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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be so fed up of being ill?

60 replies

ProudPearl · 10/01/2026 12:09

I'm starting to feel like I'll never feel well again!
I caught what I now think was flu in October. At the time I referred to it as a cold but it knocked me off my feet for over a week. It was 5 full weeks before I felt like I was getting better.

Then, early December my son came home from uni coughing. After he'd been back a week I could feel the tell tale signs of a new cold...scratchy throat etc. This became another full blown cold. I was frustrated but that made sense...my son has been living in a different part of the country so that was obviously a new virus to me. I started to get over that after about 10 days.

Then on Christmas eve my DH started coughing. I assumed he had the virus I was just recovering from. But no, by boxing day I was feeling absolutely rotten again. Terrible cough, sore throat, struggling to sleep at night.

I went to the GP and she was sympathetic but said it was just viral, rest and fluids. Didn't seem concerned about how long I'd been ill. No chest infection or tonsillitis. DH has also seen his GP and been told the same. DS is also no better, not seen his GP as they're the other end of the country and his symptoms are the same as ours.

This hasn't really gone away. I'm a teacher, so I'm back at work now but I've only taught 2 days this week and my throat pain is unbearable. I'm constantly coughing at night so feeling absolutely knackered.

I could cry this morning after another bad night, I feel like I'm wasting my life away. I'm supposed to go out tonight with friends but I'm going to cancel as I feel like shit. We cancelled so much over Christmas and New year. Friends and family are starting to think we just don't want to see them. We haven't seen DH's family over Christmas at all, it's the middle of January now and we're still not better. I'm worried they'll think we just don't care.

We're dragging ourselves to work but no energy left for anything else.

In terms of medication we've got all the usual stuff. Strepsils, paracetamol, ibuprofen, cough medicine, hot lemon and honey. We're taking vitamins and have really increased our fruit and vegetable intake.

Thanks if you're still reading. I'm just looking for suggestions on what to do next.

TL/DR: I've had the flu since October and it's not budging, Doctors no help at all, wtf do I do now?

OP posts:
cotswoldsgal1234 · 10/01/2026 15:32

I am a school nurse. I never used to be ill. But these days there are so many viruses around, I dread the Winter term. In September I caught covid and since then I have had the flu and 2 colds. Now we have finished with Christmas, I am hoping I have built up enough immunity to not catch anything again until September.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 10/01/2026 15:30

OP, I really sympathise. i had what I think was COVID at the beginning of October, and even though I've had worse initial bouts of COVID (had it about 6 times in total), I just haven't got fully better. Still left with an inflamed throat and sinus issues and still coughing at times, productively. I feel much better than I did so I know it's slowwwwwwly improving and I'm almost back to normal, but man, the length of time to be feeling below par was so depressing at times. I'm not surprised you had a little cry.

I went back to my GP after it had been 10 weeks or so, I'd had a week's worth of penicillin which did nothing and was still not feeling well. She sent me for a chest x-ray just to she could say she's done something, I think, which looked normal except for something which is probably just the shadow of a nipple or something, so I have to go back this week to get another one done to check it's nothing else. I'm not at all worried.

My theory is that mine was COVID (but didn't test so can't be sure) and that my immune system has just been so destroyed by repeated bouts of it that it struggles now with anything much beyond a cold. I also work in a school (infants) so am bombarded with all the worst germs and viruses so getting ill is inevitable, but it's never been like this before. Sadly I think I'm at the age (early 50s, past menopause) where I also think that's starting to have a bearing.

The only thing that did me any good was a damned good rest over Christmas. I mean, I literally did nothing, got up as late as I wanted each day, let the house go, let the washing build up. Really, really rested. And then I could feel myself start to get better. I'm not a teacher so don't have your workload/stress levels but I can see how whatever you have will linger unless you give yourself proper time to recover. I know no teacher ever wants to ring in sick but I really think there's a point where unless you do, it'll just drag on and on till spring.

Sleepasaurus · 10/01/2026 15:26

I’m the same op! So rough!
I have the flu jab every year. This year I think my immune system is broken.

