Not sure whether or not to bother doctor - flu two weeks ago, but can’t shake some symptoms

[Traveltipsplease99]

It’s not easy to get an appointment at my doctor, and I know you shouldn’t go there with flu stuff anyway. But I’m starting to wonder why I’m not getting better and if I should battle to book an appointment.

I got the flu two weeks ago. I’ve never had it before. Totally knocked me out! Was in bed for days and had to get someone to help me look after my kids. But I just haven’t gotten (much) better since. I still have a completely blocked nose and a pounding headache every day. I still feel constantly exhausted. And am still really mucusy (yuck!) when I cough etc etc and blow my nose.

Could it be something else? It sounds like a cold, I know, but it doesn’t feel like any cold I’ve had in the past. I’ve also lost my sense of taste a bit. (And sense of smell completely.)

Is this something that’s likely to pass on its own?! I have been waiting and waiting. Today I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck! Again!

Anyone?

Last bump

do you have a temperature? How is your breathing? Does your chest feel tight or heavy?

Also what colour is your mucus/snot?

Hi iv been the same i wondered if it was my sinuses but me to wont go the docs . Headaches are a pain n feel like iv been taking paracetamol for wks. Im gonna give it another wk as sometimes they say viral things take 3 wks to clear

Question 1 - are you often susceptible to flu/chesty colds? Do you have/or have ever had asthma?

Usually heavy colds sort themselves out by 3 weeks. Clearly you don't want pneumonia but can advise about that.

Proper flu is fierce
I had it when I was really really fit

About two weeks later I was battling just to walk round the block. I do have asthma though. The sinus thing took about three weeks to clear. I was amazed how much it sucked. Also someone said to me, you'll lose your fitness to a large extent and I really did.

I really hope you feel better soon. If you're not sure about seeing a doc, will they speak to you on the phone maybe? I've had pneumonia, wouldn't wish it on anyone. Do they have nurse appointments, someone who could listen to your chest etc?

Hope you start to feel better sounds like it's going to be a while longer

Have a look for Sudafed spray, it may help clear your sinuses and your headache. Steam rooms are great for this too.

seetoski - when I had my flu, my chest was both hot and tight and I had a fever of 39. Both have gone now and just left me stuffy and headachey and nauseated. My snot is very green!

reeree it’s awful isn’t it?! Get well really soon!

kanga - I had a chest infection and pleurisy about two months ago. Never had anything at all before that! I live in a very polluted part of london and have wondered lately if that’s making things worse for me.

spring oh gosh! Maybe like you it’s just taking a while to clear! I hope so! Arg! I feel like I’m also losing my fitness really rapidly at the moment.

random thank you!!!

silver - yes the pharmacist recommended it! I don’t think I’d be able to sleep without it! But I’m feeling a little concerned as I’ve been using it for two weeks and it says don’t use longer than one...

few weeks to get over flu sounds very normal.

lljkk - I’ve never had the flu before. Now I know why people say what they do about it! I can’t believe how much its knocked me out. It’s got me convinced it’s something worse! (Not missing a flu jab again!)

Lots of people who had the jab got the flu! Can you do some stream inhalation.

It took me about 6 weeks to fully feel better after the flu

Everyone I know who had flu this season took full 3 weeks before starting to feel recovered.

I suffer with sinus infections a lot (or I used too). Best medicine for it was a boots one (you have to ask for it - painkiller/decongestant combo). But best thing overall is to use a Nettii Pot - they are fab.

Given the pleurisy i think it is worth getting an appointment. Want times can be anything from 2 weeks till 8 weeks at some surgeries!

There is little a dr can do if it's viral.
Rest and TLC is the answer along with some gentle exercise when you don't have a temp.

DH had bad flu some years ago. He was diagnosed with Post Viral Syndrome by a neurologist and even had to undergo brain scans. He was wiped out for over a year but managed to struggle on with work.

All I'm saying is that unless you have a bacterial chest infection there is nothing to treat flu, just rest.

It is probably still flu leftovers, but given that you felt better for a bit and then got worse again, you might have got a sinus infection. If your headaches are mostly on the front of your head, and/or above your eyebrows and to the sides of your nose hurt if pushed, then consider a GP appointment to see if it is your sinuses

Im goin to the doc tomz . Ill let u know

I had flu which started christmas day, came on with literally no warning.
Headache from hell, aches and pains everywhere.
Nose so stuffed I couldnt spray anything up my nose.
High temp, was needing paracetamol and ibuprofen round the clock just to get me comfortable enough to go to the toliet.
I did find sudafed max tablets helped when I realised it was ok to take while breastfeeding.
But I ended up on antibiotics for 2 weeks with a chest infection.
It took me 6 weeks to feel almost 'normal'.
Bloody horrible I can completely sympathise.
Hope your feeling better, if not the doctor can help.