I am having very bad anxiety over contacting the swine flu. So bad in fact that I am getting to the point that I dont want to go out in public for fear of contacting it. When my husband is out and about all I can think about is, will he bring the virus home? Has he washed his hands? I know I am making him crazy too with all my nagging and freaky outlook on contacting it. I have been washing my hands to the point they are red and dry...SO not like me. I mean, I washed my hands before, but not to this extent. I find myself taking my temperature every hour on the hour..checking to see if I have a sore throat and if I have a twinge in my throat I think..O NO! I don't want to live my life this way! I had a nasty nasty bout with stomach flu last weekend (which my husband tries to tell me was probably already the swine flu) and I DONT want to get it again! OR the swine flu and end up in the hospital or worse. Thats all I think is going to happen, is Im going to die from this. Why my anxiety has increased after my bout of the stomach fllu is beyond me?! The week before I was concerned and worried about getting the flu, but not to this level. Can my hormones be doing all this??? ANY help or advice is greatly appreciated..I feel completely nuts and like a shell of a person right now....My diet, eating habits and bowels are really taking a beating with all this anxiety.

Dear Slo66,
Definitely your hormones are doing that to you. I suffer health anxiety as well and fear all kind of diseases but in my case I am more concerned about getting the flu vaccine than the flu in itself. You are right, it is a nasty thing to get but if you are a healthy person there is no reason to worry (don't get mad at me for writing this, I hate when people say that to me as I know my fears are not rational but emotional). But I am really upset about this big media obsession over the H1N1. There are more people who die everyday on the road in car accidents than of the flu. It is such a media franzy and look what it is doing to people like us who are vulnerable due to our anxiety. Each time I think about desease now I breathe, 5 long breaths and tell myself that there is no reason why I should think so negatively and start thinking about my favorite color, green for me is a healing color or I think about my dog or cat, something that makes me feel good. You know you are strong and healthy, just vulnerable. I know because I am riddle with fear myself but for some strange reason not about the flu. I really think that the vaccine is more dangerous than the disease. However, I do see the importance of getting vaccinated if you are not healthy.
I know that nothing you can be told will stop your fear and I am sorry that you are so worried about this.
take care of yourself
Mrsbuff

Thank you so much for replying. I know what you are saying is right. i am healthy, as far as I know (lol, there I go again) and I have had the flu before. But for some reason this one really scares me. I am with you that i think the media is making everyone a basketcase and especially people who have anxiety issues to begin with or are going through the dreaded emotional rollercoaster of menopause. I'm not mad at all by what you said. It isn't anything different then my hubby has told me and bless his heart, he tries as best he can. But for someone who doesnt have stress or anxiety, he can't really relate to me. I am trying as hard as I can to overcome this fear. I guess the best thing would be to face my demons, and that means go out in public, etc. I will probably have a MAJOR panic attack while out, but I need to get over this once and for all. Or at least keep it at a low roar. Thank you again!!

Hi slo:

I could have written your post. I am severely afraid of the swine flu. I believe it is because we already suffer from anxiety as MrsBuff said and that this is a "new" virus to a lot of people. Therefore, the media is having a field day with it.

I have horrible anxiety and worry about this stuff anyway, but since the swine flu emergence I have been a worse germaphobe than ever. I wash my hands all the time. I make the family washe their hands especially after coming home from public places even though we use hand sanitizer while out and about.

I also agree with MrsBuff, I think the vaccine will be dangerous. My family and I are not getting it. On "60 Minutes" the scientist that are "developing" the vaccine said that they were impressed because the vaccine had been being given for 3 weeks now and all was well. He said there were some sided effects but would elaborate as to what they are but said the American public should not worry. Another man basically said the vaccine or die!!! Good grief!!!!

My point is this, definitely dont let your fear beat you. Every time I walk out of the house I worry about it but just continue on and do my usual germaphobe routine. Because that is all we can do.

I hope that you are feeling better knowing that you are not alone!!!
Hugs to you,
Jeaninne

I understand the fear of getting this is spreading faster than it is.Here on Vancouver Island many have had it and have been fine.There is about 30% of the University kids here have had it and none had to go to the hospital.Just like the flu with a persistant cough.I was talking to a friend of mine who's co-worker got it she stayed away from work for a week and is still tired but said shes o.k just self concious because everyone looks at her when she caughs[no longer contagous]I know I'll be really nervous with this one if my kids get it being in a nervous state myself these days.But I decided to turn off the news and talk to people who have gone through it.the stress can't be good for the immune system.Don't worry you'll be fine.[[[[Hug]]]Lumz

OK LADIES !!!

My kids 11 and 9 and my husband and best friend all had the swine flu 2 weeks ago.They felt terrible had fevers of 104 and were down and out for about 10 days with it taking about 2 weeks for a full recovery but guess what..THEY ALL LIVED AND NONE OF THEM HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED ..we just treated the symptoms and they stayed in bed. They fealt like death for days but they are all good now except for a case of strep throat ..grrrr !!
I hope this helps ease your worried minds. Wash your hands or sanitize them when out in public.Stay well and have a good evening.

