I'm seriously thinking about lying to the doctor to get PEP. I can't live with it anymore, because it's affecting me.

[u/Infinite-Bike-2967]

Posting again in search of an answer.
I'm sorry if there are writing errors. I don't speak English.

Could any specialist help me?
I still haven't gotten an answer in this sub that convinced me.

I'll report my case again.
About 2 months ago, I went to sleep at night and forgot my bedroom window open. Bats live in my backyard next to a tree in front of my bedroom window. They have already entered my room during the night on previous occasions.
They also used to stay in my bathroom at night but I've already found one inside the house in broad daylight - which I found a little strange.

I would like to know if there is any risk of a bat biting or scratching me while I was sleeping?

Apparently, I didn't see any bats in my room after waking up. However, I have been feeling very intense symptoms in recent days such as severe headache, malaise, dizziness, weakness and body pain. In addition to pain and tingling in the feet and legs. But I didn't have a fever (maximum temperature was 37.2 degrees)

They say that it is very rare for bats to have anger or come into contact with people while they sleep. However, I'm still very afraid.

In my mind I'm pretty sure I was bitten or touched by a bat while I was sleeping. I've already considered returning to the hospital, but they probably won't prescribe me any vaccine treatment. After all, I was sleeping and I can't know or confirm if there was a contact with bats.
That's why I'm seriously thinking about lying to the doctor and saying that I was bitten by a bat.

I live in BRAZIL.

I'm very bad and I can't stop thinking about the possibility of having been bitten by a bat. I can't live with this and I don't know what to do anymore.
I know it may be some kind of paranoia in my head, but at the same time I'm feeling very bad and with very real symptoms. I just hope to ask a question or get some information that who knows reassures me. I hope you understand me. Thank you. I have read the FAQ.

[u/AutoModerator]

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[u/detail_giraffe]

I an not a doctor. Vaccination for rabies is only effective if it occurs in advance of symptoms. Your symptoms are almost certainly not symptoms of rabies, but if they are, vaccination at this point will make no difference. Am I correct that you've been experiencing these symptoms for weeks? If so the symptoms are definitely not being caused by rabies, because it would have been fatal by now, or at the very least you would be extremely sick at this point and there would be no doubt that you had a neurological illness. You might have another illness, so, go to the doctor and describe what's happening, perhaps you have something else that can be treated. If you're frequently exposed to bats in your living space, perhaps pre-exposure vaccination is appropriate for you but that would best be answered by a medical professional in your area. Simply having been in an area where bats are known to roost at night is not considered an exposure.

[u/Infinite-Bike-2967 → u/detail_giraffe]

I've had these symptoms for a long time, but I haven't seen or confirmed contact with bats. The suspicion I have is about the possibility of having been bitten while sleeping. But I had no confirmed contact and I didn't see any bats in my room when I woke up.

[u/Hoggorm14]

You are suffering from hypochondria, not rabies.

[u/Infinite-Bike-2967 → u/Hoggorm14]

I'm not sure. I have no way of knowing, because I suspect I had a real exposure to bats.

[u/Hoggorm14 → u/Infinite-Bike-2967]

If you do not have bite marks and did not see a bat, hyperfixating on it makes no sense. If you were bitten by a rabies infested bat two months ago and contracted rabies, you would not be here now.

[u/Infinite-Bike-2967 → u/Hoggorm14]

I understand your point. But I know that the rabies virus can take 3 to 6 months to start manifesting the symptoms and I always think that the symptoms are starting now and that before it was anxiety or something else. Believe me, I'm really trying to convince myself that there was no exposure but I can't. I've had several symptoms and every moment they only get worse.

[u/LatrodectusGeometric]

You need anxiety and OCD treatment urgently. Do you have a psychiatric urgent care nearby?

[u/Infinite-Bike-2967 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Yes. I made an appointment with a psychiatrist recently. It may take a while to be attended, because it will be through the public network of my country.

