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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:
Original poster
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.

OP posts:
Thatsnotmyidea · 10/01/2026 13:25

You're not alone. I feel like I do all the " right' things but catch everything going..and a cold always turns into weeks of sinus or chest infection. Currently on antibiotics and miserable. No answers but sympathy.

Thatsnotmyidea · 10/01/2026 13:25

You're not alone. I feel like I do all the " right' things but catch everything going..and a cold always turns into weeks of sinus or chest infection. Currently on antibiotics and miserable. No answers but sympathy.

Berlinlover · 10/01/2026 13:15

Just out of interest have you had the ‘flu jab?

Bulbsbulbsbulbs · 10/01/2026 13:14

I'm in a similar position. Got a terrible cold on 6th December, coughing, headache, couldn't do anything. Felt a bit better for 2 days so travelled 250 miles to go to a party. Felt terrible the day of the party so came back home.

Recovered for Christmas but on New Years Eve came down with what felt like the same thing I had before but even worse. The cough is hideous, huge coughing fits every 10 minutes. There's no way I could go to work.

I feel so frustrated and really low. I've lost a month of my life to this, I can barely get off the sofa. I bought lots of crafty type things to do for Christmas and couldn't do any of it. I know it's nothing in the scheme of things, others worse off et C but I'm mightily pissed off. Last year I had shingles in December, the year before Frozen shoulder so this has been my third Christmas wash out on the run.

Anewuser · 10/01/2026 13:13

Because you’re run down from the original illness, you body hasn’t had a chance to recover. Only time will help. Keep up with good diet, vitamins, fluid and plenty of rest.

Hope you feel better soon.

Mangledrake · 10/01/2026 13:10

I had similar last year - it did pass! October - January was dreadful. February on it lifted. Hope you feel better soon.

itsthetea · 10/01/2026 13:08

You are run down and probably never gave yourself time to recover - bet you were back at work as soon as possible. That’s your choice but it will
mewn your body has t had a chance to completely recover

Ella31 · 10/01/2026 13:01

Not in the same position but have you had your bloods checked for vitamins, immunity ect? You sound really run down. I'm a teacher too, it's exhausting never mind if you are feeling sick.

Original poster
ProudPearl · 10/01/2026 12:30

Just doing a little bump, I know it's not a very interesting thread so I understand no replies. But you guys can be amazingly helpful so I'm hoping someone with helpful advice sees the thread.

Is anyone else in the same position?

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