AIBU to jump to sepsis?

[MummaHud]

I’ve had a cough and a stuffy nose for about 7 days now, I felt really ill 3/4 days ago - but yesterday I feel a lot better, just some face pressure and the nose has started to run..

My upper back is tight but doesn’t feel chest related.

I keep getting heart palpitations but I don’t know if this is anxiety related, as my husbands Apple Watch goes to 75bpm when I’m at rest, and up to like 110bpm when I’m moving / cleaning the house.

I’m able to do normal activities.

I spoke to a GP on the phone as they don’t have any face to face appointments and they think it’s upper respiratory / sinusitis and have prescribed me with antibiotics.

I lost a friend many years ago to sepsis due to complications of influenza & my mind is going to ‘what if it’s sepsis and I’m going to leave my kids’

It’s never ending worry. I suffer with health anxiety which I’m seeking treatment for, my son was born and nearly lost his life and was intensive care for some time 18 months ago, so it’s been a huge trigger any illness

Nothing in what you’ve written says sepsis. My heart rate does the same when I’m not ill. I think this is likely health anxiety - which I’ve had myself and can feel awful. Are you able to do something to take your mind off how you are feeling for a short while to see if that makes you feel better?

If you’re able to do normal activities it’s not sepsis. My baby also had sepsis and was saved at 11 months as I stopped listening to GPs and walk ins and just took her to a&e. I get just how scary that is and I’m sorry you’re struggling with the trauma from it. But you are not a baby: you are able to describe how you are feeling. If you’re feeling suddenly much worse and unable to function as normal, go to a&e if you feel you need blood testing. The chances are you just have the super flu.

Doesn’t sound like sepsis. Heart rate is normal. Screams health anxiety.

I don’t think it sounds like sepsis. Your heart rate increase isn’t super high and most likely your anxiety is contributing to it?

I’ve had spesis. I felt like death, couldn’t wee, couldn’t do normal activities and struggled to walk up stairs without thinking I was going to pass out.

Why would it be sepsis?

a temperature will indicate infection

you don’t even seem to be particularly ill- a cough cold for a week and a sore back?

it’s your health anxiety

Doesn't sound like sepsis. Always best to keep an eye though.

My son had sepsis last year and it almost killed him, I watch him like a hawk when he's poorly for any symptoms now.

People with sepsis are literally on deaths door. You certainly wouldn’t be in a fit state to check your heart rate on an Apple Watch.

• acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
• blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
• a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it
• difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast

I don’t think it’s sepsis from what you have said.

My son had sepsis last year, he was too weak to walk well let alone normal activities, he had sickness and a rash he’s a big 6ft tall lad and felt very unwell.
your symptoms don’t typically sound like sepsis but
If you go to 111 and answer the questions online, this could be helpful with any symptoms and whether you need attention, going through this made me take my son to hospital.

I think this is your health anxiety overriding your rational thinking.

There's absolutely nothing to indicate sepsis. It just sounds like a cold?

The symptoms you describe match what i had last month, "just" flu/virus infection. It's miserable and we are naturally more anxious and risk-averse when we are ill, but your symptoms dont point to sepsis.

Cut back on housework to allow for rest, medicate your symptoms as necessary and drink plenty of fluids, have hot showers/steam inhalation to clear congestion.

It's your health anxiety talking - what you've described is not indicative of sepsis, you wouldn't be going about your normal activities. You've had/still have a virus and the best things you can do are rest, keep hydrated and take painkillers/decongestant. Obviously if your symptoms worsen, then you can call 111 for advice.

If you had Sepsis you would really know about it. Having the feeling that you were going to die and having hallucinations alongside all the other horrible symptoms of Sepsis. Be grateful that you are not seriously ill.

Yabu

I've had sepsis (twice) and this doesn't sound like it.

When I had sepsis I was nowhere near well enough to wonder if I had sepsis

That’s not true, and actually an Apple Watch can be very helpful at identifying an unusually high heart rate which is a symptom of sepsis. I have had it twice, both times requiring very lengthy hospital stays and gallons of IV antibiotics, and both times I was at work only hours before I was taken to hospital. Sepsis can strike incredibly quickly.

You can’t take medical advice from the internet, I’m afraid.

you have spoken to a medical professional today and they didn’t think it was sepsis.

I think you should listen to them.

If your condition worsens, you should call 111.

If this is your health anxiety, I’m sure you are aware that this sort of thread is not very good for your mental health. All the comments will do is fuel your anxiety.

You must realise that to have had sepsis twice is rare and for both cases to have been relatively symptomless, even rarer.

Therefore, this is really not a relevant example for mii or at people, especially someone with health anxiety.

Hi OP. I get never ending upper resp infections. It sounds exactly like those. Hope you feel better soon.

Once you've had sepsis, you are more likely to get it again.

My son has had it twice too. The first time was septic shock and incredibly serious, he almost died. The second time, it was caught incredibly early and he had a temperature for a few days but didn't feel that unwell overall.

If antibiotics are used and it is caught early, it is far less likely to get serious. The issue is that it is easily missed, can be dismissed by health professionals and by the time it is discovered, it is usually well on its way to septic shock.

You have a cold

I had sepsis in July and was told that I was lucky to survive. I don't think you've got sepsis. You wouldn't be able to do normal activities, your temperature would be very high and a stuffy nose would be the very least of what would be happening.

Please get proper help with your health anxiety.

ETA temperature can be abnormally low with it too.