Anybody else have this illness going around? It's rife here.

On the 23rd I had a few drinks with the ex and some friends. I haven't been drinking, and haven't drank since. But I was sick that night. And the next day felt horrendous. I thought it was the alcohol, but it seemed strange as in retrospect I didn't drink enough to feel like I did.

I was ill through Christmas. Spent it with my ex and son. Couldn't eat Christmas dinner because I was ill. I went home on the 26th.

Yesterday I developed a sore throat like sandpaper and now a chest infection. It's so painful. Everywhere hurts. My lungs burn. I am struggling to take the dog a few yards because I get out of breath coming back up the stairs in the block.

My son had this around the 14th. Identical symptoms. Starts with stomach ache and nausea/vomitting and then develops into a chest infection. I told him to come home from school because he was really bad. The ex now is. My uncle visited on the 26th, and now he has it. My brother won't visit because he doesn't want it. Which is a bummer because I need supplies, and I'm waiting to receive my new card from bank (lost it over xmas). So can't even use just eat.

But this isn't nice. Walking to the toilet is hard and I end up shivering so bad. Radiators are on full blast.

I've never known a chest infection to follow a sickness bug.

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Originally Posted by WiredIncorrectly

On the 23rd I had a few drinks with the ex and some friends. I haven't been drinking, and haven't drank since. But I was sick that night. And the next day felt horrendous. I thought it was the alcohol, but it seemed strange as in retrospect I didn't drink enough to feel like I did.

I was ill through Christmas. Spent it with my ex and son. Couldn't eat Christmas dinner because I was ill. I went home on the 26th.

Yesterday I developed a sore throat like sandpaper and now a chest infection. It's so painful. Everywhere hurts. My lungs burn. I am struggling to take the dog a few yards because I get out of breath coming back up the stairs in the block.

My son had this around the 14th. Identical symptoms. Starts with stomach ache and nausea/vomitting and then develops into a chest infection. I told him to come home from school because he was really bad. The ex now is. My uncle visited on the 26th, and now he has it. My brother won't visit because he doesn't want it. Which is a bummer because I need supplies, and I'm waiting to receive my new card from bank (lost it over xmas). So can't even use just eat.

But this isn't nice. Walking to the toilet is hard and I end up shivering so bad. Radiators are on full blast.

I've never known a chest infection to follow a sickness bug.

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Sounds like a combo of Norovirus, closely followed by that nasty cough virus both me and my dad had during the first 2 weeks of December that really knocked us both for six.

Have you done a LFT to prove whether or not Covid is in the mix?

Both me and my dad did about 3 LFTs or so each, and we both tested negative each time.

Of course, this has been the first 'proper' festive season since Covid first emerged where things have been closest to what they still were in 2019 and before, so some kind of epidemic of various bugs and viruses was (and still is) pretty much inevitable, even though (for better or worse) there's barely a dickie bird in the media about hospitalisations and deaths attributed to the current strains of Covid, so in that respect it's probably a case of 'no news is good news', otherwise they would no doubt still have been putting the fear of God into us all over it non-stop.

Anyway, hope you get better soon mate.

My sister has norovirus. She’s bad with it. Eating very small amounts. Sick…..trips to the toilet. She has a pain under her diaphragm but has not mentioned breathlessness.

it’s obviously something that’s doing the rounds at the moment. Rest up and don’t do much. At least with your son having been through it, you have an idea of the duration. Maybe he could somehow deliver you supplies seeing as he’s is no danger of catching it again.

Apart from B & Q and our local Co-op store (which we don't think are particularly high-risk places in general), me and my dad haven't been anywhere else since the day before Christmas Eve that could be potential hotbeds for Norovirus and whatever other 'bugs' are currently running riot, still including Covid, of course.

We're also still very much in the habit of regular handwashing.

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Originally Posted by Lencoboy

Sounds like a combo of Norovirus, closely followed by that nasty cough virus both me and my dad had during the first 2 weeks of December that really knocked us both for six.

Have you done a LFT to prove whether or not Covid is in the mix?

