Getting over the flu... I still feel like a massive wreck, when will I feel good again?

[easythere]

Past week I've had flu, bed bound - not able to do anything. Hardly able to make it to the loo (sick bowl by bed)
I did have the jab in September but I guess it just wore off?

It's day 6 now I've got a horrendous cough and although I'm a lot better than before I still feel god awful. Sickness with the coughing and dizzy spells. I'm in bed again, zero energy and my heads banging.
I feel so weak and I've got no appetite.

I hadn't eaten for 4 days, yesterday I had a bit of apple (it tasted awful) and today 2 biscuits (no taste at all)

If you've had flu in the past/ recently what were the kind of time scales for things?

I'm my head I want to eat and then I feel so so sick for even thinking it. But I guess it would make me feel a bit better wouldn't it?

Give yourself time to recover, proper flu can take several weeks to get over. I had it a few years ago, had 2 weeks off work and then several more weeks where I was struggling - very tired, no energy.

You will get over it though, it will probably take more than 6 days though

Took me two weeks after getting better from the flu to feel properly better again. But I was going back to work and the gym after a week. Take it easy, you'll get there. But if you push too hard you'll run the risk of a relapse.

2 to be able to function more or less normally, 3 weeks to feel energised and better in my experience.

Weeks. Sorry. I've had flu twice, and both times I've been completely incapacitated for a good ten days and then merely exhausted for a good three weeks afterwards.

It can take a couple of weeks. Sorry, I know each day seems forever. Maybe don't think about food for now, but concentrate of keeping hydrated. A good cup of something warm is so comforting. Are you on your own? Is there anyone who can supply you with drinks? If not, can you boil up a kettle of water and make up a thermos flask to keep by the bed, or even bring the kettle up to your room? Then you can maybe start thinking about a little soup? I do sympathise. Many many years ago, when I lived alone, I had flu and just felt so desperately lonely on my own, even though my boyfriend used to come and stay with me each weekend so I could only have been alone for 5 days. I called the doctor out to see me (back in the days when you could get home visits) just to see another human face.

The flu jab doesn’t protect against all strains - they make an educated guess at what strains will be most prevalent. I’m sorry you got it, it’s horrendous. It took me quite a while to get over it when I had it, probably at least a few weeks once I was better and up and about before I actually felt well again.

Chicken soup (broth with lots of garlic) is very good for giving you nutrients and minerals that you need. Even a couple of bites of chicken would be good - your body needs protein to get strong. If you haven’t got anyone to do it for you and you don’t have the strength to get food/cook then start with a cup of stock made from whatever stock cubes you have to hand.

I was ill last year with something. I don't know if it was flu as I had my jab but I was aware that it doesn't protect against all strains. I spent 6 days in bed but it took a month to get back to anything like full strength.
I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you everyone.

I have 2 very young girls (under 3) and I just feel awful for them.
DH has been helping (he's had some time off work) and my parents came round on another day he couldn't get off.

I am going to attempt some soup I think (if I'm thinking about food I guess I'm hungry)

This is just crap

Last time - 2 years ago. I had fever 3 days, took paracetamol which helped and felt a bit more normal after a week but I was still very tired a lot for maybe 2 months.

I don't get vaccines.

Day 6? It's early days yet OP. If my experiences of flu are anything to go by,you won't be feeling anything like normal until about 10 - 12 days after the onset. And tbh,it can still take another few weeks after that to feel completely well again. My Dd and Dgd had Aussie flu 2 years ago (even though they'd been vaccinated) and both said that after the initial week in bed,it was a good 4 weeks before they felt completely well again. Full blown flu can really wipe you out. Don't push yourself too much,listen to what your body is telling you. Hope you feel better soon.

I had flu followed by bronchitis in December and still don't feel right about six week on. The cough has gone and I've put back on the weight I lost by not eating for days but I'm still not right. Very tired and out of sorts.