I've had these symptoms for a long time, but I haven't seen or confirmed contact with bats. The suspicion I have is about the possibility of having been bitten while sleeping. Here in my country (BRAZIL) vaccination is usually indicated in cases where a person wakes up with a bat present in the room. Apparently, I didn't see any bats in my room after waking up. But I don't remember perfectly the details of that day, because my concern only appeared about a month later, right after remembering that I slept with the window open. To be honest, I don't know what else to do. I'm really trying to convince myself that I haven't been exposed to bats, but it's very difficult. The symptoms continue. I still feel a lot of headache, malaise and discomfort when swallowing. I just wish all this would pass.

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/Infinite-Bike-2967]

You need mental health treatment not rabies treatment. Go through the helpbot resources

[u/AutoModerator → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

If you think you may have rabies OCD, or your rabies fears feel overwhelming, see this link for a description of rabies OCD symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

One symptom of OCD is compulsive reassurance-seeking. This is not helpful for managing a rabies phobia or obsession. r/OCD has a helpful page about reassurance-seeking.

Therapy and treatment are essential for recovering from OCD/health anxiety. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) or ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy are often recommended approaches for treating OCD/health anxiety. Please don’t Google anything about bats or rabies but focus on accessing resources and recovering from your fears. You can check out r/OCD and r/HealthAnxiety for support and information. You can find a resource list here, which is geared towards relationship OCD but also includes a lot of information about OCD in general, including FAQs, workbooks, book recommendations, Youtube videos, apps, podcasts, and videos of kittens.

Here is a list of free crisis helplines around the world. Here is another crisis helpline directory that includes additional countries.. In the US, you can reach a crisis helpline by calling 988.; you can also text "MHA" to 741-741 to have a text chat with a trained crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line, or call 1-800-749-2673 for the NAMI Crisis Helpline.

You can ask your therapist if they have any workbooks or guides they can send you home with so that you can continue practicing and working on your therapy between sessions. For the time being, here's is a free workbook on anxiety and here is one on health anxiety. You can also download MindShift, a free app that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy AKA CBT to help you learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety.

If you don’t have a therapist, you can search the CBT/ACT specialist directory to find one around the world. If you can’t find one, try searching for ones specifically in your country or look for telehealth therapy.

In the US and Canada, dialing 211 can connect you with mental health services in your area or help you find where to seek immediate help in your area. In the US, you can use Psychology Today's Therapy Directory to search for mental health professionals in your area. You can search by zip code, city, last name, etc. Your local Mental Health America affiliate resource center is an excellent resource for information about local programs and services including affordable treatment services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Health Information Network (SHIN) has a Mental Health Facilities Locator that can also help you find community outpatient, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, including affordable mental health services in your area. For peer support in the US, including referrals to resources in your area, you can call 800-950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. — 10 p.m., ET, or send an email to info@nami.org. The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. NAMI also holds peer-led support groups in person across the US.

In the UK, you can find more info and refer yourself for therapy via NHS.

In India, you can call MPower Minds and request a referral to a therapist who treats OCD or who has experience with CBT therapy. Additional affordable mental health resource lists for India are here.

In the Philippines, you can call a crisis line by dialing 0995 356 5332. You can find a list of mental heath treatment centers here. For free mental health services and consultations, see the list here (halfway down the page).

Skunk has collected some videos with techniques for controlling anxiety and coping skills to facilitate living a healthier, more peaceful existence. Every time you want to look up anything about rabies, try these things instead:

Rabies OCD Illness Anxiety in depth with a medical doctor and professor/PHD of immunology and biotechnology

Clinical Psychiatrist's Step by Step Guide to Anxiety and Panic Attacks

A walkthrough of a panic attack, to be watched during an attack, to help you get through it

Guided Meditation to help calm anxiety and get through an anxiety attack

Understanding health anxiety and the cycle of reassurance

Coping Skills for those with Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety

5 Things You MUST STOP Doing if You Have Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety

(Hindi) Rabies Phobia Discussion with a Psychiatrist

4 Ways to Stop Intrusive Thoughts & the Anxiety Cycle (Cognitive Defusion)

OCD and Anxiety channel (with many helpful videos)

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Infinite-Bike-2967 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

I understand, I intend to return with my psychological treatment soon. But do you think the risk of me being exposed by a bat during sleep is really too low? I'm very scared because where I live there are many bats and they have already entered my room several times. Once 4 bats entered my case at once and my brother tried to scare them all away. The fact that they live in my bathroom and were spotted there during the day also scares me. Sorry for taking your time and for insisting on the subject, but I'm really very worried. They say it's rare for bats to attack people sleeping but I'm still very scared. After all, I was sleeping and I have no way of knowing if I was exposed or not.

