This board and RSV anxiety

WannaBAmama

Do you think being on this preemie board makes you more paranoid about RSV? I think all of the RSV and synagis talk on here feeds my fears and makes me super paranoid of LO getting sick.

Both my husband and my mom have approached me about maybe getting on anxiety meds because I have had a few total meltdowns about LO getting sick when I go back to work. 

I feel like I'm the only one who is super concerned about it. My husband is a little worried, but he doesn't let it bother him. Even LO's pedi said she didn't think he would be approved for synagis and she said that's OK she said he's an older preemie and she thinks he'll be fine....she's not worried about him. Why am I SO worried?? I understand it can be dangerous and I DON'T want him to end up back in the hospital, but I think reading about it on here is making me go crazy.  I feel like when I read stuff on here I see that other parents have the same concerns as I do but when I talk to everyone else in my life, my husband, LO's pedi, my parents, our family....everyone has this "Oh, he'll be fine" attitude.  I'm starting to think my worrying is a little bit out of control. I do have extreme anxiety when it comes to my babys health. If my 3 year old niece gets too close to his face I can feel my heart start to race. Another example- A neighbor of mine and her two kids (4 and 6) wanted to look at LO in the car as I stopped at her house. I said sure. She opened up the car door and lifted her kids up to see him. One of them reached in to touch his face and both of them were just too close for comfort for me. I spent all afternoon anxiously worrying about how close they were to LO and mad that one of them reached in to touch him.  I think I really do need to talk to my dr about getting on anxiety meds if it doesn't get any better.

Kadyra

I get panic attacks sometimes. I worry about rsv. But I don't freak out about it. Ds2 qualifies for synagis, so I feel good about that. If he didn't, this might be an entirely different post!

Ds1 got rsv when he was about 5 months old. That's why I had to stop Breastfeeding. He couldn't breathe through his nose and wouldn't take it. He was in daycare and picked it up there. His O2 sats dropped to 88 percent in the ER and they sent us home. I was furious. Sure, it wasn't terrible, but I felt it warranted more observation. Having had experience with rsv, I'd really like to not repeat it. That's the main reason dh is a SAHD. DS1 got too sick in daycare and he was home all the time anyway. He's trying to go back to work now, and all the other illnesses worry me more! They just never ended and he was so small. Sigh.

ashk7

I also deal with anxiety, so I totally understand that there are certain things that can trigger obsessive thoughts. The way I can personally tell if I need a "tune up" is how well I can talk myself down. By using techniques I have learned over the years. If I am having trouble then I know it's time to talk to someone again or go on low dose meds to regulate myself. This board is not a trigger for me but a great resourse and sense of comfort. Because like pp said everyone's situation is different. I actually spoke with my NICU today because a nurse we had suggested I tried talking to them to see if there were any other resources that could help with synagis approval. There are none DD just doesn't qualify, which neo explained to me that in a way is not a bad thing, because it means she is older and stronger. Made me feel a little better but of course would love to see her extra protected. I want to share what else she told me, and I hope this brings you comfort instead of more worry. She said in her honest opinion that she would be more worried about everyone that will be in contact with dd on a day to day basis or often to have their flu shot and pertussis vaccine up to date. Also having your LO get the flu shot if they are old enough. Everyone can get both of those and she said that will be very beneficial to DD. I worked in a daycare for years while I went to college and we HAD to have the flu shot and our vaccine which included pertussis up to date to be around the children, especially in the infant room. If we did not have our flu shot by a certain date they would actually not schedule us. Good luck with everything and we are mommy's worrying is what we are going to do for the next 80 years lol. It's a running joke in my family that Mia will be 30 and I will be pulling her aside at family parties to take her temp to make sure she is regulating in range haha!! 

katie4253

For me, yes it did. Being on a board with such varying ga's means that every preemie's RSV concern level will be different.

For me, I had a 31 weeker with no lung issues. He was never on cpap, the vent, or O2. It took me awhile to feel more relaxed.

I'm on my phone so I can't see your siggy. What GA was your LO born at? Were they on O2 or other breathing assistance?