Sensible advice please - unwell and not sure what to do

[QuestionableMouse]

I've woken up feeling awful - sore throat, sore mouth, blocked nose, horrible productive chesty cough, sore chest (from coughing) and bad fatigue. Normally I'd just treat it as a viral bug but I've had a couple of moments with palpitations (where I'm really aware of my heartbeat.) I am feeling pretty dry at the moment so sipping water.

Pulse and o2 is fine per my monitor but it's freaking me out. On hold to 111 currently but I'm not sure if I should just head through to the local walk in.

I do have some health anxiety and I'm not sure how much that's playing into this!

Thank you!

I know it's stressful but everything you describe points to a virus and anxiety.
You have a history of palpitations that your GP doesn't think I'd significant because it's not.
If you can "feel" or "hear" your heart beat faster then it is highly highly likely it's due to anxiety.
Drink lots of fluids and go back to bed with a nice film. You'll feel grim for a few days but then it will pass.

I think your anxiety and frustration with the phone is causing your palpitations ( no I'm not qualified but you did ask for opinions)
Back to bed for some naps and rest for you!
Sounds like a virus but to be honest your head could be hanging off and the nhs will be too busy to help now

OP, I know it’s hard but please try to stay calm. It sounds like the horrible virus that everyone is succumbing to at the moment. I too have had it for 20 days (honestly, I’m not counting!), with a productive cough, horrendous sore throat etc. a course of Amoxicillin and prophylactic Doxycycline aren’t doing much! Rest, fluids, small amounts of food and keeping warm are key. Over the counter painkillers will help, Lemsip is great and throat sweets have been a saviour too! It’s a good excuse to curl up on the sofa, or in bed, arrange for family to bring you food, and take it easy. Unfortunately this virus takes its toll, and lingers, but I really wouldn’t suggest venturing to an emergency doctors and waiting for hours unless you really think you need to.

I have (diagnosed) health anxiety too, OP, after many years of being very, very unwell (I've spent nearly 3 out of the last 10 years in hospital). I have just started therapy for my HA, and the advice so far is to make a note of how many times a day I do a "body check", or notice something I then worry about, and then the next day, try to do this fewer times. Genius. I only wish I had thought of that!

Real, debilitating HA is much misunderstood, as there are many people who see us as hypochondriacs, or seem to think we can just "tell ourselves it's nothing to worry about", but in a case like yours today, where the last time you had similar symptoms it did turn out to be pneumonia, it actually makes a lot of sense that your brain is convinced that the same thing is happening.

Are your parents particularly elderly, vulnerable or CEV? If not, I would see if they would come round and pick you up, just so you can be in a house with other people. Even if you get to their place and go to bed, I find that when I am alone, my HA is worse - I catastrophise, which is much easier to stop when there are other, supportive people around you.

I'm sorry your Christmas has started off with you feeling so rubbish, I hope you feel much better as the day goes on and are able to enjoy at least part of the day.

You’ve had lots of sensible advice here op. I hope you soon feel better, you have a nasty cold. Shame it’s at Christmas. But enjoy your day anyway.
As a retired pharmacist I say you probably don’t need antibiotics, just rest, fluids and try not to get too anxious so relax.

I'm sure they will reassure you on the phone, and you won't have to go out. Go back to bed, stay warm, drink plenty, and go easy on the decongestants (including Lemsip) as some people feel palpitations after taking them.

I have palpitations regularly with the flu/viral illnesses, it's quite common when you're unwell. From what you've described, you have one of the million winter bugs going about and I don't think you need to go be seen at this point. Try calm down and have a rest.

You're not being ridiculous. I had similar symptoms. Started as a chest infection about 10 days ago now I've got scarlet fever. Never felt so rotten in my life. I wish I'd not ignored it and hoped it would go away but it's what we do isn't it. I saw a Dr yesterday (after 2 hour wait for 111) and got antibiotics. After having them for 24 hours I'll be allowed near other people again.

The OP has woken up and feeling rubbish! She has not suffered for 10 days.

Ok I kind of skipped over that bit. To my credit I am really ill. Give it a couple of days op.
My point was I regret 'ignoring it and pushing on'.

I have a close relative with very real health anxiety and whilst it's easy for us to think they are just being dramatic/attention seeking for worrying about this stuff the fact is that they can't trust their own judgement with their symptoms like we can. And that then adds to their paranoia so cut op some slack. You can be straight without being nasty.

I get that I really do, my point being, I think we have all forgotten how bloody ill colds and flu make us feel, I was ill at the beginning of the month, I never left my bed for 5 days, didn't wash, clean my teeth, brush my hair etc - I asked my husband to put me out of my misery more than once

Agreed

How are you OP, did 111 get back to you ?

Colds and flu can make you feel rubbish. Just try and get some sleep, nothing you are saying indicates you need treatment today. See how you feel tommorow. I know it's hard if you get anxious but rushing for medical care today is going to be tiring for you when actually what you likely need is lots of rest, water and paracetamol.

Come on OP - what happened yesterday - please update us

Any update OP ? Hope you’re ok.

Still feeling very rough today. Had an appointment with the nurse for routine bloods this morning and I came away with antibiotics for a chest infection. Hopefully they kick in quickly.

Apologies for not updating sooner - been switching broadband companies and it didn't work out quite as well as it should have!

Good news, hope you feel better soon.
My palpitations are much better now my antibiotics are working.

@QuestionableMouse Glad to hear you have some meds and hope you start to feel better soon.

@MakeMineALarge1 You may have missed it, but the OP has health anxiety. I'm sure it will be reassuring to either have things ruled out (a dose of certainty is helpful when you have anxiety) or to get to the bottom of something minor that can be easily treated. Anxiety is a real condition; it warrants a little more empathy...

Sorry @notsorich the fact the op has health anxiety is not a reason to do routine bloods.
That is an appointment that is being taken up by someone who doesn't need it. Next time someone can't get an appointment this is the reason why
Also there's a cost implication to doing bloods that aren't necessary also you're exposing the patient to potential infection.

Not sure what you're on about, the bloods were booked in three months ago to recheck my iron levels because I'm anemic and on iron tablets!

Empathising is only going to encourage this behaviour

So you went 3 month's ago as well?