HappyNannie · 10/01/2026 15:25

I feel for you. This could be me, except in between shitty cold flu episodes lasting over 6 weeks I put my back out as well 🤬🤬🤬 I’ve never felt as old and knackered as I do at the moment in the end i relinquished I just had to accept that it was out of my control, I have tried my best to rest and relax and to try not to stress over the housework, washing piles, missed socialising and wasted shopping that was bought in so I could host some festivities for family and friends Christmas decorations not put away yes it’s been so fucking frustrating. No advice to offer just know that you’re feeling are valid and that you’re not alone.

Original poster
ProudPearl · 10/01/2026 15:21

@LoveItaly that's a wonderful thought, unfortunately budgets won't allow it at the moment, we have two kids at uni and one at home with a very expensive hobby so things are a bit tight! Hopefully next year! 😀

OP posts:
Purplebunnie · 10/01/2026 15:21

I started 20th December, still coughing. DH is on antibiotics for his sinuses but may have to have a different lot for his lungs as he is continually coughing. He went the route of 111 and had telephone consultation with pharmacist who we can't fault. Impossible to get appointments with GP.

I spoke to a pharmacist in the week who said 4 weeks for it to go

Don't feel like we had a Christmas and were ill last Christmas as well

Have regular flu jabs and have also paid for the pneumonia jab. Am going to request NHS pneumonia jab as that apparently has extra protection and I think we are now eligible

DH and I had different symptoms and he was also ill in October but I escaped it

Sympathies to everyone who is suffering

CurlyhairedAssassin · 10/01/2026 15:20

Nannyfannybanny · 10/01/2026 15:01

Next year ,get a flu jab. Get well soon, but I hope you don't teach grammar. Fed up of,instead of fed up with,it's sloppy and unprofessional. Hopefully just because you are feeling below par. Cheap high strength vit d tablets are the way to go. Do not waste your money on vit c it's water soluble,out with the first wee.

Friggin hell, leave her alone, she's said she's feeling under par, she's not going to be bothered looking closely at what she's typed to check it's not going to offend grammar pedants.

Original poster
ProudPearl · 10/01/2026 15:19

@fluffythecat1 I think you might be right, I will ask for bloods. I certainly need to boost my immune system for the future.

Thank you for all the kind thoughtful replies, don't know why I bothered responding to the one person who decided to be critical, it would bounce off me usually but when you're feeling rubbish every little thing gets you down.

OP posts:
LoveItaly · 10/01/2026 15:18

You could all do with a holiday in a hot destination, maybe at half term given you are a teacher? I once had a terrible cough for weeks that only disappeared when I went somewhere hot.

Anewuser · 10/01/2026 15:15

Enjoy your evening out, I think your husband may be right, might be just the boost you need.

Anewuser · 10/01/2026 15:14

@ProudPearl don't beat yourself up about not having the flu jab - too late now anyway. My son had the jab, still caught influenza A, led to pneumonia and sepsis. The jab hopefully prevents you being worse, it doesn’t prevent you catching it. Plus, there’s no way of knowing now what you had anyway. Was probably covid.

fluffythecat1 · 10/01/2026 15:12

Would recommend heading along to your GP and getting some blood tests done. I felt similar to you and it turned out that I had Hashimito’s- an underactive thyroid and I’m now on medication. Also ask them to check your vitamin D, most people have low vitamin D in the winter due to the lack of natural light and it affects your immune system.

Original poster
ProudPearl · 10/01/2026 15:10

@Bulbsbulbsbulbs I don't know really, I've always had a pretty good immune system before. I will definitely have it in future. I think this could be COVID too, though I've not tested.

OP posts:
Original poster
ProudPearl · 10/01/2026 15:09

@Nannyfannybanny I've just read your post and your own typing is so shockingly bad I can only assume you're a troll.

OP posts:
Bulbsbulbsbulbs · 10/01/2026 15:08

ProudPearl · 10/01/2026 14:47

Thanks for the replies. Sorry to hear others are feeling the same.

I feel like such a moaner, it's only a cold and there are so many people worse off but I'm really down about it today. Had a little cry earlier to DH. I'm just fed up of feeling rotten all the time. It's been 3 months.

@Berlinlover no, I didn't think I needed the flu jab! Doctor said it's probably too late now but I should have it next year.

