‘Hirap makatulog, parang lagi akong lutang;’: Filipina COVID-19 survivor shares how the disease affected her well-being even after she recovered

A Filipina based in the UAE who survived coronavirus disease (COVID-19) said that weeks after recovering, she still notices irregularities in her body—including severe sleeping troubles and anxiety-caused confusions.

Aileen de Guzman Remo, 32, said that she was first diagnosed on June 12 after she suffered from high fever, loss of smell and taste, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and breathing difficulties due to pneumonia.

While she has been discharged on June 27, she said she still experiences uneasy patterns in her body, noting that her sleep cycle is now only two to four hours maximum, and she often feels confused.

“May days na hindi talaga ako nakakatulog mula umaga hanggang gabi at hanggang umaga ulit. Kinagabihan na ako makakatulog and most of the time two to four hours lang ang tulog ko. I also have uneasy feelings na para bang palagi akong lutang,” she said.

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Remo noted that due to these irregularities, she was referred to a neurologist, wherein she was found to have been suffering from anxiety.

She added that the results of her X-Ray are also now clear, but she can still see the difference in the way she breathes compared to the time before her positive diagnosis.

“Cleared na yung lungs ko but you can compare the difference noong hindi pa ako nagkakaroon ng pneumonia dahil sa COVID-19. Although, sabi ng doctor it will take a little time daw para sa cell regeneration ng lungs,” she said.

Remo noted that the anxiety may have been triggered from the environment she experienced in the ICU, wherein she saw the sufferings of other COVID-19 patients. The Filipina added that she also ingested a lot of medicines—include half a bag of liquid antibiotics, multiple dextrose, and other medications.

“Kahit po na sinong na ICU na COVID-19 patient ang tanungin niyo, masasabi nila sa inyo na pangalawang buhay na nila ito,” she said.

She said that she’s now trying to get better through regular diet, vitamins, and proper hygiene. Despite what she undergoes post-recovery, she said she is still thankful for surviving the disease.

Remo also advised everyone to get themselves checked and tested the moment they experience symptoms so they would be treated and not infect anyone else.

“Please if may maramdam man kayong symptoms or magka-fever kayo, magpa-checkup na kaagad kayo and huwag nang lumapit sa iba. We don’t want to be a channel of death to others don’t we?” she said.

SEE ALSO: ‘Recovery doesn’t mean healthy’: ICU nurse cites examples of how COVID-19 brings permanent health damage to COVID-19 survivors