Glasgow dad reveals four-year battle with Long Covid

“I think people are sick of Covid,” says Andy Cudden, 60, from Knightswood.

“It’s understandable – talking about it just brings back memories that are not the best for anyone. But while they want to forget it, those of us who are living with it just can’t do that.”

He adds: “The World Health Organisation (WHO) now recognises Long Covid as an illness, but it’s still not really understood.”

Andy Cudden pictured at home in Glasgow. Andy has Long Covid and says his life has changed completely as he continues to live with respiratory problems (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Most patients with COVID-19 recover fully, but around six percent develop Long Covid, according to WHO.

Symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, muscle or joint pain and impaired sleep.

According to the most recent Office of National Statistics figures, an estimated 187,000 people in Scotland have self-reported long Covid, which is around three and a half percent of the population.

Andy explains: “I’m not improving, but I’m functioning. I can go to work now. I know I will never be 100 percent the way I was before Covid, it’s about managing the symptoms and fatigue.”

He adds: “Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland have helped me get to where I am now. They got me through the worst and helped me start to cope again.”

Lynsey Duncan, head of service delivery at Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland says the charity’s advice line, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025, has received more than 100 calls from people affected by Long Covid in the last six months.

“Although we have noted a decline in the number of calls from people living with Long Covid, it’s important to remember that Covid hasn’t gone away,” she says.

“Many people are still living with the effects of the illness which can affect their mobility, social and mental wellbeing, fatigue and daily activities.

“We would encourage anyone with Long Covid, or a loved one caring for someone with Long Covid, to contact our Advice Line team if they need support or information.”

At the end of October, 2021, assistant museum manager Andy and his wife Andrea and their children Oliver, now 13, and Beth, 10, all caught Covid.

“The kids had gone back to school after the October break, and we all fell ill and tested positive at the same time,” says Andy.

“They all recovered after a couple of weeks, and I just didn’t. I was given multiple courses of antibiotics, steroids – but nothing worked.”

By February 2022, says Andy, he was still “wiped out”.

“It is hard to describe, I just had no energy,” he says. “I had nothing to give. I couldn’t work, I could hardly even hold a conversation for any length of time

“I think the worst thing was the loneliness. My wife was at work, my kids were at school, and I was alone in the house.

“It’s difficult when you’re in your own head a lot. It was stressful because I didn’t know if I could get back to work, and I was worried how I would take care of the family and pay the mortgage.”

He adds: “I cannot speak highly enough of the CHSS Advice Line. They were just so caring and supportive. They are just lovely people.”

Before the pandemic, Andy enjoyed “decent health” he says.

“I was pretty active,” he explains. “I enjoyed going to Glasgow Warriors games with my son – we used to walk to Scotstoun but I can’t do that any more. I can hardly walk to the end of the driveway some days.

“We loved theme parks on holidays with the kids, but I can’t throw myself into doing it all now. I think that’s the worst bit, missing out on that time with them.”

He pauses. “I feel like I’m letting my family down," he says. "Also, the kids were quite young when I got Covid, so they don’t really remember what I was like before, and that’s hard.”

There was a moment during the early days of his treatment, says Andy, when he found himself doing chair exercises and singing opera songs in his kitchen.

“It was part of my recovery, because singing can help the lungs,” he says, smiling. “I was suddenly struck by the ridiculousness of it, me singing, and doing chair exercises on a Teams call in the middle of the kitchen.

“I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.”

Andy is back at work now, in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Museum.

“I have to make sure I don’t overdo it - even a cold can really knock me for six,” he says.

“There are days you feel sorry for yourself, but then you realise the destructiveness of doing that.”

He adds: “You can’t just think of yourself, you’ve got to make the most of it and not dwell on the negatives. I won’t get any better, I know that, but I just want to get as well as I can.”

Anyone who feels they could benefit from support and information should contact Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk