Covid19 Anxiety

[TheOtherMe]

For all your Covid19 anxiety.

Anxiety is not the same as depression.  I'm trying to stay away from the Covid threads.  It's very difficult when it ends up in the depression thread.  I don't need the extra anxiety.  I have enough of that myself.

[buystoys]

Thanks for starting this thread!  My normal anxiety is really relieved by medication.  The covid crisis is just too much for me on a daily basis.  I avoid TV as much as possible and try to avoid the threads here that discuss it.  It's difficult to ignore it completely because it is such a part of our daily lives right now and it creeps into so many threads.

I'm trying deep breathing meditation to stay calmer.

[TheOtherMe]

I'm listening to music all day so trying to stay clear from it most of the day.  

I haven't found a solution for my anxiety about it except to crawl in to my hole.  

[Blonde Granny]

I bought a new sewing machine yesterday (yes I drove to the sewing center). After selling all my sewing things 2 years ago I can't stand the loneliness, sadness and silence in this house. So, it's back to quilting. Can't wait to get started.

Has anyone figured out exactly how much longer any of us have to stay isolated. > Isn't my 4 weeks in this house enough December maybe? Sheesh....Some days I'm convinced this is getting waaaaaaay out of hand.

[TheOtherMe]

No one knows how long we should be socially isolating.  My state or your state do not have mandatory stay at home orders.

I'm not taking any unnecessary risks so I won't be out shopping.  The governor did finally smarten up yesterday and closed most retail stores.  

Yes, it's out of hand, but every number is a human being that isn't getting cared for properly.

[oped]

Being hyper vigilant is how I combat the anxiety. I'm sure some of my measures are overkill, but they help me to relax most of the time with only the occasional panic or sobbing, so we will keep them up. 

[steph08]

I only have real COVID anxiety when I leave my house. Last weekend I went to the grocery store to pick up groceries, and we hadn't even had a case in our county yet, and I was anxious the whole time. 

As of yesterday, we have one case in my county and they have been self-quarantined at home since 3/16. 

I will pick up groceries Tuesday morning at 8am, hoping to avoid most people. We might get some takeout this weekend - pizza or real food from a local restaurant. 

We have still been going down to the lake to walk on trails, but there are no other people there. Those are the only times my kids have left the house since Friday 3/13. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Sorry if I caused anyone stress on the depression thread that was not my intent.

Not doing well. Had a fight with my mom as her anxiety boiled over. Both DH are arguing more.

I am succeeding at being quiet at work but I managed to fuck up stuff yesterday. Tried to cramp too much into 4 hours. The thing I messed up is easy to fix and a cheap assay but still. Hope we get a write off on our performance right now.

Shopping hasn't bothered me except last Sunday. Even during the apocalypse it's crazy. I told DH I felt like I was in one of his Resident Evil games trying to dodge zombies. So no more Walmart. Target is where it's at if I need anything.

The biggest thing fucking with my head is the world is upside but I stil get up to.go to work, come home, make dinner, go to bed, do it again tomorrow. My brain is having a hard time with the dichotomy.

Then there is no consistent information. It goes from a couple months, to 18 months to it doesn't matter we're all going to die regardless.

I don't want false hope but as a data driven person I'd like some real as accurate as possible data. Let's keep the hyperbole down on either side of the curve please.

I'm now terrified of one or a lot of us dying. I rode DH over not having a will made out yet. Then I worry it doesn't matter because there will be nobody to take the kids. As a mother of course I worry about them.

I'm so exhausted. I am probably going to be one of those that ends up with permanent damage mentally from this. I can try for a couple months. 18 months I'm not going to be able to last this way. Maybe by then my brain will accept this as normal. IDK.

[buystoys]

NomoreDramaQ1015, don't worry that you posted about your anxiety in the other thread.  It created a good reason to start this one as so many people are suffering from anxiety right now.

As another data driven person, I go nuts as well over the lack of information.  My medical background lets me recognize that there are no pat answers to the questions, but the detail, data worker feels like better assumptions can be made for predictions of where we'll be in a couple of days. 

DH and I just got our wills executed this week.  It does make the future somewhat less ominous as I know what the final outcome for our estate will be. 

Sending you lots of big hugs.  Can you take sleeping aids to help you get rest?  Does the OTC stuff help you?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

It does but it knocks me out for about 18 hours. Not good if I got the kids or have to work. I may take one tonight.

Like you I know statistics are fluid. My annoyance is over how many factors are missing.

I was reading about South Korea and how they tested and what they found. It drove how they responded to the crisis.

Then I read about SK vs Italy. It was obviously serious but started pulling things into focus.