Why did you think you didn't need the flu jab when you work in a school? Genuine question, not being snippy.

I always have it as I'm self employed. As I think mine is Covid ( according to GP) it wouldn't have helped with this anyway.

Cadenza12 · 10/01/2026 15:08

I suggest taking some action to boost your immune system. Do some research, have a look at high dose vitamin D for instance. Hope you feel better soon

Original poster
ProudPearl · 10/01/2026 15:07

@Nannyfannybanny whatever you got out of criticising my grammar, I hope it was worth it for you. You're talking to someone who is telling you they're at their absolute lowest ebb. I hope your job doesn't involve interacting with humans at all, because you're absolutely shit at it. (That's a colloquialism, by the way, I don't care if you like the phrasing or not.)

OP posts:
Original poster
ProudPearl · 10/01/2026 15:02

I might go and make some nice veggie soup actually, that's a great idea. My DH has been making smoothies like they're going out of fashion, I'm wondering if it's possible to overdose on spinach and kale? 🙃

I've decided to go out tonight, it's only a couple of hours for a craft thing, I may feel better for getting out of the house and it's nothing energetic. I can still be in bed by 9.30 😁DH thinks seeing my friends might make me feel a bit more positive.

OP posts:
Nannyfannybanny · 10/01/2026 15:01

Next year ,get a flu jab. Get well soon, but I hope you don't teach grammar. Fed up of,instead of fed up with,it's sloppy and unprofessional. Hopefully just because you are feeling below par. Cheap high strength vit d tablets are the way to go. Do not waste your money on vit c it's water soluble,out with the first wee.

reversegear · 10/01/2026 14:59

Sounds awful OP can you not take a few days off Monday - Wednesday to sleep and rest else od fear this won’t stop!

I’m day 7 now into a cold that’s now a cough so expecting this to linger as it seems to keep changing tact daily and I’ve decided even though I have back ache to not move today and stay in bed in the warm, all I have planned is a bath later and a roast dinner tomorrow. Can you reduce your activity? And allow some rest?

Calmingwinter · 10/01/2026 14:58

My 16yo son had flu in September (ended up in hospital with complications, confirmed it was flu) and still is not well.

He's had endless colds since which knock him out completely, lethargy, loss of appetite, tired all day, cant get to sleep at night, general feeling awful. In between he feels dreadful too. GP has finally diagnosed post viral fatigue and says it could last for 6 months.

He's a very sporty (top level) lad normally, trained every night until having flu. I've never seen him this ill.

Sending best wishes that you are feeling better very soon OP

Meadowfinch · 10/01/2026 14:57

this week I have used:

Onion. potato, carrot, leek, brocolli, peas, sweetcorn, mushrooms, Lentils, garlic, kidney beans, lettuce, tomato, beetroot, spring onion, cucumber, peppers, sprouts, swede, parsnip, coffee, mango, sultanas, french beans, coriander,
Apple, satsuma, pear, coconut, wheat, celery

Try starting with a big pan of home made vegetable soup. Hydrating, warm, comforting and you can put about 10 veggies in one dish.

Original poster
ProudPearl · 10/01/2026 14:55

@Meadowfinch I will give that a try, thank you. Like most people, my diet could definitely be better, rushing round and lack of energy means more crap food than I'd like. I do try, but I could try harder.

OP posts:
Original poster
ProudPearl · 10/01/2026 14:53

I think those saying I haven't had time to recover might be right, but I did think 2 weeks off over Christmas would shift it.

Teaching is a very tricky job to take time off though. I'm not trying to be a martyr, but there's always a reason to go in....an observation, a workshop, a trip, assessment week.... I'm always telling myself that if i can just get this week out of the way I'll ring the doctor and get signed off for a couple of weeks. But then the next week has something vital as well. Maybe I just need to bite the bullet. I'm obviously not teaching at my best at the moment anyway, perhaps they'd be better off with supply for a couple of weeks.

OP posts:
Meadowfinch · 10/01/2026 14:50

What is your diet like OP? I was advised by the doc to eat 30 different fruit & veg a week to optimise my immune system, which I have done for the last year. Result, no colds.

Try it for a couple of weeks. It's not hard if you give it a bit of thought.

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