I definitely understand anxiety over the swine flu...heck,it's on/in the news 24/7.
Today at work,one of the ladies and i were talking...she had been sick,missed a day or two of work last week,was still feeling sick when i worked with her yesterday too.... and then tells me it was the swine flu.I kept working,trying not to think about it...i work right beside her most of the time,so imagine the anxiety i started having....i almost worked myself up into a panic attack.But then i thought about what i saw on the news this morning...it said if you've been sick anytime during the past 2 or 3 weeks,chances are it WAS the swine flu and there's no need to get vaccinated once you're exposed to it.I was sick last week too....so it's possible i've already had it and didn't know it.

Thank you! I know all i can do is go on about my business and practice all my rituals to avoid germs. LOL. My hubby said if I don't calm down then I'm going to end up getting it just from worrying so much about it! Good point, since stress does a lot to the immue system. Thanks again~

Turn off the news. When you're out in public keep your hands away from your face.. walk away from sneezing, coughing people and buy a big bottle of Purell and use it often.
Then forget about it and refuse to let worry steal your day.

((((HUGS)))

Get the swine flu shot! I heard on the radio (a few days ago) that some Walgreens were offering it. I need to remember to check (tomorrow) if the VA will be offering it to everyone and if they have in in yet. I already got the "regular" flu shot for this year.

Slo66,

((( Big Hugs )))

I think part of this could be more intense because you feel weak right now! Feeling weak makes us feel so much more vunerable.
I'm right here with you on this one .. don't need that stuff any where near me!!


Moonlight,

Bless your heart .. I would have so freaked out! Were you able to get through the day without making yourself sick with worry??
Be sure to take vitamin C to keep the antibodies strong. That is such a difficult situation!!

((( Hugs to You)))

Vaylorie

I am also having extreme anxiety over the Swine flu, I have a 9 yr old in schooll & I just don't know if I want him to get the vaccine or not! I don't want him sick but I am very concerned about side effects from the vaccine, Iknow there have not been any reported but What if in a few weeks after everyone gets the shot there is suddenly severe side effects than what do you do.
I am very anxious & continually having him wash his hands . I work in Health care and am not sure what to do for myself either???
I just want this winter & flu season overwith!!!!!

Oh yeah. I'm freaked out over it too (THANKS health anxiety! Like I didn't have enough to worry about). I work in the public (cashier in a convenience store) so I'm around people all the time. I'm sick right now -- for the second time in two months -- and I just know that H1N1 is just waiting around the corner to get me while my immune system is busy with other things.

I used to work in an Emergency Room for 10 yrs as an EMT. Dealt with very sick people, every day. Went throught the SARS, Avian Flu and a few other germ scares with worries, but not to this extreme. I think my anxiety has been tenfold lately, don't know why. I know ever since I quit that job I have lost a part of myself and think that the more time you have on your hands, the more you think and then the more anxious you get. I did okay last night, better then I have in the past week. Woke up this morning and BAM! swine flu on the mind..do I have a temperature, etc. Then that in turn messes my stomach up, I have diarrhea (sorry) and no appetite. So begins the ugly cycle..Ugh, i am really getting sick of it.

ctmom,

It breaks my heart to accept the fear inside. To acknowledge the power it holds over my life. Seeing others live with the same twisted fear that cannot be controled is very upsetting. I know how life feels to live in fear, it ruins our days and take over our lives. Watching fear gain power to take hold refusing to be calm or rational. If it was a matter of choice, fear would not have power in our lives. There is no choice when fear grows becoming stronger than we are. Controls our thoughts, activities, and hope? I think the best we can do is face the fears, do the things that allow us to take the power back. This helps to view things more rational allowing us to use fear as a proactive tool. So washing hands and doing the things we know to be helpful can only help us to feel better and gain power. At least it is a way for us to believe that in some small way we do have control.

I hope you are feeling better today!! Like you .. I will be so glad once this season is done and over with!

Glad to have you with us to share, each persons story feels like another link to the puzzle. Hearing you talk about how you feel helps me to see the battle we fight.

Sending you my hugs!!
Vaylorie

Vaylorie,

You have just wrote what I could never have put into words,but feel just as you have described.

Thankyou for that and also as you so rightly put,the many fantastic ladies who share their innermost fears,is like another link to this puzzle.

To all a BIG THANKYOU

kathS

Hello...

I blame the new media for all the negative hype about swine flu. And the fear it is creating among us. Treating the symptoms is the number one requirement. H1N1 will just have to run its course but it is relatively mild. I am concerned about the high fever it causes as I have a granddaughter who is susceptible to febrile seizures, having suffered one this past weekend. Overly good hygiene just may not make you a flu statistic, but if it does - treat as you would any other flu symptoms.

