I am not on the shielding list but gp has signed me off of work (I work as a teaching assistant) due to my health. I have asthma, have had three bouts of pneumonia in three years and was hospitalised with flu last year.
I am becoming so anxious to do things. I am allowed out as long as I am adhering to social distancing. I have barely left a small area of where I live. ( I don't drive ) I am struggling to sleep and the busier it's getting the harder I am finding going out. I havent been to a shop since this all happened and with restrictions being lifted I just feel more anxious.
Am I the only one who is struggling with trying to think of doing normal things ?
I just feel so anxious all the time and I don't enjoy going out anymore. I only go a few times a week around the block and I just worry about people coming too close. .I'm starting to worry it's just me that feels like this. I don't want to put my anxieties onto my children.
My friends are starting to do more and more and I just want to do less and less and it gets busier. They are trying to be supportive but I just feel like I'm the only one who is panicking about everything. Even the kids going back to school makes me feel like a nervous wreck.
Hoping everyone is safe and well.
Sorry for rambling.
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Peakyfan2020
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Not sure what to say, just wanted to reassure you. The risks of catching it are very low and if you did it's a small amount of people that get seriously ill and die. I know two people that got it and are now fine. I know you probably already know all this. Make sure you are having a vitamin D supplement and get a minimum of 7 hours sleep. This will help you if you did come into contact with someone who has it.
I completely understand—my anxiety was debilitating and I was scared to leave the house at all. I ran a few errands in early April and caught the virus then (even tho I had a mask on, stayed 1-2 meters away from everyone, used my hand sanitizer a lot etc). I was quite sick for a few weeks but I am recovered and perfectly healthy now! I have severe asthma and adrenal insufficiency so I was very anxious I was going to have to go to the hospital but I managed the illness from home and the shortness of breath part of the illness just felt like bad asthma.
I’m still nervous til we have a final ruling on immunity but trying to keep myself sane as the anxiety can be overwhelming (as you know!).
Just wanted to share a positive story about the virus from a fellow asthmatic.
Take good care and try to relax meditate journal go on walks (far away from people! ) etc if you can.
Hey, I completely understand where you are coming from. It’s such a scary time and it’s hard to keep things in perspective. It is reassuring to hear some positive responses to this thread about COVID recovering asthmatics.
I am in a similar position, I was advised to shield til end of June but suspect I will be off this list when it is reviewed (would say I have moderate asthma Fostair 200/6 2 x twice a day plus ventolin, only one course steroids in last 12 months)
I am a Reception Teacher so understand how difficult it is with our job roles. I’ve also been out of school and working from home. My Head has implied that once my shielding letter runs out I am expected back to work (that’s another story!) I obviously haven’t ventured out but I can completely see why you would feel anxious when you go out. The Government have done a very good job of emphasising how serious this disease can be for vulnerable groups and to put that to one side is so hard. For me, I’ve found controlling what I can (taking my meds, lots of yoga to help my breathing and eating healthily, washing shopping etc) has helped my anxiety. You are doing everything you can to keep yourself safe and minimising the risk as much as you can xx
Hi Peakyfan. It's OK to be afraid of things we see as a threat to our health and wellbeing. I think though that you don't feel like you're in control and can't minimise the risk if you go out.
Your fear is not irrational, you've had pneumonia three years on the trot, plus flu, and you recognise your vulnerability if you were to pick up an infection. You don't say what the circumstances were that led to your contracting flu and pneumonia. However, you are going out for walks and that's really positive and you haven't contracted any virus on those outings. All positive things.
I go shopping during the vulnerable hour and find that the shops that I use are following all the necessary rules so that their customers are as safe as possible. I wear a mask, I don't fiddle with it once it's on, I don't touch my face, I only take my debit card with me and a memorised shopping list and I wear ordinary gloves, set aside when I get home. When I get home I wash my hands for at least 20 seconds, wipe down my purchases and put them away. I then wipe down the door handles (front door etc) & keys with antiseptic cloth. I wash my hands again (20 secs). Have a cuppa and have my breakfast.
I must admit I can't walk very fast while wearing the mask as it affects my breathing, so I take my time. I feel in control because I am doing things to protect myself when I'm out and when I return home.
I also take little walks when it's mostly quiet - very early and late evening. I'm not an early riser but have have found the benefits outweigh my love of sleep. As it's so quiet I can go without a mask, but have one ready in case there are other people, usually dog walkers.
We know that taking precautions will keep us safe and we can control what we do. I must admit that everyone using vulnerable hour at the shops are also following guidelines because they are vulnerable. Best bunch of people to share a shop with if you think about it.
I've also taken to sucking a Vit C & zinc lozenge when I get home. Dr Moseley (TV Dr) recommended them & I got mine, by post, from Holland & Barrett. Just another thing to make me feel like I'm doing something to protect myself.
In a way I've created my own bubble in which I feel safe to operate. I've no intention of returning to what was normal anytime soon. That's my decision and I'm in control. I "meet" friends and family through Zoom and video calls. I don't watch the daily coronavirus briefings or watch the news more than once a day, for my sanity. I watch at least one comedy a day - so much better than the news.
OK, it's suddenly a small world for me but it's mine and it makes me feel safe and in control.
If you feel OK going around the block then that's good. If you want more exercise, go around the block as many times as you want - it's your block. When you know the quietest time to go for a walk, go out then - your time, your block. Athletes after all tend to run round the same track and no one thinks that's not OK. If it helps, imagine that you're training for the next block walking Olympics. That's what athletes do to keep going.
Don't feel bad about the precautions you've decided on. You can expand on them very easily and be safe in doing so if you follow the hygiene rules we've been given - they work.
You could, if you want, try a new hobby or an old one that you haven't had time for lately. Choose to do something positive every day for yourself, something that makes you feel good.
You're doing good and there are lots of us doing our own thing right now and that's OK. Our new normal is OK and it doesn't matter if it's different to everyone else's normal. 🤗
You have all been so kind. Sat crying reading all of you helpful words.
I've just found all of this so over whelming I think like most people.
I will try some of your suggestions. I am going to try and take my children slightly further to a little patch of green today away from anywhere busy and hopefully play some ball games for a little while. Feeling panicky about it but I know the kids will like it and if I don't feel comfortable I can come home again.
I am hoping that over time I will be able to try and relax a little.
Hi, this authoritative article suggests that asthma may not make you any more susceptible to getting sick from Covid. In fact, the opposite may be true. Having asthma and/or taking inhaled steroids may actually help protect you, or stop the virus from duplicating within your body. Maybe we should all breathe a sigh of relief! medpagetoday.com/infectious...
Everyone here has given excellent advice, I just wanted to add (from personal experience) that if you feel that the anxiety is taking over, please speak to your GP.
Anxiety is a very normal response to these exceptional circumstances, but if it's causing you difficulties in your day to day life it may be helpful to discuss options for support/treatment, even if you don't think you want to pursue them right now. The GP has a form that helps you to assess how badly it is affecting you, which can give you some perspective. I seriously lack perspective when I'm struggling with anxiety but sometimes knowing what help's available is help in itself. Wishing you all the best.
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