Both me and my dad did about 3 LFTs or so each, and we both tested negative each time.

Of course, this has been the first 'proper' festive season since Covid first emerged where things have been closest to what they still were in 2019 and before, so some kind of epidemic of various bugs and viruses was (and still is) pretty much inevitable, even though (for better or worse) there's barely a dickie bird in the media about hospitalisations and deaths attributed to the current strains of Covid, so in that respect it's probably a case of 'no news is good news', otherwise they would no doubt still have been putting the fear of God into us all over it non-stop.

Anyway, hope you get better soon mate.

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Sounds similar Lenco. My lad had a very loud cough and it scared the life out of me every time he coughed. Like a fog horn :roflmao:

No tests yet as I don't have access to any and I don't want to mix with folks incase I pass this on. I've asked if my mother has any. Even if she does I doubt she'd risk it because of my Nan she is old now. It's probably not COVID.

I had terrible anxiety all day. My heartrate has only just calmed down. Was 120bpm for 4 hours. Sucks living alone because being so ill makes me worry so much. I have a 38.3 fever too.

Onwards and upwards, I hope today is the worst of it.

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Originally Posted by Darksky

My sister has norovirus. She’s bad with it. Eating very small amounts. Sick…..trips to the toilet. She has a pain under her diaphragm but has not mentioned breathlessness.

it’s obviously something that’s doing the rounds at the moment. Rest up and don’t do much. At least with your son having been through it, you have an idea of the duration. Maybe he could somehow deliver you supplies seeing as he’s is no danger of catching it again.

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I think the breathlessness is anxiety because it's been alright since. And yes Darksy he's going to get the bus tomorrow and bring some bits down for me. He's good like that. He doesn't live too far.

The doggy has been lying next to me all day. He knows I'm ill. I don't usually let him on the bed but he's ok today I'll wash sheets tomorrow. His ear hematoma is back so we're both ill. He has vets on the 2nd provided I'm feeling ok.

Since the early hours of this morning I've been having quite a few psychosomatic symptoms following all the talk of this Norovirus epidemic over the past few days. And I'm not blaming anyone on here, before anyone starts to feel guilty for bringing up said subject.

Like I've said before, bugs/viruses with Norovirus-like symptoms have surely always been a thing in some form or another ever since the dawn of humankind, but it's only really been since around the early 2000s that trendy 'buzzword'-like names for things like viruses, storms, financial/economic crises, etc have become more and more prevalent.

Surely, pre-21st Century, simple terms like 'stomach bug' would suffice when describing Norovirus-like bugs, the Great Storm of October 1987 was just referred to as exactly that; not 'Storm (insert name here)'. And we used to refer to financial/economic crises as simply 'recessions' or 'slumps'; not 'Credit Crunches', and finally we didn't refer to snowfalls as 'Beasts from the East'.

But returning to the main topic; I reiterate that I have always known Norovirus-like bugs to be a thing ever since I have been on this planet, but I think in the past people who had them were more discreet about such things and didn't seem to make a song and dance over them like they seem to do a lot today, especially the 'poor me' attention seeker-types who blab it all over social media, which also applies to other 'ailments'.

For you, and I, the issue is probably anxiety. The talk of illness makes us panic and feel ill. And if we do get an illness we panic and worry more than a regular person would. Those of us with anxiety can be quite eccentric in that regard.

The 2000's was when the information boom began to climb. The early social networks and forums. A point in time when people began exchanging their time in reality, for tokens in the virtual world.

When you're ill, having somebody who sympathizes because they've had it, or are going through it, helps take the worry away.

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Originally Posted by WiredIncorrectly

For you, and I, the issue is probably anxiety. The talk of illness makes us panic and feel ill. And if we do get an illness we panic and worry more than a regular person would. Those of us with anxiety can be quite eccentric in that regard.

The 2000's was when the information boom began to climb. The early social networks and forums. A point in time when people began exchanging their time in reality, for tokens in the virtual world.

When you're ill, having somebody who sympathizes because they've had it, or are going through it, helps take the worry away.

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You're not wrong.