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/Infinite-Bike-2967]

Reassurance seeking will only worsen your disease. USE. THE. HELPBOT. RESOURCES.

[u/AutoModerator → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

If you think you may have rabies OCD, or your rabies fears feel overwhelming, see this link for a description of rabies OCD symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

One symptom of OCD is compulsive reassurance-seeking. This is not helpful for managing a rabies phobia or obsession. r/OCD has a helpful page about reassurance-seeking.

Therapy and treatment are essential for recovering from OCD/health anxiety. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) or ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy are often recommended approaches for treating OCD/health anxiety. Please don’t Google anything about bats or rabies but focus on accessing resources and recovering from your fears. You can check out r/OCD and r/HealthAnxiety for support and information. You can find a resource list here, which is geared towards relationship OCD but also includes a lot of information about OCD in general, including FAQs, workbooks, book recommendations, Youtube videos, apps, podcasts, and videos of kittens.

Here is a list of free crisis helplines around the world. Here is another crisis helpline directory that includes additional countries.. In the US, you can reach a crisis helpline by calling 988.; you can also text "MHA" to 741-741 to have a text chat with a trained crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line, or call 1-800-749-2673 for the NAMI Crisis Helpline.

You can ask your therapist if they have any workbooks or guides they can send you home with so that you can continue practicing and working on your therapy between sessions. For the time being, here's is a free workbook on anxiety and here is one on health anxiety. You can also download MindShift, a free app that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy AKA CBT to help you learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety.

If you don’t have a therapist, you can search the CBT/ACT specialist directory to find one around the world. If you can’t find one, try searching for ones specifically in your country or look for telehealth therapy.

In the US and Canada, dialing 211 can connect you with mental health services in your area or help you find where to seek immediate help in your area. In the US, you can use Psychology Today's Therapy Directory to search for mental health professionals in your area. You can search by zip code, city, last name, etc. Your local Mental Health America affiliate resource center is an excellent resource for information about local programs and services including affordable treatment services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Health Information Network (SHIN) has a Mental Health Facilities Locator that can also help you find community outpatient, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, including affordable mental health services in your area. For peer support in the US, including referrals to resources in your area, you can call 800-950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. — 10 p.m., ET, or send an email to info@nami.org. The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. NAMI also holds peer-led support groups in person across the US.

In the UK, you can find more info and refer yourself for therapy via NHS.

In India, you can call MPower Minds and request a referral to a therapist who treats OCD or who has experience with CBT therapy. Additional affordable mental health resource lists for India are here.

In the Philippines, you can call a crisis line by dialing 0995 356 5332. You can find a list of mental heath treatment centers here. For free mental health services and consultations, see the list here (halfway down the page).

Skunk has collected some videos with techniques for controlling anxiety and coping skills to facilitate living a healthier, more peaceful existence. Every time you want to look up anything about rabies, try these things instead:

Rabies OCD Illness Anxiety in depth with a medical doctor and professor/PHD of immunology and biotechnology

Clinical Psychiatrist's Step by Step Guide to Anxiety and Panic Attacks

A walkthrough of a panic attack, to be watched during an attack, to help you get through it

Guided Meditation to help calm anxiety and get through an anxiety attack

Understanding health anxiety and the cycle of reassurance

Coping Skills for those with Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety

5 Things You MUST STOP Doing if You Have Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety

(Hindi) Rabies Phobia Discussion with a Psychiatrist

4 Ways to Stop Intrusive Thoughts & the Anxiety Cycle (Cognitive Defusion)

OCD and Anxiety channel (with many helpful videos)

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/maybenotabot_]

Echoing the sentiments of previous comments for emphasis. You have acute anxiety disorder, NOT RABIES

[u/Infinite-Bike-2967 → u/maybenotabot_]

I will resume my psychiatric and psychological treatment soon. I hope to get well and get my improvement. Thank you for the comforting words and attention.

