How could I be ill AGAIN? I can't possibly take more time off work.

[spidermama]

I only started my job on April 3rd and I've already had three days off because of a chest infection. I took anti-biotics because last time, when I refused them, I ended up with pnuemonia.

Anyway, I got better quickly. That was two weeks ago and now I'm ill again. Chest infection again with temperature. I can't possibly take more time off work.

I eat well, I exercise. WTF is wrong with me?

Shameless bump for sympathy and, ideally, advice.

Exhaustion?

I know you've only just started your job but if you're ill, you're ill. If you don't take time off you won't recover properly. Three days off for a chest infection isn't long, you know (I've had a fair few in my time). I've had a cold since before Easter - every time I thought it had gone it came back - and I know it's because I've no time to recover properly. It's just a cold, so it doesn't matter - but a chest infection's a different kettle of fish. And you can't be dismissed because of illness, can you?

Get well soon, anyway :)

your immune system sounds shot to me sounds like you are doing right wth food and exercise but are there any things working against this stress,too much alcohol, smoking, polluted environement, insomnia.... talk to your doctor or get a nutrionist to check out your diet you might think it is good but it might not have enough vitamin X or a certain mineral in it or you could have food intolerances...

big sympathy for you.. must feel awful esp with a new job...

Possibly exhaustion. I overcome exhaustion with coffee, which is probably a really bad idea.

I wonder about pollution manc because we live on a busy road and our house is very 'leaky'. Also I'm asthmatic and basically my chest is my achilles heal.

Hi Spidermama: Massive sympathy for this. I'm a full-time WOHM with a 5yo and 3yo and from roughly October to April I'm virtually continuously ill - mostly just colds, but occasionally something closer to 'flu and once this winter full-blown tonsilitis. I've never had a brilliant immune system, but it's been much, much worse since we've had the two girls. We live in a reasonably unpolluted area, I eat reasonably well, exercise a bit and I don't have any underlying conditions like asthma. I genuinely think that it's too little sleep, too little 'downtime' and the relentless assault of viral infections that the girls pick up from pre-school and school. According to other parents, it does get better once the last one gets to about 7 .

Someone suggested that the most effective way to stop picking up infections from your children is an obsessive hand-washing campaign - yours not theirs. Basically wash your hands frequently and certainly every time you eat, cook or do anything else which is likely to bring your hands in contact with your face or help them to blow their nose, wipe their face etc. That's going to be my strategy for next winter!

Issyfit/Issymum

PS I work from home a day or two a week and that helps enormously. When I'm sick, I can still vaguely keep on top of things from home and don't actually have to take off a full day's sick leave.

Thanks so much everyone. It gives me a lift to have your words of support.

I wondered if it was the same infection back again. I did take strong ABs for ten days and felt completely better by day 3.

I only work four hours a day, but those hours are 5.30-9.30 AM. The thing is, I'm loving work and I've been in such a good mood since starting again.

I don't know if I can take more time off, especially since I'm still negotiating my contract and it won't go in my favour. But you may be right foundintranslation that I may just have to take time off again and just apologise ad infinitum.

I wonder if the coffee is making me feel well when I'm not. I'd be loathed to give it up because it really 'helps' at that time in the morning.

Ah spidermama, well your hours may not be very conducive to great health unless you're massively making up for the early starts by going to bed seriously early, are you? Not enough sleep won't help with immunity. Sympathy, it sounds horrible but I agree with everyone who says you do have to get better before you go back.

I do go to bed early some nights. Sometimes I even get a day time sleep. Also, I don't wake up for the baby any more.

I can't help the hours sadly. I love the work when I'm there. I'm confused because I have felt so strong and happy since starting but I seem to be misleading myself.

spider sorry you are so ill Dp has had a chest infection for about 2 months now and it is just easing.(btw he is normally as strong as an ox!)Could you do the same work at a different time?It really is very early esp as you are so busy at home.Really hot tea tree and lavender baths has helped dp Hope you get well soon

Hi Noddy. Thanks. I'll do the hot tea tree and lavender thing. That sounds like heaven.

I can't do different hours sadly. Did you dh do anti biotics?

spidermama So sorry to hear you're feeling awful still.
I can totally sympathise. Like issyfit, and you I seem th have had about three months of just relentless ill health. Colds, tonsillitis, chest infection. I know I'm totally worn out by looking after ds's and working etc., and I think not having any 'down time' does havea huge role ot play.
The only other advice I can offer is to take some echinacea - I've got the effevescent ones from Boots - get into your system faster than the tablets. My GP recommended them. They're supposed to be really good at boosting your immune system. I've been taking them for about 10 days now and although I got a really sore throat a few days ago, I now feel that I'm finally getting on top of it all.
Worth a try! Hope you're feeling better soon, but def. take the time off to recover properly otherwise in the lng run you'll just end up taking even longer if you don't shake it off completely and maybe try some diff/stronger anti-bio's from GP.

I'd forgotton about echinacea smogs. I think I'm going to have to send dh to the chemist with a list (after he has fed the kids, done the laundry, cleared up etc etc.) Poor bugger. He's really working hard and being very good natured. I feel I'm letting him down again.