not a welly girly

This happened to me once - fluey cold that started to get better, then suddenly I went to pot - temperature, hacking cough etc. I had pneumonia and needed quite a long course of anti-bs to get better, which I did. Hang on in there.

jings yep, sharing a good whinge always helps clear up the old air passages

Thanks MadGrandma.

I started on this subject because I thought that, with probably thousands of GN'rs out there, there must be some that have been through, or are going through the same or a similar thing and I believe having and giving support to each other throughout such a frightening experience could help alleviate some of our fears. I for one certainly am so pleased to read the advice and support offered by GN'rs

It's ok to whinge on here. It's called sharing. It can help you feel better. (hopefully)

I think the only way to overcome it is, keep warm, eat as nourishingly as you can, and rest, rest, rest.

I too had that horrid cough, and a husband who slept through the night with me coughing regularly beside him (not that I was trying to wake him you understand!) I went to our local health walk in centre and was given 5 days of amoxicillin. When they had gone, but the cough hadn't I went to my own doctor. She gave me stronger antibiotics (Doxycycline) which do actually seem to be having an impact (after 3 days of taking them). This was a new (to me) GP, who actually seemed to care if I got better.
So please continue with the amoxicillin but if you still feel bad after - go back and demand something else! Continue to eat what you feel like, drink plenty of fluids and keep as warm as you can. It seems that this cough is everywhere this season!

Boheminan pneumonia can be either a virus or a bacteria, yours could be the bacterial sort, so don't assume that the antibiotics won't work against it. If you have a secondary infection that will have to be sorted too, and perhaps it will take more than one antibiotic to get rid of all your problems. Keep in touch with your GP. Don't suffer in silence, there are no medals. Even when the bugs have been killed off, you could feel really weary for a while, so take it very easy, eat as well as you can, drink plenty and take vitamins.

rosequartz - that's one of the 'plus' things - along with chocolate, I've totally gone off alcohol

ps not alcohol -

That's OK boheminan, I am am going to take some vitamins because everyone around me is either coughing or throwing up and my throat is scratchy. Not sure that they will do any good really, perhaps it's psychological!
I will probably fight it off until Christmas Eve [gloom]

Stay warm and cosy and drink plenty.

The doctor didn't give 'it' a name, so I don't know if it's a virus or infection, it could be (1) scarring from a previous bout of pneumonia being re-affected or (2) something new - I can't remember what she said.

From what I understand, antibiotics won't work on viruses? so it seems pointless taking them. I've been on them 3 days out of 5, and if anything feel worse. I will take them until the end of the course, and if they don't work I'll try and get back to the doc to see what happens next.

I don't take any vitamins - I used to take all sorts of things before my last serious illness but felt bitterly let down that despite popping fistfulls of various vitamins everyday, I still got pneumonia!

I wasn't checked for asthma, I wonder about that too rosequartz.

I may try tuning into Radio 4, I tend to relax more with no noise around.

This is feeling horribly 'me, me, me', so I'll get back to the crossword puzzle. Thank you all for putting up with my wingeing

ps did they check you for asthma?
Perhaps you need an inhaler rather than antibiotics?
That is what DH found out.

How long have you been taking the antibiotics now? Sometimes they take a few days to really kick in and get on top of it.

Yogurt for the thrush? Live plain yogurt, not sterile. For eating as well as the other end [!] as antibiotics will kill off the good bacteria in your gut as well as the bad. Or you could take pro-biotics.
If it is a viral infection then anti-biotics will not work, but you said it was an infection, so they should start working soon.

Vitamin D in the winter - I would recommend taking 25mg at first, so many people are low on Vitamin D. However, there is a warning that, combined with calcium, it could form kidney stones. I put that as I read the warning in the press; however, we take Vit D tablets, but not daily.
Zinc with vitamin C is good, and a general multi-vitamin tablet, as you sound as if your immune system is low.
Some vitamins are not worth swallowing, however Usana (expensive) are good and we have found Vitabiotics are good as well.

