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Original poster

Anyone just never THAT ill?

126 replies

TheRookie · 09/11/2022 12:46

I may live to regret this thread, tempting fate and all that....

But is anyone else just never ill enough to be in bed all day?? I am always seeing on Instagram and Facebook people /influencers are ill in bed, so full of cold or whatever. I get colds but I just carry on with it, dose up with day nurse and be on my way!!

I remember once in the last 5 years since having kids I was in bed for a day with a sore throat but that was because I was heavily pregnant and absolutely terrified it was covid, and didn't want to pass anything on to my other kids and DH. I wasn't actually ill, more scared!!

I actually crave a day in a cosy bed with a book, hot drinks on tap 😅😅

OP posts:
CloudybutMild · 09/11/2022 12:47

The average time off sick for my team at work (other than those with chronic issues) is about one day every three years.

That seems about right.

JaneJeffer · 09/11/2022 12:52

Most people can carry on with colds/Covid/flu but have you ever had noroviris? It's the worst.

TiredButAlive · 09/11/2022 12:52

Diseases like influenza, which really do put you in bed if you have proper 'flu and not just what people routinely call 'flu, aren't as prevalent these days due to widespread immunisation. That probably helps.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
DarkKarmaIlama · 09/11/2022 12:52

I thought about this the other day. I have only ever been laid up in bed once in my life.

I was 22 years old and I had just finished work and all of a sudden (quite suddenly) I really struggled to breathe on the bus home. Every inhale felt like hot fire in my chest. Over the next week I was in bed sweating with a high temperature, a ridiculously sore throat, nausea, shivering and by the end of the week I was coughing up blood. I lost nearly a stone in weight. After around a fortnight I began to feel better but I didn’t take antibiotics or anything.

Was that the flu or pneumonia? I’m beginning to think it was on reflection. it just wasn’t a normal virus I felt like utter death.

AllOfThemWitches · 09/11/2022 12:53

Me! Until just over a week ago, when I could hardly move for 3 days. I'm still not 100%. I suspect it was flu.

EBearhug · 09/11/2022 12:54

Yes, me. I seem to have a strong immune system. I might take an good afternoon nap when ill, (or take to my bed with a good book,) but I don't think I've ever been confined to bed because i can't do more when ill, which is a good thing, as there's no one to look after me.

Of course, there's a first time for everything, so..

saraclara · 09/11/2022 12:55

Real flu had me bedridden both times I had it.

Primroseprimula · 09/11/2022 12:57

I havn't had even a minor cold for 5 years! The last one I had lasted 2 days. I was convinced I had one coming on last week but by the morning I was fine again. The last time I was ill enough to take to bed was about 10 years ago.

I do have a recurring fantasy of getting ill and having a nice week of lounging around in bed which I'm sure bears no relation to the reality of being ill.

People like me are probably annoying to people who get every cold and flue going, but I do have a pain in the arse autoimmune condition though so I guess it's swings and roundabouts.

Sprig1 · 09/11/2022 12:58

Yes, me. I spend a lot if time outdoors and keep active. I also don't mix with the general public a great deal, which I am sure helps.

Badger1970 · 09/11/2022 13:01

I used to get knocked sideways all winter by sinusitis/tonsillitis/colds and would spend days in bed barely able to lift my head off the pillow. Being diagnosed as type 2 diabetic was life changing, as was coming off dairy products as suggested by a cranial osteopath I went to in desperation.

Can't remember the last time I went to bed unwell since.

MonkeyPuddle · 09/11/2022 13:01

Only once when I was in my 20’s and caught norovirus. Puking and shitting at the same time for 12 hours wiped me out for a few days.
I think I’m pretty lucky really, I’ve been a nurse for 14 years so my immune system is being exposed to various things quite often.

WhatsTheEffingPoint · 09/11/2022 13:24

Norovirus was the last thing that floored me. After hours in the bathroom, I went straight to bed for 2 days. I only came out to use the bathroom, I felt so drained of energy, I slept so much. Took most of a week to get back to any sort of normality.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 09/11/2022 13:24

Only time I was too ill to function was when I had swine flu.

luckylavender · 09/11/2022 13:26

JaneJeffer · 09/11/2022 12:52

Most people can carry on with colds/Covid/flu but have you ever had noroviris? It's the worst.

Nobody can 'carry on' with flu. Anyone who says they can doesn't have flu.

