Hello all Anxiety question
I go out Socially rarely , since Covid.
Since my Stroke risk of getting ill has heightened to ( in reality) stupid levels.
I can nearly out expert the experts on Covid and have a major drive to not catch it .
Listening to news when they mention Covid increases risks of clots the Anxious levels rise quicker.
I am aware since my stroke (Feb21) that I can also be quite blunt so when asked why wearing a mask the answer they get is quite blunt.
Not sure if this is just me or do others find they are more concerned about getting ill compared to pre stroke.
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Shwmae @Al59, I had managed to dodge Covid for two years. I rarely leave my property, and when I did, I always wore a mask and had all my vaccination jabs. However, someone was kind enough to bring Covid to me! For me, I had three days of what felt like Norovirus, thankfully, I didn’t have any laboured breathing, something I get a bit panicky about as I had quite acute dyspnoea for a year after the stroke. I wasn’t too concerned about clotting as I am on an anti-platelet medication which is geared towards reducing the risk of clots. Since stroke I have had pityriasis rosea (twice), Norovirus (twice), Covid and cracked two ribs. I guess, after having survived a stroke, I am less concerned about things than before stroke, other ailments don’t seem to compare to the stroke I had, but that’s just me. I hope you can find some peace with your fears, I know it’s difficult.
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@Al59 I think a lot of us are anxious about getting ill with other things post stroke but we need to try and find a.balance between living life and best we can and keeping ourselves.as safe as possible. If you want to wear a.mask then why not. I see people wearing them but not in the numbers that they previously did. Try not to be too anxious but take sensible precautions when out and about.
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Hi A159- Yes, I am much more concerned about getting ill. Since, it’s been a struggle for so long just to feel okay. And I think if I got sick I would feel worse than I would have pre-stroke. But I’m so sick of masking and whatnot. I felt yuckie not being able to breathe well. I’ve given up the mask. We do go out, because to stay isolated is not good for my mental health. But we limit it as to # of people, people we know will be responsible, and how often. We go to church, ukulele class, family gatherings, and occasionally our nextdoor neighbors for a glass of wine, occasionally the movies.(Sit in the back row away from everyone and during the week when the theatre is almost empty.) We don’t grocery shop or shop at stores. (Order everything on line and have our car trunk loaded.) When we do go out, we’re diligent about disinfecting our hands right after leaving, and of course, wash them again at home. We’ve been doing this for about the last year or so and all has gone well so far. 
Jeanne
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I still wear masks and found the FFP2 ones are very breathable and seal around the face.
I do socialise just with a smaller group than pre covid.
I think the illness anxiety is around I thought I was invincible pre stroke and it just slapped me down .
If I get any pains it makes you be more cautious.
I realised I was no longer invincible and needed to take more care.
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Hello @Al59. Anyone who questions you for wearing a mask should question themselves a little harder I think. We make our own choices and so long as they don’t harm others that should be the end of it. I left hospital with Covid so know I can survive it and the teenager in me (I’m 51) thinks what’s the worst that can happen? Oh yes- that’s already happened, and I’m still here. Do what you need to to feel comfortable, ignore others but try and see some perspective and don’t let it rule you. Things have to get easier. Wishing you all good things, Julia x
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You do get more concerned but there is no point. I had a small second stroke at the height of the first Covid wave when no vaccine available. Found it was probably the safest place to be. After two and a half years avoiding Covid the I got. Fortunately that was after 4 vaccinations. It was unpleasant but I recovered after four days.
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I had a stroke only a month ago. Since then I have been so worried about every single ache and pain I’ve felt and been convinced I’m having another stroke many times.
I think anxiety about health is a totally normal reaction when something goes wrong especially if it is unexpectedly.
I wear an FF2 mask in shops and on buses and will continue to do so.
I’ve had covid but would rather not have it again and again.
I was on a bus yesterday and was the only person wearing a mask but it didn’t really bother me.
Take care,
Sarah
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Hi @Loshy
I know what you mean about trying not to worry. It’s so hard not to but also the last thing I need is to feel stressed. I’m not quite as worried as I was in the first week when I felt every time I moved my head, something bad would happen.
It’s hard to not think something else will happen but I know it isn’t helping me get better either.
Thanks,
Sarah
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@Sarah59 it’s good to hear you’re worries are easing a little. My head felt awful for months after my stroke & I thought it’d never improve. It did though & happy to say My horrible heads, whilst still there, are much less frequent. Heres hoping you improve quickly & as you improve I’m sure your worries will decrease too.
Take care xx
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@Mrs5K did you ever find anything to help your “horrible heads”. I find it’s the main thing that’s holding my getting back to some normality.
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@DDMH sadly I didn’t really find anything that worked. Sometimes paracetamol took the edge off & if I was very dizzy with it I had some betahistine that I was prescribed in hospital. I asked many a medical person & was told it would get better in time & was part of the healing process. It was very debilitating at times.
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Hi @Al59,
I’m writing this message to while in bed recovering from Covid.
Like many other survivors I have been careful about getting it, especially since I’m asthamic. I avoided it for 2 years and I still wear masks when I go shopping and in any confided space. Unfortunately my partner who is also my carer is not so careful as before. So last Thursday when we went to see a comedian at a Fringe festival that’s when he got it from.
Unfortunately we will on a one bedroom apartment. So sleeping on the sofa was very uncomfortable for me.
So I insisted what we both wear masks in bed. Changing them every 4 hours, and washing his dishes in very hot water. Thanks to God my symptoms are mildish compared to his. He has now losing his sense of taste.
To make matters worse his parents tried to strong arm me into going to their 50th wedding anniversary this afternoon. I refused point blank to go but my partner went.
I just hope that he doesn’t develop long covid. Because if he does they will see that an angry black woman looks like!
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@joy.alliy sorry that covid has come to your door. It’s difficult when one person in a house is being really careful but the other isn’t so careful. Have the same here. Thankfully when hubby brought covid home I was able to keep away from him. Hope you feel.better soon. Take care x
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