Feeling so ill

[lougle]

Day 4 now. Day 1, felt rough - cough, nose, eyes, cheekbones, etc. Didn't sleep all night.
Day 2 was meant to do a night shift. Felt grim. Took a nap to try and prepare. Luckily work phoned and gave annual leave as quiet. Stupid thinking I could work.
Day 3 (yesterday) another night shift. Phoned in sick. Temp 37.9, heart rate 146, coughing and breathlessness.
Day 4 (today) mostly slept. Weak and exhausted. Cough, sore throat, etc., continues.

I've never felt this bad in my life. It's taken me ages to type this. I'm pretty sure it's viral. Could be a flu strain (had my jab at work, ITU) or just a very heavy cold. ButI can barely walk.

How much longer will I be this unwell? I have 3 children to think about.

[Caprianna]

Me too. Awful have been ill for days in bed. Cannot type much

[Badders123]

Oh dear
Me too
Awful cough - been on abx since Monday with no improvement
Dr says chest infection but god I feel rough
No real temp but heart rate elevated
I bent over earlier to pick something up, coughed and put my back out

[Badders123]

...and I'm coughing up gross green phlegm

[Penhacked]

Ditto. It is fucking horrible. We had it from another European country. It's everywhere. Wipes you out. I'm day 4 with such a sore throat. Fever passed thank fuck

[Badders123]

I didn't really get much of a sore throat or runny nose but my throat hurts now from coughing
Ds2 had a high temp and sore throat virus all this week

[BobbyNoggle]

I had this recently; felt dreadful for the best part of 11 days. I'd had the flu-jab at work too but, it must have been another viral strain of flu

[MegGriffin]

I have this, what a horrible, horrible thing it is. High temperature, cough (with yukky stuff coming up) weak, having to lie down, croaky voice now runny nose as well. It has to be the worse cold I have ever had. I have just started to feel a tiny bit better (as In moved around the house instead of in bed). I have lost a week and feel very unprepared for Christmas. I hope you feel better soon, you have my sympathy.

[lougle]

I can't have it for 11 days! I've already called in sick for one shift (should have been 2 but was able to take AL for one) and I'm on a night shift on Christmas Day. I'm currently in bed, waiting for the moment when I can sleep without coughing

[DottyGiraffe]

Would it be sensible to get checked out today in case it's more than a cold type thing, it being a long weekend and everything?

[youarenotkiddingme]

My friend had this 2 weeks ago. She was really rough for 5 days then slowly clawed back. She said the coughing was the worst and lasted a week.

Hope you break your fever soon. I always find I feel better despite still being ill once fever has gone iyswim?

[AutumnalLeaves38]

and soothing lemon & honey hot drinks for you all,

Nothing helpful to add, other than I'm really sorry you're feeling so dire.

I had something similar last year, and for the first few days seriously considered that death would be the more welcome option.

It's particularly hard when Xmas preparations and kids' expectations, or work commitments, add extra pressure to recover ASAP.

(Remember, though, if you have no other choice, a belated 'extra' Christmas instead can be quite exciting/ a relief to most people).

No point in making yourself far worse, and risking a relapse by trying to struggle on (even though that's what we usually feel obliged to do).

Hope you all feel a lot less painful, recover quickly and are able to enjoy at least some of the festivities x

[PurpleMcPants]

I've had this too, had two and a half weeks of feeling shit before it developed into chest infection. Now on antibiotics, well into week 3 and the cough and everything else are much better (I can finally breathe!!) but am absolutely wiped out and can't make it through the day without needing a nap. I think you need to be prepared that it may take a while to get over.

[headinhands]

Another victim of the plague here. Am a pathetic sight surrounded by tissues. Nose and eyes a constant stream. Was supposed to visit family but can't face travel. Fucken illness.

[Badders123]

Still coughing up green gunk...
Supposed to be seeing family tomorrow...

[PurpleMcPants]

What antib's are you on Badders? I started mine (clarithromycin) Monday too and breathing has got much better. Also been using inhalers which have helped massively. Doc said you should see significant improvement in a couple of days if the antib's were going to work

[Lilaclily]

Op I know it feels awful but if you have to phone in sick Xmas day for your night shift that's what you will have to do

Could you ring your manager today to warn them that you're not feeling any better ?

[Badders123]

I'm allergic To penecillin so am on doxycycline - high dose. 3 more days to go
I'm not coughing much at night now but am using a humidifier
When I get up in the morning I cough up bits
Of green phlegm (sorry tmi!)
My dc have inhalers - might give that a go tonight

[Lovelilies]

Feel for you. So far ALL my family have had except me hope it stays that way!
I second ringing your manager. Last thing ITU patients need is your bug

[lougle]

I'm a little better today. I woke up feeling vaguely human. Still coughing. Head sore and nose stuffy, but could walk. Now exhausted but not as out of it as I was yesterday.

[ApplesinmyPocket]

Day 8 here of what sounds like the same horrible bug some of you have been suffering from. I'm mildly asthmatic and for the first two days the worst symptom was quite a distressing breathlessness. When that eased off I found that even so I was feeling very ill indeed - coughing spasmodically, headache, nausea, palpitations - and a debilitating malaise that seemed to go on and on. Horrible taste in mouth put me right off eating and drinking, except sips of water.

Anyway today for the first time I feel I'm really on the mend - it happened quite quickly after days of nothing much changing - suddenly that draggy nauseous/headachy/fatigue lifted and I even felt like eating something.

I'm hoping everyone else is perking up also and able to look forward to feeling normal-ish for Christmas. I'm specially sorry for anyone who was struggling to look after little ones while ill!

[lougle]

Well I haven't really made it out of bed I managed 1.5 hours of 'vague human' feeling and the rest has been exhausted wimp. It's amazing how much effort eating a packet of crisps takes.

[Penhacked]

I feel a little better today (day 5/6)
Staying at parents who have helped with kids in theory, but in reality were so easily pissed off about the fact they are real children not the fantasy grandchildren they daydream about when they are thousands of miles away that I ended up getting up and trying to stop ds jumping on couch while breastfeeding with High Fever. And now today the baby has it. Awful Christmas.

[Badders123]

Oh dear :(
I have made it downstairs
I have put some Xmas music on in an effort to cheer myself up...I've spent most of the last 3 days alone upstairs :(

[PurpleMcPants]

I'm feeling like I'm turning a corner, 2 more days of antibiotics left. Have actually managed to cook a meal today (but then was exhausted afterwards!) and have stayed awake the whole day. Lost count of how long it's been going on. Hope everyone is feeling at least a bit better by Christmas Day.

[Badders123]

I have two days left too purple.
I haven't had a nap today but have rested in bed watching tv.
Still not got much of an appetite but I'm putting that down to the abx
Hope we all feel better by the big day!