It pisses me off that we're incapable of the same. We should not be. We sent people to the moon of Pete's sake. We should be collaborating with the WHO and done so from day one.

But we aren't because things like science, intelligence, data, globalism and expertise have become pariahs.

Instead we celebrate the reality TV star in office.

The rage that comes with the anxiety is mind blowing. My mom.said a door to door salesman showed up yesterday. I would have tore his head off and been tempted to hock a loogie at him to shake him up.a bit.

Then don't get me started on the improper use of PPE. I don't give a shit if the symbolism of it makes you feel better. There are others who truly need it for it's proper use that can't get any because you want to touch every surface under God.

I'm trying to be more grateful and look for the good but so help me I may choke a bitch at some point.

It worries me knowing I'm likely not the only one dealing with this and if we don't get our shit together nationally a whole lot of ugly is going to pour out.

[Lizard Queen]

Dq, liking your post just because I agree with much of what you say. The us is supposed to be the leader in the world. Why aren't we handling this at least as well as South Korea? I know, and you answered it, but it simply proves that America is getting farther and farther away from being great again.

I'm afraid I'm going to develop agoraphobia as well as become a hypochondriac as a result of this. I've barely left the house in a week and a half, and that was only to quickly step out into my driveway to look down the street. Every little cold/hot feeling in my body comes with a twinge of concern. But I've always had trouble with temperature. I've also had sore throats almost every moment forever. Fortunately, I haven't had any of those, thank God. But I feel a little weirdness in my throat, I quickly feel the glands in my neck. I shouldn't have to be so vigilant staying at home, except we have a guy working on our kitchen who's treating this like it's hugely overblown. So, I know he's out there going to all sorts of places, not being terribly careful, so he can bring the crud with him to my home any time.

As far as timelines, if everyone were to be able to absolutely stay at home 100% of the time, I think it would take a minimum of 4 weeks, due to households passing it within themselves. Maybe 6. Let's see, up to 2 weeks to get symptoms, then another 2 weeks for housemates, plus 2 weeks to get over it for the late-bloomers. That's my very unscientific guess, so take it for what it's worth!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I'm turning into one too. When I have anxiety bad enough I get heartburn.

It starts as a sore throat. I freaked my shit.

Then it reached my ears which is a key symptom for me it's heartburn which started when I was pregnant.

I told DH it's the first time in my life I was happy to have heartburn.

Talking with DH were speculating we may have already had it. I got sick in January with a freaky respiratory illness I couldn't peg based on symptoms.

It last till the end of February. At first I thought it was sinuses because DH wasn't getting sick based on incubation times for stuff like the flu.



Two weeks later..... Yes I actually timed it based on when I started showing symptoms because my inner nerd got intrigued by the puzzle.



That's why they need to get the ball moving on antibody testing. If my hypothesis is correct there are likely more of us walking around than we know.



Knowing will change the statistics. It does not change the situation now but if large swaths of the US are walking with antibodies that can help better shape policy like it did in SK.

[Lizard Queen]

I was starting to get heartburn too, starting 2 months ago. Couple that with a missed period, and that took me to the place of, can I possibly be pregnant at 47 and always using condoms? That's the only time I've ever had heartburn previously. A month later, I started having a gurgling feeling in my chest for like 2 days straight, and I was afraid I was starting to have heart problems-- until I started burping. I have actually not had a cold or anything like that for a couple years now, since having sinus surgery. The symptoms of covid can be so vague, though, it makes you wonder, was my body fighting it off? Or, is my husband/kid's sneezing or fatigue because of that? I don't even know. I think an antibody test would be great so many of us wouldn't have to wonder all the time.

[azucena]

Drama - A friend told me to take benadryl as a sleep aid.  I remember that drs have given it to DH different times when he's been in the hospital.  I've used it about 4 times now and it works well for me.  Not every night but every once in a while.  No grogginess at all which is key because any other sleeping aid knocks me on my ass even if I take a reduced dose LOL.

The fifth grade class at my school had a nasty bug in Dec and Jan.  Some kids missed up to 2 weeks of school.  Half wonder if it wasn't COVID then already.

[Artemis Windsong]

I got smacked to get in and get tested when I had anxiety of whether I have it or not.  Allergies or not.  I did have a chart of comparing symptoms but can't find it now.  Another week ticked by and I'm doing okay with no increase or added symptoms.

I keep my nostrils moist with vaseline and also my throat with gargling or chewing gum.  Hand washing.  I have a spray bottle of alcohol, Lysol wipes and spray.

