After my last little update where I explained I was feeling run down and beating myself for feeling like that... It transpires that it actually had nothing to do with being run down as a result of doing things again. I'm being treated for Whooping cough.
This week I've been feeling far worse and every night I've had to sleep propped up. I've probably only had about 18 hours sleep all week. I'd wake up gasping for breathe, trying to cough but retching. I had no idea what was going on but had such a severe attack yesterday morning that I called my Drs. They asked to see me within an hour. Dr did all the checks, as an asthmatic he asked me to do my peek flow, however on the first breathe in it caught in my throat and I ended up having an attack in the Drs office. Not pleasant for him but good he got to see a small part of it. I blew less than 300 on my peak flow the average is over 400. The Dr then said this sounded like Whooping cough. I'd only ever associated Whooping cough with babies. We'd caught it before the 3 week period so was given antibiotics and a steroid inhaler. I have to go back for a blood test to confirm the diagnosis but having now done some research and seen other Whooping cough attacks on YouTube I'd say the diagnosis is pretty accurate.
So the challenge I face is that frankly I feel rough and exhausted. Also I'm having to face retching and being sick during the attacks, which as noted in a previous post is a phobia of mine. It makes me panic. During the attacks though I simply have no choice, its beyond my control. So I guess if there is any good out of this it's I should be desensitised to urging and retching.
Having had another attack during the night and this morning I now understand why its called whooping cough. Its not the actual cough but the gasps for breathe in between.
Its just typical that I am sick a week before my brothers wedding!! Not to mention contagious too until the antibiotic have run they're course. I've cancelled my counselling session today as a result so am housebound on bed rest. Lets hope this doesn't last the 6 to 8 weeks suggested!!
Someone did say to me yesterday when I was saying I felt like this had set me back, that I needed to remember everyone gets ill. I'm just poorly, nothing to do with how I've been mental health wise.
So I'm working on another blog post about the use of the term 'man up' so keep an eye out for that one soon.
Big love N x
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