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I’m ill and everyone is hysterical about it

6 replies

LetsBeSensible · 05/04/2020 00:29

Started moaning about this on the lungs thread.
Really hoping someone els can relate as am feeling quite alone in this!
I have CFS, I live alone and I’m having COVID symptoms, although they have been mild, all in all, for about 2.5 weeks.
I’m fine on my own but I’ve had to keep it quiet that I think I have it. I’m speaking to friends and family regularly and via zoom etc, a lot of them are so wound up about CV already that I did not dare tell them I thought I had it. I’ve slowly introduced it into conversation with some, especially as I was recovering a bit, but even then people are crying, wanting to FaceTime right away, wanting to come and bring things round or talk to me through the window.
I’m used to being ill at home alone for weeks with CFS (usually everyone else is at work). I have stockpiles of food and meds. I don’t need anything. And I’m tired. I get tired talking. I’m talking to so many people now as everyone is at home. And so many texts, asking if I’ve eaten, what my temp is, am I drinking enough, am I better, the advice says blah blah

The other night I had breathing difficulty and rang 111 who sent an ambulance. My oxygen sats were ok, they didn’t need to take me in. I can’t tell anyone this happened. They will be even more hysterical if they know this. I told one v sensible friend.

I feel so sad, today I packed an emergency bag in case I do end up in hospital, and put my friend’s number on my phone lock screen as ICE contact. It s a bit worrying, and I’m upset that the people who should be supporting me are making it more difficult with their “concern” and their own anxiety.

Any sympathy or empathy greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
MrsRhettButler · 05/04/2020 00:42

Fussers really annoy me too, I'm surrounded by them and I understand completely when you say it's affecting their ability to actually be of any support to you. I don't have any underlying health problems other than I almost died from pneumonia 5 years ago so I can't compare myself to your situation but you've done the right thing, you have everything in place for if you do need to be taken in and that's all you can do at this point.
If you have one sensible friend I would suggest just carry on talking to that person only in regards to your health.
Try to keep positive thinking within yourself and banish any scary thoughts as soon as they enter your head Smile

ViciousJackdaw · 05/04/2020 01:23

If you were my friend or sister, I'd be scared shitless about you so I get where they are coming from but at the same time, it's exhausting having to deal with other peoples worry when you've got enough of your own. It's obvious that there are plenty of people who love you though, that's nice.

Do you use social media? If so, could you post a little update 1-2 times a day for everyone to see?

Hope this eases up for you soon Flowers

BlankTimes · 05/04/2020 02:08

People are concerned that you are alone and could become so ill that
you couldn't ask for help.

Perhaps a general message on Zoom (don't know how it works, sorry) to say you're fine but very tired and reassuring individuals is making you worse right now, so please don't contact you directly, but use Jackdaw's suggestion that you'll update on Zoom twice a day so everyone knows you're still around. Flowers

LetsBeSensible · 05/04/2020 08:24

@MrsRhettButler Fussers! That’s exactly what they are just now, that made me laugh
@ViciousJackdaw @BlankTimes thanks, should appreciate that I have lots of people who care (even if it’s quite exhausting)
I’m posting through the day on Social Media just so people know I’m still breathing! I didn’t declare I have CV as there are some people who don’t know and I don’t want to “set them off”.
Yesterday I was asleep around 2 hours after my usual wake up time (coz I am ill) and was woken by the phone going crazy as I hadn’t answered any texts for an hour or so.

OP posts:
BadgertheBodger · 05/04/2020 08:29

I’d be very tempted to send a group text out along the lines of:

Hi all, thanks for all the lovely messages and calls but I’m finding it a bit exhausting to keep up with everyone and to be honest I need to just focus on getting well. If I don’t reply to you please don’t worry, I’ve got X down as an emergency contact and she will update you if anything serious happens. In the meantime, I’d love a bit of distraction so if you’ve got any links to funny stories send them my way!

Might just reassure them enough to leave you be a bit?

MrsRhettButler · 05/04/2020 11:29

Badger that's a good suggestion, also reminding people to stop with the doom and gloom

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