I don’t want to live anymore. My life is an endless series of chest infections and a&e trips.

[Bunnyflop7]

Me and ds are so sickly. We spent the entire summer with the flu- him for 3 weeks then me for 3 weeks I was in hospital twice unable to breathe. Then another one. Now here we are again. I’m trying to get through to 111. Ds feels like shit. Antibiotics, steroids, recovery and then round we go again. It’s to the point now where I’m actually not wanting to meet up with other people in case they have a cold, because catching a cold means this nightmare again for us. Other people just don’t get it.

im exhausted and on my knees. I can’t do this anymore.

Hello OP, we are really sorry to hear you are feeling this way and we really empathise with all the illness - this winter feels tough.

We hope you don't mind, but when these threads are flagged up to us we usually add a link to our Mental Health resources: www.mumsnet.com/webguide/mental-health. You can also go to the Samaritans website: www.samaritans.org or email them on [email protected]. Support from other Mumsnetters is great and we really hope you will be able to take some comfort from your fellow posters, but as other MNers will tell you, it's really a good idea to seek RL help and support as well.

We also like to remind everyone that, although we're awed daily by the astonishing support our members give each other through life's trickier twists and turns, we'd always caution anyone never to give more of themselves to another poster, emotionally or financially, than they can afford to spare.
We are going to move this thread to the Mental Health section shortly.

Op I can empathise.

I get pneumonia literally every year. Usually around Christmas. Call me tiny fucking Tim if you will. Except we seem to get every bastard chest infection going until we end up developing pneumonia.

My little boy seems to be exactly the same and no matter what tests are done we're told we're not immuno-suppressed etc.

In recent years we've made sure to have the flu vaccine, been offered the NHS pneumonia vaccine and also had the pneumonia vaccine at Lloyds pharmacy that covers 13 strains as opposed to just the 5 the NHS vaccine covers.

Kids need to get sick, they need to build up an immune system and unfortunately some kids get sicker than others.

Make sure you're vaccinated, taking vitamins, not eating empty calories, staying away from smoke/smokers, ventilating, taking care of yourself, and if you can't get through to the doctors on the phone, walk in and speak to the receptionist.

www.amazon.co.uk/NeilMed-Original-Sinus-Premixed-Sachets/dp/B000RDZFZ0/ref=sr_1_7?crid=16N8SRCX6048A&keywords=nasal+douche&qid=1670770006&sprefix=nasal+douche%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-7
I find it miraculous tbh
I used to get a combo of sinusitis first them nasal drip leading to chest problems and pneumonia. This stopped it before it started. I haven't had antibiotics since 2017. Good luck op

I always liked ‘your broken leg doesn’t make my stubbed toe any less painful’.

What a shitty reply. You don’t own pain and misery, it’s relative.

I did apologise.

@Bunnyflop7 Hey op, I’ve been mega run down after having covid and was cev so was rough for a year. It is miserable. Sleep, exercise and better diet helped, also a good b vitamin mix because your body runs through b vitamins quicker after infections, magnesium might help too. I also started on echinacea, mixed views on that but was worth a try for me. I’m loads better now anyway and I think the above helped but obviously discuss with gp above all that especially for your dc. Hope you feel better soon.

Ok sorry, hope your sister is ok

Hi OP, apologies if this has been suggested already but would suggest you ask for a referral to an ENT to get DS’ tonsils checked out (might be worth them looking at yours too).

DD had awful chest infections as she had very large tonsils and all the mucus went down to her chest rather than out of her nose. She also had sleep apnoea (again due to the tonsils) so slept badly and was always tired and run down. She was a different child after having them taken out.

It may not be this of course but just something to consider especially if you are asking for referrals.

@Jimmyneutronsforehead thanks for the tip re the pneumonia vaccine- I will phone them tomorrow and book in. Sorry to hear you’ve had similar troubles.

we both have flu jabs and the max boosters of covid jabs. Maybe this one will help too.

@minipie thanks for that tip, I’ll ask about that

Op, what is yours and your son’s diet like?

have the school been following up with you re the substantial absences?

Totally agree

Hugs ignore “worse” brigade you don’t need to hear that now your exhausted and ill get help as needed and blood tests as others have said too.

Re mould- apart from a tiny bit in our bathroom which we remove with bleach I don’t think we have any

Hi op, not sure if this will help or if you even want advice but there seems to be increasing evidence that gut microbiome hugely affects immune system (and mental health/ inflammation etc.)
It's relatively easy to improve your mb - aim for a variety of 30 different veg/seeds/nuts/ fruit per week and include fermented foods daily - if you don't like saurkraut/ kombucha etc then even yoghurt/ cheese/ sourdough products can help.
Best wishes to you and your son, it sounds really tough x

@thewayround i eat ok, fair amount of fruit and veg daily. I make sure ds has apple, carrot, broccoli and peas or something like it on an average day. He is a fucking nightmare about food tbh. Moans about everything and only wants to eat junk. (I don’t let him tho)

Probiotics would also be a good idea since you’ve had so many antibiotics

Is the school involved?

what is he doing whilst off? Does he play sport? Maintain friendship groups?

Shush.

Also agree with the Neilmed sinus rinse, works wonders (unless nose is blocked then it just goes down your throat bleurgh)
Plus vitamin D spray and Lidl's copy of Berocca every day.

I used to suffer terribly from regular colds and chest infections (asthmatic) but the above combined with better hand hygiene seems to have helped me.

Sorry to hear about your sister but please think before you speak.
Poor op is struggling, she is allowed to feel as she (or he) pleases.

Give yourself a day off.

If you are both ill all the time have you looked at environmental factors like mould?

Ds has this and the teapot version from his respiratory physio, I was super cynical about it but it certainly helps clear the mucus