Hampshire dad opens up on son's long Covid battle

Jason Insch and his wife, Claire, said their son’s life has been “completely ruined” by the condition.

Ashley tested positive for the virus in August 2021, and his dad began noticing he was getting very confused.

Jason, from Calmore, said: “One day he walked downstairs to check on his bike in the shed, which seemed very odd.

“And then he came back in and about five minutes later he came back down again and then went out, checked on his bike again, and this happened three or four times.

“And I said to my wife 'something's not right here'."

In a matter of days, Ashley started to experience acute fatigue, vertigo, severe brain fog and difficulties swallowing.

Tests at Southampton General Hospital could not reveal the cause so Ashley was referred to a neurologist.

Most of Ashley's days are spent sleeping because of his fatigue (Image: Jason Insch)

Jason said: “They diagnosed him with long Covid, with functional neurological disorder, chronic fatigue and chronic vertigo.

“They said they didn't know enough about it. We spoke to loads of GPs, we tried everywhere we could, and no one was able to tell us more.”

The most common symptoms of long Covid, according to the NHS website, are extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, loss of smell and muscle aches. However, a long list of other symptoms can be experienced as a result of the infection, including heart palpitations, joint pain and dizziness.

The condition is "still being studied". How long it takes to recover is "different for everybody".

After being diagnosed, Ashley was prescribed tablets to treat vertigo which helped him cope with some of the symptoms.

However, since falling ill four weeks ago, things have taken a turn for the worse.

A recent infection has affected his sense of touch meaning Jason, along with Ashley's grandparents, has to look after him full-time.

The Daily Echo asked to talk to Ashley but Jason said his son's condition is so severe he would not be able to discuss it.

Jason Insch with his wife Claire and son Ashley before he fell ill with Covid (Image: Jason Insch)

Jason said: “He also can’t feel hot or cold, he can’t feel pain, which is totally dangerous, he can’t take a shower by himself because he could burn himself without knowing.”

The 55-year-old has set up a Gofundme page, hoping to get his son seen by a Harley Street doctor who specialises in the condition. The first visit costs £500.

Jason said: “This has completely ruined his life, we’re at loss again of not knowing what to do.

“It’s heartbreaking to see what he should be like to what he is now. The impact of it on us as a family has been massive, but we have to stay strong for him, which isn’t always easy.

"We're hoping people will be able to help us."

Tens of thousands of people in Hampshire were estimated to be suffering with long Covid, as of last July.

The Royal College of GPs said post-Covid syndrome is still a relatively new condition, but the prolonged health effects that some experience can have a terrible impact on their lives.

Its chairman, Professor Martin Marshall, said more resources are needed, including good access to appropriate rehabilitation services in the local community, and more staff working in general practice.