A BASINGSTOKE mum is raising awareness of the effects of long Covid having suffered with extreme fatigue for months.

Nicole Larkin caught Covid in February and was unwell for a month. However, the fatigue and shortness of breath continued. Now, more than four-months later, she has been diagnosed with long Covid.

The mother-of-one, from Sherborne St John, hopes to raise awareness of the condition, after receiving a diagnosis earlier this month.

She told the Gazette: “I felt really rough with Covid but didn’t have to go into hospital. However, the fatigue has never gone away. I have recovered otherwise but it feels like my body hasn’t woken up.

“It’s not just tiredness, it’s in my bones. I feel so fatigued.”

The 31-year-old runs popular Instagram account @Littlelarkinadventure where she documents her walks in the countryside with her four-year-old daughter Violet.

Nicole previously discovered that being out in the fresh air exercising helped with her mental health. However, she now struggles to exercise as much because of the fatigue.

“Mostly, I feel rubbish about not being able to get out and walk as much it’s affected my mental health,” she said, adding: “I use my outdoor therapy for depression and PTSD so to not be able to go out as much has a negative impact on my mind. I’ve also put on weight and am currently the largest size I’ve ever been.”

The mum has relied on family support to look after her daughter, explaining: “It’s been hard being a single parent. It’s trying to find the energy to entertain my daughter. I have had to rely on family. There is the odd day where I need help picking her up from pre-school because I don’t have the energy.”

Nicole has been referred to support groups and a wellbeing coach by her GP. However, she has no idea how long the symptoms of long Covid could last or if there will ever be any treatment available.

“I’ve just got to ride it out,” she said. “People need to know Covid doesn’t just stop for everyone. Some people recover and are fine but some people don’t even have it that badly and end up with long Covid. There are lots of people who have it mildly and suffer really badly after. I think we are going to be hearing about it a lot more.”

Nicole, who is now studying to become a counsellor, is exempt from wearing a mask because of breathing difficulties caused by long Covid, but said she struggles with judgement from strangers.

“I have a Sunflower Lanyard to show I don’t have to wear a mask, but still people tut and one person told me I should be wearing a mask because I’m young. It’s quite embarrassing. I said ‘sorry I’m not able to breath very well with a mask’.

“I can breath for a short space of time but if I was to wear one for more than 10 to 15 minutes I get heart palpitations and I can’t get a deep breath which then causes panic,” she said.