At our snowbird home, we continue to meet in the evenings with neighbors for drinks and to chat.  We do stay a safe distance apart.  Too many of them are going out shopping almost everyday.  Everyone going home are quarantined for 2 weeks.

H. is bike riding.  I go walking but exercise indoors more.  Our golf course is open.  The city tennis courts are open but that's just inviting trouble with deep breathing of players aeorosoliIzing the virus and the ball shedding dirt when it flies.  The hiking trails were as crowded as a mall on a winter weekend.

My anxiety is on the low end.  Similar to driving on an icy street but feeling confident.  Then, I have a 2 week old and 1 year old great grandsons.  So scary. 

I agree the people who are not catching the virus while living with someone who does need to be tested for what antibodies they have.  There are just not enough medical people available to do that testing.  They are on the front line.

The data we receive is skewed because it just shows those tested.  Not the ones with mild symptoms who recover at home.

South Korea needs to be lauded for having their response in place and working it. 

[busymom]

I'm totally a numbers person, but the stats are inaccurate on this virus, so I don't trust the numbers the government is currently putting out as fact.  Heck, in my community there's a list of symptoms you MUST be having before they'll even let you be tested for the virus.  And, you must have EVERY SINGLE SYMPTOM before they'll even allow you to make an appointment to be tested.  Idiots!  

[justme]

Mar 27, 2020 10:17:09 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

I'm turning into one too. When I have anxiety bad enough I get heartburn.

It starts as a sore throat. I freaked my shit.

Then it reached my ears which is a key symptom for me it's heartburn which started when I was pregnant.

I told DH it's the first time in my life I was happy to have heartburn.

Talking with DH were speculating we may have already had it. I got sick in January with a freaky respiratory illness I couldn't peg based on symptoms.

It last till the end of February. At first I thought it was sinuses because DH wasn't getting sick based on incubation times for stuff like the flu.



Two weeks later..... Yes I actually timed it based on when I started showing symptoms because my inner nerd got intrigued by the puzzle.



That's why they need to get the ball moving on antibody testing. If my hypothesis is correct there are likely more of us walking around than we know.



Knowing will change the statistics. It does not change the situation now but if large swaths of the US are walking with antibodies that can help better shape policy like it did in SK.

I had the flu in Feb. Or the doctors said it was the flu. It wasn't positive on the rapid test for A or B, but there's more flu strains than that. Checked all the boxes for flu. Fever (hit over 101 when I was on Tylenol), horrible body aches (the tylenol was actually part of percocet that I took before I had a fever), sweats/chills, cough, ear ache, no real sore throat but swollen lymph nodes that felt like they were swelling my throat, fatigue, a little head achy. Cough was pretty bad (pulled a muscle before doctor finally gave me codeine cough syrup) and then had a steroid pack. Almost a month later my cough isn't quite gone, but with my asthma coughs tend to take forever to resolve. 

So a part of me really wonders for a bit. But because I have asthma and other autoimmune diseases I would have thought if it was Covid19 that it would have taken my ass down so 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Mar 27, 2020 11:04:37 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

I got smacked to get in and get tested when I had anxiety of whether I have it or not.  Allergies or not.  I did have a chart of comparing symptoms but can't find it now.  Another week ticked by and I'm doing okay with no increase or added symptoms.

I keep my nostrils moist with vaseline and also my throat with gargling or chewing gum.  Hand washing.  I have a spray bottle of alcohol, Lysol wipes and spray.

At our snowbird home, we continue to meet in the evenings with neighbors for drinks and to chat.  We do stay a safe distance apart.  Too many of them are going out shopping almost everyday.  Everyone going home are quarantined for 2 weeks.

H. is bike riding.  I go walking but exercise indoors more.  Our golf course is open.  The city tennis courts are open but that's just inviting trouble with deep breathing of players aeorosoliIzing the virus and the ball shedding dirt when it flies.  The hiking trails were as crowded as a mall on a winter weekend.

My anxiety is on the low end.  Similar to driving on an icy street but feeling confident.  Then, I have a 2 week old and 1 year old great grandsons.  So scary. 

I agree the people who are not catching the virus while living with someone who does need to be tested for what antibodies they have.  There are just not enough medical people available to do that testing.  They are on the front line.

The data we receive is skewed because it just shows those tested.  Not the ones with mild symptoms who recover at home.

South Korea needs to be lauded for having their response in place and working it. 

The thing is there are hundreds of research labs around the country that can be put to use doing testing.   They absolutely can be conscripted into this and the plus side is most research facilities have multiple RT_PCR machines and other equiptment that a hospital lab probably only has one or two of.    Doing the test in a research lab is just as accurate as doing it at the hospital.  UNMC is attached to Nebraska Med so you could have results immeaditately.

