Scared

[saturdaymorning]

I'm panicking about coronavirus and making myself sick with worry. I have a history of chest related illnesses, every year I get a chest infection and struggle to breathe. I have inhalers and use my Fostair morning and night. A few days ago I got a sore throat headache etc but after a day or so it went. Tonight I've started with what feels like blocked ears and another sore throat. I feel nasal drip at the back of my throat and I know with experience what follows is a chest infection and being hospitalised. I've got 2 children 16 and 5 and my husband is at home with me. I don't have a temp nor do I have a cough although I have coughed couple times tonight but it's not a lot. I've taken some antihistamines but sat up in bed having a major panic attack that things are going to get worse and I will die. I'm so scared my heart is beating really fast. I don't know what to do, I suppose my symptoms aren't solid at the moment and I'm waiting for them to appear. I'm panicking so much please help.

DD uses this video for panic first aid;

m.youtube.com/watch?v=vXZ5l7G6T2I

I’ve a similar chest history (asthma) & have been hitting the fostair (and decongestants, vitamins, olbas...) quite hard this week and have burning lungs but no other symptoms.

So I am choosing to believe I’m getting a mild dose and having hot showers or olbas baths two or three times a day to ease the symptoms.

I am also taking lockdown very seriously.

Even with respiratory history, the odds are on our side.

Thank you Arrietty, I will look at that. I have tried several calming apps, music etc but nothing seems to be helping. I'm waiting for my symptoms to appear and as I type my throat is getting worse which is making me panic more xx

The video just helps correct the immediate over breathing/panic.

Would a steamy bathroom help with the physical symptoms?

I've also been taking lockdown seriously but had to get items for elderly parents today just from corner shop. I wore protective mask gloves etc and washed as soon as I got back, leaving shoes at door. We are doing all the right things but I'm wondering if maybe I picked the virus up before lockdown and now it's starting to show.

It is comforting to know someone with a similar health history is coping.

The media is not helping and I have switched off all notifications for news apps etc but because I'm actually feeling these symptoms is scaring me xx

Would a steamy bathroom help with the physical symptoms?

Yes maybe, I'll see how I go. My throat feels as though it is burning but I have no temperature x

Did you see the Oxford Uni epidemiological modelling that suggested half the U.K. population has already had it? It’s been debated back and forth but a fair number of experts seem to think a decent chunk of the population have had a mild dose and moved out the other side.

It seemed credible to me, regardless of the exact proportion of the population.

The other thing that has been reported by several sources is that vitamin D3 is very helpful in giving protection and that most of us are deficient. So I threw that in to my regime.

I suppose I’m saying a magpie approach is working to help me not worry too much.

The media is not helping and I have switched off all notifications for news apps

Me too. No social media (other than MN) for me either. I don’t need the sensationalism,

Even with respiratory history, the odds are on our side.

This has made me a lot calmer, I will keep this in my head, thank you.