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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dr Google is not my friend

19 replies

YukoandHiro · 22/12/2019 01:51

I suffer with health anxiety, have had cbt, but I find managing my dd's illnesses (constant, obviously) very hard work.
I've been at it again tonight with Dr Google and I can't sleep for worrying.
She's 2.5 and has had a mild cold for the last couple of days - cough, runny nose - but today she started drooling excessively and is continuing to do so in her sleep. I idiotically googled and it's bringing up all kinds of life threatening things like Epiglottitis.
All her teeth are through so it's not that. But she's not struggling to breath, no stridor, has been eating and drinking relatively normally, no temperature, happy in herself and playing etc. Not refusing to swallow calpol or anything. No sign of being a seriously unwell child.
And yet here I am thinking of waking her (she's peaceful) to take her to a&e.
I hate this.
Why can't I be more calm and rational?
Anyone got any words of wisdom at this late lonely hour? We're thinking of having another child but sometimes I feel like I could never do all this again...

OP posts:
Penguinshame · 22/12/2019 01:54

Have you got any medication for anxiety?

Do not wake your child. Go and try some deep breathing and know that this is just anxiety talking, it isn’t real. X

Penguinshame · 22/12/2019 01:54

I also drool in my sleep. Blush All the best people do!

vodkaredbullgirl · 22/12/2019 01:57

Its just a cold.

Original poster
YukoandHiro · 22/12/2019 01:58

I know drooling in sleep is normally but she's been soaking bibs all afternoon which is not usual for her. The only time she's ever done this is with front teeth and also when she has hand,foot and mouth once.
I realise how I sound. I just can't stop my brain...

OP posts:
Penguinshame · 22/12/2019 01:58

You’ve had CBT. Now try and remember the techniques you learned and focus on that, not on your daughter.

Myyearmytime · 22/12/2019 01:59

Could be tonsillitis?

happinessischocolate · 22/12/2019 01:59

And yet here I am thinking of waking her (she's peaceful) to take her to a&e.
I hate this.

This is one of the joys parenthood, they are either keeping us awake because they can't sleep or are ill or they are sleeping soundly and we worry that they're not breathing.

Accept the anxiety as being part of loving your child and please know that it does get easier and you do get more blasé and stop watching them sleep every time they get ill

Lovestonap · 22/12/2019 01:59

I'm a dribbler too #weirdflex

Penguinshame · 22/12/2019 02:00

My (very rude) child told me I “sleep ugly.” Pest.

KEW89 · 22/12/2019 02:02

She may just have some inflammation in her throat if you say she’s had a cold the past few days. Might not be causing her too much of a problem but may explain the dribbling! Try not to worry everything always seems worse at night. Have a look in the morning with a torch if she’ll let you and be be kind to yourself - health anxiety is awful Flowers

Original poster
YukoandHiro · 22/12/2019 02:14

I did wonder about tonsillitis but she hasn't got a temp so - in my experience having had it loads - probably not. But they've stopped prescribing antibiotics for that now due to overuse anyway so that wouldn't need medical intervention either.
You are all right. I won't wake her (my husband would be furious anyway - he's very sympathetic but it has its limits). I think I'm worrying more because we're going away to my family for Xmas tomorrow so travelling away from local health services etc. I was much worse about this when she was a baby and more relaxed now, so some things have got easier.
I'm doing my techniques but I always find it harder to redirect my thoughts at night.
I've committed myself to put it aside until she wakes and review afresh then. In the past the 10 mins - 20 mins - 45 mins - hour technique has worked well for me

OP posts:
Penguinshame · 22/12/2019 02:16

Keep going OP. Thought patterns are a discipline and a habit.

Original poster
YukoandHiro · 22/12/2019 02:17

@KEW89 this seems very likely - sore throat with lots of salvia but nothing that's really bothering her

OP posts:
Original poster
YukoandHiro · 22/12/2019 02:20

Awwww I can her that she's just coughed herself awake a little on all the saliva. I guess I do that sometimes with a cold

OP posts:
Original poster
YukoandHiro · 22/12/2019 02:21

Thank you @Penguinshame - your kindness is really appreciated

OP posts:
Original poster
YukoandHiro · 22/12/2019 02:22

Honestly if I could magically change one thing about me this would be it. I've always tended towards anxiety but it only tipped over into health anxiety after two of my now husband's (then bf) family members died really suddenly from things that were missed/medical negligence. It's made me hyper cautious

OP posts:
Penguinshame · 22/12/2019 02:34

I had horrendous health anxiety when I had my eldest, and I ended up being prescribed Prozac, which really helped. Honestly I was bonkers about germs. I blew the element in TWO steam sterilisers because I insisted on sterilising all his toys as and his bibs. And I buggered loads of really nice sleepy-bags because I insisted on boiling everything and adding a glug of bleach.

My sister offered to take him somewhere and she has a car seat for my niece which would have done, but the thought of the fact that I knew she didn’t clean the carseat covers like I did, meant that I couldn’t tolerate the idea. But what I heard myself say to her was “are you kidding me? That seat is fucking minging.”Blush

I’m a lot better now, drugs and exposure therapy by having more, and much dirtier kids has helped no end. But honestly OP I hear you, just keep telling yourself it’s not real, it’s a protective mechanism that’s just on overdrive. X

Original poster
YukoandHiro · 23/12/2019 15:25

Thanks again everyone. It turned out she has slap cheek (the cheeks came up this morning). She's fine in herself. Annoyed with myself for all the wasted worry....agaij

OP posts:
VickyEadieofThigh · 23/12/2019 15:27

Has she got a blocked nose? If so, then she WILL dribble, as her mouth will be constantly open to breathe.

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