Does everyone feel like this?

[alwaysatthebusstop]

I'm 44 - nearly 45, female, and I feel like shit! I wake up every morning feeling by hungover, despite a solid 8 hours sleep. I've always got a sore head and sore throat which usually disappears once I'm up and about. I have however, had a terrible sore throat for about the past fortnight that is just not shifting. I feel sore and achy, my back hurts now. Is this age or am I ill? I've been taking berocca the past few mornings but no different so far.

Bump

Do you snore?

Yup. Trying to get sent to the sleep clinic but it's a long process of being told that these things happen.

Could be the snoring. Is your room free from mould/dust? Covers frequently washed? How old is your mattress?

When did you last have a check up? There are posters up locally here urging people 40-75 to book a health check. NHS (England)
If you have iron or vitamin deficiencies, OTC stuff like berroca is unlikely to make much difference.
If you’re anaemic for example you’ll need prescription meds.

Although good advice, unfortunately with the ridiculously wide 'normal' ranges if you are deficient it won't get flagged up. For example, a ferritin of 9 would be 'normal' but you won't feel well with it, it should be closer to 90! So I feel health checks are limited unless something major is flagged up.

Is that really a thing? Great if it is! But I can’t manage to see my GP for actual illnesses, let alone a checkup. I was just about to start a thread asking what the best way was to go about getting one privately.

I've mentioned to the gp the last few times that I feel under the weather. I had a nose spray, and now I've got a stronger one. I thought I'd been referred to the sleep clinic but she hadn't done it, so hopefully that's away now. The dr did say that I have a throat for snoring though! Something loose at the back apparently that flaps down. I constantly have a blocked, stuffy nose.

I have a bed with room for storage under it so I'll pull everything out and hoover. I imagine there's a fair bit of dust there tbh.

Needing washed regularly but the duvet itself is quite old, I guess that might be contributing too.

My partner said it's just my age, but surely we're not all waking up like this every morning!

No, that's not normal. I'd look at sources of allergens in your room - dust, mites etc, give the room a massive clean and consider a new duvet and pillows (or dry clean yours).

Is that really a thing?

@TreesAndSandAndWaves

It is here (NW coast). Lots of posters popped up recently. I was surprised to see them, too. We are close to one of the most deprived coastal towns in the UK though with terrible health outcomes so maybe the local authorities have finally worked out that prevention is better than cure.

You might need to drink more water in perimenopause to stop your mouth and throat drying out. Great you can still get 8 hrs solid sleep though...

Yes you should be offered a health check every 5 yrs between 40-74 with a health care assistant. Just go in and ask for one.

Seriously? I bet barely anyone is offered even the one these days...

Do you have a window open at night? I sleep so much better with fresh air in the room.

Needing washed regularly but the duvet itself is quite old, I guess that might be contributing too.

Yep. Wouldn't hurt to treat yourself to a new one.

Thanks everyone. I've time tomorrow so I'll spring clean the room 🤞 here's hoping!