Anxious of catching colds, flu and covid-post brain surgery.

[PositiveButSleepless]

I had a subarachnoid haemorrhage in October and had very successful surgery, so I'm recovering well. The issue I have at the moment is, I am anxious about catching even the common cold. After all the headaches and fatigue, I just don't know how my body and mind will cope with the blocked sinuses, cough, general feeling of being run down. Does anyone else have any fears of this? Or any tips on how to get through it?

[Alibongo60]

Hello and welcome, I too try to avoid common colds etc, have my flu jabs etc, have had all my corona jabs to avoid illness. I have found since my SAH, my sneezes are mind blowing they are so hard and feel like my head is about to explode so anything that helps I will jump at love Alice xx

[PositiveButSleepless in reply to Alibongo60]

Me too. I'm up to date with jabs so that's one thing. I have two toddlers so I have to try and avoid all the germs they bring back from nursery as well! It's anything related to head that normally you wouldn't think twice, like sneezing etc, that becomes something to consider after a brain injury, doesn't it!

[Alibongo60 in reply to PositiveButSleepless]

I think I’ve developed turettes too, as I never swore before but sneezing causes me to swear the pain is so bad, it is like someone hitting you on the back of the head each time.

[moo196]

MorningMy CVST was in 2014 so I'm further away from the feelings now.... But just wanted to say that generally my way to deal with the fears is to face them and do what I can to mitigate chances of bad outcomes.

In this case - fear of colds/covid (no one wants that one) I'd think the main ones are to follow the advice on masks, vaccination, gel, social distancing and meeting outside.

Add to it anything you can to boost your immune system - best diet you can muster. Loads of fruit, veg, fermented foods, kefir, few refined foods. Good exercise, decent sleep and some vitamin d when the sun shines. And try to get some lovely conversations/laughter in your life.

If I start to worry I try to remind myself that worrying doesn't change anything - and can negatively impact my immune system. Personally I try to replace the worry with exercise... A brisk walk, some yoga or a swim. Or I start cooking something healthy.

I also try to replace 'what ifs' (5% chances) with 'what if nots' (95%chances).

Do your best to put your system into the best place just in case....... But then try to not let worry dampen Yr efforts 🙏

[PositiveButSleepless in reply to moo196]

I love all of your suggestions! I certainly will try adopting a better diet now the festive season is over. I feel like being healthy all round for the new year. You are so right about the pointless worrying. That is something I wanted to face after reflecting on what happened during my recovery. I would never in a million years have predicted that I would have a brain haemorrhage- so what's the point of worrying about things before they happen!

[Pairofboots]

Just a word of caution re drinking loads of water. It is good to ensure good hydration, but excessive amount of water can be dangerous, it can lead to what is called water intoxication, where the intake exceeds the output. Not something we would usually think about.

[cat3]

I've found myself to be tougher than I though. 5 years prior to my SAH I had breast cancer then, a year on from the SAH (to the day) I was back under anaesthetic having my gall bladder removed .....followed by heart problems a couple of years later.

But I'm still here and starting to believe the old saying 'What doesn't kill us makes us stronger'. And I've had a miserable heavy cold & cough for around 10 days (tested neg for Covid) so just here to suggest that maybe you too are stronger then you believe m'love ?..

I won't invite problems though and I've become a bit of a hermit this past 2 years .......(not afraid to say I'm hell-bent on avoiding Covid !) I'll be mask wearing long after BoJo declares it unnecessary 😷.

I hope your anxiety fades with time PbS ; your Bi is very recent and I get how your confidence has taken a battering....and on top of life amidst this weird period in history. All best wishes, Cat x

[PositiveButSleepless in reply to cat3]

Thank you for your positive words. It sounds like you really are tough! I would like to practice that kind of mindset, something that worked for me during the time of surgery. Now I suppose I feel a little more vulnerable but perhaps I should change that way of thinking!

[cat3 in reply to PositiveButSleepless]

I doubt we can force ourselves to toughen up and I actually feel a bit of a fraud after a lifetime of anxiety. It's only 'thanks' to my SAH that my emotional responses have altered. I can fly off the handle at all manner of here & now issues, but can't seem to engage with 'What Ifs'. And something else was life changing....

I guess it's a case of "Be careful what you wish for" as for years I joked that I'd love to be restrained for long enough to withdraw from my lifelong 20 a day smoking addiction. And hey-ho, sitting in my hospital bed a month on from the SAH, I suddenly realised I'd withdrawn & was free of the habit ; it was astonishing 😧..

I know from the past how hard it is to switch off anxiety but I do believe in the power of talking to diffuse worries, and that there's safety to be had in numbers. We're always here to talk m'love. x

[Jill777]

When i feel at my worst with colds, coughs, congestion i raid my medicine cabinet and take what i can. i sprinkle decongestion oils on tissues and put under my pillow at least 2. i heat up 2 pillow pads....forgot their proper name sorry. in the micro wave i find one each side of my neck comfort and eases my glands.Extra blankets on the beds so it extra warm and cosy. good luck x

[PositiveButSleepless in reply to Jill777]

That's a good idea. I do like those heat pads when feeling under the weather. Thank you for the tip!

[PositiveButSleepless]

Thank you so much for your reply. That is a good idea to keep hydrated! I certainly don't drink enough water in the day as it is. I'm up to date with vaccinations, so I'm hoping I can avoid the worst of it.

[Jill777]

I had the same injury as you thing is i can say it when people ask...is a brain bleed the same thing? poor you im still struggling with memory, fine and gross skills and i seem to of lost all of my patience with my husband. im constantly thinkinking where can i move out too . my poor mum who is 89 said i must go to her house tomorrow. im 66 and leaving home again.

[PositiveButSleepless in reply to Jill777]

So sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment. These injuries certainly can test us in many ways. I also found that I was really impatient at home. I started doing some meditation from the Calm app, even though I didn't think it was really my thing. I think it has actually started to make me more relaxed at home. I hope you are able to work things out, one way or another.