flu, I feel like death is this normal?

[flamingnoravera]

I've never had flu before. It came on on Friday night with a hot dry cough in the middle of my chest.

These symptoms persisted through Saturday and were joined by muscle and joint pain and total lethargy.

I took a codeine based painkiller on Saturday night (I was desperate and it's all j had) . I woke up pain free but tired so I rested all day.

I woke in the middle of the night last night with an extreme sore throat, the headache from hell and back pain. These have continued all day.

To top it all I am constipated again which means I am scared to poo because of a rectocele. I've taken 6 movicol and a suppository today but no joy.

I am alone in the house, I can't get out to buy any other painkillers but need something (I have solpadol and tramadol but scared to take the former because of constipation and the latter due to anxiety.

Is flu always this awful? Could it be something more serious? (Kidney infection?) what can I do to have a poo? I last went on Friday and have eaten only vegetables, prunes and nuts since. I'm drinking gallons of water, peeing every hour.

I know I can't go to the dr with flu. But what can I do?

[TrafficJunkie]

You can go to the doctor for flu. I would... Even if it reassures you. Theres no harm done. Ive heard there is a really nasty one going around. One of my friends was off sick for 10 days.

[Kingfisherfree]

I feel your pain - I am 10 days into the flu and have absolutely no energy, I can't think properly and have achy muscles/joints and am bloody depressed!

[allegretto]

Sounds like flu - real flu can be really bad. Last time I had it I could barely walk to the loo and definitely couldn't have posted on MN! Hope you feel better soon!

[TrafficJunkie]

Drink honey and lemon for your throat, take paracetamol for your pain and fever, get a hot water bottle on your back, and lie down.
Try putting medium pressure on your tummy and move around it using circular motions towards your colon/small intestine. It may help with the constipation. Gets things moving.
When im constipated I also eat natural yogurt with mango.

[OrangeSquashTallGlass]

Flu is awful. You're on MN though which is a good sign

Have a warm bath, hot drink and then walk gently around with a hot water bottle strapped to you. Guaranteed poo cure. Good luck!

[FurryFox]

I was exactly like this during half term and the week after, so about 14 days, the second week I was able to get out of bed but had literally no energy and still felt rubbish. Saturday just gone was the first day I felt back to my normal self. I had already been to the doctors and had antibiotics for tonsillitis so didn't go back but did contemplate it. Hope you feel better soon.

[flamingnoravera]

Thanks mners, so this is flu. I have just had camomile tea and I've got a hottie bottle. It sounds like I have surrender to it and carry on treating the constipation. Nothing is working down there though :(

[longdiling]

Oh dear oh dear Op, you have inadvertently broken one of the main rules of mumsnet; you can't say you have flu and post on here. It's apparently impossible. I've never seen it listed on a medical site as being a symptom but according to some on here it's the main one!!

Anyway, ignoring that nonsense, would any if your pharmacies deliver? Would tesco or Asda deliver flu remedies with home shopping? Might be worth finding out, or asking a friend to grab you something. Feel better soon!

[flamingnoravera]

Brilliant idea longdilling. I can rustle up a list of laxatives, painkillers and roughage vegetables and get tesco to deliver tomorrow.

To be frank, mn is all I can manage at the moment. I can't read anything proper, tv makes my brain itch and I keep dozing so thank dog for the intetnets.

[LoveBoursin]

Well tbh when I had flu, there is no way I would have been able to post for at least the first 3 days.
After that, then yes it is totally possible.

And yes 'real' flu IS really bad.
Actually most people I know who have had it have commented how since they actually had it once, they now recognised that when they thought they had flu before, it was only a bad cold as it is so different and so bad!

You might be constipated because of the fever. Plenty of water might help.

[MrsMarigold]

DH has just had flu (we didn't get it because we had the vaccine), he was in bed for two weeks and phoned me from upstairs to bring him water and hot toddies, he eats like a horse normally but went off his food. He had the same symptoms, I hope you get better soon and rest up.

[whatisforteamum]

This has made me feel better.Off today and feeling a bit guilty as the last time i had anything like this was 2001 !! started with very sore throat and tiredness worked three days over weekend and lost my voice.Then progressed to coughing so much i had to see gp and get inhalers again for the first time in 5 yrs.I slept all day mon on my day off and gp says i have a fever.My dh had horrendous cough and sniffing and was reluctant to cover his nose or mouth !!
I feel guilty that someone had to cover my shift today but i couldnt face 12 hrs in a busy kitchen.For me the raging sore throat was the worst bit.
Get well soon everyone :)

[flamingnoravera]

I'm on day 5 and improving apart from vertigo and nausea which came on last night. I have no appetite and can't even face a cup of tea. Every day brings something new. I was gonna get up today but I have to go back to bed again.

I've been off work 3 days this week.

[whatisforteamum]

I have lost one work day and said i would probably do thurday 930am/11pm or let them know today.My back hurts when i breath and ive just had a bath and risking going to buy food.My sore throat has gone just struggling tbh so i would feel guilty not going however not sure i can do a long arse day :(

[wallywobbles]

Real flu is a killer, literally. Remember it wiped out more people than WW1 right after the war ended.

I had TAMIFLU - has to be taken in the first 48 hours, but I'm still absolutely wiped out 11 days later. The earlier you take it the better you are. Right now I'm having naps morning and afternoon, 10 hours per night. Luckily I work for myself.

[IHeartKingThistle]

I haven't had a sick day in over 2 years but there was no way I could get to work today. Cough and sore throat, headache, earache, everything aches, sweaty when I am usually cold. Don't know if it's flu, probably not, but feel rotten. DS had it yesterday but seems perked today so maybe it's a quick one. I can't be off work!

[IHeartKingThistle]

Perkier I mean

[whatisforteamum]

i worked in a nursing home and the elderly used to die in the winter months from it. Usually im a workaholic and dying to get to work.This has left me exhausted.

[Genx77]

I had flu once, in 2003, easily the worst illness I've ever had, signed off work for a month with it. I so so weak afterwards and it took weeks to get my strength back. I always have the flu jab every year now, I can't think of much worse than having to look after children with flu!

[redannie118]

I totally agree, the only time I ever had proper flu I seriously thought I was going to die. I couldnt stand up and had to be carried to the toilet. 25 hrs of labour and a emergency c section were more fun !!!hope you feel better soon x

[IHeartKingThistle]

Threw up this morning after an hour with an upset stomach. Is this part of flu? Feel so so rubbish . Can't talk. Hope you're OK op

[flamingnoravera]

I had throwing up and diarrhoea on day 4 and 5. I'm on day 6 now. And they've both passed. Today's symptoms are sneezing, runny nose, sinus stuff. Literally a new symptom every 25 -36 hours. I'm still in bed. I've tried to get up but had to return again, this has been a very long week.

Sending strength to anyone suffering flu this week.

[amarmai]

codeine causes constipation. Magnesium citrate will help to get it moving.

[flamingnoravera]

I finally feel better. And I've lost over half a stone, the silver lining!

[CC7688]

Soooooo happy you’re feeling better! I know this is two years late but it makes me happy anyway❤️