Why are my colds so bad?

[Merryoldgoat]

I get a lot of colds as I have two primary aged children and work in a school. I get at least 4 colds a year and they are always really bad.

DH shakes them off fast and gets half the ones I do. Kids middling, one off school - but other nothing more than a sniffle.

I’m currently home with sore throat, blocked ears, nose streaming and a hacking cough.

I wfh today (for obvious reasons) and had to stop at 1 as I was feeling so wrecked.

My boss said I looked awful (Teams meeting) and told me not to come in tomorrow.

Im just feeling a bit sorry for myself I suppose.

I’m very overweight, however I’ve changed my diet massively and have lost 21lb in the last 4 months (which I found hard but I’m still going).

I’m also asthmatic but it’s very well controlled and I don’t need daily steroids.

Do I just have a shit immune system?

I am the same as you op. I get extremely unwell with colds. I get a full on streaming nose like a waterfall, whereas the same bug is barely a sniffle for my DH. I am not sure weight is behind it, as I am 55kg (8 stone 9) at 5 foot 5.

I am very pale and avoid the sun and try to supplement my vitamin D.

@PegSliderskew

Over the years it’s apparent I suffer badly and I never spread them around. I sleep on the sofa when I’m like this as I can’t settle.

@TreesWelliesKnees

I hope so. I feel much better otherwise (ie when there’s no cold) and have a lot more energy.

I don’t eat a LOT of dairy but I have a bit most days. I will try cutting it out - would be great if it was that!

@Stoptheclimbing

that makes me feel a bit better as I do feel like it’s my fault for being fat but you clearly aren’t and suffer similarly.

DH has arrived home to wrangle the kids and I’m heading to the bath after dinner.

Merryoldgoat have you had your tonsils removed.

I daren’t get near anyone who has the slightest sniffle as if I catch a cold I have to play this game with the doctors. I get a cold, I go to the GP to ask for antibiotics, they refuse and tell me it is just a cold. A week later I have a full blown chest infection and it is 50/50 if I get antibiotics if I am not lucky the next 10 days I spend in bed coughing so much that I lose all control of my pelvic floor and wet myself and then I return to the doctors where they finally give me antibiotics

I have walked out of work if someone comes in sniffling and acting like they made it in They didn’t want to let the team down.
I know I am out of action for 4-6 weeks and each time it happens or is slightly worse than the last time.

@Yalta I had them out nearly 20 years ago - it is absolutely ridiculous the dance you do.

It was cold, tonsillitis, chest infection antibiotics on repeat from about September to March.

It was my sleep apnea that was what finally tipped the balance into them doing it but they told me they were the biggest tonsils he’d seen on anyone over 12 🤣

I did read something about colds coming from ear infections and how a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide 3% in the ear at the start of an infection or when you think you might have got infected can mean it might not turn into a full blown cold.
Never tried it myself so don’t know if it works

@Yalta

I’m heading to get some then! My ears crackling yesterday morning was the first sign.

It is the lack of tonsils that leads to the cold getting into your lungs.

I have spoken to many people over the years who have complained about their colds lasting so much longer than others and every single one had their tonsils out.

I am of an age where the surgeons thought they were doing the child and parents a favour, if your child was going into surgery for a completely unrelated issue they removed their tonsils as well whilst they were under the anaesthetic

I have been fat and thin and it made no difference to the severity of a cold

I was the same OP.

Rest, hydration, highly nutritious diet, and the big one - staying away from germs. I am a teacher and this year have been one mat leave, I’ve only been ill once, when DH gave me covid which he caught from his boss.

When I go back to work, for winter, (great timing!) I’ll be staying well away from the kids and adults, using only my own cups and utensils and the golden rule, don’t touch anything 🤣 don’t use the children’s’ pencils etc when working with them. Always have your own. Take your own products in, and clean your mouse, keyboard, desk etc, properly.

https://www.drdefranca.com/hydrogen-peroxide-for-colds.html

this is where I read it

I agree.

A cold for me ends up in a 3 week post nasal drip cough to the point I have to wear Tena ladies because the coughing is like 5 minute episodes every 40 minutes with mucus.

And it gets worse at night so no sleep whatsoever.

I hate this whole "it's just a cold" bullshit.

@lilacnightmares

oh god! I’ve had to put on a sanitary towel because of the cough related leaking - it’s horrifying.

Once the cold has subsided I do a daily nasal flush to stop the post nasal drip - have you tried that?

I used to be like this as a teen/young adult and I think it was down to being anemic, have you ever been checked for that op? Also I've always been a healthy weight (actually I've put on a bit as I've got older) so I wouldn't have thought that's the issue for you.

Funnily enough I had my tonsils out aged 27 and I never seem to get colds half as bad as I used to 🤷

@Dramatic

I think for me it’s different as I don’t get the tonsillitis (obviously) and rarely get chest infections now, which I did all the time.

But the colds are foul.

I’m going to lie in the bath and watch MAFS

@Dramatic I’ve been tested but it was probably 5 years ago.

I’m due a blood test soon so will ask.

Vitamin c and zinc helps. A pharmacist told me to take zinc every day if you get colds. Plus if you get asthma apparently you get more colds. Im
asthmatic.

Wait, if you have your tonsils you get more colds?

I have always suffered badly from colds. I catch them easily and feel weak, lightheaded for the first 2 days along with coughing, sneezing. I have been 8 stone and 11 stone now. Always ate healthy normal food, some carbs and dairy.

I think it is down to stress and not being able to 'switch off'. I was always a worrier. Life with working and dcs is hectic and it is not easy to find sparr time.

What helps is lots of b and d vitamins, using wipes when at work, out and about wiping swtches and tv remotes at home. I also try not to stress. I try to take some time for myself each day even if there is loads to do. I try to get a good nights sleep. I cut down socialising to the bare minimum, introvert. I try to get out walking or jogging each day.

I still get coldd but not as much since I started using wipes and resting when I can.

Zinc arriving tomorrow so let’s hope it stops the next one!

You work in one of the biggest germ environments as we switch towards winter.... you've probably got several strains of whatever is going around.....don't worry, just concentrate on feeling better!!!

Do you have covid currently? I have covid and is like a really, really awful cold. Feel pretty rank.

I think a lot if it is down to luck and genetics. Healthy diet, exercise, vitamins, washing hands etc will all help but I think mostly its the luck I the draw. I hardly notice it when I have a cold and it's definitely not down to anything I do or don't do. The best you can do is rest, hydrate and try not to beat yourself up about it.

I'm exactly same, low vit D on my blood results.
Ask for a blood test form gp check you're levels

Oh sorry just seen you're on it

Any stress?