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Bronchitis.....Increased Anxiety

Posted , 9 users are following.

wearykitty
wearykitty

Hello my lovely virtual sisters....I have another non-menopause issue that I wanted to run by you....I saw my doctor on Tuesday because the cold I had was getting worse (seemed to be settling in my chest)...he examined me, ruled out pneumonia, and diagnosed bronchitis...my vital signs were all very normal and no fever...all good news, right? I've had bronchitis before and have no reason to be anxious about it....but here I am, in full-blown health anxiety state....I had made such good progress and am so frustrated that I'm back to thinking that this illness must be something more sinister...I've even googled my symptoms which I haven't done in a long time....I just feel so tired and "off"...does anyone else find that their anxiety comes back or gets worse when they're sick? I'm sure I'm just exhausted, but I can't get myself settled down enough to sleep....ugh. sad

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • mel64317
    mel64317 wearykitty

    Posted

    Ooo yes, so easy to 'over think" things while unwell and when the menopause is in full swing ! The anxiety is terribly heightened....

    think it's part of the sort of "brain freeze " you get with it too....my buddies and I try to make a joke of it....it minimises it somehow and allows it not to be in charge of you....when we forget a word/ phrase/ or what the hell we were talking about ?? We site " meno-speak" or "meno-brain" and when upset and stressed look first at how we feel and figure.....hey...let's look at this again tomorrow ?! 

    my advice...keep your friends around you and keep talking ! Try to laugh at this ridiculous phase of our lives.....and know it DOES eventually get better......but seek help if it's overwhelming you ! With medical advances.....We DO NOT need or deserve to feel like this any more....

    Best wishes hun..

    • caroleUJ62
      caroleUJ62 mel64317

      Posted

      Hi,

      I am so glad that someone else has mentioned this 'brain freeze' thing.

      I do keep forgetting stuff which easily came to mind before. 

      My trouble is that the enormous levels of anxiety I get about it make it even worse, so I forget more, and in the end I just think I may as well give up and check myself in some of home for the mentally feeble.

      I'm 53 next week, and am in the perimenopause big time, and for the last few months have thought I've had one serious illness after another.

      It all started when my doctor sent me for a colonoscopy and endoscopy because I was very anaemic.  The tests from this came back fine.  Unfortunately, due to my own mistakes in the past I dont have any real friends where I live.

      I really need to join some social groups, but have no self confidence.

       

    • mel64317
      mel64317 caroleUJ62

      Posted

      Maybe you could join a dance class or maybe Zumba? !its amazingly " feel good" ...you can join as a single, SOOO many different types in a lot of areas... They don't expect you to do it all straight away, or even at all ! it's at your own pace.....its a lot of fun, and you meet like minded people....and the ice is broken...you're ALL making fools of yourselves......it'll make you laugh ! The greatest healer in the world.....
  • jennifer85396
    jennifer85396 wearykitty

    Posted

    Hello Wearykitty,  I can definatley relate to what you are saying.  I had Bronchitis last month and was Googling and obsessing and started to get increased anxiety.  Bronchitis is very common this time of year, allergies play a big role in it.  It truly is a chest cold that is probably bacterial. This is truly nothing to worry about, you went to the doctor to rule out Pneumonia .  You will be fine, just be good to yourself and take care of yourself.  When we are sick our immunity is comprimised which can throw us back into old habits and open us up to our anxiety.  Try not to Google anymore, try to keep your mind busy. Talk on the phone to friends and drink plenty of fluids, and get plenty of rest.  As you feel better you will start to feel stronger and more in control.  Good Luck to youwink

     

  • helen95781
    helen95781 wearykitty

    Posted

    Hi Wearykitty.

    I can fully relate to what you are going through. I have a nasty chesty cough at the moment and have been under the weather for a couple of weeks now.

    The other day my head hurt and because I am hypertensive I took my blood pressure. BIG mistake. It was up because of the virus but I got anxious and the more anxious I got the higher the blood pressure went. I then had a panic attack and spent the next two days taking diazepam to calm me down. The first night it happened I had palpatations all through the night.

    Today is day three since it happened and im a lot calmer but cannot quite shake off all the anxiety. I check my pulse and blood pressure. I don't know if you get this but feel light headed too and congested in my head and ears. Logically I know it's just the virus but am finding it hard to stop worrying.

    It's not as if I am consciously worrying, it's just "there".

    Take some time to relax and have you time.

    Hope you feel better soon

    Helen.

    • wearykitty
      wearykitty helen95781

      Posted

      Hi Helen....thanks for the reply. my biggest source of anxiety at the moment is the weird, "spacey" feeling in my head....not dizzy, and not exactly lightheaded either, just feels not quite right...of course, I've got myself convinced that I'm in the throes of heart failure or a stroke or some other catastrophic ailment. I keep telling myself to relax and get some rest (which is probably what I need), but that's easier said than done....I hate feeling this way!
    • helen95781
      helen95781 wearykitty

      Posted

      I know what you mean. I'm sat here now and keep feeling "spaced" out! One minute I feel normal then I feel light headed and dizzy. Think I'm going back to docs soon.

      Take comfort in the fact you are not on your own. I know I do.

      Big hugs.

      Helen.

  • bev14365
    bev14365 wearykitty

    Posted

    Hi omg i can so relate to you this week ive had cold settled on my chest coughing terrible doctor says its not a chest infection but its takin ages to clear iv been on google thats it im dying woke up this morning in a panic attack omg i hate menapause xx
  • nancy0925
    nancy0925 wearykitty

    Posted

    Wearykitty,

    I'm thinking this is pretty normal for you too feel even more anxious even when you get something normal like a cold. I never feared my health until I hit my 40's. Had major surgery after having a rupture colon due to diverticulitis and had to have another surgery years later. That was ok actually but then I started having perimenopause symptoms which made me think I had heart problems but of suddenly feeling like I couldn't breathe right and would get light headed. Then I would feel like my sugar was taking a plunge but my periods were normal except heavy bleeding. But now that I'm 52 and my symptoms started getting worse in 2014 it started making me feel even more worried about any little ache, pain or anthing that felt abnormal. I was convinced I was an unhealthy person. But I started doing research on perimenopause, taking supplements and realizing that I'm not unhealthy, I'm simply going through a very natural change that unfortunatley can have some terrible side effects. I take a lot of vitamin supplements now and I have to say I feel more in control of my body. I push through the anxiety. I know its easier said than done but mind over matter really does help. Of course you do not want to neglect getting checked out if you really feel something is wrong. I still have bad days as I'm nearing menopause but I'm finding it easier to get through it. Take care of yourself sista...it will be okay. We are all going through it and you know what? We will all survive! XOXOXOX

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