Health anxiety RE toddler.

[bellaweir]

DD21 months started nursery on the 5th September and came down with a cold on the 9th. She is STILL full of a runny nose and this awful dry irritating sounding cough. She's fine and happy in herself. Been abit off her food this week but other than that she's all good.

I suffer really badly with health anxiety and I can't help but worry she has pneumonia or something else serious. I really don't know what to do. I wish I'd never sent her to nursery. Everyone's saying it's the weather and just post nasal drip but I'm so anxious. She coughs constantly and it sounds so dry and tickly

@AleynEivlys omg that sounds horrific. I'd have gone bald! My uncle had encephalitis and he was so so poorly it was petrifying!

what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell/cough-and-cold

Good advice here with a traffic light style list of things to look for further down the page

Thank you so so much

One of mine had a chest infection at a similar age and it's the only thing that has ever floored him, he's been through various surgeries and illnesses and a chest infection has been the only thing that left him lethargic and limp.

Health anxiety is so hard to deal with. I feel for you. Best advice my GP friend gave me is to look at the full picture of your child and you'll know if you need to worry - works well for me! From what you're saying, your child is behaving normally and is happy. That's what I'd focus on. If she deteriorates or is significantly irritated by her symptoms, then I'd speak to a doctor. Otherwise, try to relax and know that these minor infections are fantastic and NECESSARY for their immune systems to develop properly. X

I usually do get the GP to check me for my own peace of mind anyway, thankfully DD does seem okay x

She sounds fine op.
Sorry you're so stressed like this

Hopefully you can work through your health anxiety soon and be less worried,its an awful feeling to have, I feel for you op.

Try not to worry tonight, all sounds good Almost everybody I know has gotten an awful cold the last couple of weeks,but that's all it's been,just a cold. X

She started screaming just now in her sleep so I had to take her out of her cot and cuddle her. Think she'd got tangled in her sleeping bag.
Nights are just so long and lonely and recently I've not been sleeping properly at all. Breathing and temp all seems ok still

I've got a truly horrible urge to cough all of a sudden as well now. Great!

Breathing and temp all seems ok still
Keep reminding yourself of that op. And do try to settle down yourself,get comfy maybe some tea?

Nights are just so long and lonely well luckily MN is open 24 hours You're doing really well op. X

Try some tea or hot water and honey

I've not managed to eat today yet as the food in the fridge isn't looking too appealing just now. I've tried to buy healthy stuff to eat better but I'm regretting it now, should've just got pizzas!

If you can eat anything at all,go for it. Whatever you fancy/have in.
If you dont feel you could sleep yet, definitely get something into you

You've made me hungry 🤣 I'm going to have to have a wander downstairs!

I'm tryna raid the cupboards for a rogue biscuit or chocolate bar! Instant regret buying all the fruit I've bought I think half of it has died 😂

You can load the fruit with sugar!!🤣

I'm trying to honestly, the waves of anxiety just keep overwhelming me. I feel like I'm going mad!

I guarantee tomorrow once I've been to the GP I'll be absolutely fine

You're definitely not going mad. Just an anxious
mum who loves her child very much

Have you ever tried any therapy for the anxiety?x

I've found a boost bar and a bucket of tea, en route back to bed Do try to make yourself comfy op

I've found a bag of crunchie bites with 2 left in them, I cannot believe I've put them back ffs.

I've had CBT, DBT and am on the waiting list for EMDR, DD has had a couple of viral infections in the past year but nothing that lasted this long

I've found a bag of crunchie bites with 2 left in them, I cannot believe I've put them back ffs
🤣🤣🤣 Hilarious. Just two bites is almost worse than no bites.

Ah well , you've been very proactive in getting help,fair play to you op!
Hopefully you won't be too long on the waiting list.

Everyone I know who's recently had colds/viruses have had them hang around that little bit longer than usual.. as it's been a while since anyone has really been out and about!

She'll be right as rain any day now op,she already sounds as though she's recovering nicely

It's just beyond scary. I had the cold too but I'm okay now, just post nasal drip

I can hear her snoring bless her.

Oh OP I feel so bad for you because I empathise so so much.

Even if she did have a chest infection it wouldn't be the end of the world - honestly my kids had them often!

However tbh it really sounds like a cold.

What I would say is try not to always get reassurance if you can help it because you need to learn to work through the anxiety yourself, that's the only way you'll improve longer term.

I think she's spiked a temp. Usual fast breathing signs. Do I let her sleep or do I wake her.