Feeling very sorry for myself... please advise if you've had SF...

[cornflakemum]

Decided today that I've probably got SF - rang the hotline and got Tamiflu - only taken one dose so far...

Since last Tues Ive had:

• diahoerrea
• fluctuating temperature/ shivering etc
• cough, cough, cough with pain in lungs
• swollen & sore throat
• runny nose

Haven't slept for more than 2.5 hours in a row for 2 nights now (total 4-5 hours per night).

I HAVEN'T FELT THIS BAD SINCE I HAD DOUBLE PNEUMONIA 7 YEARS AGO!

Am I doing all the right things?

• Had a Tamiflu at lunchtime
• Had a Lemsip cold & flu at 3 p.m.

This afternoon however my chest feels much 'tighter' and although I can breathe OK, my cough is totally non-productive (and very, very wearing...)
I can't see how I'll get any sleep tonight either at this rate .

Is there anything else I can/should do?
Do you think I've gt a chest infection?
What does Tamiflu DO exactly - is there any chance I might feel any better soon??

I cried over lunch as I am just so exhausted and worn out, and the kids were kicking off, and nothing seems to be making me feel better .

Any advice or hugs would be appreciated..

I think you need to speak to a doctor you may have a chest infection on top of sf and with a past history of pneumonia you do not want to leave it.

Tamiflu is supposed to shorten the duration of SF. The guidelines seems to be if you take it within 48 hrs of onset of symptoms it reduces duration by a day.

by day 3 i was also crying as I had not felt so rotten in 20 yrs when I had sino-bronchitis. I didn't think I was capable of looking after the dcs.

I had the non productive cough, short of breath, but would not say tightness some pain in lungs for a day maybe, absolute lethargy (needing to sleep in the middle of the day), complete lack of appetite, sense of smell and taste gone and still not all back. became poorly on Rememberance Sunday). high fevers, chills, sweating...

so far I still am getting crashing headaches - like diving headaches when you haven't been breathing properly.

I am on my last day of Tamiflu and today is the first day I am beginning to feel better. I still have the cough which is quite painful but the breathlessness has stopped as has the upset stomach and sleeping through the day. My appetite is not much better but I don't feel sick anymore..

I am also on antibiotics for a secondary infection but I only have 2 days of those left also.

It's just stypical that it's the weekend too If I want to see a GP tomorrow I'll have to trog off to some distant town 6 miles away....

I can usually cope with colds/ temperatures/ sore throats etc, but lungs and coughs panic me. It feels like I have a layer of carpet on the bottom of my lungs

the surgery wouldtry their best to not get you to come to them. if you think you have pneumonia I think they'd rather you call an ambulance tbh.

I know - it is an awful feeling. I felt it worse upon waking in the morning. Tight chest, everything coated in some disgusting substance inside.....bleurgh.

I hope you begin to feel better very soon.

I always wonder if my tolerance threshold for pain/ discomfort is lower than other peoples?
How long do you try to 'ride out' this stuff? What is the trigger that makes you think, "right that's it - I NEED to see a Dr?)

I hate lying awake at night - I think it blows things out of perspective and makes you worry more. DH has moved into the spare room temporarily, so last night I was just lying there for hours, coughing and snivelling, and generally convincing myself that I'm dying...

It will get better. I think you would know if you needed to go see a doctor - that point is generally if your symptoms are getting worse. That's what my GP said to me.

You are not dying, I am sure - so try to relax a wee bit. It is not a nice flu as I cough and splutter typing this but I feel so much better today than I did 48hrs ago.

Hang on in there!

How are you today Cornflake? If no better I really think you should speak to a dr. With a history of pneumonia it is not worth taking any risks.

Ledodgy - thanks for asking

Actually I am feeling a bit better. I think I was completely exhausted from lack of sleep.
Last night I was all dosed up with Tamiflu and then paracetemol and I managed to get a few good periods of sleep (about 3 x 3hours).
Only weird thing was that I was clearly running a temperature as I kept waking up once the paracetamol started to wear of, and found myself soaked with sweat . I changed pyjamas 3 times last night .

My lungs, although sore with muscular pain (from coughing) no long have the deep painful feeling they had, and the runny nose etc has subsided. I think it's passing through my system, and hopefully I will be OK.

I stayed in bed until 12 (listened to the Archers - first time in about 10 years!).

Oh i'm glad you're feeling a bit better today. Lets hope this means you are turning a corner. I hope you feel completely better very soon.

I think that I may have SF but have had symptoms for a few days now so not bothering to see GP.

My son is also ill as had spent 3 days in very close confinement with his best friend who has also been ill and confirmed as swine flu (they were on a school residential together and 25 out of the 60 kids have come home ill)

Like cornflake I have also been lying in bed convinced that I was dying but now a few hours later I am up and mumsnetting and my lovely DH is managing to get a glass of wine down me plus a slice of fruit cake Appetite generally rubbish though so I am hoping to loose a few pounds before Christmas

Just sending best wishes (I dont do hugs) to everyone else who is poorly and hope that we all get better in time for christmas x