Got sick about 13 days ago, still feeling bad- worried it's COVID-19 and I'm losing grip.

[Tourmaline]

To make a very long story short:

- I'm 30 with no major underlying health conditions other than a very mild tricuspid valve regurgitation.
- About 13 days ago I became sick with nausea, a mild cough, and a fever which peaked at 101F around day 3 or 4.
- Multiple doctors just tell me to keep hydrated and to assume that I have Covid and to keep an eye on my symptoms, which is understandable, but the opposite of reassuring.
- Heart palpitations around days 3-6 were so disruptive they kept me awake for three nights
- Visited the hospital because of heart palpitations and inability to sleep.
- Blood work, chest x-ray, and ekg were fine
- Terrified that if I didn't have Covid, I may have gotten it in the ER despite being careful
- Temperature stays around 99.5 during the day (ear thermometer) and goes down at night and for the first few hours that I'm awake.
- I am trembling and shaking very easily as if I had chills
- My breathing feels unnatural and I'm not taking shallow breaths, but I feel like I'm having difficulty getting in a complete breath with normal breathing.


This has been one of the worst two weeks of my life. I'm afraid to take my clonazepam because I read that it can contribute towards pneumonia development, and I have had panic attack upon panic attack coupled with sustained stress and anxiety the past 13 days. I keep shaking when I do almost any form of physical movement and I worry that's tremors from lung infection, and my breathing is also just constantly at the forefront of my head. When I was cooking earlier today, I wasn't gasping for air or out of breath but my chest hurt. My chest hurts when I wake up in the mornings, also. Lastly, my fever is concerning me. It goes up to around 99.7 every day despite now having been sick for 13 days. I keep reading that people should recover around day 7 and if they don't it tends to become worse and I'm terrified. Please, any reassurance helps. I can't keep doing this. I'm so scared.

 

[FinneousRex]

It’s very possible you may have COVID-19. Luckily, since you’re so young and don’t have any health conditions, the odds of there being any long term damage are slim to none. I would put money that your anxiety is making this all worse. If you tell yourself that you are sick you are going to feel sick even if you’re not. Keep an eye on it. Get on an antibiotic if you aren’t already to help with the fluid build up in the chest. Drink water and orange juice. And just relax. This isn’t a death sentence for the greater population, especially in your age group with no past medical conditions. If things get worse, call your doctor and ask for advice. Or if you feel uncomfortable/unsafe, call your doctor.

 

[chickentender]

My best friend is presumed positive with the same symptoms you're describing and is also told to isolate and hydrate and call 911 if certain symptoms get worse. Many people are in your situation right now. Keep in communication with your doctor or a nurseline or wherever you feel you are getting the best guidance. Most people who get corona virus recover from it. You don't have underlying health conditions, so you're in the best position for your body to fight it off and to receive treatment if needed(since this type of triage is what it's come down to unfortunately). Try to stay as calm as possible, follow health care providers suggestions and remember that most people with the virus end up ok. Have faith that you are part of this group of most people because there is no reason to believe that you are part of the minority who don't do as well. I know it's scary. Take it moment by moment. You will get through this.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

Hang in there! Definitely talk to I our doctor about the anxiety meds if you get a chance, though, and ask if there is something safe you can take to help - even some kind of sedative or antihistamine. But ask! Just so you can get some good rest. You will get through this!

 

[naboudre]

I have all the same symptoms. Every single one. Mine is being contributed to anxiety. I wake up shaking. My pulse is constantly at 100-140 bpm. My fever went up to 100° and hasn’t gone back up, but I feel feverish all the time. There is something called a psychogenic fever. It happens when your anxiety is really high.
Keep us updated, and message me if you need anyone to talk to. Hang in there.

 

[Guitarist41]

I just want to add to this to tell people to not worry! Stress can cause ALL kinds of issues that you’d never think about.
IF and I use that word because anyone can get sick, but please keep in mind that for us that are younger (I’m 41, so idk if I can say young lol) do get sick, and when you recover. Get a blood test. They can now confirm covid antibodies in our blood. If so, donate blood so that the older, and less fortunate can use that blood plasma to recover more quickly (it sort of acts as a vaccine). Give what you can!

 

[Mel Val]

I have all the same symptoms. Every single one. Mine is being contributed to anxiety. I wake up shaking. My pulse is constantly at 100-140 bpm. My fever went up to 100° and hasn’t gone back up, but I feel feverish all the time. There is something called a psychogenic fever. It happens when your anxiety is really high.
Keep us updated, and message me if you need anyone to talk to. Hang in there.

I have the exact same things happening to me now. I'm a wreck and my anxiety is through the roof. Having a complete crying breakdown with anxiety for 2 days

 

[naboudre]

I have the exact same things happening to me now. I'm a wreck and my anxiety is through the roof. Having a complete crying breakdown with anxiety for 2 days

It is ROUGH! And lots of people don’t understand. That makes it even harder. If you need anyone to speak to, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I know how tough it is to suffer alone, and you don’t have to.

