What's wrong with me??

[Hihihello193]

I've been reading though my calendar amd since the beginning of this year I've had:
Severe anaemia (medicated)
2 x slipped discs (lower back)
Hospital for mri, put on morphine to walk again
Physiotherapy for 6 months
Bacterial tonsilitis
Insomnia
Anxiety and stress (now medicated)
Cold/flu for weeks on end, maybe 4 times
Migraines recurring
Back injuries x 2 or 3 big flare ups
Covid (whole family)
Bowel issues
Colonoscopy and put on a cancer pathway/biopsies - looking clear
Tonsillitis again
Therapy sessions for anxiety
Sinusitis last week
Norovirus (whole family) last weekend
Chest infetcion now
Broken tooth this evening- need to book an appointment tomorrow.

I have nursery aged children and I know they bring home bugs. I take vitamins D b12, magnesium, coq10, C and I've had a course of iron supplements which raised my bloods back to normal after anaemia. I used to smoke but gave up about 7 years ago, 4yrs before having my babies. I have started to vape about 2 yrs ago in order to avoid returning to cigarettes at a stressful time caring for my 1yr olds. But am trying to quit. I hardly drink.
Does this sound like too much illness for a period of 10 months? I'm embarrassed to post this but asking if anyone can relate? I know in the grand scheme these are small problems. Accute(?) Illnesses. But I feel I'm doing something really wrong. I get lots of steps in, I clean the house a lot and I'm physically strong. But every morning I feel like shit. 😄😥

What magnesium are you on?
Why were you anaemic, was it after having a baby?
Get vitamin B complex for energy.

@DustyLee123 hi thank you so much for replying,
I'm on magnesium citrate i think theyre 400mg. I'm not sure why I became anaemic, it was about 2.5 yrs after giving that the symptoms came on.
I just had these awful migraines around my period, and GP said that my iron level very low - just under 15.
Thank you for the vit B Complex tip - I will order some now. Thats a good idea :)

Magnesium citrate is often used for constipation. You might be better taking glycinate at night as that will help you sleep.
If periods are causing margarines it might be worth considering a Mirena coil to stop your periods. The progesterone might help the anxiety/PMT too.
Stopping vaping might help reduce/stop those infections. It’s really not good for you.
Remember to bend your knees, not your back, and look after it . You’ve only got one back.
And good hand/food hygiene for everyone in the house to reduce those tummy bugs.

Thankyou! I didnt know that about magnesium citrate thats really useful. I will defonitely try glycinate instead and take it at night. I've moved to the combined pill which seems to help a bit too.
We have a pretty good hand washing schedule at home for normal things, but I think we sometimes forget to wash or spray the hands after say, returning from nursery, going to the shops, going in the car etc. I need to be more on it with the kids!
I think you're right, vaping is surely not helping my immune system, with all these infections. I used the vape to prevent me going back to cigarettes when I was having a hard time, but its stiol pretty grim isnt it. I have to stop.
Thank you for replying.💙
I really needed to hear this from another human being.

You say your iron levels are normal.

Mine hovered around 30 after childbirth for 15yrs and I always felt awful, but NHS said notnal.

You ideally want to be mid range.

So if your range is 16-300 then aim for 100/150.

My range is 12-150 at my hospital and my iron is now up at 70 and I'm a new woman!

But sending sympathies. You must feel awful.

Assume you are all over nutrition too, but if not, you should be 😊

How old are you?

I've had back issues and other MSK (musculoskeletal) challenges.

GP put me on HRT and that's helped immensely. I had no other symptoms. MSK symptoms are part of peri and menopause.

Might also explain the insomnia.

Peri can start up to 15 years before menopause so you could be 35ish and starting to experience symptoms.

Actually peri/meno could explain the anxiety and broken tooth too.

Apparently it's common for women to experience trouble with teeth in peri/meno

Thank you! I'm told at my worst my level was under 15 but in my latest blood test they did not give me a figure, but said that my red cell count was very good and indicated that further iron test wouldn't be needed - to be fair the migraines cleared up after the 400mg ferrous sulfate I was on for a few months. Maybe I should have my levels checked again. Thats amazing you have had such a great recovery and that you're feeling the difference!

@Hihihello193 I think it would be in your interest to actually check the number rather than accept 'you are fine'.

After finding out I had been so low for so many years I'm incredibly sceptical about taking GPs word for it!

I'm 38 yrs old. Never had any back issues before having twins. Well until they became toddlers. They're both built like tanks, absolutely massive for their age in height and weight. I think my back has suffered a lot. Thank you for the HRT suggestion, I will ask my doctor. I definitely wondered if peri might be responsible for the insomnia but didn't know about the MSK link. Thank you, I'm really glad that the HRT helped you.

DustyLee123 smiled at margarines for migraines - good old predictive text!

I think if you ignore the physical issues (muscoskeletal etc) and just concentration on the infections I don't think it is unreasonable for having twins in nursery. When DS was age 1-2 I probably had at least 20 colds in one year. He was a poor sleeper and I think it is the sleep disturbance which really messes up your immunity. So as you have had insomnia then you are more likely to catch their infections. I would start a saline nasal spray daily and either boots dual defence or vicks first defence spray every night. They work really well at stopping colds in their tracks.
Mirena doesn't stop your cycle (just reduces bleeding) and it does nothing to stop my monthly migraines. Try increasing electrolytes (add salt to water and eat potassium rich foods) and cutting down on carbs/sugar.

NAC helped my insomnia and it also boosts immunity so worth trying.

Thank you that's great advice. I'm sad but also comforted to hear you caught so many colds during the nursery years. Horrible isnt it! But that makes me a bit less worried!
I will definitely try your suggestions of preventative saline sprays (had never thought of that), and vicks defence sounds like a good idea.
Have also never heard of NAC supplement but I'm gonna give that a go too.
I think low carb is a good shout. I need to eat more protein.
I'm trying everyday to put that awful vape away for longer periods. 1 or 2 days at a time. Sigh! So embarrassing.
Will keep trying, thanks very much for your advice I really appreciate it x