Anxiety over this virus. Anyone else ... - Anxiety and Depre...

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Anxiety over this virus. Anyone else suffering anything like this? 😩

L1994 profile image
35 Replies

I feel like i have not been able to breath for weeks through this lockdown after having a sore throat 6 weeks ago and now I feel like my throat is swelled and closing in. This stopped for a couple of days but started again for the last 4 weeks or so. Now as I do my temperature it's 37.8. I have had an elevated temperature for months now. Every time my temperature is taken its been above 37.2. Had anyone els had this and been OK. I am really scared of this virus.. I am scared of phoning my GP as my anxiety stops me all the time. I panic to much because I think they going to tell me I have this virus. I am crying every night. I am wiping things down that come in to the house but I can't control my family going out thag j live with and I am finding it very hard as they are not raking this virus as seriously as I am.

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L1994 profile image
L1994
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35 Replies

Hello,

Same here, A little anxious when it all started as my work colleagues and family members were not taking it very serious. Then lockdown began and my Anxiety eased a little .. Then as soon as they start talking about lifting lockdown, I began to develop soar throats, like a lump in my throat and I cannot swallow, tight chest and uneasy breathing.

Been battling with it since yesterday the lump in the throat. Tight chest and difficulty breathing, thinking my throat was closing in.

Decided to ring NHS, to ask if it was ok for me to mix antihistamines with decongestants .. and i started coughing ... which the medical assistant picked up on.

When i finished the conversation, half hour later the lump in my throat has gone. However, the decongestants have helped each time i took one for sinus and post nasal drip.

It’s Anxiety ...I feel in control with the Anxiety over the this virus, I thought ! but subconsciously I think i’m deep down very very anxious about it. Which is natural, everyone is... so imagine how people with an Anxiety condition feels .. sky high !

Just letting you know you are not alone with these feelings !

Look after yourself x

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to

Thank you. I just don't know what to do. I was having panic attacks in January over this virus as I heard it spreading to other countries and killing people. I got put on sertraline but couldn't cope on them so had to stop taking them. I was finally getting back to feeling my self end of Feb and then to go on lockdown in March. I thought i would be fine but I am not fine. I don't feel safe I just want to be able to breath. I phoned the Dr's beginning of April and w days after ringing them I did have a cough only a slight cough tho and it lasted for about 2 days then if I remember rightly I felt better for a couple of days but all of a sudden my throat feeling has come back and I panic sometimes that I can't breath and get so close to ringing an ambulance but something stops me. It's not nice atall I am really scared that it's this virus as my temperature is now high also. X

in reply to L1994

Hello

The cough you mentioned lasts a while with the virus. Its a dry hard cough.

I understand about your anxiety on ringing ambulance, Just how i felt earlier, in the end I rang NHS, someone rang me back pretty quickly too.

Are you able to give them a ring and have a little chat about how your feeling. Anxiety symptoms are vile, you deserve some reassurance to put your mind at rest ! I certainly get the throat closing in feeling. I was scared until i realised it was Anxiety, after my conversation with a medical assistant. After 48 hours of the horrendous feeling, it just went away.

We can have a high temperature/fever with Hayfever too.

Keep in touch xx

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to

Did you just call 111? I do hope it is just anxiety and nothing more serious. Anxiety is the worst. I just don't see how I have had it for so long without it going for it to be anxiety. Like I can breath in deap and back out again so I think my lungs are fine. I do make my self worse panicking. When you called 111 what did you say to them. I find they ask horrible questions about my anxiety xx

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to

See my nanna had a really dry hard cough before the lockdown then my little girl got one. Then as soon as my little girl got better that's when I started to cough but mine was nothing like what theirs was mine mainly was at night it did burn my chest once but then it went and coughed some phlegm up and so did my little girl so would that be a dry cough? X

Carjul60 profile image
Carjul60 in reply to

The tight chest and lump in your throat sounds like the beginning of a panic attack. I suffer with these for no apparent reason sometimes, but when I first started getting them in 2003, they were exactly as you describe. The ones I get now feel like I'm having a heart attack. I have been at home alone and paced up and down the bedroom for 4 hours overnight on one occasion. Try and relax and I'm sure you'll feel better. If I feel one coming, I find breathing exercises can help.

oh you have been through a stressful couple of months bless you ...

Yes I spoke 111 NHS for advice on medication .. i told them that my neck felt like it had a tight scarf around it and that i was finding it difficult to swallow .. as if there was a lump in my throat ... i was struggling to breath properly at this stage. I had just taken a decongestant thinking it was Hayfever triggering post nasal drip .. which i think it is which triggers mild coughing bouts.

I told them i also thought i could be Anxiety, as i suffer with Anxiety ... she stated ‘possibly’.

