Just been told by the Dr that I'm very run down, what helps you get back to full health please?

[Swifey40]

I have a mouth full of ulcers and an ear infection which he gave me antibiotics for.

I eat most things and try to eat well, but could probably up my fruit and veg!
Any good ideas from you lovely lot.....food, drink, supplements etc

Tia xx

To be honest, I would want to know what they meant by the diagnosis of being "run down"- it does sound a bit of a cop out and ultimately doesn't really mean anything medically in and of itself. Have blood tests been run to check that there isn't an immune issue, vitamin deficiency or thyroid problem at play? I had awful problems with mouth ulcers when I was b12 deficient and not treating an underactive thyroid.

In terms of general wellbeing- reducing stress, getting plenty of good quality sleep, hydrating yourself very well, introducing good quality vitamin and mineral supplements. I would certainly take a decent probiotic if you are on antibiotics for an ear infection.

In terms of the ulcers, try to avoid spicy foods, chocolate, coffee- there are a number of foods known to make them worse so I'd investigate those and stick to softer foods, nothing crunchy that can catch them sharply. Start warm water salt gargling in the mouth to promote healing, switch out your toothpaste to an SLS free one in case that's making it worse.

Dr Chatterjee has lots of great advice. Free podcast on the usual channels and his books are great.

Think
Relax, Eat, Move, Sleep

Definitely rest up and improve your sleep if you are run down
Cut out alcohol
Less social commitments
Think about movement rather than exercise (daily walk outdoors rather than a gym session)

Sleep, water, rest, no alcohol, gentle exercise, sun.

I'd like to recommend a podcast by Michael Moseley called Just One Thing. Short episodes (20min) each one focusing on a thing that will improve your health. I really enjoy each episode and incorporating the things into my daily routine.
I imagine that if GP didn't run blood tests he was thinking in terms of your lifestyle burning you out.

Hope you can sort it out

What on earth does "very run down" mean as a diagnosis? 🙄 does it mean you are worse than "under the weather"?
Your GP needs to be a bit more specific.
Are you stressed? Anaemic? Lacking vitamins? Lacking energy? Post covid?

Thank you all so much for replying, I posted and then dis the childrens supper and bedtime and have only kept looked on here!

To answer a few questions.... I don't work as I am not very well generally. I am studying from home to be a counsellor, and would like to specialise in chronic pain. The reason for this is that I have terrible endometriosis and horrendous scarring and lesions from 7 laparoscopies. My womb is now attached to bowel by scar tissue. Therefore pain is a big problem and I am on oramorph as and when I need it (instead of having a morphine drip at the hospital) I also have a skin condition called mastosytosis which can cause all kinds of things, but mostly anaphylaxis. But aside from that, I have been feeling quite well after coming off some extra pain meds, and have been doing much more and have felt good (fr me) up to about a week and a half ago!!

The Dr won't do any more bloods because the last ones came back border line OK for everything except vit d which I take the spray for.

Thank you again for everyone who has taken the time to read and respond! Xx

Floradix has made a huge difference to me. You can get it in Holland and Barrett and I was a bit sceptical of it, but several doctors and midwives have recommended it to me, and it's great stuff. I feel more like myself again.

I recommend metatone tonic.

It really perks you up.

Also get plenty of rest and drink lots of water.

Taking Aciclovir can really help reduce the frequency of mouth ulcers.

Op, low levels of ferritin can have me feeling quite awful. Have you any idea as to if you could be low in ferritin?

It's magic stuff

Another vote for Metatone Tonic. My grandad swore by it for everything.