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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if this is what flu feels like?

99 replies

incogneto · 20/05/2019 07:40

I've never had it but I would imagine this is what it feels like. I'm not sure if it warrants a trip to the GP. (Don't think I could even get myself there anyway)

Heads banging and my throat is so sore and feels as though it's about to close up. I feel very unsteady on my feet when I get up and it hurts to lift my head off the pillow.

I've also had the most terrible body aches since last night. It really feels like my bones are aching Sad i feel like I've been run over by a bus or trampled on by elephants.

I don't want to waste GPs time if there's nothing they can give me but DM says I should visit

OP posts:
MrsMyreton · 20/05/2019 19:49

@incogneto i have had tonsillitis three times since having DD who is now two, and felt exactly as you described. I've heard from others that a change in hormones following baby can sometimes trigger it. Never had it in my life until now, and I know two others who have had the same.

Could be nonsense, but do look after yourself. Lots of rest required. Thanks

Chartreuser · 20/05/2019 20:05

OP you poor thing. I would ring 111 if you are getting worse and get a Dr out to see you. They may send an ambulance but given that you are so close to birth and feeling that awfuI am sure they would want to check you out.

Please don't wait

Wittsendargh · 20/05/2019 20:15

I'm late 30s now and had the flu when I was 19. Honestly thought it was the end. I was so poorly I had to get my mum to come stay with me as I couldn't get out of bed to go to the toilet. I remember dragging myself along the floor before giving in. I must have had a mobile phone or else I wouldn't have made it downstairs to call her. I did need the doctor as that thing which dangles down at the back of your mouth (no idea it's technical name), got really swollen and was laid on my tongue 🤢. Doctor had to come out to me as my mum was unable to carry me down the stairs. So due to how poorly I was, I can know for certain I've never had the flu since...nor would I ever want to!

Graceymac99 · 20/05/2019 20:27

I would be concerned it could be something related to you recently having had a baby. Did the Dr issue a script from the surgery without seeing you or did you have a home visit? How is the wound healing? Are you still having blood loss? Has it stopped or is it abnormal in any way? I know you have a sore throat too so could be totally unrelated but important to rule out. Another poster mentioned mastitis, is this a possibility? Can you request a home visit?

aspoonfulofyourownmedicine · 20/05/2019 20:29

I've had 'proper' flu twice in my 34 years, and I've never been so poorly in my life. I just rang me GP, they called me back and I described everything, I then received a sick note in the post 2 days later for 3 weeks.

First time I got it, I couldn't get out of bed, everywhere hurt, even the hair on my head! I couldn't bare the covers on me in the bed as the weight of the duvet hurt. I was off work for the whole 3 weeks, I was out of bed by the end of the 2nd week but still too poorly for work into the 3rd week. I was able to do jigsaws, read, watch tv and use my phone, once I was sat up in bed and comfortable.

Second time I got it was worse again, I was poorly for 2 weeks, followed by another 2 weeks of laryngitis where I completely lost my voice and could only communicate with my DH by writing notes/drawing symbols. I couldn't eat, drink, even going to the loo was a feat in itself. My DH had to help me get bathed/showered, as I couldn't hold myself up in the shower or sit in the bath & get washed.

I swore the first time that I'd never say I had 'flu' again when I just had a cold. The second time I got it, I was convinced that someone was out to get me. Touch wood that I've never had it again, since I started having the vaccination - I work with children with disabilities and have the vaccination due to working with immune-suppressed children, I haven't had it since touching wood

JaneTheVirgin · 20/05/2019 20:30

Are you coughing/congested/sneezing? With the absence of those symptoms I wouldn't diagnose you with the flu. But it does sound like tonsillitis. That can be much worse than people think. Hope you feel better?

checkoutno3please · 20/05/2019 20:30

If you feel like you've been hit by a sack of potatoes then likely it is flu.

When I got it I managed to keep some a semblance of order until day 3 when I collapsed in bed and remained there for 5 days.

Flowers
Februaryblooms · 20/05/2019 20:56

OP did your doctor prescribe your meds after a phone consultation? If so, can I strongly recommend you be examined in person especially as you've just had a C section.

I'm 3 weeks post partum and have not long come out of hospital from having sepsis, brought on by invasive Strep A (the same strain that causes strep throat but can be fatal if it gets into your blood stream as mine did). I had stitches which is how I believe it got into my system. I had the same symptoms as you but I was still in hospital at the time.

I don't want to worry you but after what I went through would urge anybody who's potentially at risk to be seen ASAP.

If you get seen to and it's 'just' flu then great (well not great but you know what I mean) but you won't have wasted anybodies time. As you're so recently postpartum you can phone in and go straight to the Labour ward and not wait around in A&E (that's how it works where I am)

QuestionableMouse · 20/05/2019 20:58

@BiggerBoat1

That's not true. I had flu (diagnosed by a GP/swab test) and could use the Internet. It was pretty much all I could do though.

Februaryblooms · 20/05/2019 21:02

Also it's not nessecarily true that you can't use the internet when you're extremely unwell.