On the other hand though, I do think there are certain people (dare I say it) who seem to revel in illness and crave all the attention and sympathy from others, both on social media and IRL, which I think can be an insult to genuinely ill people who hate every minute of it, even though the so-called attention seekers who love to make a song and dance over it are often genuinely ill themselves.

I think there's others who habitually revel in 'grief porn' too.

But going back to the explosion in many things being awarded trendy 'buzzword' names since the early 2000s, it's a phenomenon I've never quite got, and IMO is symbolic of revelling in 'drama porn' and/or 'disaster/crisis porn'!

BTW, I hope you're on the mend now.

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Originally Posted by Lencoboy

You're not wrong.

On the other hand though, I do think there are certain people (dare I say it) who seem to revel in illness and crave all the attention and sympathy from others, both on social media and IRL, which I think can be an insult to genuinely ill people who hate every minute of it, even though the so-called attention seekers who love to make a song and dance over it are often genuinely ill themselves.

I think there's others who habitually revel in 'grief porn' too.

But going back to the explosion in many things being awarded trendy 'buzzword' names since the early 2000s, it's a phenomenon I've never quite got, and IMO is symbolic of revelling in 'drama porn' and/or 'disaster/crisis porn'!

BTW, I hope you're on the mend now.

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Thanks Lenco I'm feeling much better.

I have noticed a huge uptick of people wanting spectrum disorders. And it really baffled me. It still does. A friends young daughter is doing it, and she's had her tested. But this young girl is convinced she's got spectrum disorders. She consumes far too much tiktok, Discord and I think 4chan also.

When I was diagnosed on the spectrum I registered on a very popular ASD form. And I shared the diagnosis and asked for some advice from others who live with it. I felt they would be the best people to answer my questions. Much like here on NMP in regards to anxiety and depression.

I discovered most people were self diagnosed. I quickly left that forum in particular.

But Discord is a whole different level. The ASD servers I've been on are all young people, mostly undiagnosed, and rather than try to seek resolution to their problems they use their self diagnosed illness as justification to continue being who they are.

I don't get this new generation of people.

NMP is one of the only forums where I've found genuine people.

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Originally Posted by WiredIncorrectly

Thanks Lenco I'm feeling much better.

I have noticed a huge uptick of people wanting spectrum disorders. And it really baffled me. It still does. A friends young daughter is doing it, and she's had her tested. But this young girl is convinced she's got spectrum disorders. She consumes far too much tiktok, Discord and I think 4chan also.

When I was diagnosed on the spectrum I registered on a very popular ASD form. And I shared the diagnosis and asked for some advice from others who live with it. I felt they would be the best people to answer my questions. Much like here on NMP in regards to anxiety and depression.

I discovered most people were self diagnosed. I quickly left that forum in particular.

But Discord is a whole different level. The ASD servers I've been on are all young people, mostly undiagnosed, and rather than try to seek resolution to their problems they use their self diagnosed illness as justification to continue being who they are.

I don't get this new generation of people.

NMP is one of the only forums where I've found genuine people.

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I know what you're saying; it makes a mockery of those of us who have genuinely been diagnosed, and I fear could easily send things backwards where people like us are considered a hindrance to society and start to become increasingly stigmatised once again due to those self/fake- diagnosing, attention-seeking muppets, and a lot of the progress that has largely been made especially since the 90s starts to become imperilled.

Sorry to sound so pessimistic, but unfortunately there's always going to be certain elements of society that love to seek scapegoats of some form or another.

And don't get me started on all the indignation expressed towards so-called 'woke' culture, especially by the hard-Righters.

People who falsely plead poverty have always got on my wick too, who also make a mockery of those who are genuinely in severe dire straits.

I thought I was fine. But I've had a lingering nausea and vomiting. The past 3 nights the nausea has been bad and this morning I vomited. Last night I struggled to sleep because I had an overwhelming feeling that I was going to be sick. Tonight I feel the same.

I'm not eating much. I don't have much of an appetite. All I've ate today is 2 pieces of toast, and a bit of chocolate. I had beans and cheese on toast yesterday. I don't think I've eaten properly since the 24th.

