Bedridden for over a week with severe anxiety/panic out of the blue post-COVID infection

[haleandguu]

Hi everyone , my name is Paige and I'm a stay at home single mom. Recently, my parents, daughter, and I caught COVID19 Delta variant and we were all extremely sick. I was rushed to the ER twice because the virus settled in my stomach (go figure) and I had extreme nausea, diarrhea, cramping, etc for almost 2 weeks.

Skipping ahead, my symptoms are gone and I tested negative, but I have been suffering panic attacks and anxiety lasting all day long. My heart races dangerously high all day, I am dizzy and lightheaded, nauseous and sweaty.

I currently take 150mg of Zoloft and 1mg Klonopin once, sometimes twice a day, and .5mg Xanax as needed and it isn't helping relax me or stop the anxiety AT ALL. I've also started experiencing horrible insomnia that causes me to only fall asleep if I take 1mg Xanax (two pills) and Seroquel or Ambien. As soon as I wake up, I am in a panic once again for the rest of the day.

This is anxiety that just refuses to be put down. Like nothing I've ever experienced before. I've been diagnosed with major depression, but with the Zoloft, I haven't been affected by depression or any anxiety for years, so for it suddenly to become so severe is shocking and debilitating. The deep breathing, mindfullness, grounding, meditation does nothing for me- my racing heart pounds through it all. If even medication and these exercises can't keep this anxiety at bay, what is left for me to do?

I have a 19 month old daughter, and my parents have been looking after her while I've been out of commission so to speak. I can hardly eat because the anxiety makes me so nauseous I could vomit, I can't sleep without the pills, hell , stomach's churning, my heart is racing, legs are twitching, and my hands are sweating as I type this. I am pretty much bedridden at this point, but not just sleeping all the time, but rather not sleeping at all. Just laying here. With the misery. My body is weak from laying around and not eating. I've already fainted once yesterday trying to move around.

I have an referral sent in to see a psychologist, but it has to be accepted and then they will call me for intake. I didnt get a clear timeline on that so maybe next week sometime. My next visit with my psychiatrist is October 19th and that's the absolute soonest he can do.

I need some help and any advice anyone could offer, also maybe some thoughts and prayers. I don't know how much longer my body can take this. They say anxiety can't kill you, but this is so severe I'm afraid it could. My heart beats so fast (like 150s-180s) I'm afraid I could have a heart attack. Or eventually die of starvation or something!

I need to get well, for myself and my daughter. Every day is unbearable. If anyone can offer ideas, tips, or resources (I live in Los Angeles County, CA) that would be great. Or if anyone has lived through something like this, please let me know. I feel alone with how severe this anxiety is. Thank you all for reading and I hope you have an amazing day!

[b1b1b1]

can you speak to your medical doctor and tell him exactly what you just wrote? He might have some thoughts that can reassure you. My own feeling is that you are still very weak from covid. Viruses can cause lingering weakness and it can last for a quite a while. This weakness may be making you feel very anxious, as you don't feel anything like "yourself."

[haleandguu in reply to b1b1b1]

I will do exactly that, thank you so much

[Hidden]

Hello

So sorry you caught covid and had it so bad it is quite a life changing event you have been through and no wonder it has taken over your anxiety but you can and will get control back it will take some acceptance and time but you will get there

You are doing all the right things in trying to get support , while you are waiting try and set yourself small goals each day no matter what they are but with each you can do it will help to build up your confidence as it has took a battering

Maybe just telling yourself I will eat a slice of toast today , cut it up in small pieces , eat it slowly and prove to yourself you will not get the same feelings that you did when you had covid and build on these little things

Be kind to yourself and keep believing in yourself I know you will get there and things will improve again x

[haleandguu in reply to Hidden]

Thank you , I'm trying to eat right now while my daughter sleeps. We'll see how it goes thank you for your support !

[Hidden in reply to haleandguu]

Good for you , I know you can do it no matter how small it is then it is a step closer and that is all that counts x

[Lizzo30]

I've had covid and have long covid what I have found most helpful is bicarbonate of soda - baking soda in US - half a teaspoon in water or juice morning and evening - it makes your stomach more alkaline, covid seems to create and thrive in an acidic environment baking soda counters it

[mydog56]

i have experenced anxiety , and depression and kind of feeling throwing up inside covid thing but not really doing it. and i am going through lot although i am a teenager, and so , but at least i hate my age 16 , it changes me too much in covid, my idea for you is try drinking some water slow, and then try writing your feelings down , it helped me through everything when i had a heart attack and still am, and have anxiety and depression my thougaduht is try to always try water and to eat healthy slowly, and always write your feelings down, your doughter and you should take a rest and she should do the same things and your gonna do as to what i am saying now, 1. write your thoughts, feelings and what you feel right now slowly in a notebook or paper with a pen.- write also what you want to become when you grow up and what do you want to be when you become more adult and when you be a adult, what would you like to go on vecation or what would you like to do in the summer, and how would you like to release all your feelings and write it down

2. drink water slowly,

3. watch a movie you like, slowly if your sleeping in bed just see if you have a tv in the bed if so watch it there.

4. listen to music slowly your favorite music.

5. write , what music you would listen to, when you become more grown up, and you can do this too paige, you and your doughter

also i have been there before they are lying to you, i felt like dying from it, i think you have to be careful from it,

now i am done feeling all covid but i still have been feeling strong feelings and other stuff

[Hidden]

150-180 heart rate is tachycardia. Can't they give you something to regulate your heart rate, maybe inderal? This is ridiculous. Inderal is also a central nervous system med. Ask about it..... I've taken in for decades for autonomic insufficiency. I relate to your misery, believe me.