Recurring flu/covid.

[CherryogDog]

Just before Christmas I was wiped out with a bad dose of flu/covid (I didn't test but felt exactly as I did when I had covid before). Then I went through weeks of starting to get better, then catching another virus with milder symptoms. Ive had a constant mild dry cough. Sent for an x-ray, blood tests, diagnosed with mild asthma. The cough has never truly gone away.
Fast forward to end of June, and had it again, even worse, didn't eat for three days, lost my sense of taste and smell.
Semi recovered, albeit feeling very tired.
Then for the last week I've been under the weather, feeling groggy until midday when I'd perk up a bit.
Then Friday afternoon I've got it again, I've gone through the sweats/chills, coughing all day yesterday, today I'm sneezing, got jelly legs.
At this point, having not been truly well for 8 months (I do have other health conditions which are hard enough to live with) I'm starting to feel pretty fed up.
Has anyone else had anything like this? Or any tips for boosting my immune system?
Apart from when I'm laid up in bed I do go outside every day, I have horses and dogs so a reasonable amount of exercise, I'm a pescatarian and eat reasonably well, take a daily VitD because I have a history of it being low, but no other vits and mins.

Sorry OP, I can relate. We had something in December that knocked us out (I have long covid and get ill from anything now, but it knocked a fair few people out from kid’s class too). It took until about June to go. I have no idea what it was, lost voice for a couple of weeks, hoarse for a few more and coughed for months. I don’t know whether it was picking up multiple viruses at the same time after (always a great selection at school) or just one thing that would not go or a mix of something hanging around, accompanied by continually picking up other viruses. I’m dreading the back to school thing as I spend most of it with continual viruses bar a few weeks. The December virus seemed covid-y, especially the teeth, but I tested negative.

@Amillionpebbles sorry to hear that you've had similar.
You mentioned teeth, did you get tooth ache?
I get a sort of indigestion type pain in my stomach but also pain in my bottom molars at the same time, like a neuralgia pain.

I have something very similar at the moment. I had a horrendous cough about three weeks ago and ended up going to the doctor. She said it was related to my mild asthma and gave me a course of steroids and antibiotics that seemed to fix it. Still felt a bit tired and rundown though. I then went on holiday and on our 2nd to last day started coughing again and by the time we came home, I felt absolutely horrendous. Got back on Saturday and have just been at home feeling sorry for myself ever since. I guess I will have to go back to the doctor this week. Can you get yourself checked out? They do take it seriously when it is a cough and you have an asthma diagnosis. I hope you feel better soon.

Be very careful.

I have MEcfs. It was triggered by covid and that's how I started. It was like a recurring virus. I now realise it was the symptoms of MEcfs kicking off.

As hard as it is, rest as much as you possibly can. Don't push through.

It could be you're catching multiple viruses but if it's some sort of long covid/post viral illness, then rest is essential.

I do try and take zinc and other vitamins to boost immune system.

Hope you feel better soon.

Back in spring I had a lung xray, standard blood tests, nothing found. Because it's not a productive cough I've not been prescribed any anti biotics. I've seen three separate GPs at my practice, f2f and several phone consultations. All say it's just time.
About 10 years ago, after a lifetime of rarely getting a cough/cold, I had whooping cough, and was very ill for about 3 months, I rarely left the house.
Since then I've had a winter cough, every year, but of the type that's horrendous, had anti bs, steroids, but once over I'd be fine until the next winter.
I'm going to be calling the GP tomorrow because I really need answers. I can't make any plans, and my mental health is suffering.
@MewithME your post has made something click, before the December illness, round about October, I saw the GP about chronic tiredness that I'd had for some time. Blood tests and lung x-ray then too, which came up clear.
I have fibromyalgia so used to being tired, with PEM, but this was nothing like I've experienced in my life, I've always bounced back from everything.
I'm sorry that others are suffering @Ronathediva13 hope you feel better soon.

@CherryogDog I hope it isn't MEcfs but it can sometimes coexist with fibro. Some similarities I think.
Rest as much as you can. Also, properly rest. I've learned rest is not reading a book or watching TV or even sitting and chatting to someone. That's all activity. Proper restorative rest is curtains shut, lying down, eyes closed.

If I want to rest but not sleep, my next step up from sleep is eyes closed, lying down and podcast on. I'm going to do that now I'm fact!

Try to eat well too. Wishing you all the best.

Lyme disease?

All the teeth on left side of mouth ached.

I went back to GP a few times - got antibiotics, but cough was productive and was sometimes being sick with it. It would seem to calm down (apart from cough) for a few days, then resurrect with a vengeance. Doctor said I’d probably just caught things back to back. I wondered whether it was something like whooping cough. I started feeling quite heavy on chest and oximeter was below 90, so went to walk in (weekend) after a couple of months and they said to go to A and E. I had more antibiotics and a nebuliser and picked up another virus.

@justasking111 I hope not, I have a friend who sustained brain damage from undiagnosed Lymes Disease.
But I've not had a tick bite to my knowledge.
Year before last I got an incredibly itchy rash up my back, over one shoulder and the top of my chest. Felt really rough, and so tired. Embarrassingly fell asleep on the train and woke up with my head on a complete stranger's shoulder, and I was drooling 😅
Doctor wasn't concerned because the spots weren't blistering.

Well it could be you have more than mild asthma. I used to keep, fowl and waterfowl. Had symptoms like you. Luckily living in a farming community one old boy said to get checked out for pigeon fanciers lung. I did and yes I did have it. All because of mucking out my feathered friends. It comes from the straw. Some determined rare breeders wear protective respiratory gear. Have a look.

@justasking111 like psitacossis?
I'm always careful using a dust mask when I'm handling hay and straw, and I've had 2 clear lung xrays.
Im going to phone my GP tomorrow to have a chat.

"Hypersensitivity pneumonitis | Asthma + Lung UK" https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/pulmonary-fibrosis/hypersensitivity-pneumonitis

I'm hyper sensitive now. The dogs bring in allergens just being dogs out on walks in the country. Pollen in the spring summer, leaf mould in the autumn. The joys of caring for our four footed friends.

Yes do speak to the GP

My bloods have come back clear, tbh I'm disappointed because I was hoping something would have shown up that could be rectified.
So basically I've been really unlucky.

You need to ask your GP what the next course of action is. It’s an uphill struggle, I’m sorry. Also may be worth putting some of your symptoms into AI and asking them what you should be asking doctor for.

@Amillionpebbles thanks for posting, and the tip about trying AI, the GP just said I've been unlucky...
My morning cough has never gone away, but yesterday it got productive, I'm wiped out and got a bit of tummy trouble. So far it's not following the usual pattern so seems like I've picked up something else.
Obviously my immune system is not very strong, I'm not fully recovering before I pick up something else, but I'm stumped as to where I'm getting it.
I'm pretty anti-social, don't go in crowded places, get plenty of fresh air, wash my hands several times a day.
Unless it's something that can be carried, as my DP goes to the pub several times a week but apart from giving me the initial bout of flu before Christmas he's not been affected at all.

Did AI come up with anything useful? If you’re not going anywhere and think you’ve caught something, then it’s likely to be from your DH.