I seen my uncle today. He visited last week and I passed my illness I had to him. He looked really bad and he's had it for a week. He's on antibiotics but he had the vomiting too. So did my ex. I'm a bit worried about him because he looked pale, and he's lost over a stone in weight. He was telling me how it made it difficult for him to breath. And while he was here he was sweating a lot.

I just can't help think that there's something seriously wrong with me. And him. Maybe it's the anxiety. I hope so.

I avoided the cough. My brother who is staying with me caught it the other day and he spent 3 days in bed. He has a terrible cough :(

I'm going to try and sleep but feeling like this makes it difficult. I am actually hoping it was COVID and this is a by product of that.

Now got a significant loss of taste.

I ate a zinger burger and spicy wings earlier today and noticed I couldn't taste the spice and could only taste the food a little. My ex bought me kebab meat and chips tonight with chilli sauce. Couldn't taste much. Couldn't taste the spice. I love this chip shop because their food is really nice. But couldn't taste much at all.

I ate a bombay badboy pot noodle the other day and had to bin it because I couldn't really taste it. I actually sent a complaint via email that my pot noodle had the wrong sauce sachet.

My smell is fine. I can smell what the food should taste like. But can't taste it. It's like everything is bland and bitter if that makes sense.

It's frustrating with all these after effects of having whatever illness I had. I feel like it was COVID. Doesn't do well for my health-anxiety-brain. My HA is better today. I've accepted whatever is going on is likely a result of the illness and I need to allow some time for recovery before I have justified reason for concern.

Weighted myself. Still over 14 stone so I can't be doing too bad. That reminded me of the time I had bad HA and I'd weight myself 5-10 times a day. After weeks doing this I convinced myself I was losing weight and I had the big C.

I'm looking after the dogs for the ex over the weekend. She's off to see a sick family member with the lad. Cooking a curry tomorrow so I best be able to taste that!

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Originally Posted by WiredIncorrectly

Now got a significant loss of taste.

I ate a zinger burger and spicy wings earlier today and noticed I couldn't taste the spice and could only taste the food a little. My ex bought me kebab meat and chips tonight with chilli sauce. Couldn't taste much. Couldn't taste the spice. I love this chip shop because their food is really nice. But couldn't taste much at all.

I ate a bombay badboy pot noodle the other day and had to bin it because I couldn't really taste it. I actually sent a complaint via email that my pot noodle had the wrong sauce sachet.

My smell is fine. I can smell what the food should taste like. But can't taste it. It's like everything is bland and bitter if that makes sense.

It's frustrating with all these after effects of having whatever illness I had. I feel like it was COVID. Doesn't do well for my health-anxiety-brain. My HA is better today. I've accepted whatever is going on is likely a result of the illness and I need to allow some time for recovery before I have justified reason for concern.

Weighted myself. Still over 14 stone so I can't be doing too bad. That reminded me of the time I had bad HA and I'd weight myself 5-10 times a day. After weeks doing this I convinced myself I was losing weight and I had the big C.

I'm looking after the dogs for the ex over the weekend. She's off to see a sick family member with the lad. Cooking a curry tomorrow so I best be able to taste that!

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How about doing a LFT in order to ascertain as to whether you may have Covid or not?

Anyways, it seems that you've been through a highly stressful week with the PDSA fob-off and whatnot, so there's also the chance it could very well be stress-related.

I wasn't really bothered about testing at first, but now my taste is wonky I feel I should. Not sure if it's too late. Would be good to keep some tests handy for the future. Do they expire?

I cooked a very spicey curry last night and although it made me sweat I couldn't feel any spice in my mouth. I got a little paranoid and thought maybe I didn't put chilli in it at all. So I ordered some carolina reaper crisps on Just Eat to test. I couldn't feel the spice from them either.

I'm a bit worried (health anxiety) because I still have some taste and my smell is fine.

I'm in a deep hole at the moment. I need to try and climb out of it. It's hard.

