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General health

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Original poster

What is this virus (cold/flu/asthma?)

25 replies

Weatherwaxed · 16/12/2019 16:41

I'm mostly curious, but also a bit concerned.
Have had a cold, maybe different ones, for a month now. I've been snotty, tired and headache. My asthma was affected so after repeat uses of my reliever I went to the Dr's on Thursdays. No chest infection,just a virus, got prescribed steroid tablets for if my breathing got worse.
Friday felt run down and worn out.
Saturday felt healthy and fine.
Sunday woke up early by my 4 year old. An hour later had developed hideous chills, teeth chattering, very cold, needed 4 duvet/blanket layers to warm up. Wheezy and crackly. Coughing.
Took my steroid tablets and promptly threw them up.
Eventually warmed up. Got feverish sweats. Slept for rest of the day. Got up for water and toast.
Today feel weak and tired. Still coughing but OK. Have eaten and taken steroid meds which stayed down. Been watching telly.

Part of me wants to go back to the Dr because this doesn't feel right and I've been unwell for so long now. But I don't know if it's a thing they can treat. And anyway I'm getting better. So what would be the point. And I have an asthma review booked for Thursday anyway.

My 4 year old has had a cough/cold for a month now too. But I put that down to being rundown as its the end of reception term.

Am I being overly dramatic? Do I have a recognisable disease or just a virus? Feel free to tell me to put my big girl pants on and get over it.

OP posts:

Original poster

Weatherwaxed · 16/12/2019 16:43

Oops that's long. Sorry. It seems I'm a hypochondriac too.

OP posts:

girlofthenorth · 16/12/2019 17:34

The virus I've had is a nasty one - had chest infection hanging around then flu which knocked my breathing off and had to have steroids . Like you I had had symptoms of feeling unwell for about two or three weeks beforehand and put it down to something else, a chronic condition I have. Oh how I wish I had been to see the doctor earlier and got it sorted out...
it is the virus that keeps on giving. Keep warm don't do much eat some good food take some paracetamol.
Probably just an awful virus and if you're on the steroids you will be getting better with your breathing. Go back after the steroids if you're still finding it hard to breathe.
Can your Asthma nurse fully check you out at that appointment?
My sympathies OP

Original poster

Weatherwaxed · 16/12/2019 18:36

Thank you.
I will see how much the asthma nurse can help. I think I'll need a Drs note on Friday if I'm still under the weather so presumably will need an appt then.

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Littlegoth · 16/12/2019 18:38

It’s truly awful. I was due my asthma check up on Friday and had to cancel, was advised to take cold/flu tablets, stay hydrated and go to bed. My DH has been trying to shake it for almost a month.

PhoenixBuchanan · 16/12/2019 18:52

I've had similar for over a month. DH and DDs have also been ill with a continually-changing series of coughs/colds/sore throats/vomiting bugs etc etc. MIL keeps haranguing me to go to the GP but honestly what is he going to do? It's virus season and the only thing to do is rest, try to use proper hygiene and wait it out. Especially if you are starting to feel better there is little point in seeing the GP, but if it makes you feel better I wouldn't say it's wrong exactly.

girlofthenorth · 16/12/2019 19:23

Has anyone got a temperature with it lasting AGES - can't seem to shake mine .
Go to GP for sick note and get a proper check up if chest getting worse OP

girlofthenorth · 16/12/2019 19:24

Sorry posted too soon . Was going to say the steroids will make you feel much better I bet .

bellinisurge · 16/12/2019 19:31

My dd has it. It's rotten.

loserssaywhat · 16/12/2019 19:32

I've had this as well, I never get coughs but for the last month I've had a never ending cycle of one virus after another. Cold, chills, very high temp, wheezy chest and then norovirus. seems to clear up for a few days and then come back.
I'm putting it down to my daughter starting school in September and bringing back all kinds of viruses.
Drs checked my chest twice now and it's clear.

Original poster

Weatherwaxed · 16/12/2019 19:35

I don't think I've got a temp anymore. Now just feel shaky and worn out. Have def stopped sweating that's for sure.
I have got very emotional today and yest tho, which only happens when I'm ill. Another few days in bed then I'll go see the asthma nurse.
Also need to take my lad in for his cough too. He's had that for a month.

