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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think ffs my Christmas is now ruined

91 replies

TigerAtTheZoo · 18/12/2019 15:04

Had an exhausting year with no time to relax. No holidays or meals out or anything. Very clingy toddler that doesn't sleep well. My ocd/ mental health has been getting worse. So I was really looking forward to Christmas as a chance to relax and have a break. But now I have mild chest pain, sore throat, headache, sore neck. Starting to feel light headed and now my arm muscles ache. Feel really exhausted. I have the flu don't I. I also have asthma so likely to be ill over Christmas. Fuck my luck I feel like crying. It's the cherry on the shit cake of a year

OP posts:
Boots20 · 18/12/2019 15:51

Doesnt sound like full blown flu but I could be wrong, I've had it twice and literally couldn't even lift my head I was knocked off my feet in bed for 2 weeks, vomiting, high temp, ache all over and not even the energy to move my head it was horrendous

Radardodgingninga · 18/12/2019 16:04

It is shit to be ill over Christmas. You may have to lower your expectations. If Christmas this year is you lying on the sofa in your dressing gown while DC and your partner play with his toys and eat turkey and oven chips then that’s the Christmas you’ll have and your D.C. won’t know it was meant to be any different. Don’t knock yourself out doing more than you are capable of.

VinandVigour · 18/12/2019 16:05

Your doctors surgery are wrong, Asthma is one of the highlighted conditions where they recommend having the flu vaccine.
If this doesn’t turn out to be flu then it isn’t too late to have the vaccine. I would go back to your GP and show them the relevant NHS page.

simplekindoflife · 18/12/2019 16:09

Get to the chemist and stock up on these, they stop most of my symptoms dead in their tracks but you have to take them as soon as possible:

Sambucol (it's amazing!)

Enchinacia
Vitamins with zinc
Orange juice

I do this at the first sign of every sniffle and I've only had one proper cold in over a year!

rhubarbcrumbles · 18/12/2019 16:09

No flu jabs available at any of my local gp's as they said there was a shortage and it's only for over 65's. I should have paid for one I guess.

That's disgusting. Watch for the ibuprofen if you have asthma.

Interestingly, (don't do this without talking to your asthma nurse) we were told that only a minority of people with asthma have problems with ibuprofen, we were at A&E (broken leg) and I was asked if I'd had nurofen, no because of asthma, they pointed out that

Backtoreality1 · 18/12/2019 16:13

Mickhasnotorso - actually no! Medical training - true flu means that you are lucky if you can lift your head off the pillow. Heavy cold possibly, virus possibly, but influenza, absolutely not!

Pjsandbaileys · 18/12/2019 16:18

The world shall not stop turning if you turn your phone off, eat freezer dinners and camp out of the sofa for a few days with the little one. Take paracetamol when needed, drink plenty and allow yourself time to heal your body and mind. Flu hits you like a brick wall it's probably a nasty cold bug and you'll be right as rain by the weekend xx

Hefzi · 18/12/2019 16:18

Back you might have medical training, but I soldiered on for a month thinking I just had a virus - swab confirmed that it was 'flu.

Reason I went into work every day with a 41 degree temperature? Because I believed what people like you say about' flu.

M3lon · 18/12/2019 16:19

mick is right, backtoreality is absolutely talking shit.
You can not tell which virus you have from the symptoms. The strength of symptoms depends entirely on your prior exposure to similar strains of the virus in question. You can be extremely ill with rhinovirus and hardly notice influenza if you've had a related flu virus in the recent past.

M3lon · 18/12/2019 16:22

I've had both glandular fever and swine flu (H1N1), and on both occasions I was slightly off colour for about 3-5 days.

On the other hand I can catch a sniffle off a work colleague and wish I was dead for a good week or so.

It all depends on your immune system....

