Help! Husband and I both sick constantly since early September.

[verticality]

Just posting out of desperation, really. I am so sick of this!

We have had a succession of colds since early September. We both work hard - long hours and DH has lots of responsibility, so we haven't been able to take much time off. We just don't seem to be able to get our heads above water. The moment things look like they are improving, one of us gets sick again. I think we have had a grand total of 3 days since September 9th when one or other of us hasn't been unwell.

We are eating healthily, drinking plenty of fluids, and not drinking alcohol. Basically, we're trying SO hard to do everything right, and yet we just can't get well.

I know we probably need to get to the GP, but my gut feeling is that there is nothing that can be wrong with both of us simultaneously and that we've just got really unlucky and got something that has sapped us to the point that we're struggling to come back from it.

Tips/advice greatly appreciated.

You're probably right in that you're not getting any time to recover which is making you feel worse. I remember last year I had an awful fever and was bed ridden for a few days. Went back to work and the same thing happened a few weeks later, really worried me so I went for blood tests and all was fine, just one of those things.
I know it's hard getting the time when you're so busy, but I would see the GP and get checked over/book in some bloods for peace of mind.

Make sure your boiler is serviced and working properly.
Have you got a carbon monoxide alarm?

You both have lowered immune systems due to not taking sufficient time off to recuperate.

Every time one if you catches a new strain of cold, you pass it on, in a depressing cycle.

Take time off next time you are I’ll - proper time off.

You might have a moisture/mould problem.

Boiler is under 2 years old and was serviced about 3 months ago - carbon monoxide alarms in several rooms due to having chimneys/log burner too. I don't think it can be that!

We have been taking a multivitamin, vitamin D and echinacea for weeks.

I think booking us into a GP would be sensible at this point.

I don't even remember what it is like to feel well any more. I know so, so many people have far more serious health complaints, and I feel guilty for feeling so panicky and down about it.

Moisture/mould - good suggestion but I am sure it's not this. The house is pretty dry and warm, no visible sign of mould or mildew anywhere. I have lived in places with this problem as a student, and I know how bad it can be for your health. But I'm reasonably certain it's not the problem here.

You need to take some sick leave and recover properly. If you aren't giving yourself time to recover you won't?

So you have been ill more or less since the boiler was serviced?
I know you have several alarms, but have you taken one directly to the boiler to check.
We used to have British Gas cover, but their engineers were so hopeless, I stopped it and got an independent person instead.
Could there be any allergens around?

I find taking high dose vitamin C, at least 20mg of zinc, a good probiotic like Culturelle and a fish oil (not cod liver oil) supplement really gives me an immune boost.

Any chance of you both getting away for some winter sun? Sounds like it would do you good

Me and another family member have had similar since August. Had blood tests and everything is fine.

It's so frustrating. Just when I start feeling well I pick something else up

There's a CO alarm right next to the boiler - I've also already taken the one from the dining room in there in a fit of paranoia . Neither is shrilling at me! I think it's just coincidence that we got sick when it was serviced, though it's not a stupid suggestion given that the dates do coincide.

Allergens - I don't think there's anything new in the house. It would be odd for us both to develop the same allergy at exactly the same time?? I have wondered about dietary issues, but we are both eating quite healthily for the most part. In a fit of virtue, I just bought a load of eye-wateringly expensive organic fruit and veg to eat this week. I'm going to try to max out my intake of fresh fruit and veg to see if that helps.

I do think we are at a point where we have to accept that we can't go on like this and take some rest/time off.

@Mooserp I'm so sorry you're going through it too. It really sucks!

Everyone I know has been ill this autumn, but the constant nature of this, and our inability to recover is really wearing me down.

You need to take time off work and recover.
If you don't let your body recover, it never properly will.

Could you have had glandular fever? A relative had this and was knocked about for weeks.

I had glandular fever as a teenager - it was horrendous. This is more like a succession of very symptomatic colds and chest infections - our house is snot central

verticality
my mum and dad had this a few years ago, boiler regularly serviced, carbon monoxide alarms were fine and not going off, but they felt tired and sickly a lot...until they went away for a weekend. when they got back the alarms were going mental because the small top windows which were usually left open had been closed and the CO2 had built up inside the house.
i'd get an independent in to double check.

I’m thinking co2 as well.

Are you me? Very similar situation here. DP brought a horrible cold home from a trip (plane) at the beginning of September, which then floored me. I did actually take a few days off work, but went back too soon (teaching, so really difficult for everyone if someone is sick) and have never been right since. I think I probably have a sinus infection, but it is virtually impossible to get a doctor’s appointment here. It’s a choice between ring at 8am and hopefully get seen that day, which I feel too guilty to do because it’s not really urgent, plus work, or get offered one for about six weeks time. I am hoping the Christmas holidays will sort me out.

Are you sleeping? I think you know the answer is to take time off work and rest. If that is difficult could you work from home?

Sorry you are both sick, it's the pits when you can't seem to shake it.

Are you getting enough fresh air? A good brisk walk outside every day perhaps, lunchtimes at work works well for my husband to do this.
Ventalate the house properly if not already. Where do you work? Is the office air con due a service?

Perhaps try early nights for a week to allow your body to rest and recouperate?

Have you any annual leave left or due that you can take to allow you to really rest?

Vitamins ?

I’ve had similar, a bad cold early sept and haven’t felt well since. Think it went to a sinus infection as in desperation I took some antibiotics I bought overseas and they worked like a charm. Still ache all over though.

Change your toothbrush. Someone once told me you should change it after you have a cold, and if you think about it- kind of makes sense.

I’d also be washing all bed linen, cushion covers, sofa blankets etc on a hot wash and disinfecting EVERYTHING!

OP did you manage to get over your illness in the end.

Found this post because this is me - have been ill now for about 6 weeks, get a bit better, but not 100%, then bad again - it's like a viscous circle 🙄

Have you cleaned/sanitised all door handles, phones remotes, light switches, loo handles and maybe keys. Also steering wheel, sat nav Button and radio etc if you are drivers ? I would do that to try to break the cycle too.

@HowDoYouLikeThoseSuedeApples - 🤔 no actually haven't been that thorough, will definitely begin tomorrow 👍