Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Still unwell after 4 weeks

36 replies

Peckhaminn · 09/01/2023 07:13

Suffered a really bad flu/cold type virus a week before Christmas and managed to get better. Then Boxing Day the coke came back for vengeance with a fever/aches/bad chest. I was in bed for 5 days. Then NYE I started feeling better. Fast forward a week I'm still suffering from a uncomfortable cough which is making me gag/sick and permanently got a headache with clearly a sinus infection, bad cough and now I've got a tooth infection. Genuinely don't know how to get better?

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 09/01/2023 07:14

Are you on antibiotics ?

Setyoufree · 09/01/2023 07:15

I've had similar without the tooth infection. I think I turned a corner by steaming with olbas oil - seemed to help loosen my sinuses. I'd been doing better for a week or so but now back with a runny nose and the sinusy feeling again.

Vallmo47 · 09/01/2023 07:16

This winter has been brutal OP, sorry. I had three separate bugs lasting a total of 7.5 weeks. I hadn’t even recovered before one of my kids came down with the same, which lasted nearly 8 weeks as well. We’ve gone from cold, to flu like, and then onto covid for Christmas. Covid for the third time for me. It’s relentless and it’s blamed on the lack of mingling during lockdowns. Absolutely shit.

Original poster
Peckhaminn · 09/01/2023 07:20

KangarooKenny · 09/01/2023 07:14

Are you on antibiotics ?

Hi Kenny, no I'm not. My work are really funny about me having time off for doctors etc and I have to book annual leave to have appointments, so I haven't bothered.

OP posts:
Marmite27 · 09/01/2023 07:22

I started with this around October half term.

I woke up again yesterday sneezing. I wish it would do on now, I’m so sick of it.

fedupathome · 09/01/2023 07:28

@Peckhaminn I've had exactly the same as you including tooth infection and sinus infection!

Like you started the week before Xmas and was Starting to feel better before fever , chills, sinus pain etc started again on the 28th December.

I had a phone appointment with the gp and was prescribed antibiotics. I didn't need to go into the surgery as they do phone appointments only in the first instance.

Can you try a phone appointment?

The only thing that made me better was the antibiotics .

wtfisgoingonhere21 · 09/01/2023 07:32

Here here.

Came down with a really bad virus week before Xmas and ended up on anti biotics for chest and ear infection.

Was really rough and ruined Xmas for me

Felt better by new year but yesterday woke up with the sinus and head ache again.

Had covid in October aswell

Just sick of it now

Pickledprune · 09/01/2023 07:35

I've had it two weeks now still feel awful and like I've been kicked all over in the ribs
The cough has been awful
My son now has it he's on day 3

PatchworkElmer · 09/01/2023 07:38

I think you’ll have to book leave and see the GP.

Monsterpage · 09/01/2023 07:41

Me too since 4 December - got sent home from work and was off for a week - in bed and didn’t move for 72 hours! Thought I was better for about 2 days then the headaches came back, lack of energy, no appetite etc. then followed by the cold, cough unable to sleep. It’s now 5 weeks in and things are not yet looking up.
when you speak to others it seems lots of people are experiencing the same. Not COVID for me as I keep testing.
Tomorrow I’ll be going into the office for the first time in 5 weeks - slightly nervous! Hope it doesn’t set me back!
Hope others start to feel better soon.

pleaseletmesleeptonight · 09/01/2023 07:41

Can't you see the GP while you are off sick though? Have you been going into work all this time.

Sounds awful a bit it does sound like some antibiotics could help?

Only other advice is to eat lots of nutrient rich foods, bone broth and fluids, steaming helps as well hot baths, showers and over a bowl with oils can help clear the chest and sinus.

Whyarewehardofthinking · 09/01/2023 07:47

A large number of our staff have been constantly ill since October half term, me included; we actually have a few staff of with post-viral fatigue now, or more than one infection that is needing time off. What I had over Christmas was worse than all four of my bouts of covid, to the point of where I've had days in bed and missed Christmas and New Year.

If anyone in the Greater Manchester area is looking for a supply teacher, 12 of them are in my school this week (and that is just for staff signed off and those we can't actually recruit to, not including who might just ring in!)

gogohmm · 09/01/2023 07:48

Been down with various things since the 8th December. Not just me, whole family

MindatWork · 09/01/2023 07:53

So you’ve not been to the doctors or had any checks/medical attention through any if this, op?!

I say this kindly but you need to start
prioritising yourself or you won’t get better. I’m last person to run to the go for antibiotics at the first sign of a cold, but this sounds like you really need to see a doctor.

Also if you’ve been going to work throughout this you’ve probably spread it around. I sympathise as I’ve been there with an unsympathetic boss, but you at least need something for your tooth.

DeathMetalMum · 09/01/2023 07:55

Tooth infection may actually be related to the sinusitis. I always feel like I have a tooth infection if my sinuses are bad.

You can buy a steroid nasal spray over the counter which may help with the sinuses. Or nasacort allergy spray, this one really helps me.

Minfilia · 09/01/2023 08:04

Take a day off sick and go to the GP.

I’ve been ill since 14 December - same flu type bug everyone seems to have had which knocked me completely, then got covid just after christmas…

still badly coughing, achey and congested nearly a month on, it’s ridiculous

Coronateachingagain · 09/01/2023 08:08

I had the same and just managed to get rid of it. Nasty virus. Do you still have temperature / feverish. Are your expectorations basically whitish or definitely on the green side.

Take rest when you can and above all, always keep warm - your chest and your back, and make sure you go early to bed and sleep plenty.

Garman · 09/01/2023 08:13

Riddled with infection, yet doesn't know how to get better 🤔 You need an antibiotic, you either need a phone appt or to ask work for time off, or find a walk in/7 day medical centre that you can go to on a day off.

Jewel1968 · 09/01/2023 08:24

Have had similar. I didn't start to improve until I had steroids and antibiotics. Still not fully better. Home remedies that helped me were old fashioned antihistamines (help you sleep), decongestant (nasal spray or tablet), solpadine and steam. You do really need a doc appointment though.

QueenMabs · 09/01/2023 08:27

Take a day off sick and call the surgery.

You are clearly unwell.

In fact take a few days off.

I have to do this if I am unwell as cannot answer a call during the working day. They may or many not want a face to face appointment.

HowDoYouOwnDisorder · 09/01/2023 08:29

I am in week 4 of this

have a chesty cough that won’t go, keeps triggering asthma attacks for me

am exhausted and my cardio fitness has gone completely (I do competitive sports so am depressed about that)

not sure anti-B’s would help as it’s the same winter bug everyone has right now?

HowDoYouOwnDisorder · 09/01/2023 08:30

I mean, it’s a virus, right? So anti biotics won’t help?

ThinWomansBrain · 09/01/2023 08:30

Anti Biotics won't help if it's a virus
Have had similar following surgery in December - not sure whether or not connected, but saw my GP a week ago who confirmed not bacterial, so AB not helpful.
He did advise should always see GP if a cough persists for more than four weeks.

Was using honey & lemon daily - a friend recommended Manuka, so switched to that at the weekend.

Thepeopleversuswork · 09/01/2023 08:31

It's horrific OP but if its any consolation this sounds pretty normal for this horrible bug.

I'm well into week three, having had Christmas completely ruined by it and only just now being able to vaguely function.

It does sound like you may need antibiotics though.

OoooohMatron · 09/01/2023 08:36

I know a few people in this situation OP, this bug is nasty. Your employer sounds like a total dick. Take a sick day and go to the doctor.

Swipe left for the next trending thread