Is it normal to feel awful all the time?

[MaryAndHerNet]

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?

I've never felt boredom or any sense of aimlessness. It'd take a long post to explain why I don't and I don't want to write a long post let alone expect anyone to read it.
Up there I mention SPD, it's what my psychiatrist tells me explains my lack of emotion, well, flatness of emotion I should say really.

In other news I've been looking around at diets and such and I've decided it's time to embrace my annoyance at eating and start making changes to a very simple diet based more around boiled rice, nuts and veg. Not quite sure on the detailed recipes as yet, but I figure a handful of boiled rice, handful of runner beans or carrots or peas and sweetcorn etc woth some nuts or trail mix for snacking through the day is likely better for my digestive system than endless bread and cheese and 70p pierce film lid and microwave chicken curry for 1 etc.

Thank you all for responding. It's given me lots of things I can sit and Google about over the next few days. So my little ranty thread about feeling shit has helped, you've all helped. X

Awww OP I hope you feel better soon. 💐

@Innocenta well pardon me for calling the EDS police, obviously I am aware of the issues with professionals claiming EDS patients just have FII but that's a much wider issue than enquiring on a forum whether someone is hyper mobile as they are also autistic and have digestive/joint/headaches issues. I have never dislocated a joint yet I still score 9/9 on the Beighton and have EDS diagnosed by a geneticist which DOES present as gastric/prolapse/ent/pain issues WE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME

@AceofPentacles I didn't say all EDS patients are the same. Clearly that's impossible given that there are multiple, very different, types.

Your claims about the link between neurodiversity and EDS are overblown and do not have a strong evidence base. Someone stating that they are neurodiverse and feel unwell is not a good enough reason to suggest they may have EDS. To react with such hostility and defensive when challenged on this does nothing but affirm (to lurkers, including HCPs who may be reading) the worst stereotypes about people who hold this diagnosis.

How is your daughter's diet at home? Could you not just eat same as what you prepare for her, presuming a decent diet, and eat with her?

@MaryAndHerNet ah, using those snoring apps can be a terrible insight into the sound one actually makes. I didn’t think I snored either and had one to say I did. HAHAHAHA yeah, I was so innocent.

I use snorelab, it’s free to use, you don’t need the premium.

I'm not sure a diet based on boiled rice is such a good idea. Polished white rice is pretty nutrient deficient. I appreciate it's cheap but it's not really better than white sliced bread.
Could you base it on legumes a bit more so more lentil/chick pea and less carbs?
Can you afford vitamins? These ones have changed my life to be frank. I don't have shares in the company, I promise, but I've found them to give me a real life and clarity.
I appreciate might be too expensive though. Landys is the cheapest supplier I've found.

Yes all of those things are me. If I woke up one morning in hospital and discovered I had some rare disease I would not be at all surprised. I am concerned it's a degenerative illness that hasn't been picked up on. I've had all the tests , all that came up was low iron which I now take supplements for. Hormones tested all fine although apparently it yet are supposed to test twice which didn't happen so could be peri menopause but yes it sucks

@autienotnaughty If you've had all the tests, it's really, really unlikely to be something very serious that has been missed. Have you talked to your doctor about this fear? Best to be very upfront about it so they can discuss it with you and review the evidence for why it's not something serious, but why you might still feel crap

I feel like this I am peri menopausal.
The quality of sleep is rubbish and I feel tired when I wake up (I wake up for a few hours each night) The general feeling of fatigue and exhaustion is common.

Worth getting the dr to check your bloods again and ask about the menopause.

@Innocenta thank you doctors have put it down to anxiety I'm not sure if I could afford to go private I might have more information but I'm just have to make the the best of it hat I have .

@autienotnaughty I'm really sorry to hear that; even if it is anxiety, they shouldn't be making you feel dismissed and leaving you worried that it could be something majorly serious. That is pretty poor of your doctor. I have definitely found private appointments to be helpful, but I know the costs are really high - it's just awful how hard it can be to get the right support.

I know this is old but have come here after googling ‘why do I feel awful all the time’. I wake up most days exhausted, blocked nose, feeling fluey. When I try and do stuff I get sweaty and feel like I need a lie down. I’m 45…..have asked doctor for a blood test..

I'm the same! Ever since I had Covid I have had these symptoms and actually I think it's got much worse since I hit the big 50! I feel awful every single bloody day! I take blood pressure meds but that doesn't help me feel better as I have horrendous sinus blockage, coughing, exhaustion and all-over aches and pains. I will have to see the gp. It's gone on for longer than I can remember.
Good luck with yours..keep us posted