TimBoothseyes · 09/11/2022 13:26

Only once in 2018...I had the 'flu and was literally in bed from Boxing day until New Year's day only getting up to use the bathroom. Never been so ill before, or since.

CSR721 · 09/11/2022 13:27

Me. I don't get sickness bugs, and I've never had flu. Ive never had a day off sick since i started working 10 years ago. Good immune system I guess!

WakingUpDistress · 09/11/2022 13:28

TheRookie · 09/11/2022 12:46

I may live to regret this thread, tempting fate and all that....

But is anyone else just never ill enough to be in bed all day?? I am always seeing on Instagram and Facebook people /influencers are ill in bed, so full of cold or whatever. I get colds but I just carry on with it, dose up with day nurse and be on my way!!

I remember once in the last 5 years since having kids I was in bed for a day with a sore throat but that was because I was heavily pregnant and absolutely terrified it was covid, and didn't want to pass anything on to my other kids and DH. I wasn't actually ill, more scared!!

I actually crave a day in a cosy bed with a book, hot drinks on tap 😅😅

Yes.

I have ME/CFS and there are periods where I am lying down in bed all day for weeks at a time.
Not faking either. There is nothing I would be more happy about that feeling good enough to be up, icing around and working. God I’d give a lot to be able to work again! Or look after my dcs.
Me being housebound/bedbound is my life and the one of many people with ME or LC.

id say count your lucky stars you have never experienced being ill enough to have to stay in bed. No one who does that is EVER feeling well and enjoying it as if it was a holiday.

RatherBeRiding · 09/11/2022 13:29

Had flu twice in my life (now well into my 60s) - both times several decades ago, and was bedridden for about a week. The only other thing that has sent me to bed was an out of control migraine, and then only for the afternoon. I think I have a robust immune system and also make sure I get every vaccination available for flu and Covid. Colds, coughs, sinus infections - take copious amounts of Paracetamol and carry on!

SheCameRoundAMountain · 09/11/2022 13:31

It's pretty rare for me, but I couldn't say why. I dont think I do or eat anything especially out of the norm. Exercise a few times a week, drink at the weekend but not to excess, probably don't eat enough veg. I think it's just plain luck.

LesOliviers · 09/11/2022 13:31

JaneJeffer · 09/11/2022 12:52

Most people can carry on with colds/Covid/flu but have you ever had noroviris? It's the worst.

Agree! I had norovirus back in March and it was horrendous. I think it's probably the most ill I've ever been.

WakingUpDistress · 09/11/2022 13:33

Btw @TheRookie your title is an open goal for anyone who a chronic illness that means they are in bed everyday?
The tone of disbelief is hurtful tbh. As they say you might want to ‘educate yourself’ on chronic illnesses and the effect it can have on people…
And be grateful you or anyone in your close family have ever experienced that.

BobbyBobbyBobby · 09/11/2022 13:34

It’s not medically proven but I (quite a few other family members too) have not had a cold, cough, flu or any other illness since I’ve been taking high strength vitamin c and a teaspoon of baking soda in water (diluted squash which again not proven but is meant to keep the body alkaline.

WakingUpDistress · 09/11/2022 13:34

And of course, that’s not even with talking about more ‘everyday’ illnesses can really knock you out. All described my posters on this thread. Plus many many more.

FawnFrenchieMum · 09/11/2022 13:39

I never was until I hit about 30 and went down hill from there, I now have a chronic illness and on immunosuppressant medication and lots of illnesses now totally floor me and take weeks to recover.
We used to joke about how I could deal with the sick kids in the family as I never got ill. Jokes on me now unfortunately.

AffIt · 09/11/2022 13:46

I was talking about this to a colleague the other day - we're both in our early 40s and fairly confident we've never had flu (certainly not the version I hear talked about on MN, where you're wiped out for weeks). I've had bad colds, of course, but nothing that can't be overcome with OTC drugs, a few early nights and a hot toddy.

Had covid in February, but I was lucky enough to get the 'lite' version: scratchy throat and a bit tired for a week or so.

The one time in my life I have been utterly wiped out by illness was when I contracted campylobacter poisoning in my mid-20s - that was pretty horrific and I was in bed for about three days.

There's no rhyme or reason to this as far as I can see - I live a relatively healthy lifestyle (don't smoke, healthy weight, eat a relatively good diet) and have no chronic illnesses, but apart from that, I think it's just luck. My family is quite hardy as well, so I presume a lot of it is down to genetics.