Shortness of Breath and Sore Throat

[toast122]

I’ve been unwell for just over 5 weeks now with a sore throat and shortness of breath being my main concerning symptoms. I took a course of antibiotics to rule out infection and felt slightly better while on them. Now that I’ve finished, my symptoms feel worse again. I’m feeling:

-Sore throat

-Post nasal drip (can see the mucus in back of throat along with some small red bumps)

-Strong burning sensation on tongue (this one is really disturbing)

-Headache

-Muscle aches

-Burning and tightness in chest (on/off)

-Shortness of breath

I’ve tried antibiotics, a cooling/numbing mouthwash, given by my doctor. I’ve had chest x rays, covid swabs, ecg, mono test and everything came back normal. My oxygen saturation is 96-98% despite feeling short of breath.

It’s been 5 weeks and my symptoms won’t ease. It’s hell and I fear I’ll be stuck like this forever. It’s like the chicken and the egg. I don’t know if my health anxiety is causing my physical symptoms, or if my physical symptoms are causing my health anxiety...

The doctors don’t know whats wrong with me and say it could be viral, but can a virus last 5 weeks??

Some other things I’m going through right now that I wonder could have an effect:

-Being in quarantine (as is everyone else), maybe stale air/dust sensitivity from not getting outside?

-I am 2 months postpartum, maybe its something hormonal?

-A virus (but no one else living with me has gotten sick despite being in close contact with me)

-Started zoloft about one month ago (potential side effects? although i’ve been on it in the past several times and never had issues like this with it)

I fear having a serious illness that the doctors are missing. I can’t accept that it could be anxiety making me feel THIS unwell for THIS long.

It’s really taking a toll on me, as I worry I could have pneumonia, fibromayalgia, lupus, cancer, or something else that is serious/chronic/deadly.

I am afraid to go to the hospital in the midst of this pandemic. I don’t know what to do anymore. I feel scared and hopeless and like this will never end. I also feel a tremendous amount of guilt because the physical symptoms make it difficult for me to give my 100% attention to my newborn.

[Purple_haze51]

Hello sorry to hear what your going through specally after having a baby that must be terrifying to have a baby during this pandemic . im always thing about woman having babies around this time its gotta me scary. Ive had post partum too when i had my first and second baby the second baby was way worser for me i got it real severe because my baby got sick when he was thre months old and almost died on me so i was very terrified of losing him. Ive having health anxiety and depression and ptsd for a long time now it seems to be getting worser ever since my dad died of cancer and then now with this virus its got me so panicky its driving me crazy and my sons . cause they dont what to do to help me feel better. Today ive been feeling really achy every were on my body then my neck and shoulders hurt real bad too and achy too i have this burning crushing sensation in my chest like a big weight is on me.i feel like i cant breath either. Its been scaring me alot and i don't want to go to hospital either because of the virus .

[Amelia222]

Dear Tat122, oh how I can relate to you. I am in constant fear of terminal health conditions and my anxiety is constantly tormenting me telling me something is gravely wrong with me. Now every sensation that feels slightly off from normal in my body, my brain interprets as possible covid19. It’s exhausting and frustrating. Quarantine has been nothing short of a mental marathon for me. Just know that you are not alone and if you ever need to talk, I am here.