OP posts:

Elieza · 16/12/2019 19:39

I’ve had the cough virus, with mega catarrh that makes you cough the minute you lie down so you sleep sitting up, that went on for two weeks. Then it turned into just being bunged up. A few days here and there I had the sweats and shivers. One day of diarrhoea.

Still got the cold and raw throat after nearly five weeks.

The stuff that’s going round just now seems to linger for ages unfortunately. Everyone I know is in the same boat.

Can I suggest you stop eating dairy as there is a link to phlegm production with that and you have well enough gunk in you as it is!

loserssaywhat · 16/12/2019 19:39

The dr did say to me that these virus coughs can linger for up to 8 weeks!
Definitely get it checked out for your own peace of mind.

Furrydog7 · 17/12/2019 14:41

My mum had a chest infection a few weeks ago. At first she just thought that she was co ming down with a cold as she always gets a sore throat at the start of a cold. She went to the doctors a few days later as she was not sleeping with the sheer amount of coughing and she was fetching up green gunk. When her chest infection went she had a cold.

YappityYapYap · 17/12/2019 14:48

I've been ill for almost 3 weeks now. It was like a bad cold for the first week, then at the start of the second week I developed an ear infection alongside a more mild cold then this week I just feel drained and still can't hear out of my left ear and my nose is still very runny. I'm feeling so fed up with it. I used to get a cold and it would last 3 or 4 days, a week at the most. I've no idea what this is. My DS 3 is ill now too. He's been chesty for a couple of weeks, some good days and some bad but this morning he woke very hot and snotty. It's just exhausting for everyone. I haven't taken any time off work due to a massive work load (work from home mostly) and I'm eagerly counting down until the 23rd when I will have 2 weeks off and some rest hopefully!

Also feel quite sick and queasy from time to time too. If you find out what it is, please do update and we can find a cure together!

Original poster

Weatherwaxed · 17/12/2019 14:54

Well the virus is easing off but I'm feeling queasy and shattered and can't sleep as my mind is racing. I assume this is to do with the asthma steroids as the Dr did warn me they can stop you sleeping.
Argh. I fucking hate winter.

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girlofthenorth · 17/12/2019 17:26

DD1 down with it now - just an awful cough . Waiting for DD2 to get but really really hope she doesn't . Christmas was a wash out for her last year as she had tonsillitis.. awful memories of hitting kids AE just before Christmas! DH waiting on tenterhooks to see if will get -no one has any energy to look after anyone else and lying around coughing buying Christmas presents online and watching Netflix

girlofthenorth · 17/12/2019 17:27

Yes OP I have similar sleep issues on steroids and am taking last dose tomorrow. When's your last dose ?

Original poster

Weatherwaxed · 17/12/2019 18:06

Thursday. But as i threw up Sundays dose I might be given one more dose on Thursday.
I slept OK last night, from midnight to

OP posts:

Original poster

Weatherwaxed · 17/12/2019 18:07

Midnight to 6.30,but usually when I'm ill I sleep all day.

OP posts:

DookofBust · 17/12/2019 18:10

Are you taking the steroids straight after breakfast Weather? That is what I do (end up on them a couple of times a year).

DD has had it, she has been prescribed steroids too as her inhalers weren't doing the trick but she is still sleeping all day at the minute.

Original poster

Weatherwaxed · 17/12/2019 19:11

Yes I have been. Tried to sleep or at least doze this afternoon but couldn't settle.

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MaButterface · 17/12/2019 19:17

Yup the virus this time around is nasty. I am normally ok after a week but I've been ill for almost 5 weeks now with chest infection.

girlofthenorth · 17/12/2019 20:20

@MaButterface just too much isn't it ?! Have you managed to work ? I have had two weeks off so far in both my jobs and feeling v guilty as know everyone at work is having a hard time ( small teams )

Original poster

Weatherwaxed · 19/12/2019 15:49

Saw asthma nurse. She didn't diagnose the virus, but my peak flow is improved so I'm to increase my pink inhaler to 3 x doses a day when needed and go back to see her in a month where if I'm not improved she'll put me on something starting with m.. Mycuty something I think. Mycutozole? I have no idea.

OP posts:

DottyGiraffe · 19/12/2019 16:27

Montelukast, possibly.

She won't be able to diagnose a virus without swabs and there are so many viruses around at one time everyone on here probably has a different one anyway. Not that any of them are nice of course!

Glad you've got a plan and it'll be reviewed - it always helps to not just feel left to it. In the meantime, if your breathing concerns you, do go back.

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