Give the antibiotics time - please don't abandon them or things might get worse (if that's possible!).

I have an iPod with sleep headphones (i.e. they are inside a soft headband, so you can lie down with them comfortably) - and on there is a relaxation track; also tracks of birdsong and the sea. I find they are a great help when I cannot sleep or am feeling grotty. I do hope that you turn a corner soon.

Bohem, sorry you are having such a rotten time. Unfortunately, the illness will take time to clear. Have you tried listening to Radio 4? I don't mean this in a trite way but sometimes they have good stories and drama serials that may help to take your mind of feeling so poorly.

I am fortunate that on my Kindle, there is a thing that I can set where it reads the stories for me. The metallic voice used to send me to sleep!

Try mega doses of vit C?
I suspect you've got a secondary bacterial infection on top of the virus, in which case you do need antibiotics.
I caught flu then had a chest infection on the top and GP prescribed them. It certainly helped but I felt washed out for about a month, really silly.

Thank you all for - well, just being there. It's quite frightening coping with any bad illness alone.

Throughout the day (like now) I go online to connect with others, it also focuses me on things other than 'symptoms'. The antibiotics are not going to help (amoxicillin) I didn't think they would - however they seem to have given me a nice dollop of Thrush.

I had a pneumonia jab a few years ago and a flu jab in October. I'm trying to find my own way through this and am coming round to thinking that just trying to stay positive and put my mind to other things (eg: reading silly light stories, doing crossword puzzles) helps.

The Vick rubbed into the feet really seems to help (I wonder if it's psychological, as I love the smell of Vick, as I do Olbus oil, which I've regularly been inhaling but then again, I love the smell of hat tar). Hot honey and lemon drinks are comforting and I'm taking paracetamol every few hours.

Anyone any more ideas on how to fight this? I really don't think antibiotics are going to help. All suggestions very gratefully received, and will be mulled over in great length.

How are you today boheminan?

Pneumonia jab available from your doctor. Mine said I'd only ever need one. Hope you feel better soon.

Nanajaws, you have reminded me that I should have a pneumonia vaccination! Everyone over the age of I think it is 65, is entitled to it and apparently it lasts for 10 years. We have our flu vaccination every year and it seems to work well.
Bo, I am so sorry to hear you have been ill. It is always horrible in the middle of the night, when everything seems so much worse. There are schemes to help you with prescriptions etc. Your surgery should know about them. As for your doctor, can you change to another practice in the area? If not, be very firm and clear. DON'T let a slip of a girl who obviously has a lot to learn about people skills, patronise you. You deserve better. All best wishes for a good recovery!

I quite understand how you feel not being able to sleep Bo, let alone because you are poorly, it's miserable. The Silverline phone line sounds like a good idea, especially if you can phone while tucked up in bed. Re pneumonia - I remember my Dad had a vaccinatiin against it seceral years ago, but I have not heard of it being generally available or whether you have to repeat each year. I hope you feel better soon, even if it's just in spirit from all the good wishes from us Gransnetters. I will think if you tonight when I'm trying to nod off.? ??

I have had pneumonia several times and its a very depressing illness especially is you have to face it on your own. Do take all the good advice already given, take your antibiotics and get plenty of rest and make sure you drink a lot of liquid. As someone mentioned maybe there is a volunteer driver in your area who could drop you right outside the doctors. Or can you possibly make an appointment to see one of the nurses instead. Just take care of yourself and please accept any help that is offered. Do hope you feel better very soon.

Things always seem worse in the dark hours of the night, don't they? I hope the antibiotics sort it out for you and hope the comments help a bit too.

My SisterIL tells me that in her area they have 'Friends of the Surgery' who offer lifts to and from the surgery for those unable to make their own way there. I am not sure how widespread this helpful service is.

Bo, hope you feel better soon. Sending you good wishes.