I had a nasty realization last night. I woke up around 3am with the realization that one day I will die. And I know this already, but it sort of hit me for 6. I couldn't accept it. There was intense fear and worry. But today, I don't feel like that. I don't know if it was a revelation, or a message. There's something significant about the dream.

Maybe it could be interpreted as: "These are the facts of life. Accept. There's no point in worrying. You will die one day, so enjoy life today".

Why do I fear death, and at the same time not want to exist?! I can't wrap my head around my own logic.

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Originally Posted by WiredIncorrectly

Why do I fear death, and at the same time not want to exist?! I can't wrap my head around my own logic.

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I've always been of the opinion that some people get some kind of kicks from things like this.

And I don't mean you personally.

Plus they also seem to get kicks from declinism in general and revel in all this pessimistic 'we're all going to hell in a handcart' lark, while not necessarily trying to come up with any potential solutions, and even pooh-poohing them whenever any are suggested.

As for Covid LFT kits, they do have a use-by date printed on the packaging.

Also, the buffer solution evaporates and renders them useless.

Still feeling a bit under the weather. My chest is sore when I breath, and I keep having to clear my throat.

I had to take the dog to the vets yesterday. In fear I was going to be too late I left too early. I got in the bus into the town center and had a nasty panic attack on the bus. I got off in the town center and was due to get another bus. But, I was 2 and a half hours early and I really didn't want to get on another bus. I didn't know what else to do. So I walked from the town center to the vet. It took about an hour and a half at a fast pace. I much preferred walking to getting on the bus. I really hate busses.

The walk was no problem. He was seen to. And then instead of getting the bus back, I walked it back home. It took another hour and a half. I ended up doing 9 miles in total. I'm very proud of the achievement. So long as I have the dog with me I can walk anywhere on a good day because I feel safe with him. It's people I have the problem with.

This morning I feel a bit rough on the chest so I think I done too much too soon. Not sure if this is the start of the cough, or whether it will pass.

This thing is lingering about :roflmao: the ex is on another dose of antibiotics.

Getting doctors appointment for today. Wheezing a lot, and coughing like crazy. Chest feels like it's on fire. Coughing up stuff.

I had a feeling I did too much too soon. People warned me, I didn't listen.

I've had this for almost a whole month now.

Freaking out a bit. My breathing feels labored. I was out of breath walking the dog up a small hill. I never usually get out of breath when walking up that hill. Now my HA is telling me I've damaged my heart. Was out of breath walking up steps to my floor in my block. Literally just got rid of HA with the lump in my mouth and now I'm worrying over the heart again. Doctor has no immediate appointments in surgery but having a phone consultation at 2 and likely some antibiotics.

Do you think if I didn't walk to and from the vets I wouldn't be in this situation? Is it actually possible that it worsened things?

7 days worth of antibiotics. Chest infection. Was told I would have got it anyway regardless of the walk. It's a secondary infection following the COVID. Although I didn't test, my uncle did and he got it from me. I'm really surprised the media isn't on this. Everybody I know has had it, or currently has it.

It's been exactly 1 month today (which has gone crazy fast tbh!) and still having post-COVID symptoms. At night, and in the morning, my throat becomes dry and some pain. It's about a 2/10. In the morning I'm always bunged up. After my wash and cup of tea disappears.

It's minor, but it's definitely something that's there and not anxiety related.

The ex is still on antibiotics. I've got a few days left of mine. She came down the other day to drop some bits off to me and by the time she got up the 3 flights of stairs to my flat she was struggling for breath. She is improving, but it's crazy how long this has gone on for us both.

I'm not that bad, but when walking the dog if he pulls me I do get out of breath quicker than usual.

I'm still ill. Sore throat and cough still present. The ex had to go doctors yesterday she's in a bad way. She has her 3rd (or 4th) set of antibiotics, an inhaler and a lung function test. I'm still struggling to breath too getting out of breath badly. Dog was pulling me yesterday on his new harness and I got so out of breath I had to stop for a minute. This isn't like me at all.

Finally better. Sore throat gone, the strange pains in my face and head have gone.

