Panic Attacks and Lupus

By kcarey

1 min read

Hey, I have had lupus since my teens and I am in my late fifties now! I also have PTSD and so many other things it’s ridiculous! But I have home health and the nurse got sick 😷 and they didn’t even notify me or my caregiver until she was well!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness really??? Now that they are not sure about that new and “improved “ virus 🦠 my insurance Counselor said that since we are in stage five also that it’s best not to have my nursing staff since they have been careless anyway and they see so many people! So they increased the hours of my caregiver! Thank goodness 😅 because you know that with lupus so many symptoms match COVID-19!! Yes, you know what?! It’s not funny at all!! I have so many panic attacks every day that I feel like I am going to die!! I mean 😪 constantly I am freaking out wondering if it’s COVID-19 or my lupus or something like that?! I am overwhelmed with nervous 😩 thoughts and I don’t know how to get it to stop 🛑! Yes, I have done sooooo many meditation 🧘‍♀️ downloads it’s crazy 😜!

So I look 👀 back at all the years of being a super mom and doing everything that it didn’t make any difference that I had lupus!! Why am I always so sick now?? Is anyone else going through anything like this?

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LizGreen Community Admin
Dear kcarey, you are not alone! Anxiety and depression has been increasing around the world with all that is happening, and you're right, sometimes a little meditation just doesn't cut it! Dealing with chronic pain and illness as you are, only makes things far more difficult. I hope it helps you to know my heart is going out to you. I hope others from the community will chime in with how they are feeling during these uncertain times. I am glad your caregiver hours were increased, and I hope they are able to support you. We compiled some more information on how people living with lupus are coping during the pandemic here - <a href='https://lupus.net/?p=971' target='_blank'>https://lupus.net/?p=971</a>. I recommend checking out the comments on this article, because I see at least one of our community members has already offered their own experience there. If you do not follow us on Facebook/IG already, feel free to do so and join in those conversations as well. Keep us posted, kcarey, we are here for you! Liz (lupus.net Team Member)
Ava Meena Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention user-id="2040678" username="kcarey"/> , thank you for sharing. My heart goes out to you for having to go through these stressful situations. I would certainly expect to be notified immediately if someone in my circle is sick. That must have been a very stressful situation to go through and I can understand why it would cause you to feel panicked more often. I have been going through similar struggles with nervous thoughts. Between my two year old, being five months pregnant, and other issues, I feel constantly attacked by my thoughts and stress! It doesn't help that pregnancy and lupus symptoms overlap with COVID-19 symptoms - I always have to emphasize that I don't have any new symptoms, because I certainly have joint pains, nausea, and more! You're not alone in this struggle. I have had some success with meditation and distractions, talking to friends on video chat, and I've found spending time outside helps (not always easy as someone with lupus, I know). Do you think seeing a therapist could be an option for you? Wishing you the best! We will get through this extremely difficult time somehow! And we're here for you. -Ava, <a href='https://lupus.net' target='_blank'>lupus.net</a> team