I used MN throughout my hospital stay and I was very very unwell. I still managed to look at my phone and scroll whilst having a blood transfusion, being pumped full of antibiotics, wired up to an ECG, stuck on monitors etc. It was the only thing that kept me sane.

Please get a second opinion if only for your own peace of mind.

Original poster
incogneto · 20/05/2019 21:03

@Graceymac99 @Februaryblooms it was a phone consultation yes, then he issued me the prescription for the antibiotics.

I made the GP aware that I was 3 weeks postpartum and he didn't seem concerned.

I'm no longer bleeding and midwife said my wound had healed perfectly. I didn't have the traditional dressing, I had something called a pico dressing which apparently speeds up the healing process. I've dropped a link below if you aren't familiar

woundclub.co.uk/images/Folders/ProductGuides/pdf/PICO-Patient-Information-Guide.pdf

OP posts:
Original poster
incogneto · 20/05/2019 21:05

I've taken my first antibiotic and had some paracetamol with a cup of tea and toast. Feel somewhat better but still unwell

OP posts:
Lougle · 20/05/2019 21:05

I don't know how anyone can confidently say you have Flu. This really worries me.

In fact, I second the poster who says that 3 weeks post section, I'd want a face to face examination from the doctor.

Original poster
incogneto · 20/05/2019 21:06

I'm now thinking I should ring the GP tomorrow to be seen face to face. He does know I've had a baby only 3 weeks ago and had a section

OP posts:
NoodlingAlong · 20/05/2019 21:08

I had flu back in February. I took myself to the GP as I was worried I had pneumonia. GP also thought pneumonia and sent me to A&E where a chest x-ray ruled out pneumonia but a swab confirmed flu. Was off work for a week. Am thinking of getting the jab next winter as I do not want to feel like that again.

Given that you have not long had a baby I would check you don’t have an infection OP. If you’re breastfeeding that will help protect your DC if it turns out you do have a virus. The only other time have had proper flu was when DS was 6 months old and breastfed. Everyone else in the house had it except him.

Original poster
incogneto · 20/05/2019 21:10

My DS isn't breastfed. I'm worried he will catch it as he's so little and I'm aware it takes a while for their immune systems to build up.

Doctor told me to keep contact to a minimum - no kissing coughing or sneezing around him and that was all he said

OP posts:
Lougle · 20/05/2019 21:15

PICO sounds great Smile The thing is, nobody on the internet knows what's going on in your body. You could have tonsillitis, you could have flu, you could have an internal infection... all you do know is that you feel so unwell that you can't look after your baby and couldn't get out of bed to get antibiotics to make you better. That means you're feeling very unwell.

Are you passing urine?

Februaryblooms · 20/05/2019 21:17

If you don't want to go to A&E you can ask for a home visit from an out of hours GP via calling 111. I've had one, in my case they said somebody will come within 6 hours and they arrived at 11.30pm. (Inconvenient I know but absolutely nessecary if you're that unwel you don't think you could make it to the GP)

I wouldn't be taking any chances 3 weeks after a C-section and knowing what I now do, wouldn't trust a GP's phone diagnosis.

I hope you feel better soon x

Original poster
incogneto · 20/05/2019 21:18

@Lougle not as much as usual no but then again I've hardly had anything to drink because I can't swallow.

Managed a bit of water earlier but it came back up

OP posts:
Ontheboardwalk · 20/05/2019 21:20

I could type but couldn’t read or understand a word when I had flu.

I was told if there was a £50 note in the garden and you couldn’t go out and get it you had flu. Anything else was a cold or a virus

miagerbies · 20/05/2019 21:23

I had flu and ended up going to A&E as my epiglottis had swelled up so much I was struggling to breathe. I was admitted and given steroids via a drip. Listen to your body and do what you think is right. Flu can be really dangerous.

Lougle · 20/05/2019 21:26

Tiny sips will be better than trying to drink. Difflam spray can help, too. But I still think you need to see a doctor, personally.

BlitheringIdiots · 20/05/2019 21:30

When I had the flu (had it twice in my life and the same both times) I felt absolutely fine. Then had what felt like a lump in back of neck and very quickly went downhill. Usually onset of flu is quick compared to a cold which builds up over a few days. I was unable to get out of bed apart from crawling to the loo which wasn't often as too out of it to drink much. I missed Christmas completely and slept deliriously through it all. I could have maybe managed to look at phone for all of 10 seconds

Hoping it's not the flu but as you have typed long post it sounds more like a fluey cold as the real flu is debilitating

If you go down hill quickly I would suggest getting help in place as you won't be able to see to a baby as you won't be able to move much.

MatchSetPoint · 20/05/2019 21:32

Use the £20 test... if you saw £20 in your back garden if you have flu you wouldn’t bother going to get it, if you could manage and could be bothered to get it you don’t have flu.

BlitheringIdiots · 20/05/2019 21:33

My DS last week was floored by a virus. High temp and aching neck. Lasted bad for two days. Then normal temp but night sweats. It wasn't the flu but a nasty virus There is something going round

But as you are newly a mum I would get checked out. Ask the nurse to come round at the very least

Hope you are ok

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