Whattheduck · 18/12/2019 16:23

You won’t be able to have the flu jab if you are poorly but I’ve been full of cold,sore throat,earache and general aches and pains since Sunday I even rang in sick yesterday which isn’t like me but just feel so rough. Today is my day off and I had booked tomorrow off to finish my Christmas bits off but I’ve not left the house I managed to finish wrapping my presents and pushed the hoover round.I’m hoping I feel up to venturing out tomorrow.
Hope you feel better soon

3timeslucky · 18/12/2019 16:24

Hefzi - was the 41 degree temperature not enough for you to realise something was wrong and that you shouldn't be in work? Flu isn't the only reason to stay off work (I know you know that) so would a temp like that not have had you staying off and/or going to the doctor even if you thought you hadn't the flu?

OP my gut reaction was also that if it was flu you wouldn't be posting about it here. Hopefully that's not what you have and you'll be well again in a couple of days. Even with the flu you could be kind of ok in a week.

peepholepringle · 18/12/2019 16:24

If you are on here typing, then you don't have flu

Why do people say this? I see it a lot on here. It's simply but true.
It does sound like you're sickening for something nasty OP. Hope it's not too rough a ride!

peepholepringle · 18/12/2019 16:25

Simply NOT true 🙄

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 18/12/2019 16:37

Let’s reframe the comment then. If you are heading for a serious, heavy dose of the flu it is unlikely you would be on here posting. I really nasty bout of the flu knocks you sideways

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 18/12/2019 16:37

A really

AG29 · 18/12/2019 16:42

Hugs. I am in a similar position I have two Dc with additional needs and I’m exhausted. I also have ocd and anxiety. I love the idea of Christmas but it’s so stressful and I have so much to do and I have been ill for the last week and I feel like I could have flu. I’ve never had flu but I’ve been feeling dreadful. My mum told me I couldn’t possible have flu because I am able to get out of bed. But I have NO CHOICE as my partner can’t take any time off and like I said two children with additional needs. They need to get to school and eat etc. They cannot be left alone for one second. I have been resting in between. I have similar symptoms to you and I have lost my voice too.

I have also been ill twice more in the last 3 months. My blood pressure has been high too due to stress and being ill.

You still have a week to get better x

RB68 · 18/12/2019 16:50

Asthma suffers are on the priority list for flujab make sure they are aware of that - I am type 2 so also on the list and thankfully had mine - there seems to be a fair bit around at the moment (the real deal too not just bad colds)

Hefzi · 18/12/2019 16:51

3Times not really - I'm prone to very high temperatures with colds and other nasties, so it wasn't cause for particular concern until it had gone on for weeks (sorry for the merail, OP Blush)

inlectorecumbit · 18/12/2019 16:57

There are plenty of flu vaccines- initially there was a shortage but been plenty since early November gor GP surgeries if you are in UK.
It's not too late to get it.
sying that DD had exactly same symptome last week starting Thursday- today 99% back to normal

Wolfiefan · 18/12/2019 16:58

@TigerAtTheZoo we had the same here. I should have the flu jab as I’m asthmatic and on immunosuppressants. There were no doses at the GP surgery for those under 65. (Those over 65 have a different vaccine.)
I went to Boots. Filled in a form and had it for free. Obviously not whilst you feel under the weather but worth a try when you recover? You can book online.
Hope you feel better soon. Flowers

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 18/12/2019 17:06

I should have paid for one I guess
It’s not too late. The over 65 jab is a different jab to the one offered to under 65 (think it covers extra strands). My surgery did have a shortage of the children’s nasal spray but those of us on the under 65 priority list all got ours, it’s possible there’s now a shortage though. So regardless of what you currently have, it is worth calling again, making sure they know you are a priority case due to asthma, and if they still don’t have stock, and if you can afford it, it really is worth going to Lloyd’s or Boots and paying for one. We are well into flu season but it will last a few months yet. Hope you’re feeling better soon.

Jellybeansincognito · 18/12/2019 17:08

I’m really sorry you’re feeling unwell but try and enjoy your Christmas.

Some people don’t even have the money to celebrate, or a home to sleep in.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 18/12/2019 17:08

Oh, should have read Wolfiefan first, even better, didn’t realise you could get it free at Boots.

beautifulxdisasters · 18/12/2019 17:11

Not helpful now but for future ref echo what others have said about going to the pharmacy - DP is asthmatic and was able to book online with Boots and not pay.

Hope you feel better soon OP Flowers