"Getting covid and suffering complications"

It was confirmed that I had covid infection in January 2021. At the time I wasn’t overly concerned as I was 52 years young, relatively healthy albeit a bit heavier than I would ideally have wanted to be. At this time I still hadn’t received my first COVID vaccination as these were being rolled out to NHS staff.

I also had a problematic left hip joint. Whenever this became painful I would self-medicate with paracetamol or ibuprofen. I was aware of the stats in relation to COVID infection and felt confident that I would be ok.

Initially I didn’t feel unwell, however late January 2021 I became aware that I was feeling very fatigued and after seeking advice I was admitted into a covid ward at Crosshouse hospital and started on a 10 day course of steroids (dexamethasone), oxygen and blood thinners. An X-ray of my lungs revealed that I was suffering from COVID related pneumonia to both lungs.

I continued to be supported on oxygen, but was finding doing very basic tasks eg showering to be a huge challenge, which caused my blood oxygen levels to crash leaving me gasping for medical oxygen.

Within the next week or so and despite the efforts of the medical staff they had to repeatedly increase my oxygen levels to the point where I was on 15 litres of oxygen. I was advised that this was maximum for oxygen and as a precaution I was moved to the high dependency unit in February where consideration was being given to placing me on pressurised oxygen, either CPAP or a ventilator.

At this time I was scared, and although the staff were very nice and caring, no visitors had been allowed to see me other than by FaceTime. I was also resigned to the fact that if I was sedated and placed on a ventilator I might never make it back off it again. Given I had completed the course of steroids I was at the point of waiting on some improvement to my lungs.

By some quirk of fate I began to improve and was moved back to the covid ward the following morning. Fortunately my improvement continued steadily and I was eventually weaned off oxygen, however was still struggling to maintain my sats independently.

In mid-February I was discharged from Crosshouse hospital still suffering from fatigue, breathlessness after mild exertion, lack of concentration and painful joints including hips, knees and shoulder. My previously arthritic hip was extremely painful to walk on all the time.

Following consultation with my GP and an X-ray of the affected hip, I was informed that my GP suspected that my hip had suffered avascular necrosis which is where a part of the joint has suffered a loss of blood supply.  My GP also diagnosed me with having high blood pressure and an issue with my thyroid levels.

In June 2021, following a consult with orthopaedic surgeon Mr Holt, he confirmed my GP’s diagnosis and indicated that the whole hip joint required to be replaced. Due to ongoing COVID complications related to my lungs, Mr Holt referred me to respiratory consultant Dr Hartung to provide feedback in relation to my lungs and to ensure I would be suitable for surgery.  Over the next few weeks Dr Hartung subjected me to several tests including lung X-ray, CT scan and a lung function test. In preparation for surgery I was also subjected to a pre-op assessment at Ayr hospital and an MRI scan.

Unfortunately as Dr Hartung was reporting his findings, elective surgery was placed on hold due to ongoing COVID pandemic and the pressure it was placing on the NHS.

In February 2022, following one previous cancellation, Mr Holt and his team successfully operated to replace my affected hip joint. Mr Holt further advised that there was evidence of steroid damage to the affected hip. Mr Holt advised that although the steroids may have contributed to the damage in my hip it was very likely the same steroids saved my life. Following a short recovery and intensive physiotherapy I was discharged from Ayr hospital last week to continue my recovery at home.

I am very grateful to my own GP practice (Marnock Medical practice, Dr O’Brien), medical staff at Crosshouse and Ayr hospitals for the treatment I received. I am also very grateful to Mr Holt, Dr Hartung, their teams and secretaries for all the care and treatment I received during the last year. 

I am also very grateful to the Ayr hospital physio (Lorna), staff from X-ray, CT, MRI, clinical physiology and all others who contributed to my care including medicine and food preparation. I am genuinely humbled by the efforts made by all the staff who contributed.

I am now double-jabbed and boosted and continue to recover from the hip surgery at home on 2 walking sticks while continuing on with physio exercises to strengthen the replacement hip.