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Covid

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Original poster

Lone parent of disabled DD and think I have covid

49 replies

AloneWithCovid · 07/10/2021 19:46

I am so very scared

Sent my pcr off today following a positive lateral, and just feel like shit. Cough isnt too bad but my head feels like a hammer is thumping at it. Slight temperature and 1 episode of diarrhea so far.

I have never felt so scared for my DDs as I do right now. My health isnt great to start with - I am frequently in and out of hospital and have a potentially life limiting illness. Add covid into the mix and I am terrified and wondering if I could be so bold as to ask for a hand to hold, and somewhere to check in? I have very limited family due to a difficult childhood, my only relative is over 300 miles away.

I have adult DD who, although has disabilities, is actually managing life much better at the moment mainly due to a specific local charity input. She goes there twice a week, but I cant get her there now due to covid and I worry for her coping skills.

Younger DD is just starting her GCSE years, and prior to the pandemic, my goal was to see her through her school years. That still stands but seems very much less likely (other health stuff not covid) but now I worry that I am not going to be around. I dont have health anxiety as such, but I do have long standing depression and anxiety so I guess it is spilling over.

My BMI is 41, I only managed to get it down from 47 since last year as my exercise options are limited. I dont know if anyone will reply, but I am currently isolating in my bedroom as I desperately dont want DDs to catch it

OP posts:

AlexaShutUp · 08/10/2021 10:31

Glad you're feeling better @AloneWithCovid.

alreadytaken · 08/10/2021 12:07

whether its covid or not staying apart from the children when you can may prevent them getting it.

People can feel well but have low oxygen, so keep an eye on that still. Glad you're feeling a bit better.

Wingingit15 · 08/10/2021 14:27

Just sending a virtual hand hold, OP. Also a single parent and understand the anxiety being any kind of ill brings.

Original poster

AloneWithCovid · 09/10/2021 04:06

Thanks Wing it really does bring home the isolation

I have just had the PCR result through, positive. I say just, i got the email a couple of hours ago and have been imagining the worst since then.

But, I am trying not to let my anxiety manifest itself into symptoms that I don’t actually have. Temp has not been above 36.5 since the beginning of the week, Sats are mainly 97/98 (one blip at 95/96 but have since gone back up) and it still just feels like a heavy cold.

I now need to sort out the practicals - we have a couple of home made freezer meals in but will need to order more. DD1 can’t use the kitchen unsupervised and while DD2 is a good help, I don’t really want her to shoulder the weight of responsibility. A few days of Tesco ready meals won’t hurt, will it?!

OP posts:

MinesAPintOfTea · 09/10/2021 05:00

Tesco ready meals sounds fine. DS is on a diet of pizza and chicken nuggets with chips here while I’m not up to cooking properly. For now, all of you fed is good enough

Whatamuddleduck · 09/10/2021 05:42

OP are you registered with your local carers center? As you are a carer for your daughters they should be able to support. Our local one has been great at supporting carers who have caught COVID; daily checking to see how things are going, helping to make sure the bits the carer can’t do are arranged some how, meal drops etc. I don’t know if yours might be as good but it might be worth ringing to see what they can offer? It sounds like just having someone local checking in might be a great reassurance? X

Original poster

AloneWithCovid · 09/10/2021 07:30

@Whatamuddleduck

That sounds exactly what the carers group in my old borough offered, they were amazing and offered so much support even before Covid that I would have been lost without them.

Sadly my new borough doesn’t match up, I don’t even think they put me on their books following a home visit they did, which was mainly to get DD2 registered as a young carer. They wouldn’t do that either as DD has a very full and active social life what with school and sports clubs, so as she couldn’t manage to fit in any of the carer groups, they said it would mess up theur targets if they had a young carer on their books who didn’t attend anytjing!

OP posts:

IAmSantaOhYesIAm · 09/10/2021 07:43

It’s so hard being a lone parent without the added stresses of having children with disabilities and then to add being ill on top of that, it’s so much to manage.
Can I just say that the tone of your posts, although I can tell you are worried, are actually positive and I can tell you are not a person to dwell on the negative side of life. I bet you are a super role model for your children.
I hope you feel better soon, that Covid isn’t too bad for you and that this time in your life will be one you can reflect on and see you can cope with whatever life throws at you!
for you and hot chocolate for the kids!

Original poster

AloneWithCovid · 09/10/2021 13:04

Thanks @IAmSantaOhYesIAm I certainly dont feel positive though I have had a bit of a breakdown this morning in my room and generally just feeling weak and scared.

On the plus side, DD has managed to slice a tomato this morning for our lunch of sandwiches - not your usual slices but hey, she's got her own style

OP posts:

ParkheadParadise · 09/10/2021 13:15

When I tested positive I received a call from my local council asking if I needed any help with anything( luckily I didn't) my sister also received the same call. Does your council offer that service. In Scotland, we have a Covid helpline.
Hope you feeling better soon.