Why they won't do that is beyond me.  They did it for Ebola and Zika whoever had the capacity was to turn their research to both those viruses.   But for Corona all of a sudden these labs are too incompetent to handle things?

[justme]

Mar 27, 2020 12:08:46 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Mar 27, 2020 11:04:37 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

I got smacked to get in and get tested when I had anxiety of whether I have it or not.  Allergies or not.  I did have a chart of comparing symptoms but can't find it now.  Another week ticked by and I'm doing okay with no increase or added symptoms.

I keep my nostrils moist with vaseline and also my throat with gargling or chewing gum.  Hand washing.  I have a spray bottle of alcohol, Lysol wipes and spray.

At our snowbird home, we continue to meet in the evenings with neighbors for drinks and to chat.  We do stay a safe distance apart.  Too many of them are going out shopping almost everyday.  Everyone going home are quarantined for 2 weeks.

H. is bike riding.  I go walking but exercise indoors more.  Our golf course is open.  The city tennis courts are open but that's just inviting trouble with deep breathing of players aeorosoliIzing the virus and the ball shedding dirt when it flies.  The hiking trails were as crowded as a mall on a winter weekend.

My anxiety is on the low end.  Similar to driving on an icy street but feeling confident.  Then, I have a 2 week old and 1 year old great grandsons.  So scary. 

I agree the people who are not catching the virus while living with someone who does need to be tested for what antibodies they have.  There are just not enough medical people available to do that testing.  They are on the front line.

The data we receive is skewed because it just shows those tested.  Not the ones with mild symptoms who recover at home.

South Korea needs to be lauded for having their response in place and working it. 

The thing is there are hundreds of research labs around the country that can be put to use doing testing.   They absolutely can be conscripted into this and the plus side is most research facilities have multiple RT_PCR machines and other equiptment that a hospital lab probably only has one or two of.    Doing the test in a research lab is just as accurate as doing it at the hospital.  UNMC is attached to Nebraska Med so you could have results immeaditately.

Why they won't do that is beyond me.  They did it for Ebola and Zika whoever had the capacity was to turn their research to both those viruses.   But for Corona all of a sudden these labs are too incompetent to handle things?

Yeah my friend got tested even though his symptoms are mild and prob not it. Was told 10-14 days for the results! What good is that? By the time he knows it'll be past 14 days for anyone he came in contact with. 

[Artemis Windsong]

This is from another thread here on YM.  I don't have the link but copied the most important part.And epidemiologist Larry Bryant

How will we know when we’re through this?
"we begin to see large numbers of people—in particular nurses, home health care providers, doctors, policemen, firemen, and teachers who have had the disease—are immune, and we have tested them to know that they are not infectious any longer. And we have a system that identifies them, either a concert wristband or a card with their photograph and some kind of a stamp on it. Then we can be comfortable sending our children back to school, because we know the teacher is not infectious."

www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-interview-larry-brilliant-smallpox-epidemiologist/

[finnime]

I have anxiety about COVID-19's impact on my family.

DS25 lives alone in Manhattan. He's working from home and has a good group of friends, but I worry, especially given NY's stats. If he gets very ill it will be rough.

My DH is 70, diabetic and has chronic kidney disease. I'm anxious about bringing home the virus to him. Funny how the mind works--if we were both ill who would walk Franklin the Dog? I already know if DH ends up in the hospital I won't be able to visit unless he's at the end of life. He's been through some serious illnesses already.

These are the things that keep me awake.

[oped]

I don't know which thread this belongs on... but its heightening my anxiety so I'll put it here. 

I 'met and exchange' ... 6 foot distance... a bag full of stuff for my tutor student so that I can start normal time video lessons next week on a more consistent schedule and with appropriate materials. 

Mom said... hopefully this will be over soon. Got to get the country back up and running. 

I said nothing. We don't every talk politics, although I know they are conservative. 

I finally felt compelled to text her and say, I didn't want to ruin any calm she was creating for herself, but she understood this was not likely to be over quickly? ... 

She returned with talking points bout the 'cure' being worse than the disease and harsh realities and we can't sit home for months... 

I have pecked and deleted so many replies.... from 'please watch more than fox news he will kill you' to... 'so.. not pro life after all huh?' ... some more gentle than others and I just don't know what to say. 

Say nothing? How do I unhear these things... 

[justme]

Mar 27, 2020 15:31:45 GMT -5 oped said:

I don't know which thread this belongs on... but its heightening my anxiety so I'll put it here. 

