I'm recovering from serious covid that caused lung damage. Very anxious at home help breathing

[natswright]

Can folks share their recovery stories. I'm home for on day and know my breathing exercises, but find anxiety of gasping keeps my heart beating 95 at rest, makes my shaky, any advice

[knitter]

I would ask for advice from your health professional today .Have you an oximeter to check your oxygen levels?

I suffer from breathlessness and anxiety, the BLF have some tips to help on their website .

Also check out the NHS website on Long Covid , click on the advice link and there are lots of ideas to help .

Try and breathe as much as you can through your nose , gently gently .

Try some relaxing music , there is a you tube video called Weightless ….the one with the feather picture, that is said to help calm.

Also Jud Brewer 5 finger breathing exercise video there.

Meditation videos on you tube ….Headspace have a couple of free ones there without subscription.

Distraction too….online jigsaws, puzzle and colouring books .

But please contact your GP or nurse for advice today or ring 111 sooner.

The BLF also have a helpline open for UK residents in office hours on 03000 030 555.

Best wishes.

[natswright in reply to knitter]

Thanks, just your reply helped me feel better, I think it's the feeling of not being in hospital. I live alone, so no nurse to buzz!!

I have contacted my GP, hope for a response today

[natswright in reply to natswright]

That music really helps, the anxiety attack has stopped! I live alone you see, so its tough first night out of hospital!! Thank you so much, i dont feel so alone now

[P-i-n-k in reply to natswright]

It's difficult living alone when ur anxious but all the advice uve been given works.fone a friend cos hearing a friendly voice helps.take care keep calm and you'll get thro it xx

[Kristicats]

Try breathing gently through your nose sit back and slowly name everything you can see I.e. chair, lamp, table, plant,etc. It’s worth a try when you start to hyperventilate.

[natswright in reply to Kristicats]

Thanks, fortunately i'm managed to avoid hyperventilating, if I get to that stange I struggle to recover!! Each hour feels better, as I feel my way forwards.

I was a very fit and healthy active person before covid struck! I have much adjustment to make, hence the anxiety over not catching my breath that landed me in hospital 2 further times.

[Patk1]

Its early days,1st day home.rest up + take it slowly.xx

[natswright]

Yes, the fatigue is real! Just made a pot noodle and had to lie down, chest muscles feel tired!!

[peege]

Really feel for you. Most of the members here will understand what you're going through natsright due to our various lung diseases.How you're feeling is totally understandable being alone, fending for yourself after a hospital stay and I imagine what you've been through is pretty scary as well.

Be good to yourself, I'm sure the fatigue is par for the course as it is after pneumonia (many of us have had that and it can take months to fully recover from. My daughter had covid in March 2020, it took months to recover from and she wasn't hospitalised! Her 6 year old went on to have long covid. That's why I say be good to yourself, sleep, eat well, drink plenty of fluids & take vitamins. I hope you have someone to get shopping for you.

I do deep diaphragm breathing (YouTube) to calm me when anxious.

Good luck - there are usually a few members awake during the night if you need support. Peege ××

[natswright in reply to peege]

Thanks, that gives me hope for the future. I'm getting better with the anxiety, as it feels like breathlessness that is not there!

[Karenanne61]

So sorry you've been poorly. Other posters have given really good advice. One thing I'm still learning is that illness means our energy resources are limited and we need to apply rationing. Sometimes cooking a meal means you are too tired to eat it. Google 'the spoon theory '. It explains this by turning energy into units, spoons, and the necessity of rationing them.

[Alberta56]

Best wishes for a good if gradual recovery. xxx