Original poster

AloneWithCovid · 09/10/2021 14:20

I did tick the box for needing support on the track and trace form so I’m hoping that will trigger something. If not I’ll contact DDs charity on Monday.

I’m struggling a bit now Sats are still normal (thank god for the pulse ox) but pulse keeps going up - which is when I use the pulse ox. I think pulse issue is just anxiety but I just feel strange. Not overly anxious but a bit spaced out. Sorry, I’m probably not making much sense!

OP posts:

alreadytaken · 09/10/2021 15:59

Anxiety can sometimes be helped by making sure you have enough magnesium - and it's a great excuse for a few squares of dark chocolate. Breathing exercises are a good way to calm down.

If there is a local facebook page for your area I know anyone posting on ours would be able to get ready meals delivered if necessary. A few days of those wont hurt. We have canned soup in the cupboard in case we cant cook, nothing wrong with that either.

MsSquishy · 09/10/2021 16:52

Hope you feel better soon if you are on Facebook I have seen a few COVID relate community groups with people willing to help

Original poster

AloneWithCovid · 09/10/2021 17:23

Re Facebook help, I dont actually know what I would ask for. For example, I have a food shop being delivered tomorrow morning which DDs will sort and put away. I have included easy roast chicken, roast potatoes, prepared veg etc for lunch, but I think even that may be a step too far. DD1 cant and DD2 can prepare etc but is scared of taking things out of the oven. I think she will do it as shes knows theres no option not to, but I worry I am not being fair on her.

We have enough meds in the house. I think my biggest fear though is that DD1 needs one of her frequent emergency trips to hospital - then we would be entirely stuffed

OP posts:

alreadytaken · 09/10/2021 17:43

If your daughter needs an emergency trip to hospital you call an ambulance. Or you post now on a Facebook page and ask people to message you if they have perhaps had covid already and would be willing to help with that if needed. We have some local anti-vax nutters who would probably do it, after all they arent scared of covid.

I havent had covid so wouldnt want to take a sick child but I am double vaxed so I might if an ambulance was delayed/unavailable, both of us wearing good masks and windows open. I wouldnt have a car seat.

Wingingit15 · 13/10/2021 19:55

How are you doing@AloneWithCovid?

Original poster

AloneWithCovid · 14/10/2021 00:32

@Wingingit15 thanks for thinking of me Truth is, I’m not actually too sure how I’m doing. Temp, pulse and Sats are all pretty much normal for me, apart from a couple of blips. But, I just don’t feel right, particularly when lying down. Its hard to explain, but I feel so giddy and weak when lying - particularly on my left side. It’s not like the vertigo I experienced a few months ago, it’s more like I’m going to pass out. I’m wondering if it may be anxiety, so I’m going to ask my GP to review my meds.

DDs are managing ok for the most part, I think I’m going to be bankrupt after all the taxis though!

I did get a phone call from the LA asking if I needed any shopping or prescriptions, I said I was fine for those and explained the help that I did need but they said they only helped with shopping and prescriptions so we’ve pretty much been on our own.

OP posts:

alreadytaken · 15/10/2021 11:21

The dizziness this time could be benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. You could try the exercises here to see if they help www.swbh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Audiology-Brandt-Daroff-Exercises-ML6446.pdf

It often goes away by itself but that can take several weeks.

Sugarandtime · 15/10/2021 12:22

@alreadytaken

“We have some local anti -vax nutters who would probably do it, after all they aren’t scared of COVID”

My God, what a shocking thing to say.

alreadytaken · 15/10/2021 17:37

Shocks me that they are still so deluded. Obviously some of them have had covid, they dont seem to realise they may get reinfected by Delta. .

Mymapuddlington · 15/10/2021 17:40

Hi, I’m in a similar boat at the moment.

Have a look on Facebook where you live as there’s a lot of community support available in most places. Hope you feel better soon

Mymapuddlington · 15/10/2021 17:43

@alreadytaken some don’t want injections constantly, boosters a few months after the second vaccine, new variants, trials ongoing for other vaccines. With a 99% survival rate if people aren’t classed as vulnerable why shouldn’t they choose not to vaccinate themselves?
If the vaccine was so good why is everyone obsessed with those who aren’t having it? People should just mind their own business (that goes for the vocal, protesting anti vaxxers as well)

alreadytaken · 16/10/2021 09:41

No point in taggging me, myma, I have notifications turned off. People can choose what they please - and bear the consequences. ICUs are full of the unvaccinated, babies have died and children been left motherless. Fortunately the OP had the sense to be vaccinated so doesnt need to hear from the stupid.

Sugarandtime · 16/10/2021 17:53

@alreadytaken

The government technical reports do state that the most deaths are from those who have had the injections. Regardless of who has and hasn’t had the injections please don’t be one of those people who has fallen for what the media has been doing and creating this awful divide in society. It’s extremely unpleasant when people take to calling others nasty names. People should all be helping each other. I suppose if you need urgent help and the only person available hasn’t had the injections for whatever reason you will bear the consequences by refusing their kind help.

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