To feel worn down to a shred

papayaorange · 2021-12-24T22:23:08+00:00

For the past 7 weeks and 5 days I have been ill with a barking cough, runny nose and severe fatigue. I have done lots of LFTs all negative. My cough and runny nose will just not go away, I am so bloody tired. I do not have the energy to even empty this dish washer or do my hair. I can not get an appointment with my Gp and feel like no one gives a shit.

BeLessMe · 24/12/2021 22:28

Did you do a PCR at any time?

blinder · 24/12/2021 22:28

I am sorry you are having such a shit time @papayaorange. Did you take any PCR tests as well? Apparently LFT tests are less effective once you have symptoms - you could get a false negative.

But assuming you’ve done this and it’s definitely not covid, people might be underestimating how much your flu? virus? has floored you. I feel like there isn’t much sympathy going round for things that aren’t covid.

I hope you’re able to shake it off soon. It sounds horrible.

Original poster

papayaorange · 24/12/2021 22:30

Yes had a PCR done and negative. thanks for listening

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Joelijane · 24/12/2021 22:30

So sorry you've felt so shit for so long. It absolutely takes it's toll on you. I know the frustrations of trying to get GP appts with all the covid strife is off the scale. I had ongoing awful cold symptoms for around 2 months, flu then noro then just random shitty colds/viruses. Hang on in there, I thought it'd never end but it will, tried to do a little less and drink hot lemon, eat well enough, take well woman vits and magnesium. I have 2 under 5 so there was no slack as such just having to adjust whilst I got better. No wisdom as such from me just empathy (I vented alot too, that also helped) xxx

Original poster

papayaorange · 24/12/2021 22:32

@Joelijane

So sorry you've felt so shit for so long. It absolutely takes it's toll on you. I know the frustrations of trying to get GP appts with all the covid strife is off the scale. I had ongoing awful cold symptoms for around 2 months, flu then noro then just random shitty colds/viruses. Hang on in there, I thought it'd never end but it will, tried to do a little less and drink hot lemon, eat well enough, take well woman vits and magnesium. I have 2 under 5 so there was no slack as such just having to adjust whilst I got better. No wisdom as such from me just empathy (I vented alot too, that also helped) xxx

Bless you for being so nice.

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hivemindneeded · 24/12/2021 22:34

dh has similar. Really heavy cold and then post viral fatigue with a terrible cough, But not Covid. The coughing is exhausting.

Starcaller · 24/12/2021 22:35

I really sympathise. We've had a brutal few months with cold virus after virus and then norovirus just to finish us off. It also coincided with my first trimester when I felt like crap anyway, and I genuinely haven't felt well in months until the last few days. It's been exhausting and depressing.

Original poster

papayaorange · 24/12/2021 22:37

@hivemindneeded

dh has similar. Really heavy cold and then post viral fatigue with a terrible cough, But not Covid. The coughing is exhausting.

You are right, The cough is so exhausting and I am driving everyone mad with it. I have to have a sleep on the sofa 2 or 3 times a day as such severe fatigue just hits me and I can not stay awake. I rang the Gp several times and they do not even have a slot for a phone call consultation.

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Original poster

papayaorange · 24/12/2021 22:39

@Starcaller

I really sympathise. We've had a brutal few months with cold virus after virus and then norovirus just to finish us off. It also coincided with my first trimester when I felt like crap anyway, and I genuinely haven't felt well in months until the last few days. It's been exhausting and depressing.

So sorry to hear this. I hope you feel better soon x

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DancinOnTheCeiling · 24/12/2021 23:20

Hi OP, I had a really bad cold recently plus a really bad cough that wouldn’t go away. Also Covid negative. I wasn’t that bothered by the cold but I felt soooo weak and completely exhausted. I had a GP appt and they prescribed me antibiotics as they thought I might have a chest infection. The cough cleared up completely after the antibiotics but more importantly I felt 100% better in terms of the weak/fatigue feeling - back to normal now. I had no idea that the weak feeling/fatigue was linked to the cough/chest infection; I had assumed the weak feeling was something else (eg I wondered if it was low iron or I was diabetic or something, given the tiredness). Anyway I just thought I’d share. Although don’t know if it’s helpful given you say you can’t get a GP appt - that strikes me as ridiculous btw given how long you’ve been unwell AND you can demonstrate it’s not COVID. I have heard people say they’ve booked private online GP appts; would that be an option for you? They might be able to prescribe something...

FangsForTheMemory · 24/12/2021 23:31

I would keep trying to see a GP. I had a cold and bad cough that lasted for weeks once and it was actually bronchitis.

hivemindneeded · 25/12/2021 09:26

@FangsForTheMemory

I would keep trying to see a GP. I had a cold and bad cough that lasted for weeks once and it was actually bronchitis.

That's a good point. If it hurts deep in your chest when you cough (not just the muscle ache brought on by coughing) you need to keep pestering in case you need antibiotics.

DH found Broncostop helps a bit and good old fashioned rubbing menthol Vicks on your chest.

Also, if you;ve been too ill to leave the house much, take Vitamin D spray under the tongue as you are probably deficient.

OverTheRubicon · 25/12/2021 09:28

@blinder that's the wrong way around - lfts are less sensitive when asymptomatic (and still only indicative anyway).

Op sorry to hear and hope you can get some help.