I 'met and exchange' ... 6 foot distance... a bag full of stuff for my tutor student so that I can start normal time video lessons next week on a more consistent schedule and with appropriate materials. 

Mom said... hopefully this will be over soon. Got to get the country back up and running. 

I said nothing. We don't every talk politics, although I know they are conservative. 

I finally felt compelled to text her and say, I didn't want to ruin any calm she was creating for herself, but she understood this was not likely to be over quickly? ... 

She returned with talking points bout the 'cure' being worse than the disease and harsh realities and we can't sit home for months... 

I have pecked and deleted so many replies.... from 'please watch more than fox news he will kill you' to... 'so.. not pro life after all huh?' ... some more gentle than others and I just don't know what to say. 

Say nothing? How do I unhear these things... 

I suppose the question is whether you want to still tutor the kid or not....if so then nothing. 

I'm just glad that while my rents watch a hell of a lot of fox news they are 100% taking this seriously. Just got a package from them today because they have an abundance of gloves (not hoarding, my dad just uses them for working on the cars and around the house and buys em in bulk when they're on sale - they definitely didn't buy any due to corona since they had plenty) they sent me a box and a thing of hand sanitizer. 

[CCL]

Mar 27, 2020 12:42:33 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

This is from another thread here on YM.  I don't have the link but copied the most important part.And epidemiologist Larry Bryant

How will we know when we’re through this?
"we begin to see large numbers of people—in particular nurses, home health care providers, doctors, policemen, firemen, and teachers who have had the disease—are immune, and we have tested them to know that they are not infectious any longer. And we have a system that identifies them, either a concert wristband or a card with their photograph and some kind of a stamp on it. Then we can be comfortable sending our children back to school, because we know the teacher is not infectious."

www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-interview-larry-brilliant-smallpox-epidemiologist/

The teacher may not be infectious, but what about all the other students? That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

[oped]

I don't know. I love her. I am so enjoying watching her grow. I do it for FREE ... what 4-6 hours a week... most weeks. I do it because even though I don't agree with her politics, to me she is always one who lives her faith... she fosters for prison ministry...  

But this is whole heart MAGA and hypocritical. And so fucking dangerous. 

[oped]

Seriously I'm was so upset about this but I know its not just this but the wider implication of this... and if I'm not calm everyone's nuts... husband came home and talked about my father who is going to stay in PA and not go back to Florida... so dad at least must be watching/reading something other than FOX right now... but i yelled about him still exposing himself to people like... throwing my phone... this... and then my daughter who has several immuno-compromised friends started bawling and then smashed a quarter of a watermelon and I'm so winning Parenting Teens through the Pandemic award today... sigh. 



That mom just texted me again that she hoped her text was not upsetting and that we're all dealing with it differently and with different views... and thanked me for including modeling clay for the kids. I'm trying not to be all 'she just doesn't want the free tutoring to stop'... but... sigh again. 

[finnime]

Vent away, oped. It's well earned.

[Lizard Queen]

When I was discussing it with my contractor (who used to be a reasonable man), I just concluded with, "I guess we'll see in 2 weeks". That 2 weeks will be complete on Tuesday. Cases in my state are skyrocketing already, yet he's still blowing it off. I hate that he's still coming to work on stuff, but I don't know how long I could live with a torn up kitchen, so feel pretty stuck. At least most of the cases are on the other side of the state, but I don't feel safe in my area. My county now has 6 cases and 2 people just died.

[TheOtherMe]

I'm sorry oped   Don't know if I could refrain.  Perhaps she will spend Easter in a beautiful church  


My anxiety became worse this afternoon because I found out it is presumed my youngest nephew has COVID-19.  He doesn't meet the criteria for testing so no test.   Just quarantine for 14 days and call if symptoms get worse.  His roommate moved out.  Smart man.

His girlfriend is worried sick that either she or her son will be next.

But no test.  That is what is driving me crazy.

He is on day 6 on the quarantine.  I am not happy that my sister has not told me and didn't tell me when we talked until I specifically asked about him.  I talked to my niece yesterday and she never mentioned it either.  

I am even more angry that our governor will not put a stay in place order in effect even though the number of cases doubled today and two more deaths.  Some reporters were feeling bad that the governor almost had tears when talking about those that have died.  Yet, she won't make the next step, the step I feel is necessary.  

Oh, H & R Block is open if you want to get your taxes done.  They are encouraging drop offs and most people are doing that.  However, BIL has had some in person appointments.  They did rearrange the office to increase distance between preparers and clients.  

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I'm surprised they allow in person appointments.   Our tax preparer will not allow you to come in.   If you must to sign they put in a secure drop box, you sign it and put it back in the box.