Flu Anxiety

[toast122]

I feel like I'm going to die. I'm so anxious and I can't relax no matter what. Yesterday, my throat suddenly started hurting out of no where. The pain came on very abruptly which was a bit odd. Now the pain has slightly lessened, but I feel as though there is a tennis ball sitting in the base of my throat, just above my collarbones in the center. It feels like something is stuck. I don't know if it's phlegm or not. I keep coughing and nothing will come out, its just a dry cough. I constantly feel like I'm about to gag/vomit because of this, and this makes me panic because I have a fear of vomiting. I also feel very tired, weak, and lethargic. Worst of all, I am having difficulty breathing. It feels as though there is an obstruction blocking my throat. Thinking its phlegm, I gargled with warm water, sat in the steam of a shower twice today, put my head over a bowl of hot water with a towel over top, and drank plently of water and tea. NOTHING has given me relief. I am afraid to go to sleep incase I choke/suffocate and die. When I woke up this past morning, my throat felt completely blocked and I had a coughing fit to the point of gagging, but NOTHING came up. It's such a frustrating and uncomfortable sensation, feeling like there is phlegm stuck deep in the throat/chest and not being able to cough it out. My voice is also incredibly hoarse, almost non-existent, and my chest feels tight. I can't stop panicking and I feel like bawling my eyes out because I'm afraid I'm dying. I went to the doctor's in the morning and they said my lungs sounded clear, my oxygen, temperature and blood pressure were perfect, but they wanted to check for strep and I wouldn't let the doctor do the swab (due to my fear of vomit). I'm scared that there is something stuck in my throat or something really serious going on and they are missing it!

On a sidenote, I went to a concert the other day and waited outside in line in -20 celsius weather wearing only a dress. At some point during the concert (which was indoor), they shot confetti all over the crowd and I was afraid that I may have accidentally inhaled one. I was careful to not keep my mouth open and only breathe through my nose in fear of that happening, but a little part of me is still afraid that I swallowed a confetti, and that is what is stuck/irritating my throat. This fear began after I read an article about Chris Martin from Coldplay stopping singing mid song because he choked on confetti at his own concert! I know its probably unlikely that I actually inhaled the confetti and that it would still be stuck days later, but I can never be too sure!

I want to go to emergency for my difficulty breathing but my mom will probably dismiss my complaints as anxiety and not take me. I also don't want to cause a scene by going to the emergency room in the middle of the night. I don't know what to do and I'm so scared!!!

[Hidden]

Sounds like you might of caught a cold. 8 by tomorrow you still feel the same then I advise you to go to the ER or an urgent care

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

I just had strep for the first time in my life and an infected lymph node. I wish you would have let them check you. It’s not that bad and way too fast to make you vomit. I got an antibiotic and was better within 24 hours. The flu is also running wild in the US. Cloraseotic sore throat drops are very good in helping numb your throat. Your breathing is anxiety if your lungs are clear and o2 sat is good. If anything try a Tylenol for the discomfort. If able.

Breathing is the only system that is voluntary and involuntary. You can make yourself take a deep breath and blow it out. The wonderful part is that if you don’t your body will do it for you! You don’t even have to think about it. Trust in that. Your body will do it for you. You are panicking which is making it worse feeling. Along with your chest. Try deep breathing, holding it and blowing it back out slowly while trying to relax your mind. You need a strep test. Do you have any Mucinex? It thins your phlegm so you won’t have that sensation if that’s what is causing it. I suspect you have a cold. Have you had a bad cold before? If so did you sleep? If so try to trust in your doctor and the history you have of sleeping with a cold and nothing bad happening. It’s like a proof journal of things you have conquered. It doesn’t sound like this warrants an emergency room visit. You are allowing your anxiety to exaggerate your symptoms. I truly hope you can find some peace. I am a mom. I was also a medical care provider in icu and rescue squad. Just so you know the basis for my opinions which are just that, opinions. Obviously I haven’t done an examination on you. Just going by what you said. If you do have strep throat that is not treated though it can cause vomiting. If you have it and get an antibiotic you will be better in 24 hours. Something to think about. You are more likely to throw up from strep than a strep test. I’ve seen hundreds. Trust me. Strep causes vomiting as it progresses.

Stay healthy! Much love! I hope you can get some rest.

PS a piece of confetti would have dissolved by now if not digested.

[Brightstar0109]

Hey

I can totally relate, I too have a crippling fear of vomiting! The chances of you having swallowed confetti are slim to none, even if you did I’m assuming the doctor would have done a throat exam on you and discovered it! It sounds like you do just have a cold or maybw the flu, however anxiety can play many tricks on us so for all you know it could just be you working yourself up into a frenzy. But I know how difficult it is to rationalise because u totally believe something might be wrong, if you really are scared then maybe you could go back to the doctor but ask if you can swab your mouth yourself while hes there and explain your phobia, that way you won’t place the swab too far that makes you feel sick.

I hope you feel better soon!

[Hidden]

Try and relax, drink fluids and take medication. Illness is stress to the body as is anxiety. The more you panic and worry yourself the longer it will take to recover from your illness. I know it's difficult but try your hardest to take it easy on yourself.

[Daniellesparkles]

Hi I’m actually sick too at the moment so I know how you feel and it’s okay to feel the way you do your concerned and that’s ok

Try drinking lots of soup drink water and orange juice

If you can or if u have any get some yellow lemons cut them in half squeeze in a cup and add 1 table spoon of honey mix and then chug it until it’s gone

Try to get some sleep that’s what I’m trying to do I barley got any sleep so I’m trying to sleep what I can today I hope we all get better soon