 

[Peter A]

I briefly had a fever a few weeks ago. I felt very hot, and like I was coming down with something too. The next day, it was gone. Since then, I've not felt ill. I'm worried that my hay fever will start up again soon, making it hard to go outdoors anyway. I honestly cannot stand stuffy environments, and I seldom go out for anything other than iced coffee, sweets, or a sandwich. But having allergies is annoying. They're also strict now in supermarkets.

 

[dollhouse]

It's actually the opposite, if you had/have the virus past day 7 and only have mild symptoms, you're out of the woods. You would have known a long time ago if you were getting sicker. Even mild cases can sometimes take up to two or three weeks to recover.

 

[Peter A]

But do you usually get a high temperature with anxiety? You'd think it wouldn't be nearly 100 degrees.

 

[Aries]

If it has been 13 days you should be out of the woods. That would be good if you did have it and fought it off. That means you probably have immunity. I might have had it back at the end of January - I was so sick that I passed out once and almost a second time. But since it was so early and I had no respiratory symptoms I didn't think I had it. But now I hear not everyone gets respiratory symptoms, so I think I may have had it. The body aches were the worst I ever had. And I actually had to miss a day of work - that almost never happens. And I had dizzy spells and slight headaches all through February. I hope that antibody test comes out soon so I can find out.

 

[dollhouse]

But do you usually get a high temperature with anxiety? You'd think it wouldn't be nearly 100 degrees.

The thing about COVID-19 is that it's competing in a pretty crowded field of viruses, especially in winter. The vast majority of them are mild and can sometimes go away as soon as 24 hours later.

To answer your question, there's a tenuous link between anxiety and body temperature. Did your anxiety cause your fever? It's not impossible. But is it more likely it's just your allergies or just a quick, fleeting bug? More likely.

 

[Marielena]

I have the exact same things happening to me now. I'm a wreck and my anxiety is through the roof. Having a complete crying breakdown with anxiety for 2 days

Me too. I am completely out of control. I am crumbling

 

[Guitarist41]

If it has been 13 days you should be out of the woods. That would be good if you did have it and fought it off. That means you probably have immunity. I might have had it back at the end of January - I was so sick that I passed out once and almost a second time. But since it was so early and I had no respiratory symptoms I didn't think I had it. But now I hear not everyone gets respiratory symptoms, so I think I may have had it. The body aches were the worst I ever had. And I actually had to miss a day of work - that almost never happens. And I had dizzy spells and slight headaches all through February. I hope that antibody test comes out soon so I can find out.

it is out. You can get blood drawn and it can be checked. At least on a search it pulled it up. I will say again, if anyone has had it...donate blood to help others to be able to use your antibodies to fight off the virus.

 

[Daisymae]

I have been having the same problem. I have been nauseous for a week with the chills. I keep thinking I’m running a fever but when I take my temperature it is normal. I am freaking out having panic attacks. All I want to do is lay in bed and put the covers over my head. I will turn 64 tomorrow and have convinced myself if I get it I will die.

 

[Aries]

it is out. You can get blood drawn and it can be checked. At least on a search it pulled it up. I will say again, if anyone has had it...donate blood to help others to be able to use your antibodies to fight off the virus.

It's going to be a while before I can get the test here I think.

 

[smilingsoul]

Like others have said, for the people who develop severe disease, it happens between days 8 and 11. It can turn quickly at that point, which is scary, but if you're more than 13 days in, even if you had it its on its way out. Part of the feeling lousy is actually a sign your immune system is working. It puts out chemical messengers that mobilize your body to fight, and spend its energy making antibodies and cleaning up the damage. You feel terrible because there's not much energy to spare for activities not related to the response. On top of that, if you're burning up with anxiety and not resting well or eating properly its no wonder you feel terrible. Don't worry, take care of yourself, and let your body do its work.
Easier said than done though, right

 

[Guitarist41]

The bodies response to stress depletes us of vitamin C, thus reducing our body’s effectiveness at fighting an infection. I do take, and highly recommend all people, but especially those of us who have anxiety to supplement with high doses of vitamin C!

Like others have said, for the people who develop severe disease, it happens between days 8 and 11. It can turn quickly at that point, which is scary, but if you're more than 13 days in, even if you had it its on its way out. Part of the feeling lousy is actually a sign your immune system is working. It puts out chemical messengers that mobilize your body to fight, and spend its energy making antibodies and cleaning up the damage. You feel terrible because there's not much energy to spare for activities not related to the response. On top of that, if you're burning up with anxiety and not resting well or eating properly its no wonder you feel terrible. Don't worry, take care of yourself, and let your body do its work.
Easier said than done though, right

it’s hard when the media only talks about the horror stories.

 

[Bobnnat]

All I can add to these great comments would be to try to get ahold of an oxygen meter. You clip in on a finger and get a reading. 95-100 is normal, so if you get that reading you can relax and know any chest pain or a feeling of SOB is not actually a serious problem. Under 95 would warrant a call to your doctor for advice. I agree that Ativan/Xanax would be helpful in calming you a bit. Don’t worry about dependency. You’ll only take it when needed and for a week or two.