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Original poster

Is it normal to feel awful all the time?

64 replies

MaryAndHerNet · 26/05/2022 07:43

I'm 42 and for as long as I can remember I've felt terrible. Like I'm always coming down with something that never actually turns up.

Today I've woken after another fitful sleep with yet another headache.
My stomach churning about.
Nose half blocked.
Achey all over and generally feeling like I went and drank 10 shots of vodka before bed, which I didn't, I don't drink alcohol at all.

Is this just how it is for everyone?

Is everyone just a zombie hidden by caffeine?

I see people rushing about and cheerfully taking on the day.. are they big faker phonies on stronger coffee than I've got?

OP posts:
HairyBum · 26/05/2022 07:44

Go get all your bloods tested, D, iron, b12, thyroid, hormones

user1471462115 · 26/05/2022 07:49

Sounds like sleep apnoea too. Look it up on line and then see your GP.
get the bloods as the previous poster has said too

Waxonwaxoff0 · 26/05/2022 07:49

No, it is not normal. I don't feel like that. What is your diet like? Are you getting enough vitamins, drinking enough water?

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Original poster
MaryAndHerNet · 26/05/2022 08:00

Thanks for replies.

I went to go about feeling awful everyday, they did bloods, got a phone call saying they were all normal. That was 2019. Maybe I should have pushed the matter?

I rarely sleep well, my brain never shuts off at night and I wake regularly, I think it's linked to SPD and autism but I don't know for sure.

My diet is probably not great tbh. I try to eat balanced meals, I avoid fried foods and too much grease etc. I'm also on a very tight budget and some days I scarce eat anything to ensure daughter gets enough.

OP posts:
user1471462115 · 26/05/2022 08:14

You have to actually ask for the things the pp mentioned to be tested as they are not part of a routine blood test.

you have malnutrition if you are not eating enough.

porridge made with milk - from a bag of oats not the sachets - and lentil and vegetable soup with toast, will be very cheap and very boring but very very nourishing and is also very very economical of fuel to cook it with.
have lentil soup for lunch and evening meal and porridge for breakfast and supper

Intrigueddotcom · 26/05/2022 08:17

I am 41
and do not relate to this in the slightest

at our age, exercise and diet is critical

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 26/05/2022 08:18

Nope not normal. Blocked nose could be an allergy. Hayfever seems to be bad this year. Do you think enough water. I’m late 30s and I’m just realising the difference when I drink enough water.

Just read your update. Your body is a machine, if you are you don’t put enough fuel (food, water, sleep) then it just isn’t going to work.

Are you claiming all the benefits you are entitled to? Have you tries deep muscle relaxing to go to sleep (video on YouTube) and good sleep hygiene.

SmiledWtherisingsun · 26/05/2022 08:19

Peri menopausal

SmiledWtherisingsun · 26/05/2022 08:20

Try some HRT op. Honestly it's amazing. Also check out the Newson Clinic App

JoanOgden · 26/05/2022 08:24

It's not normal. Do you have tiny children, or a very stressful job?

The diet won't help. Can you cook? Cheap veg (whatever you can find) in a stirfry is healthy and easy. If you really can't afford food, can you go to a foodbank?

BooseysMom · 26/05/2022 08:27

Yes! I have felt awful for aa long as I can remember. I've had the tests and everything normal but my BP was high and I put it down to peri menopause. I've suffered with pmt and dodgy hormones forever so everything I put down to this as I get a good diet, vits exercise, etc. The peri causes insomnia and aching all over and every morning I feel like the walking dead until I have coffee!!

nearlyspringyay · 26/05/2022 08:29

No it's not normal, at all.

It could be a myriad of things but if you're not eating properly anaemia and or b6 deficiency could be a possibility.

Go back to the GP

StickyFingeredWeeNed · 26/05/2022 08:33

I’ve been feeling like this although am a few years older. Routine check-ups with the GP have of course gone out of the window the last few years… anyway I had an epiphany and did a home blood glucose test… not good!

GP will be phoning today with THEIR results but I suspect it’s pre-diabetes.

and THATS what you get for living on a tight as fuck budget having bread 3 times a day because at £1 loaf it’s cheaper than health-friendly food.

Schulte · 26/05/2022 08:33

Could be an age thing, or exhaustion, or lack of sleep, or allergies, or all of those together. I have permanent backache, frequent headaches, random sore throats (I suffer from allergies), unexplained ear aches, a dodgy lung… the list goes on. I mostly try to ignore them. But it’s no fun.

CrunchyCarrot · 26/05/2022 09:21

No not normal, but could be your thyroid along with associated vitamin deficiencies. It's you saying you feel like you are always coming down with something that raises red flags for me, you could have autoimmune thyroid disease in its early stages. You need to get full blood tests done, and get the lab results printed out so you can see the exact values. Doctors often say your results are 'normal' when they fall withing ridiculously wide ranges, when in fact you are far from optimal and in the case of thyroid you could be really ill but still told you are 'normal'.

LaingsAcidTab · 26/05/2022 09:25

You are describing my symptoms, and I have fibromyalgia. Not saying you do, but it might be worth checking.

Frlrlrubert · 26/05/2022 09:29

To take another tack, could it be anxiety/depression?

I recognise a lot of what you've said and sertraline made a big difference for me.

