Samantha_38
Confident
I've had PTSD for 10+ years due to ongoing childhood trauma of multiple types by multiple people. I then seemed to add "caregiver" trauma to the list after my son nearly died shortly after birth and then has also had many medical complications for several years.
Now, I was recently hospitalized with Mono, Covid, Kidney Infection, borderline appendicitis, near Liver Failure and Bacterial pneumonia with Sepsis. I by no means had covid as bad as some. I was never ventilated or in ICU but I was still there 6 days (left 2 days sooner than doc really wanted because I had to get out). I was the sickest I've ever been, and I've had a few medical scares before too, not like this. I lost so many IVs that 6 weeks later my arms are still bruised. I was in ER countless times, a place that already triggers me, and one ER doc really was not nice.
Now I'm having anxiety, fear, avoidance etc regarding that hospitalization and further medical care. I'm only 1.5 months out of hospital. I spent first 2 weeks at home entirely, still with symptoms and a severe brain fog and fatigue. I then went back to work partial shifts and have been slowly working my way up. My boss has been less than supportive, but my job is protected by FMLA.
Last week I got sick with a viral bug for a couple days. It really triggered me. I was checking my vitals constantly. I contacted my doctor immediately. I was very concerned but was able to keep working, though distracted. I was then better for a couple days then quickly got sick again yesterday. I think my immune system isn't 100% yet.
It is strep throat this time. I feel horrible physically, but I am mentally so very scared. I'm so anxious things will turn for the worst. I'm anxious about increasing work hours any time soon because I keep getting sick. That makes me anxious about my boss and co workers reactions.
I can't shake that my kids will lose me. 2 of my 3 have significant medical needs, the other has more mild needs. In hospital I was so scared that I was writing lists and lists about what people needed to know about them if I didn't make it.
Is this PTSD too, or is it too soon? Could it just be normal trauma response? Are people with PTSD likely to add further traumas as they happen in future?
Now, I was recently hospitalized with Mono, Covid, Kidney Infection, borderline appendicitis, near Liver Failure and Bacterial pneumonia with Sepsis. I by no means had covid as bad as some. I was never ventilated or in ICU but I was still there 6 days (left 2 days sooner than doc really wanted because I had to get out). I was the sickest I've ever been, and I've had a few medical scares before too, not like this. I lost so many IVs that 6 weeks later my arms are still bruised. I was in ER countless times, a place that already triggers me, and one ER doc really was not nice.
Now I'm having anxiety, fear, avoidance etc regarding that hospitalization and further medical care. I'm only 1.5 months out of hospital. I spent first 2 weeks at home entirely, still with symptoms and a severe brain fog and fatigue. I then went back to work partial shifts and have been slowly working my way up. My boss has been less than supportive, but my job is protected by FMLA.
Last week I got sick with a viral bug for a couple days. It really triggered me. I was checking my vitals constantly. I contacted my doctor immediately. I was very concerned but was able to keep working, though distracted. I was then better for a couple days then quickly got sick again yesterday. I think my immune system isn't 100% yet.
It is strep throat this time. I feel horrible physically, but I am mentally so very scared. I'm so anxious things will turn for the worst. I'm anxious about increasing work hours any time soon because I keep getting sick. That makes me anxious about my boss and co workers reactions.
I can't shake that my kids will lose me. 2 of my 3 have significant medical needs, the other has more mild needs. In hospital I was so scared that I was writing lists and lists about what people needed to know about them if I didn't make it.
Is this PTSD too, or is it too soon? Could it just be normal trauma response? Are people with PTSD likely to add further traumas as they happen in future?