I've tested positive and live alone - help me not panic

[crochetmonkey74]

Just had my pcr results back. Symptoms are that of a heavy cold. All fixed for supplies etc so no worries there and friends to help if I get worse. I'm worried about panicking and my anxiety taking over. If you have had to isolate alone, how did you manage it? My first symptoms were Monday, tested Tuesday . Now weds and symptoms have levelled. Please to positive only, my anxiety cant cope with horror stories

To help reassure you, could you order a pulse oximeter for next-day delivery (Amazon have lots on Prime)? Then you can see for sure that your sats are staying up, but spot if they start to drop, and call for help then. But the overwhelming chances are that you’ll be fine, and start to get better very soon.

It is hard being ill alone. Have you got a friend or relative who can be your ‘buddy’? You could arrange to check in regularly by text or something, and then they’d know if you missed a set time.

Alongside that, though, think of it as an extended break for yourself, take the time to do things that please you, rest loads, drink plenty and plan all the things you’re going to do once you’re better.

If I was in your position I'd do the below

1. Reading day
2. Netflix day
3. Declutter day
4. Reading day
5. Netflix day
6. Move furniture around to create a new look
7. Film day

It's most likely that you'll be fine. If you're double vaccinated, you're even less likely to have major symptoms.

If you need things, can you order Morrisons via Amazon Prime or use any other delivery service?

Sit in the window and soak up sunlight when you can.

I'm worried about panicking and my anxiety taking over.

What are your usual coping strategies when this starts to happen?

@MrsTulipTattsyrup

To help reassure you, could you order a pulse oximeter for next-day delivery (Amazon have lots on Prime)? Then you can see for sure that your sats are staying up, but spot if they start to drop, and call for help then. But the overwhelming chances are that you’ll be fine, and start to get better very soon.

It is hard being ill alone. Have you got a friend or relative who can be your ‘buddy’? You could arrange to check in regularly by text or something, and then they’d know if you missed a set time.

This is a great idea. Already got a thermometer coming

I would probably think hard about an oxygen reader - I am in a similar position to you (coupled with a serious heart defect) - but I know that measuring my oxygen levels would make me even more anxious. Of course this is a personal thing. I am getting through it by doing absolutely NOTHING, taking paracetamols regularly and drinking a lot.

I'm a single parent and caught covid along with both my kids a few weeks ago. Kids barely noticed they had it and I just had a cold. I just settled myself down for some boxsets for a few days. Worst part was having the kids off school! Hope you feel better soon.

This is really helping. I have several colleagues who have all had fairly mild symptoms which is helping too, my anxiety is mainly around the idea that I'll be fine for a few days then "plummet"
Am double vaxxed , will take on board the advice about the oxygen meter as I like the idea of doing nothing, just responding in the moment to what presents itself

I live alone and caught Covid OP. To be honest I wasn't that ill with it and quite enjoyed the R and R. The weather was nice and I spent a lot of time in the garden where I could talk with the neighbours.

The post viral fatigue was awful though!

Make sure someone brings you enough paracetamol though

Thanks Hester I'm hoping to have a similar experience and watch a lot of Netflix, do some reading etc

Hi Op, I had it over Christmas and - although unpleasant - it wasn’t scary in any way and I’ve felt much iller with other things in the past.

Plenty of paracetamol, healthy food, lots of fluids and try and rest as much as you can. I found I wasn’t so bad in the mornings but had a massive energy crash/fatigue in the afternoons and had to go to bed (several friends have had this too so think it’s common).

We (DH, DD2 and I) all recovered quickly with no ill effects. You’ll be fine! Do you have someone you can check in with by message or chat on the phone?

Get well soon!

Thanks mind I'm so lucky to have lots of lovely friends and family who will be checking in/dropping stuff off etc. I feel so blessed in that area. I've had a really bad 8 months with one thing and another so I guess I'm just being cautious about looking after my mental health too. Your reassurance really does help

Honestly, first three days were the worst then i was fine just a bit of a cold and sleepy, enjoy the rest and read, sleep, have baths and watch crap tv! You will be fine, its so rare after vaccination to be seriously unwell if you don't have underlying symptoms, if you took a paracetamol you wouldn't assume you would get all the side effects in the leaflet would you? So think of it like that, so rare don't even think about it. Im really obese and was still fine after three days so try to stay positive x

Bless you, I imagine the thought of a week at home alone poorly does feel quite scary, talk to us, we'll keep you company mumsnet has some absolutely golden netflix/TV series/book recommendations!

Mine is gilmore girls for the TV, and the jojo moyes, me before you trilogy to read

Thanks penguin I dont have any underlying conditions other than very well controlled very mild asthma but I am obese (size 18/20) but generally in good health

@Mulhollandmagoo

Bless you, I imagine the thought of a week at home alone poorly does feel quite scary, talk to us, we'll keep you company mumsnet has some absolutely golden netflix/TV series/book recommendations!

Mine is gilmore girls for the TV, and the jojo moyes, me before you trilogy to read

Yeah I think I will enjoy being able to chat on here/read some of the older threads in classics etc.

Some of the threads in classics are absolutely brilliant - they will really cheer you up, the Michealangelo one really makes me laugh!

I use the Calm App. Really helps when my anxiety about these sorts of things kicks in.

Myself,dp and Ds who is only 3 all had it a couple of months ago. It was like a heavy cold for myself and dp and Ds had no symptoms at all. I've felt worse with other illnesses in the past.Make the most of being able to rest as much as you like, binge watch Netflix in bed. Also do you have any outdoor space/garden? When you feel up to it do make sure you get out in the fresh air, I did laps of the garden for exercise and it was also nice as there was always people walking past which gave me different people to talk to-keeping my distance of course.

You’ll be ok my husband has asthma and whenever we have colds he is significantly worse than me or the kids. However the point in telling you that is that we had covid, and I was expecting him to be bad but he had very mild symptoms like us all. It was fine, the worst thing was that my sense of smell was completely gone! Best of luck
X

Thank you all this is so helping.

I’m on day 6, have carried on working throughout although I did have the weekend to rest when my symptoms were at their worst.

I was in your shoes not that long ago: Covid and living alone. I felt a bit worse on day 4ish(felt mildly feverish and was v tired) but was fine after that I’m sure you’ll be fine too. Anxiety is a bitch so have some

I'm in the same boat as you, but currently waiting pcr results. I've got a heavy cold with a hacking cough. Dreading having to self isolate as won't be able to go and see my horses, or look after them, which is filling me with dread. They will be fine ((and looked after by others) but ...
So to prevent me climbing the walls, I'll be using my headspace app, cuddling cats and working as much as I can. If I'm too poorly to work then Netflix and my kindle!