To tell the GP I think I'm really not well and ask for more help?

[Eviolle]

I can't tell if I'm BU anymore or not as I'm very tired (4mo and an almost 3yo) and in pain.

I've had a feeling of dizziness for quite a few weeks, but it felt very strange, almost like I wasn't quite 'with it' rather than feeling dizzy? Is that what brain fog is?

The symptoms have just gotten worse and worse, I now have:

• dizziness
• headache which is much worse when I sit up
• feeling of pressure in my head
• eye pain
• ear pain
• this funny brain fog
• neck pain
• nasty taste in my mouth
• balance problems (related to the dizziness?)

I don't think it's connected but I do also have a really nasty cough which I've had for weeks.

I've seen two GPs, one said he could see fluid in my ear and it was 'Glue Ear' and gave me antibiotics. I went back a second time and saw a different GP who told me she couldn't see any fluid but I had "dull eardrums", said it was sinusitis and gave me different antibiotics. I finished that set today. She was a lovely GP and basically said I was knackered, and breastfeeding was draining all my nutrients so I was bound to feel rough.

My symptoms just seem to be getting worse though, and I feel worried about trying to look after two littles on my own. However, I don't know if I'm just panicking or if there genuinely could be something else going on?

Anyone had similar? Aibu or just neurotic.

I wonder if the stress of childbirth, new baby, no time to rest with the toddler running about etc. really has just run my body into the ground, I don't want to overly panic that there's something 'really wrong'.

Not had steroid spray, but I did last time I had an ear infection, you've reminded me.

@Ithinktomyselfwhatawonderfulworld. me too- had for 8 months along with pubs and needles and weird buzzing in fingers and legs- has gradually gone but left me with intermittent neck arthritis and dry eyes

Is the thick thick, stringy mucus white or fairly clear?

With Hay-fever I used to get itchy eyes and sneezing. Nothing for years. Instead I get anaphylaxis type reactions itching throat, swelling in roof of mouth, back of tongue, itching in my ears and.....cough up copious amounts of clear to white (opaque) stringy sticky mucus like an asthmatic. Do you get tingling lips, tongue, or itching? it's anaphylaxis in a mild form.

My allergies got worse after having DC.

Definitely go back to GP. If it is allergy related maybe they can suggest a safe antihistamine. Don't leave it, hassle them.

Hope you are better soon.

@Eviolle if you're worried about your health join a long queue for NHS treatment.
If one can afford private health care it's what one does, apparently.
Those not in a position go private, well suck it up.
Just how it was all planned by government parties for the last 25′± years, to privatise the NHS.
It's criminal to see the demise of the NHS, and all before our very eyes.
The system is corrupt to the very core and in Local Government.
.

It's quite white looking, although sometimes it's clearer. I did have tingling lips and mouth last week but it seems to have stopped now. I did wonder about an allergic reaction to something but I was confused as to what it might have been that was causing it.

Thank you.

It really does sound like whooping cough and if you have allergies and ear infections on top that is going to be bad. Private gp sounds like a good idea, they can also check iron levels, ferritin and your thyroid. Sometimes thyroids go really wonky after pregnancy.

You've probably already checked but i would do a pregnancy test

Exactly - two GPs have examined and seen ear problems and the symptoms fit with ear and sinus problems. Give it some time before panicking

I completely agree with you there, and I work for the NHS. I know it might be a long wait, I could potentially afford a private GP but not a course of private treatment, plus, I ethically kind of don't want to use private services if I don't have to. With all that being said though, I am a bit worried about what's going on, and do want to find some answers!

I haven't! But it would be a miracle if I was, as in a second coming of Christ, miracle. 😂

Weird question.......do you have tonsils? and you mention ear infection, have you suffered more than a few ear infections since childhood?

Thank you. I'm sure it is, that's why I wanted some perspective. I just feel so miserable and I'd hoped that two different antibiotics would make me better, so I am starting to worry a little that I actually feel worse.

Could be a few different things rather than one issue. Bad taste in mouth could be a vitamin deficiency for example.

The dizziness could be an inner ear infection?

Or a friend had vertigo recently, can be caused by viruses or stress.

Definitely go back to GP

I do have my tonsils still, I've never had ear infections before I had my children and then both of my eardrums burst at about the same time period post partum with my first baby (5 months post partum) and then another ear infection this time around at 4 months post.

Do you have any clear fluid coming from one side of your nose or your ear, especially after you cough? Any hearing loss?

Get some blood tests - TFT, B12, Ferritin, Vit D, FBC.

Tinnitus, fatigue, tired or twitchy eyes, general wooziness, aches and pains and just not feeling right could be thyroid issues which can also come on after childbirth so might be worth asking for bloods once you’ve ruled out infection.

My DS had ear infections along with the whooping cough. It effects the ENT area.

If you've had the cough longer than 3 weeks you are too late for the specific antibiotics for whooping cough.

I'll eat my hat if it's not whooping cough. Such a massive outbreak at the moment. I never go to the GP and ended up there as I just felt so very unwell like you.

Could be viral and just taking some time. Viral sinusitis and post viral cough can take a while to shift. No harm in seeing someone again given you have completed course of antibiotics but it’s positive they saw something on antibiotics as it’s something that will improve. Hope it’s soon as it’s extra tough being unwell with little ones.

it might be a good idea for them to run some bloods to check for deficiencies, anaemia and thyroid problems which can crop up post partum and might be affecting your ability to fight off infection

It feels like there is fluid in my ear but nothing coming out, that same side I have got a runny nose though.

Hearing loss, yes and no, I suddenly realise everything is quiet and try and pop my ears and then everything is a normal level again.

Definitely whooping cough! I have never weed when coughing but yes, this made me wee, vomit and even faint. And yes, it is known to keep you awake at night.

Unfortunately you are too late for the antibiotics for whooping cough but at least you know what it is. Unfortunately it can last a long time. I'm about 7 weeks in and although I still have coughing fits I am feeling much better in myself.

DH said whooping cough when we realised how long I'd been coughing for, but we didn't know because our two little ones have both picked up the cough and neither of them are whooping either. I'll certainly ask the GP though.

Hope you feel better soon! Are you sure you didn’t get the whooping cough vaccine when pregnant? It’s recommended in pregnancy and your midwife usually reminds you to book in with the nurse for it.

Yes, I would. From my research most people don't 'whoop'. It's more like a gasp for breath as you cough for so long.

Hopefully your little ones are still protected from their WC vaccination. Have they been very unwell? I was the worst hit as for adults our vaccinations have completely worn off.