Cold/flu outstaying its welcome

[KH]

Got a horrible dry cough 4 weeks ago, turned into a cold, feel totally knackered all the time,get a temperature every time I try and do anything,been to doctors, course of antibiotics, didn't work, still suffering, wife's had the same, both very fed up now, is it ever going to end, what the hell is it and has anyone else had it?

Thanks. Cough. Splutter.

(taking every remedy,medicine,vitamin known to man, wife's been on the internet and is convinced it's swine flu).

Edited by KH on Saturday 2nd April 16:58

[Randy Winkman]

KH said:

Got a horrible dry cough 4 weeks ago, turned into a cold, feel totally knackered all the time,get a temperature every time I try and do anything,been to doctors, course of antibiotics, didn't work, still suffering, wife's had the same, both very fed up now, is it ever going to end, what the hell is it and has anyone else had it?

Thanks. Cough. Splutter.

(taking every remedy,medicine,vitamin known to man, wife's been on the internet and is convinced it's swine flu).

Edited by KH on Saturday 2nd April 16:58

I had some sort of flu from 2nd December until a few days into March this year. Then one morning I woke up and felt OK. It was obvious I was better because of the way I could get out of bed without feeling more tired than when I went to sleep the night before. All I can say is take it easy and think of how good it'll be when it's over.

[KH]

Thanks for the reply Randy. I'm sorry to hear yours has been with you so long. Did you take anything for it that helped?

My body is full of so much cough mixture, pills, lemsip etc. Nothing seems to be working. We've both been off work for over a month now. The longest cold I've ever had only lasted a week.

A lot of people I have spoken to say they have had their colds and coughs for many weeks. Lots of horrible unknown viruses around.

[Marf]

Get some chilli in you. Whether it be curry or kebab with chilli sos or whatever. The hotter the better.

Sweat the bugger out!

[Silver993tt]

if it's a viral infection, antibiotics won't do anything at all.

[KH]

I know, I'm really annoyed the doctor gave them to us. 10 day course, did nothing to help at all. He said it was a probably a chest infection.

I've done the sweats right at the beginning and thought it had gone after a week. Does Chilli really work? I find it wrecks your stomach for a while.

Edited by KH on Saturday 2nd April 19:42

[oldbanger]

Try high dose vitamin d3 - it's quite a common trick amongst A&E doctors in flu season

I'm talking about doses of at least 2000IU - up to about 10,000IU

I personally take 10,000 IU daily throughout winter but that's for a different reason.

Holland & Barratt are doing a special by the way
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_det...

[KH]

Thanks Anna, (kind of you to supply the link) I'll get some tomorrow.

Did you really mean 10,000 or 1000? 10,000 is 10 x times the recommended dose.

Edited by KH on Saturday 2nd April 20:09

[K77 CTR]

I would cut out all the remedies as the majority are just money spinning ideas. Take regular paracetamol, vitamin C and zinc.

It sounds like a virus and will take approx 6 weeks to clear.

[KH]

Another 6 weeks? I've done four already.

[Randy Winkman]

Silver993tt said:

if it's a viral infection, antibiotics won't do anything at all.

That's what my doctor said. My approach was just to take it easy and eat good food. Normally I exercise about 4 times a week. I didn't do any of that. I got up for work a bit later (not possible for everyone, I know) and switched the alarm off at the weekends (normally I'd be up at about 8am on Saturday and Sunday to go cycling or running).

[grumbledoak]

I've had similar this winter. Evil fker won't seem to go away. Or, at least, stay away.

Best of luck.

[K77 CTR]

KH said:

Another 6 weeks? I've done four already.

6 weeks in total

[sparks_E39]

I had a cold from December till about two weeks ago.

[Zad]

I can sympathis. About a week before Christmas I started with what felt like flu; temperature, creaking joints, no energy etc. Then after about 3-4 days it felt like it was on the way out, much to my relief. 24 hours later it felt like a train had hit me. They say if you can get out of bed then it isn't flu. Well, I couldn't even make it as far my bed. My chest became incredibly congested in a very short time and my temperature shot up, I sounded like an old steam loco with all the wheezing and coughing. Short story: Saw the GP, diagnosed "just flu" with no sign of pneumonia (it did feel like it) and he prescribed bed rest with paracetamol / ibuprofen to control temperature.

The 'flu lasted a fortnight, but a month later I was still knackered. It was the beginning of March before I got much energy back, and even now I have a cough that creeps up on me now and then. I don't smoke and it must be 20 years since I last had 'flu, but this one really flattened me. Because I wasn't eating too well for a fortnight, I started taking multivitamins. I know they shouldn't be needed normally but I figure I might as well finish the course.

If my cough hadn't have gradually been fading then I would have seen the GP again, I think if I were in your position I would do the same. If you aren't happy then ask for a second opinion or a referral.

[KH]

Thank you all. Still like to hear from Anna re the Vitamin D dose.

[oldbanger]

KH said:

Thanks Anna, (kind of you to supply the link) I'll get some tomorrow.

Did you really mean 10,000 or 1000? 10,000 is 10 x times the recommended dose.

Edited by KH on Saturday 2nd April 20:09

Yes, I meant 10,000IU, which is 10 tablets in the size in the link given. You don't have to take that much but the human body can make a good 7,000IU in a few hours in strong sunlight, and you really want to take at least 2,000IU in my personal opinion. It us generally not recommended to go over 10,000IU daily for long term use, but I've heard of people taking 100,000 IU in short term bursts.

I've been taking high dose vit D3 since 2005, usually right through summer and all, no break. I used to take 20,000IU-50,000IU daily and am still here, with no ill effects. These days I take 10,000IU max - partly for cost. I had a break over the summer for the first time last year and to be honest I noticed it. I buy mine from the US in 5,000IU strength capsules.

You are advised to supplement with calcium and magnesium (or at least ensure adequate levels of these minerals in your diet) if you intend to take high doses of Vit D3 in the long term.

Do check that you take vit D3, not D2 by the way.

Some background on dosages:
http://www.heartscanblog.org/2008/12/high-dose-vit...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/09/01/us-high-...

a fairly random example of D3 being used to treat infectious disease:
http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/news/2011/01/...

[KH]

Thanks for replying Anna (and to all of you), and for the extra links. I'm taking the pills.

Wife went back to the doctors yesterday and he said it was the worst year he has seen in 30 years for cold and flu viruses. Young and fit people who have never previously suffered have been dropping like flies and are spending up to 2 months off work and there is no treatment available.

We've now had to cancel our annual family holiday abroad from this weekend on doctor's advice - and we're young and fit and have never been ill before apart from the odd cold.

Edited by KH on Tuesday 5th April 09:15