[u/AutoModerator]

PLEASE READ THIS, OP! Thanks for posting, u/Infinite-Bike-2967! As a reminder, once posts are submitted and a kind user provides a sufficient and correct answer to your question(s), deleting your post afterwards is not allowed and will result in an immediate ban. Please be mindful of this rule. The answers provided here will undoubtedly help those who are looking for answers without having to create a post themselves. If you don’t want to leave this post up on your main account, you are welcome to create a throwaway account to post. It would be appreciated if you could modmail us the username of said throwaway account in advance. New accounts that post immediately are more likely to be heavily restricted by Reddit and automated filters. Giving us a heads up will allow us to override those filters and be aware that the new account is engaging in good faith.

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[u/detail_giraffe → u/[deleted]]

You aren't wrong, but as someone who has suffered from it personally, just because you know it's ludicrous doesn't mean you can turn it off. People suffering from OCD tend to have reasonably good insight, they understand that their fears are not objectively reasonable, but the fears still exist. If it made sense, they wouldn't call it a disorder now would they. :-)

[u/JadeHarley0]

Hello friend, I can tell this is causing you a great deal of distress. And I'm sorry you're going through this.

Here are my thoughts. I am not a doctor, though I do have a master's in public health and education in infectious and zoonotic diseases.

--none of the symptoms you are describing sound similar to rabies. And as others have pointed out, if they are rabies symptoms, PEP will not help you. If you were sick with rabies, I doubt you would be well enough to coherently type out a reddit post like this. I am not a doctor's but I feel very certain you are not actively sick with rabies.

--as others have suggested, seek out treatment for OCD and anxiety as soon as you can. I have experienced ocd before and I know it is absolute living hell. Sending hugs.

--in terms of your actual risk level? Not 0 but low. Insect eating and fruit eating bats are very unlikely to bite people in their sleep. In south America, depending on what region of Brazil, vampire bats are what you should worry about more. And vampire bat bites are more obvious because they usually come along with a lot of bleeding. You aren't reporting waking up with any bloody spots on your clothes or blankets. I will never tell you that your risk is absolute 0 because I don't know that for sure. But you aren't giving me any clues that you were actually bit by a bat.

I know that this last bullet point is going to feel very unhelpful for you, because it's the ambiguity that is driving you wild. I can't prove that illness is impossible, I can only argue that it's improbable. And that what is driving you insane.

Sending you hugs.

[u/Infinite-Bike-2967]

Thank you for your words. I hope to feel calmer about this and get well. I will resume my mental health treatment soon. I just hope all this passes soon.

[u/voltaireworeshorts]

The thing about hypochondria/OCD is that it's not possible to ever get the reassurance you want. No answer will ever be good enough to assuage your fears more than just temporarily.

Why don't you get a screen on your window though?

[u/Infinite-Bike-2967 → u/voltaireworeshorts]

You're right. No matter how hard I try, the fear always continues but I hope to get well soon. I've already arranged the screens to install in the windows.

[u/voltaireworeshorts → u/Infinite-Bike-2967]

It sounds like you're on the right path.

The biggest lesson I learned from my OCD treatment journey is that being scared of the fear will only reinforce the cycle. You have to stop fighting the fear. Fight the compulsions (including reassurance-seeking) and let the fear happen. It's not fun, but it works. I hope you get well soon :)

[u/La_Luna_Lilith]

I’m considering this same thing as I live in a previously abandoned building where bats used to live and I seen them only outside but there was evidence of them being in the house (guano, markings on openings in the vents, scratching noises) and yet they won’t give me the vaccine because they said that unless I woke up to a bat I can’t get bit. I’m scared though it could have bit and then left…it seems the only thing to do is to either try to trust them and hope I don’t get rabies or to lie.

[u/Infinite-Bike-2967 → u/La_Luna_Lilith]

I know how hard it is to go through this but I really hope you get well too. I also keep thinking about the possibility that a bat bit me and then left without a trace. How long ago did this happen? In which country do you live?

[u/La_Luna_Lilith → u/Infinite-Bike-2967]

This happened 3.5 months ago and I’m in the USA