Give yourself a break and ring, put your mind at rest. If it is the virus .. you will just be asked to self isolate for 7 days. Plenty fluids and paracetomal every four hours. Remember that a lot of the virus symptoms are mild. xx

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to

See. This has been going on for weeks so If they tell me to isolate for another week it will be stupid as I had this cough at beginning of last month. I always thought if you had symptoms and they didn't go you had to be taken to hospital. I am definitely going to give my gp a call in the morning or when i do eventually feel like getting out of bed. I stay in bed for sk long through the day as I feel sleep is the only time that i am at peace from the throat feeling. I do really think that my anxiety is making me feel worse than what this is even if it is anything or even if it is all my anxiety playing up. My family don't seem to be concerned and I am constantly around them making cakes for them and everything and they haven't got ill xx

in reply to L1994

Hi

I agree with you, ring your GP tomorrow. Explain that you have had a cough since last month. That you are constantly self isolating. They will probably run through your symptoms with you again.

You may need antibiotics .. ask for an urgent appointment. You just need clarification of what it is.

In my case I know my Anxiety made me feel more poorly. Do not feel embarrassed if it is Anxiety as the condition alone is a battle ! we don’t want this condition .. Anxiety is very very common, and can be unpleasant to live with, u grab at any help I can find.

Have you tried the Calm App.. learning to breath correctly ... perhaps consider once you have spoken with your GP.

Let me know how you get on, i’m always here to chat too, your not on your own here.

xx

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to

Thank you. I only had the cough for about 2 days but it was a mo th ago I had this cough now. Its just the throat feeling and the breathi g that it. Feels like it is restricting at times. And feel like i can't swallow aswell. I am currently waiting for CBT as I have suffered with health anxiety for about t years now and had been struggling these past few months after a relative passing and a diagnosis and operation. I have tried the calm app but found the SAM app more helpful. I do the mindful meditation and sleep hypnosis on YouTube and I find them to help a lot. I don't think I would have coped as I have without using these meditation pieces xx

in reply to L1994

Yes you have been through a stressful time. I am glad you are starting CBT, that will help with Health Anxiety.

I use the Calm App, the stories send me to sleep. I have never heard of SAM App. I’m going to check that one out too.

I experienced a bereavement few years ago, it did worsen my existing Health Anxiety. I think i may consider CBT too, I need more tools and understanding on Health Anxiety. I can understand why you are Anxious, a natural response to what you have experienced and we are in the middle of challenging times. I would Definitely, ring your GP tomorrow. Get the peace of mind you deserve. x

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to

Yes I feel the same. Like the more help the better success. Try it out its a good one it's the samaritans app. I do hope I get some good news to relax me to.orrow will let you know what my Gp says xx

in reply to L1994

Yes please to let me know, will be thinking of you. x

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to

Thank you. Stay safe xxx

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to

I have spoken to my Dr yesterday afternoon and he didn't seem concerned. Going to try get back to work soon and see if that helps me feel any better x

in reply to L1994

Hello,

That is good news.

It’s good to hear you are going to try at get back to work. Break the cycle of worrying. I’m to scared to relax at home because i will start thinking, worrying then obsessing, I keep busy at home in between working.

Wishing you all the best .. stay safe, don’t worry about things, take each day as it comes.

Speak to you soon, stay in touch.

xxx

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to

Thank you. I think that is what the problem has been. I am at home doing nothing constantly worrying and arguing with my self over what is wrong with me. Yes please stay in touch also. Give me a message when ever you feel you need someone to chat to. Take care and you too stay safe xxx

Want2BHappy3 profile image
Want2BHappy3

You said it’s been 6 weeks? I don’t think you have the virus? By this time if you did you have been hospitalized already. Don’t be afraid to go to the doctors, sounds like you might just have an allergies? My throat has been bothering me over 6 months. What ever you have you could be treated for. When ever I get scared it’s usually not as Bad as I imagine it to be? Go ahead and let me know how your doing? 🙏

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to Want2BHappy3

Just I seen a guy that has said he has had a low fever for over a month and got tested positive for corona. It's Just that i feel so uncomfortable with my breathing and don't know how much longer I can cope feeling like this. It's really getting me down and depressed and feel like i don't want to be here feeling like this no more and I can't go on feeling like that. I have a phone appointment with a Dr in half hour so just going to see what the Dr says as I am due to go back to work also. I really want to go back to work as I feel normality will make me feel better. I just don't want to go back to work and crumble and make a fool out of my self aswell as I suffer so bad mentally over this virus. It's always me not knowing what's best because the virus is still very much high in the UK so if I go back to work I'm at more risk getting it and that will make me panic but yet again I'm panicking at home because I have lost all routine

djp27 profile image
djp27

Was like you every day until I rang my doctors and he put me right with a few things

( stop worring about things you don't have to,Don't take your temp. every 1 hour and if it gets bad do something to take your mind of it. ) and stay of the internet asking about it.

