A dad's life has been "destroyed" after he caught coronavirus a year ago.
Eric Moss, from Southport, went for routine cataract surgery in January 2022 but tested positive for coronavirus just a day later after shielding since the pandemic began. For days Eric was bedbound and struggled to even raise his head off the pillow, with the former teacher blacking out for five days.
He told the ECHO: "I was struggling with my breathing really badly. The main problem was that I couldn't breathe, I was gasping for breath. Every breath was an effort. I was just completely washed out.
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"I was gone. I couldn't stand up properly and I couldn't get up and down the stairs. I'd have to stop halfway it was that bad."
In the weeks that followed, Eric and his wife Jean realised that something wasn't right when the symptoms persisted. He added: "I couldn't even walk from the front door to the car without stopping halfway. My wife decided something had to be done.
"After six or seven weeks I went to the doctors where they said I had to wait 12 weeks to be referred to the long covid ward. From there on they took over helping me get my life back together."
The 71-year-old thanked the nurses and doctors who helped him but says he still isn't right 12 months on. He continued: "There's still people out there who don't believe in covid.
"It does you in mentally and physically. I've still got brain fog, where I can't remember things, which is meant to go after six to nine months and I'm constantly unsure of things. It's left me destroyed.
"When I was in my 40s I was teaching football and PE. I can be sat with my mates having a beer and I just lose track of what is being said and what's happening. It happens almost daily."
Eric says he even struggles to read the newspaper now, with him unable to read a long article as he forgets what was on the previous line. His wife Jean has also become his full-time carer as she helps him around the house and taking him to appointments. He is now encouraging people who might be living with long covid to come forward for help.
He said: "I know for a fact there are people struggling with long covid, who have similar symptoms to myself but don’t realise that they’ve had Covid-19 and that there are after effects. You must make an appointment to see your GP, who can refer you to the long covid team. Something can be done; these people really can make a difference.”
Lara Grant, a physiotherapist at the Mersey Care long covid clinic in Southport, said: “We have seen definite improvements in our patients. Sometimes it’s just little things that people don’t realise they’ve missed, like being able to unload the dishwasher or shave without getting out of breath.
"If you think you might have long covid, do contact your GP and they can refer you into our service. We have GPs, physiotherapists and social prescribers on-site to help you, but can also refer you into community services such as occupational therapy.”
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