DH has just been diagnosed autistic as an adult and was recently offered sertraline as part of a drug trial to see if it helps the anxiety experienced by autistic people navigating a NT world (he declined as he doesn't feel he actually has anxiety at a level that needs treating).

As part of his diagnosis he had some specific counselling sessions that he found really helped him explore his mindset and come to terms with what he'd previously seen as problems. Sometimes just knowing the cause can help us feel better about things.

Original poster
MaryAndHerNet · 26/05/2022 09:31

Thank you for all the replies.

I try to drink plenty of water, I've a big plastic bottle that I drink from through the day.

I have porridge a lot. I make it with cheap rolled oats, spoon of powdered milk and hot water.
I have soup, bit I should look at.making my.own.

Eating too much bread is a possibility. It's cheap and filling but probably not good.

I don't have a stressful job or young kids. I'm unemployed with a 9 year old and I don't really feel stress etc as mental health keeps my emotions very flat, almost non existent, kind of similar to depression but not feeling down, but never feeling up either..

I try to exercise, I walk a lot, 10miles+ a couple times a week. Even when I'm walking though I get a sudden need to stop and sleep, so i try to fit it in around when I know the regular times of sleepiness will hit. The 2pm crash is the worst. I don't drive around that time either as I wouldn't feel safe.

I've filled in the GPs online consultation thingy. Getting an actual appointment there is a nightmare. Ring at 8am and hope. Last time it too 200calls and 3 mornings.
I've mentioned the bloods and thyroid and everything.
Hopefully a Dr will look it over and be in touch today or by Weeknd. It says allow 3 days though.

OP posts:
MarieIVanArkleStinks · 26/05/2022 09:32

Various candidates for this one, but if none of the usual tests show anything up, it's worth checking out peri-menopausal symptoms plus candida overgrowth. You don't necessarily have to be suffering with thrush for this to be a problem, it's one that usually goes undiagnosed and it does make you feel appalling. Brain fog, lack of energy, not necessarily feeling outright ill but never wholly well.

Stick your tongue out in front of a mirror - does it have a white coating?

The bad news is the only thing that can cure this is a fairly protracted change in diet, cutting out pickles, sugar and fermented products.

This is just one possible explanation but it's one HCP usually don't hit upon (fibromyalgia can also be difficult to diagnose). Definitely get this checked out medically.

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 26/05/2022 09:34

Eating too much bread is a possibility. It's cheap and filling but probably not good.

Are you craving it, or craving other particular products too? That certainly might indicate candida. Bread's got all the things Candida thrives on: sugar, yeast and refined carbs. And Candida is a bitch - it will make you crave the very things that make you feel the worst.

Triffid1 · 26/05/2022 09:38

Oh Op, it's not normal no and your GP needs to do proper tests and examinations. Our GP offers an immediate service (super fast appointment with whatever GP is available, often by phone) or you can list all your symptoms and concerns and ask for a future appointment and a bit more time/face to face - is that an option? As others have said, all the blood tests are necessary and probably also hormone levels to check.

Other things that spring to mind include depression and/or anxiety. Also hay fever/allergies.

While you're waiting, it certainly wouldn't do any harm to try taking an anti-histamine daily for a few days to see if that has any impact.

A good Omega 3 is a supplement that has been proven to help with v low level anxiety and depression, and sleep. Certainly, it's been revolutionary for me. If you're eating on a budget and not always as well as you should, I wouldn't be surprised if your iron levels are very low too. A test should show but you can buy over the counter iron in liquid format that are gentle enough for anyone. If you're severely aneamic they won't do the trick but they can help for low iron overall. And certainly won't do any harm.

lightand · 26/05/2022 09:39

A long standing sinus infection?

I feel a bit like you do, and may have had a sinus infection for the last 4 months.
Now prescribed a steroid nasal spray, which seems to help a bit. Have to go back to doctor in another month[been on the spray 1 month so far].

AceofPentacles · 26/05/2022 09:43

If you are neurodiverse are you also hyper mobile? I have struggled with feeling shit all my life (pain, IBS, heartburn, ear/nose issues, fatigue all seemingly unrelated) and two years ago was diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which is more common in autistic people. It also means I have to work harder to absorb vitamins/nutrients as normal diet/supplements have not much effect. This might not apply to you of course but I wish I'd known about it sooner.

BoDerek · 26/05/2022 09:47

I’m not sure that a change of diet will be enough given how bad you are feeling.

I’d suggest a high quality supplement such as Floradix but if you can’t afford food you are not going to be able to afford supplements. I’m sorry to read that you are so hard up that you have to go without food. That in itself must be very stressful and we know stress has a very negative effect on our physical and mental health.

Charles11 · 26/05/2022 09:49

Good you're getting blood tested again.
You need to eat better. It sounds like you're eating mainly oats, bread and tinned soup?
Please make some fresh food for yourself. Soup with some cheap fresh veg (potato, carrot, cabbage, onion) will be far more nutritious. See if there's any other fruit or veg reduced or on offer. Lentils or a bit of meat chucked in will give you some protein.
You need vitamin c to keep your immune system healthy and you'll get that from eating fresh fruit and veg. Have lemon in your water too.
Stop eating bread for a few days and see if anything improves.