I can’t get out of bed

[fireflylanegirls]

I feel like my life is over. I literally couldn’t get out of bed this morning, the way I feel is just too bad.

I spent over a year worrying about Covid, not just worrying, obsessing.
Panic attacks, sleepless nights, I couldn’t focus on my family life, couldn’t concentrate because of the worry.

I was finally vaccinated and although initially I didn’t feel any better, within a few weeks i started to feel so much happier.

Then the shit news comes about the clots from the vaccine.

I feel absolutely numb. I’ve spent the last 24hours just crying. I wish I’d never had the vaccine now.
It’s been 4 weeks and I’m such a nervous wreck.

My husband has had to drop our son at my mother in laws today because I’m in no fit state to look after him.

I’ve called my GP and have been told to increase my Sertraline to 100mg.

I absolutely hate living with this fear.

I knew this vaccine was too good to be true 😩

I feel for you OP - I have been in the same situation with my anxiety. I convinced myself I had a brain tumour due to headaches and had numerous testing done. All was clear.

I was eventually diagnosed with GAD (general anxiety disorder) and had NHS therapy which was fantastic.

What I'm trying to say is, you do have an illness, and it's awful to live with BUT listen to the professionals. I hope the GP can reassure you today and you can quickly increase the CBT sessions to help.

@Boomchicka

Last time you were nitpicking about being a day short of 3 weeks post vaccine. You KNOW that once you get past the imaginary blood clot you'll be onto the next thing. If you have a blood clot I will personally send you flowers and apologise unreservedly. But you don't.

@Boomchicka

How could you possibly know that...? Are you a Dr?

NHS website says if you have a headache 1-4 weeks post vaccine, seek medical advice.

You can’t possibly tell me I don’t have one, because you just don’t know that!

Oh fgs if you think you have a blood clot, go to the hospital.

@AcornAutumn

Gwen many are against them now. A friend lost her husband last year and was refused them. It's a whole other thread/rant.

That's awful. I've found them a kind of life-saver (not that my life was ever at risk, but my ability to function properly was) and have never had trouble coming off them. I'm surprised they're refusing them even for people in mourning. It will just push people to self-medicate with drink and illegal drugs.

Maybe have a bath and some wine? Read a book? Do something other than consume media/internet

OP your headache is most likely caused by the stress you are placing upon yourself.
It’s very unlikely (as in a tiny tiny %) that it could be a clot, but of course the hospital will be able to confirm that).

It is far more like likely that the headache is being brought on by you incessant worrying and anxiety. Your overactive mind is manifesting itself in physical form.

You can’t carry on like this. You have to find something that will stop your thoughts.

You know you are in charge of your thoughts yes? You know you can just say “NOPE” and give them no time and energy.

This sounds dismissive but it is not. You don’t need to convert your thoughts to something more positive, you can literally take that anxious thought which pops into your head and say “no, not true”

You are giving your thoughts power. They aren’t true, it is not likely you will die from a blood clot, it is not likely that you will (or would have) died from covid. None of these things present significant risk to you.

With all due respect you are choosing this. You CAN stop your thoughts. You can stop them by looking at the cold light of day that it is YOUR OWN THOUGHTS which are hurting you.

It must be terrible to exist in this place of extreme anxiety but only you can stop it. By stop listening to these thoughts you’re making up.

Tell yourself - no that’s not true and I’m not going to give it any credence. Keep saying it and keep repeating it and it will become your mantra.

Good luck OP, I really do feel for you

@CirqueDeMorgue

Oh fgs if you think you have a blood clot, go to the hospital.

This. You must know deep down you don't have a blood clot as you would have seeked medical help by now if you really thought you did. Nobody can reassure you on here

@CirqueDeMorgue

Oh fgs if you think you have a blood clot, go to the hospital.

@CirqueDeMorgue

I don’t want to go to the hospital. I’m
Scared of catching Covid. 😔

Ok, you've convinced me. 999 NOW!

What does that change?

