Doctor said its Covid

[SpiritualT]

I am not sure this is the right place to post but I am worried and frightened. I have an anxiety disorder and I’m 35 years old. I also have sinus tachycardia.

I started 10 days ago with Covid symptoms after daughter and husband tested positive. I am now on an inhaler as I keep getting shortness of breath on movement. I have a pulse oximeter and am completely obsessed by checking my pulse now all day.

I got took to hospital on Friday and my ECG, chest X-ray were fine, just my infection markers were up.

I kept trying to walk around taking my oxygen levels which the Doctor told me to stop doing. When I take them at rest they seem to fluctuate slightly the lowest reading I had was 95% although it didn’t stay at 95%.

Im sorry if this is the wrong place to post I just have no-one to speak to and Im just sat looking at my levels all day in case I take a turn for the worse.

[Meatless]

Hi spiritualT I also have a pulse oximetry which I completely obsessed over. I took it everywhere with me and would wake multiple time’s in the night just to check my oxygen levels. It was a bad bad habit and only added to my worry and anxiety rather than provide any reassurance! Most of the time levels were in the normal range with the odd dip which can happen for various reasons none of which because I was dying!!!! I had to stop as it was taking over my life. I would advise you to reserve it for when you feel really unwell and put it away like I have done and I feel much better for it! I hope your symptoms improve and you can settle down a bit. Anything above 95 is fine, relax and give yourself a chance to breathe. Take care.

[SpiritualT in reply to Meatless]

Thank you for replying.

I just feel so unwell with these Covid symptoms that I am getting so frightened with any fluctuation in my O2 levels.

The Doctor said if my level was consistently at say 93% then I need medical help.

Its taking over my whole day, I am just constantly checking in case I deteriorate

[sturon]

Hi.

What a worrying time for you and your anxiety will only make things worse.

Lets try to look at what you have said.

First you family have tested positive - how are they doing? If it is now coming up to 2 weeks so things will be starting to improve as you are all on the younger side of life.

Secondly, unlike many you have had a hospital visit and had the checks and they were happy to let you home, so that's all good news.

Checking you O2 levels is not a bad thing, but remember they will fluctuate - and that is normal. I would suggest you try to stop taking them too often. Why not give your husband a job? Give him the devise and the responsibility of checking them two or three times a day. You will know if they are low as you will show signs and symptoms. Unless you have these there is no need to keep checking.

Meatless has the right idea you can become obsessive when you have access to technology - just look at how obsessed younger folk are with their mobile phones.

I am sure you will recover fully and be back to full health in a few days. Take time to try to distract yourself with other things.

Take care.

[R3mi]

Hi Spiritual T

I don’t know your full circumstances so there might be bits I miss

I am twice your age and up until recently was anxious to the point of obsession. Anxiety as I found out comes a lot from memory perfectionism and lack of self worth and loneliness. Anxiety also plays tricks with your mind like I am not this or that but also if you are a person who for so long has put others before yourself then unknowingly turns to subconscious resentment. Towards yourself and others it also drives you to where you end up doing nothing but worry. You will not cure this buy yourself so please say I am important to myself . Feeling loved and being genuinely hugged can be another remedy to alleviate anxiety. Please find a good professional. I did and it works.

[MelB51]

My oxygen level is rarely above 94 but my Respiratory consultant told me that 94 or above is fine. I desaturate quite quickly and I have an oxygen concentrator if I need to boost the level. However, your situation doesn’t sound similar to mine. I agree with others who are advising you to stop taking a reading so often. I now only take mine if I have a headache or if I am more out of breath than normal. The other things I do,I’d practice deep breathing. I would say you might benefit from it because not only does it keep your oxygen levels up, it is calming and might h,so with your anxiety problem at the same time.

[Love101cats]

I think we've all been there. Its such a scary thing. I was just doing a daily check when my oxygen levels dropped to 88. That I knew wasn't good so I've got help and they are back at 93-94 and thats fine for me as I'm not getting out much now so not getting enough air. So even just once a day will let you know something might need attention but it can be just opening a window or popping into the garden. If you worry it will affect somewhere else so try not to.

[Tessie28]

Ah bless you. Put it away! At least for now. Your figures are fine. The covid will make you feel awful I'm sure. Anxiety is a total bitch. Have a look at the Calm app or something similar. Take care xxx

[Handel]

Try to get your mind in a better place and the body will follow suit. Easy to say, I know.

I think just knowing you have this flippin' virus is enough to make you anxious but you'll recover. How's the family doing?

Sending virtual hugs your way xxxxx