months on, she is still suffering with Long Covid.

Her Mum wants to share her story to raise awareness and writes;

"Abigail is a bright active 8-year-old who is funny and enjoys life. She had a ferocious appetite. In May 2021 Abigail started to become unwell. She complained of tummy pain, her appetite started to diminish, and she was more tired than usual.

We spoke to the GP several times. They were unable to explain why Abigail was suddenly; and unusually sick. We took her to the pediatric emergency at North Tees and saw several different Dr's.

The blood and urine samples they took all came back normal.

Abigail was already under a paediatric consultant for her asthma so I asked him about her symptoms and he ordered some stool tests.

I mentioned that I thought her symptoms could be Long Covid and he dismissed the idea.

Abigail's pain continued and she deteriorated, she was barely able to eat so back we went back to ED for help.

A DR in the emergency department suggested constipation. I tried to tell him that she had regular bowel movements, he didn't listen. We left with Movicol that he wanted her to try. The medication didn't help, and Abigail's appetite diminished further. Sleep became a struggle.

On the 7th of July, the GP finally sent off an urgent referral for a Gastroenterologist and requested an ultrasound. Abigail had no energy - she constantly complains of tummy pain and nausea. Her symptoms are relentless.

Abigail missed the whole of the last half term of school. I sent her in one day; she was sent home unwell. She wakes several times a night; I can't remember the last time she slept a whole night. We have just been to Scotland for a few days. Abigail was unable to enjoy herself.

We have just received referrals;

• 22nd August - an appointment for an ultrasound marked as "urgent".

• 22nd September - an appointment for the gastro team marked as "urgent".

Meanwhile, Abigail barely eats, barely smiles and is in constant pain.

I have seven children and have never experienced anything like this before.

I am her Mum.

I feel helpless.

I can't help her.

My eldest daughter is 29, she has Long Covid, and do I. There are no services available to help us. I suspect Abigail has Long Covid as her blood tests, and all other tests so far have come back "normal". We hear about this happening a lot.

It's a very tedious and heart-wrenching process.

I am so grateful for the support and "listening ear" I have found in the Long Covid Kids group. I'm so frustrated by the lack of care for my daughter's ill health that I have even written to the local MP.

Having to wait for an appointment until September is utterly ludicrous when she has been ill since May"

Christina Fox

LongCovidKids.org is a patient-led advocacy and support organisation led by Sammie Mcfarland for families of children with Long Covid. Our story started with a short film on long-lasting symptoms of Covid in children.

We are supporting research with The Long Covid Kids Study with PeopleWith.

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