@fireflylanegirls if you genuinely have concerns that you have symptoms of a blood clot why haven’t you presented to A&E? Deep down you know you don’t have a blood clot and this is why 2 days later you’ve not sought help for a blood clot. Try and remember that for some reassurance.

A severe headache will be comparable to a migraine or thunderclap headache.
If you can watch tele, tolerate noise you haven’t got a severe headache.

Anxiety headaches are awful and are caused by tension usually in the back of the neck/shoulders. Side of the temples and above eyes are also common for anxiety headaches.

The current advice is:

Patients should seek medical assistance immediately if they have the following symptoms

shortness of breath
chest pain
swelling in your leg
persistent abdominal (belly) pain
neurological symptoms, including severe and persistent headaches or blurred vision
tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the site of injection

So why is the NHS advising that you seek medical advice if you have a headache up to 4 weeks post vaccination?

I would imagine they're being cautious, but if everyone who had a headache within 4 weeks of having the jab sought medical advice the NHS would be inundated.

Please do as everyone is suggesting and shut this down and go and try to enjoy some time with your DH and DS.

It's so sad to read and I've nothing to say that hasn't already been suggested. I hope you get the help you need.
To be honest if I lay in bed all day worrying I'd probably have a headache too. If you can get outside for some fresh air you'll start to feel a bit better, maybe alleviate some of your anxiety for a little while.

There are so many, far more common , reasons for a headache including anxiety, eye strain, blood pressure, stress, fatigue, low fluid intake - all of which you have experienced. Have you taken paracetamol, did it help?

Well either you're too scared to go to the hospital or your worries are severe enough to overcome that fear.

Either way I think you need to get off the internet which doesn't seem to be helping you.

Has the GP called yet? Hope it won't be too long before they get in touch.

FGS have you called 111 yet or gone to the hospital?

The only way you’ll know whether you really might have a blood clot is if you actually seek medical attention.

What good is waiting around working yourself up actually doing?!

@LIZS

There are so many, far more common , reasons for a headache including anxiety, eye strain, blood pressure, stress, fatigue, low fluid intake - all of which you have experienced. Have you taken paracetamol, did it help?

@LIZS

I’ve taken paracetamol and ibuprofen.
It’s taken the edge off but I can still feel the pressure across my eyes and in my temples.

It’s not a pain, it’s a pressure.

Honest to god woman get a grip. You are giving yourself a headache. The vaccine has nothing to do with it. You need help for anxiety not for blood clots and headaches.

You can’t function like this.. the ADs will make things worse to start with and CBT takes time.. if you are currently unable to get out of bed or do normal daily tasks you need to sought further help from GP maybe in the form of some sedatives to give your mind some breathing space. It’s awful anxiety but it needs to be treated correctly.. throwing ADs at everything isn’t the answer.

@waterlego

Has the GP called yet? Hope it won't be too long before they get in touch.

@waterlego

Nope. I’ve just called them now to chase up my call back.

I’ve been assured it will be today.

Also all these symptoms you are experiencing are anxiety related.. please please go now and get some help as an emergency from your GP or out of hours.

Maybe try a herbal Kalms tablet at bedtime (as long as they don't conflict with your other medication).

I say this in the nicest possible way....with this level of health anxiety you really need a psychiatrist, not a GP.

The GP needs to refer you to a specialist mental health professional.

This is not 'GP level' of anxiety. They shouldn't be continuing to treat this without referral anymore than they should try to continue treating a serious physical health issue without referral.

Can you ask the GP to refer you on to a mental health specialist?

@wheresmymojo

I say this in the nicest possible way....with this level of health anxiety you really need a psychiatrist, not a GP.

The GP needs to refer you to a specialist mental health professional.

This is not 'GP level' of anxiety. They shouldn't be continuing to treat this without referral anymore than they should try to continue treating a serious physical health issue without referral.

Can you ask the GP to refer you on to a mental health specialist?

@wheresmymojo

I will ask them.

As for the headache, you most likely have a tension headache from the stress caused by your health anxiety. Tension headaches feel exactly like your description.