I don't know about anyone else...but,something's not right about this whole swine flu hysteria...
First,we are all scared to death by the media,and by the Govt. too.....then,there's a shortage of the vaccines?....does anyone else see something wrong with this picture?.......it's almost like a form of mind control,to panic us into submission....remember in 2003 when we were all told to buy duct tape/plastic to protect ourselves from biological/chemical attacks?
I could be wrong...i could possibly even catch the swine flu and die from it.......but,you must agree something's fishy...

Hi Ladies,
I caught the swine flu back in the beginning of September. Believe it was no fun but I survived it and did not need to be hospitalized. I was really ill for almost 2 weeks and it took another 3 weeks more to recover completely. Anyways just writing to say it felt like any other flu but the recovery time was much longer.
Glor

I think we got it last spring when it first came around ,, just remember the statistics .. please .. the numbers will calm you down. Look at my previous post on the swine flu and then take a deep breath .. if you have been sick at all since last april chances are you actually may have alreayd had it .. so that can help you relax..

Heres a great article to read .. although it might make you more paranoid about the regular flu. my predicitions ... this will have peaked and on the decline in the next 2 weeks .. and the government is going to be left holding millions of doses of swine flu vaccine that came to little to late

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/2009...973/1005/NEWS10

H1N1 is one of those flu bugs that is targeting younger people now. Apparently, it causes an overreaction of young, strong immune systems in people that haven't been previously exposed to this or a similar strain of flu. It's called a 'cytokine storm' and that's what causes most of the fatalities. But it is extremely rare for it to happen, so I wouldn't worry too much.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytokine_storm

Now the good part is that most of us oldsters are mostly immune. If you were around to be exposed to the 1957 Asian Flu (H2N2), the 1968 Hong Kong Flu (H3N2) or the 1977 Russian Flu (H1N1 variant), you're lucky because it imparted some immunity to the H1N1 strain going around now. I was unlucky enough to come down with the 1968 Hong Kong Flu when I was in Junior High. I remember it was a solid week of muscle aches, respiratory involvement and high fever, but I lived through it just fine. So if you're over 50 or especially 60 years of age, you probably won't get H1N1 or at least a serious case of it.

I've talked to more and more families who have had it.It may come quickly and you could be in bed for a week but all have been fine and none have had to go to the hospital.A few kids in my daughters grade have had it and are now back.

Just to add to the people who are trying to ally everyone's fears - my grandson (9 1/2), who lives with us, came down with it last Sunday night. His fever never got higher than 102.6, and he never felt really sick - was always hungry and, if anything, he ate more than usual all week long LOL. His fever lasted till Wed. afternoon, then never came back after that last dose of ibuprofen. He missed the whole week of school, as I didn't think they'd appreciate him still coughing on Friday, even though his fever had been gone for over 24 hours and he felt fine. He only coughs occasionally now, and will return tomorrow.

Now, I sat with him all week while he coughed his germs all over our family room. His own dad was afraid to sit in the room with him, but I sat there all week, watching movies (Ghost Busters, Major League, Hook... I think AMC was running a "home sick theater" or something LOL), rubbing his feet and making sure he was staying hydrated. I've been fine, but I was around for all those other flus. I was one of the few among my friends who did NOT get the hong kong flu - I remember they closed my school down for a few days because so many of the staff were out with it. However, I could have been exposed to it, and my immune system could have fought it off successfully, and I would still have those immunities.

Keep in mind that many of our schools around here (CT) have had 30% and 40% absenteeism from this flu in the last few weeks, and there have been few hospitalizations, and no deaths that I've heard of. Few schools have shut down - only the ones that reach 40% absenteeism have done so. The fatality rate is very very low. It's scary because some of those who have died have been very healthy kids and teens and young adults - and that's what the media is showing - but remember the thousands upon thousands of people who recovered at home with absolutely no medical intervention.

Moonlight - your co-worker had no right to come into work very possibly contagious with this virus. I would have spoken to my supervisor and left work - or at least expressed myself to my co-worker that I thought she should go home.

Remember that the best defense is to keep your immune system working at peak performance. Avoid sugar, get plenty of rest, take your vitamins (lots of vitamin C, probiotics, and vitamin D), eat healthy foods (including spicy foods). If you develop symptoms consider using homeopathic or herbal remedies, even if they lessen the discomfort a little it is worth it.

Dear 'wildflower'
Your grandson is blessed to have you as Grandma!
I am so pleased he is much better now
I do my fair share of baby sitting so am always getting coughed and sneezed on
My grand-daughters kindergarten was closed for a week and I kept her with me a lot and avoided being out in crowds etc.
I totally agree that anyone who has come into any kind of contact with the Virus should inform their co-workers and families.Better safe than sorry.
I live in Amman Jordan Middle East and we have had fifteen fatalities so far though most of those already had compromised immune systems.
Wishing Good Health to you and yours
God Bless
Elizabeth

wildflower - great reassuring & calming post - thank you!!