I have some breathlessness that is worrying me but I don't know if it's anxiety. I walk the dog around the little wooded area next to my house, and there's a route with small hills and mounds. So I take the dog route as it's a bit of a physical challenge for both of us.

I noticed I was out of breath, like I couldn't get enough air and was breathing fast and heavy. No other symptoms.

The next day I was worried to do the route again, but did it anyway. And I let myself get out of breath and ignore it. Told myself "You'll recover when you're at the top, just continue".

I felt better after doing this.

But then yesterday I took the bin down, and it's 3 flights of stairs back up. I got in the house and stopped, and then suddenly needed air and my heart was beating fast.

My anxiety is a bit wacky at the moment. Struggling to sleep, constant night terrors and panic attacks during the day are becoming a problem. I spend all my time checking my pulse. If I feel it's a bit fast I have to watch a cartoon.

So yeah, back in that cycle.

In terms of the illness though, feeling great now. It only last 5 weeks.

My friends wife is in a bad way in intensive care from this illness that went around. She's got secondary infections, and epstien syndrome (I think that's what it's called). I think this is worrying me a lot too. May God make her situation easy for her.

Wired, when we've been ill our anxiety can ramp up and we can be so sensitive to any change in our breathing and heartbeats. You did the right thing and eventually that fear will be come less and less.
Glad you are feeling better. There has been a lot of what you had around my way too.

It's a rough illness. For anybody that has it, plenty of sleep, hot fluids and a few hot baths a day. That had some sort of positive effect for me.

I hope it's anxiety. Every other worry has been. This past month or so I've been through all sorts of health anxiety battles. And if it's not the breathing issue it'll be something else. It's mentally draining. It can throw your entire day, and mood, completely off because you're convinced something serious is wrong. God knows how many times in life I've been through this. I don't learn. Sometimes I'd like peace from it all and to have a brain that is just relaxed, like a calm sea.

Today I was going to paint, but convinced myself using a roller on the ceiling is too strenuous, and my body feels weak, thus I will probably drop dead if I do it. And for this reason I didn't do it. Now every time I think about painting I put it off immediately because I tell myself there's a high chance I could die. It's silly I know, but it feels very real.

Our friend who is an older lady was in hospital yesterday because of this illness. 85% oxygen levels. Ex had to watch her daughter. It's quite shocking what's going atm because I know multiple people who are battling this. My other friends wife isn't improving. It's brutal.

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Originally Posted by WiredIncorrectly

Our friend who is an older lady was in hospital yesterday because of this illness. 85% oxygen levels. Ex had to watch her daughter. It's quite shocking what's going atm because I know multiple people who are battling this. My other friends wife isn't improving. It's brutal.

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While perhaps we've just been lucky in our area up until now, I haven't heard of anyone I know still having this 'bug'.

However, I'm sure they said something in the news about a measles 'epidemic' in the West Midlands 'county' area a couple of weeks back, especially Birmingham and Coventry.

Not had internet. My 5G router stopped working and had to save to get a new one.

I'm all better now. The shortness of breath disappeared. I still get it when the dog is being reactive. I have to hold his collar and he's a strong bugger. But, I've been lifting weights and walking through the woods. It's really nice to live next to the woods. But the foxes have gone. Not seen them for a while. Do they hibernate in winter?

To conclude. All is well :) That was a rough illness that lasted way longer than it should have. Also, my friends wife is out of intensive care and now in recovery. She's up and walking about.

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Originally Posted by WiredIncorrectly

Not had internet. My 5G router stopped working and had to save to get a new one.

I'm all better now. The shortness of breath disappeared. I still get it when the dog is being reactive. I have to hold his collar and he's a strong bugger. But, I've been lifting weights and walking through the woods. It's really nice to live next to the woods. But the foxes have gone. Not seen them for a while. Do they hibernate in winter?

To conclude. All is well :) That was a rough illness that lasted way longer than it should have. Also, my friends wife is out of intensive care and now in recovery. She's up and walking about.

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That's good news.

Also peak illlness season has now almost passed, though of course it's now the onset of allergy season.