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The Flu and Health Anxiety

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 1/2/2015 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm down with the flu.  Cough, headache, sinus pressure, post nasal drip, etc.  Of course I've googled all the symptoms and am convinced it's something much worse than the flu.  Why do I do these things to myself?  People are getting the flu all over the place but I'm convinced I'm dying.  I need to get a grip!
Posted 1/2/2015 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Schedule an appointment with your doctor for today. If he/she is not available, see if you can go to urgent care. It's a bit pricier (and I don't know what it would cost you. As a comparison, it costs me $70 for urgent care), but a few shots and some antibiotics later, and you'll start to feel improvements within a day, then bigger improvement in days 2 - 3. Just make sure you take the antibiotics through the end and don't stop just because you feel better!

That was my experience last time I got the flu. While you're talking to your doctor, you can tell them your anxiety issue about this and I'm sure he/she will be able to guide you through it.
Posted 1/2/2015 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks.  I suspect my doctor's office is closed today.  So I'll need to go to urgent care.  And since it's now a new "deductible year", this bill will be on me.  Not bad enough I'm sick.  Now my insurance won't even cover it!!  Ugh!
Posted 1/2/2015 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Ugh, yeah, that beginning of the year deductible. =\

Check your doctor's office just to be safe. I'm sure you were going to do that anyway, but it never hurts to try. I recently got new insurance and am looking at new doctors and most of them are open.
Posted 1/2/2015 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
S.O.

Antibiotics won't help with the flu...

...unless you have a secondary infection, which is unlikely if you have just come down with it.

If it is truly the flu (high fever, body aces, severe cough) you can get Tamaflu (antiviral) to reduce the severity...but it must be done soon...and it is pretty expensive, so be reay to pay for the Rx...

...but it is worth it. My daughter had a bad flu when she was really little, and the Tamaflu was a miracle worker for her!

I hope that you start to feel better really soon. Being sick can increase anyone's anxiety, but remember that this is just a regular seasonal virus...common and completely recoverable! :)

Much healing!

S.C.
Posted 1/2/2015 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I don't have a fever so I guess it's not the flu. So there's not much point in getting the Tamiflu.   From your description, it sounds viral - and not fatal!  So antibiotics aren't going to help.  I'm going to have to get a grip and ride it out.  Thanks for your responses everyone!
Posted 1/2/2015 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
....yeah, you'd have a fever, chills and all with the flu...

...sounds more like a nasty cold virus.

However, if you develop fever, or your symptoms increase, go and be seen...otherwise, home care, fluids, rest, OTC cold meds are your best and most economical bet!

Get well soon!

S.C.
Posted 1/3/2015 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
The deep cough is gone. But even the shallow ones still hurt. Don't know why that's happening. Probably due to straining the muscles hacking up a lung yesterday!
Posted 1/3/2015 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Feel better soon!
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