Being ill and alone

Biblioklept

I'm just slowly starting to recover from what I think has to be my worst bout of illness in my whole life, sorry to sound all grim but I genuinely thought I was going to die I've been so ill and weak, could barely breathe and just sleeping nonstop

What do others who live alone do when they're unwell? I kept picturing my housing association finding my body months later when they come to find out why I'd not paid rent, although I pay by direct debit so could be years before I was found 😅

I've been feeling so sorry for myself and probably the most lonely I've ever felt

But anyway for better or worse I'm alive! How is everyone else?? Did Christmas go well? ❤️

Ranald

I've just gotten used to being alone, sadly. Now, even if I was offered somewhere to spend Xmas etc, I would find an excuse not to go.

noman

I live alone apart from my 10 year old staffy who keeps me sane,(well kind of,we do have some odd conversations)even though I have my phone and careline which I was forced to have as part of my tenancy agreement I still think about what I would do if I had a stroke or heart attack and I don’t know.

I do have a warden that calls to see me once a month just to check on how I’m doing etc.

At the moment I’m coping ok but the loneliness can sometimes be hard but I think I will be ok if I get a serious illness knowing I have the careline.

Hopeless

It is a problem of living alone. No-one there to even make you a cup of tea when you’re ill. I have CareLink but if I wasn’t able to press the button goodness knows how long I could go before someone missed me

Bluebell21

Hi @Biblioklept I am so very sorry you have been so unwell. I do not live alone so I am not in the same situation as you. A friend of mine does and has CareLink as mentioned by Hopeless. Is this something you could think about?

We are here for you anytime you would like to chat.

I am glad you have started to improve you have been missed on the forum.

Please take care of yourself.

Sandy_123

hi @Bibliokept I'm glad you are feeling better now, it's always a worry when your on your own

WhatThe

Ooh Biblioklept 😕 that doesn't sound very nice.

Let me assure you that you didn't miss much. Christmas finally got here then before the year was out we'd begun Easter. It's not worth trying to understand.

I'm alive, thanks for asking!

poppy123456

I'm so sorry to hear you haven't been well but happy to hear you're feeling better. I don't live alone so have no experience with that.

I blinked and Christmas and New year and come and gone. Lovely to see you posting. ❤️

Biblioklept

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/970470#Comment_970470

Same here, I wasn't bothered about Christmas really but being that unwell was awful, all I wanted was a nice word or a warm drink, it was a weird feeling

Biblioklept

Thanks @noman, I never really thought of how many people must be in this situation too! I've not heard of careline, what is it? Have you ever used it?

Yep @Hopeless, I don't think I could have someone in to make a cup of tea for me but I desperately craved someone around or looking after me at the same time. It was a weird experience! Have you used careline before at all??

Thanks @Bluebell21, a few people have mentioned careline I've never heard of it before. Not sure it's something I could use but I'm interested to find outmore as the idea of just rotting here was pretty scary!!

Thank you @Sandy_123 ❤️

Aww @WhatThe, you always know how to bring a smile out! I've been seeing easter adverts everywhere!

Thank you @poppy123456! This past month has just vanished, I know I slept almost all of it but time oes so quick! I hope Christmas with your daughters' and grandchildren was lovely xx

noman

@Biblioklept

Careline is a support service run by my local council, I have a unit in the living room and a pendant.

If I press a button on the pendant it connects to the careline staff through the unit a nd I can speak to them from anywhere in the house should I need help medical or other.

Ranald

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/970770#Comment_970770

I wasn't always like this, but I hate having anyone in my house, including family. I wasn't always like this, but I imagine recent years of isolation have shaped my outlook.

Albus_Scope

Heya @Biblioklept it's ace to see you! Apologies for not saying anything yesterday, I was hiding under the duvet. Hope you're recovering well.

I'm a saddo and just get stuck in with audiobooks if I'm by myself and ill. And make sure I've filled a thermos with hot drinks so I dont have to move too much.

Biblioklept

Oooh a thermos is a good shout!!! I desperately wanted something warm to sip on but didn't have the energy to go downstairs! I was barely conscious for a lot of it, it was horrendous. I still feel like something heavy is on my chest but my oxygen is at least at passable levels now lol

How was your duvet day?? I've had so many of them I never want to see mine again at the moment, but also I'm so tired still so am snuggling in my Oodie instead

Albus_Scope

It's all about conservation of energy @Biblioklept all those science lessons didn't go to waste haha. gather all the things you'll need around you, plonk yourself down in a comfy spot halfway to everything you need, then just curl up and hibernate until better. Glad things are on the up anyway. 😊

The duvet day was definitely needed, but I think I need about another 50 of them. 😆 I do own an Oodie, but the cat has stolen it as her bed and I can't not let her use it, that'd just be monstrous of me.

Santosha12

Hi Biblioklept, so sorry you've been so poorly. I live alone in HA bungalow, got moved here 2 yrs ago as couldn't get upstairs in my old cottage. housebound mostly and no family etc. Just recovering from double pneumonia (have long covid too). I have 4 small dogs my kitchen is at front of bungalow and I keep a note in my window with In the event of emergency with my vets and an emergency dog sitter number who has my key safe number. Can only hope that if my window blind wasn't opened each day a neighbour would check. This is one of my worse times of being ill very low oxygen when I moved etc. felt very vulnerable. The pendant idea is a good idea but I'd want them to come and make me a cup of tea. I have to move myself anyway to let dogs in garden 6 times a day but sit on a chair while they get on with their stuff. It'll be better when the Spring time comes. I hope you start to feel better soon.

Catherine21

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/128333/being-ill-and-alone

Im so sorry to hear this but totally relate even someone to make you a cup of tea check in on you when im not unwell i dont crave company but when unwell makes me relize i am on my own its scary how do you feel now

luvpink

I live alone.

I was really unwell recently for about eight weeks.

I could barely move from my bed or sofa let alone get a drink or do anything else.

I completely lost my appetite and I was drifting in and out of sleep.

My estranged husband did visit me as much as he could but he works shifts.

I felt so lonely and isolated and it was really scary because I haven't been that unwell for years.

I was so week and exhausted.

I am slowly starting to feel better but I'm still so tired and lacking in energy.

I normally enjoy my own company but there were times I wished I could just have more human contact.

People didn't understand that I was too unwell to go out or do planned things with them.

I think they may have thought I was making it up but I really wasn't

I couldn't even concentrate on the TV so I put quiet music on.

@Biblioklept

I can totally relate to what you say and the symptoms you describe are similar to mine.

Sending you healing hugs.

Rosie_Scope

Hope you're recovering okay @Biblioklept, this sounds so horrible but I'm glad you're feeling a bit better now.

Same for you @luvpink, it can take a while to feel back to your usual self after a nasty illness so I hope you're doing okay.

Thinking of you both!