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to djp27

Did you feel like your throat was closing in every single second of the day? I Have a phone appointment with Dr in 5 mins

I was tortured by a dr. when young , so it has stayed with me all my life, but I do go to dr. but I’m afraid to go to one, and afraid of the results is something is wrong. But you’ll find if you call the dr. , and find out the results you’ll feel

much better. But I do think your anxiety is causes your to feel this way, I know it does me. If you do have the virus you are still here, so all is well.❤️

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to

Thank you for your reply.

Hope you are well through these hard times 😊

Carjul60 profile image
Carjul60

If you are really worried, why don't you book one of the tests at the drive through centres on Gov. UK. It might well be that because you are panicking, the feelings might be psychosomatic.

Your throat may be sore because you've been indoors for so long, and the same could be so for your temperature, as it is not overly elevated. The tests are really quick and straightforward and you will get your result within 48 hours. The body is a strange thing. You can experience lots of different feelings if your mind has convinced you that you are ill. You could also ring 111 for advice and reassurance. Try to stop worrying, I know that it is really difficult with something like this, but I'm sure you'll feel better if you can unwind a bit. Take care.

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to Carjul60

Thank you Curjul60 as for me not being a keyworker they won't test me. I have spoken to my Dr and has told me the virus does not last this long so he don't think it's the virus and told me to stop worrying because I don't need to be concerned about this virus because even if I got it it would not kill me as I am 25 years old and healthy. I just find that lots of Dr's think differently over this virus as some one who is having same symptoms as me they spoke to their Dr today and he's been told yes he could have had the infection and the breathing dificutly can stay for a couple of months. It shouldn't be much longer now before it is not to much of a concern hopefully. It seriously can't be a lot worse than other countries surely. They were only a couple week infront of us and they doing very well up to now. Once I'm back in work that should make my mind more occupied and possible I could starg feeling more normal. Only time will tell at this point x

Carjul60 profile image
Carjul60

L1994. Anyone can have the tests now, if they have symptoms that are associated with the virus. It was only the first couple of weeks that was for key workers. I don't think any of the doctors know very much, it is a new virus, so even the intensive care doctors are working on a suck it and see basis. You sound calmer than you were, so that is good. If your doctor is not taking your concerns seriously, phone 111 and see what they say. I hope that the return to work goes well. As you say, it will divert your mind, and hopefully when you get home, you'll discover that you've gone all day with no symptoms. Take care of yourself.

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to Carjul60

Thank you Carjul60. I have been able to get in for a blood test at my Dr's. Had that done this morning but was not to test for coronavirus I had a full blood count test thyroid checked diabetes screening iron levels and vitamin B12 checked. I am confused I have already had a message from my Dr's saying that my full blood count has come back normal. Wouldn't this show I was fighting infection if I had the virus but since about an hour after my blood test I have been burning up so bad. I feel like my skin is burning and don't know what it is. I darent do my temperature x

Carjul60 profile image
Carjul60

My face is burning tonight. have been busy in the garden and it was quite hot today. You are probably just wound up by the whole doctor thing. Did he give you all the results. I would imagine that the virus would show up in a blood test too. Do try not to worry, I know it's hard with all that is going on, but based on how long you say this has been going on, I think you would have been hospitalised by now if it was the virus. I think it is anxiety and stress.

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to Carjul60

😊💕 That was a very reassuring comment thank you. Yes I keep thinking my self that it's quite warm today. I was thinking that maybe I am feeling this way from getting a little worked up going to the Dr's this morning because I got to the entrance and didn't want to go in. I just recieved a message saying this exactly.

Hi Alexis,

Full blood count (and by inference your bone marrow) normal

Thanks, Dr A P Bracegirdle

Durnford Medical Centre

Carjul60 profile image
Carjul60 in reply to L1994

That's really good news. I am so pleased for you. That little voice of reason has crept in and sorted your mixed up thoughts out for you. We lost my mother in law to the virus at the end of April, and that makes you really worry about how easy it is to catch the virus. However, your symptoms have been going on for so long, that something more would have happened by now. The blood test results back this up and you now have this in writing. That now means that every time your anxiety about it kicks in, you can read your blood test result for reassurance.

You look after yourself and try to stay calm. The numbers of infected people is going down quite rapidly now. Just keep up your social distancing and scrupulous hand washing and you will be absolutely fine. If it helps, wear a face mask.

Take care

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to Carjul60

I know atleast there is some positive news. I tell my self now thag it is tension giving my self neck ache and jaw ache so that is most likely the cause of my tight throat.

Thank you ever so much 😊

Yasmin41 profile image
Yasmin41

Every time I get a little scratchy throat my mind goes all over the place

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to Yasmin41

It's horrible isn't it. I am the same altho it is constantly. It shouldnt be much longer all of this can go on for. It's hard for all at the moment expecially those with health anxiety and phobias x

Yes! you’re not alone ❤️

L1994 profile image
L1994 in reply to

Thank you for you reply. That is correct we are all in this together ❤️

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