Anxious, alone and need to share

[NervousBohemian]

I know this seems really trivial but I absolutely can't cope when my children are ill. I don't cope when I'm ill either but I turn into a complete wreck when it's one of those.

I'm on my own with two boys (12 & 7). My 7 y/o has been in bed since 20:30 and although he felt warm I wasn't overly concerned. I've checked on hom before I've come to bed and again since. Obviously it's unseasonably hot so windows are open and he's had a fan in his room. Just checked hom and he hadn't cooled down so I checked his temperature and it was 38.7!

He was fine before bed. Although a little more tired (but, it's the first week back to school and the weather doesn't help), no vomiting or cold symptoms, sore throat etc. He is just quite literally burning up. I've move him to my bed so I can keep an eye on him and I gave him calpol at midnight.

This is the only time I ever wish I had partner living with me. Does anyone else get this type of anxiety when their kids are poorly?? I feel so unreasonable

You are doing all the right things, it's hard when they are ill isn't it? You can keep a close eye on him if he's in with you so try to get some rest. I hope he is better soon.

Hi @NervousBohemian
You're not alone, I get so anxious xx
Pre baby i was a care free person but omg now i'm the total opposite. You're doing exactly what i would do xx

What is he wearing?

Lose the blankets and put a fan on, keep the doors open to circulate air

Thank you so much for the replies. It helps knowing you're not alone. My mind automatically thinks the worst. I checked his temp again at 3.30am and it had come down to 37.4 😁 but by 6:30am it had shot back up to 39!
Just given him some more calpol. He says he feels OK but has a headache and isn't hungry.... he's chatty and alert. I'll try nip out later to get some nurofen.

@PeopleAreWeird he's just wearing a pair of pj shorts with a light cover. Kept the windows open all night. I'm always afraid of cooling them down too quickly 🙄 he keeps telling me he's cold.

I used to be like this but now they're older I don't really care about temps anymore, they have had zillions of bugs from school and nursery so I think I've just been conditioned to it. Vomiting is another thing altogether! 38.7 is not really that high for a seven year old, and if he's alert etc and it's coming down with calpol there's not much to worry about. Hope he feels better this morning.

Hello I understand this, I get very anxious when my children are ill. I have poor health myself and I think it sets me worrying in case it’s something more serious. Mainly I came on to say that when one of my kids had strep a and was really really hot the Gp told us to take off his clothes and open the windows and it was like magic - he suddenly was so much more alert and seemed better from the fresh air. So I think that the cooling them down too quickly would only be from dunking them in a cold bath or something.

@Brunonononooo yes I've done this. It's so muggy at the moment aswell which doesn't help. I've also got a fan in the room to help circulate air. He's really bright in himself. Just says he's a bit headachey and his legs feel a bit tired.

You would think by now I'd be better at coping.

Bless you OP, I'm exactly the same! This is what they don't tell you BEFORE you have a baby, how stressful life is with every temperature / sore throat / sickness bug! I'm wondering if your LO has Covid? I remember my DS had a headache (and he NEVER gets headaches) at school on the Monday and felt really dizzy. Felt a bit warm on the Tuesday and coughed once on the Wednesday - I did a Covid test and he was so + the bottom line was like black ink! I hope he feels better soon, but remember, you are not alone xx

Edit: Typo

Thanks @bluebellsanddaisies23 I'll pick up a test later so I can check for covid. He's actually just told me he feels dizzy.
I used to be so laid back and care free. Now, any little illness seems to trigger me.

Hello OP. I hope your son is feeling better today. I am experiencing similar with my four year old, he has had a slight cough and if I didn’t take his temperature I wouldn’t have known he also has a fever because there aren’t really any other symptoms. Usually you can tell when kids are ill because they’re off their food, whinging, not able to sleep, runny nose etc but with this there’s nothing obvious so my mind is spiralling out of control worrying that it’s something serious. I’m worried that he might have had this low grade fever for a while and I’ve only just realised and what does it mean etc….

Like you I’m either worried about my own health, or my kids or another family member and it’s literally draining every ounce of energy out of me. I feel alone a lot too but coming across threads like this helps me feel a bit better that there are others who understand what we are going through.

@MothersJumpers it's horrible isn't it. It's as if my mind doesn't recognise normal symptoms or sensations anymore. So, I'm constantly overthinking and panicking.

My son is a bit better. His temp has stayed around 37.8 for most of the day. I've been giving calpol and nurofen and trying to keep him cool. He's bright and chatty and his headache, dizziness and aching legs have all gone. I'm beginning to think it's mild heat exhaustion. He's drinking so much as if he's dehydrated. He's also told me that every afternoon this week his class have walked a daily mile.

I really hope your little boy feels better soon. I was trying to get a covid test earlier but couldn't find any. Have you checked your little one? It is exhausting carrying all this anxiety xx

@NervousBohemian Ah really glad he’s feeling better today and I pray the temp continues to come down to normal. This heat isn’t helping either is it? That’s superb that he’s drinking a lot of fluids. I have to coax and bribe my son to even have a sip! The sore legs must be from the daily walks, hopefully it’s cooler next week otherwise walking in this heat doesn’t sound like much fun!

Covid test is a good shout and I thought I had some lft tests somewhere in the back of a cupboard but haven’t been able to find them. I’ve been having such a panicky day today that I couldn’t even get on to Amazon to order some more! Are they all out on Amazon?

What you said about not recognising normal symptoms anymore really struck home. That’s exactly how I feel and unfortunately the last couple of weeks it’s got worse and worse. I’m in the middle of CBT and it’s helped in some things like less Googling but I think need to work more on trying to lessen that instant panic and anguish whenever I or the kids start displaying a new symptom.

Hopefully better days ahead for all of us.

@MothersJumpers it helps knowing that I'm not the only one out there who panics about normal symptoms. He's asleep now and his temperature has been much better. I've just checked him and its 36.6. This is where I have to put the thermometer away and leave him alone - easier said than done!

If he hadn't been drinking I'd have been even more panicky. LFTs possibly are out on amazon with the new school term starting...? How is he now? You could try ice lollies. I hope you manage to have a restful night and your little one feels better tomorrow.

As I said I can be fine for a bit then all of a sudden BAM! It's the utter feeling of self doubt that creeps in. That something must be wrong with me, or are my children OK. I wouldn't wish anxiety on anyone.

@NervousBohemian So sorry for the late reply. How are you and how is your son? I hope he’s much better now.

My son ended up on antibiotics as GP said his throat was a bit red. He did get a lot better and the temperature came right down but now 2 days after finishing the course, he has another fever! Not sure what’s going on and I’m starting to worry again!