On boxing day I went down with a really nasty chest infection and cough, I understand many people
had a similar experience. Over the next few weeks I took two lots of my rescue pack but I am still coughing though not quite as much. The overall feeling for me was and still is exhaustion and feeling weak and out of breath. Now I am wondering if this is the next stage(l have COPD) or does this particular infection take its time going, will l start to improve soon or is this the best I am going to get at my age (73) I am so fed up of of being like this, I don't feel like doing anything or seeing any one, I am already on antidepressants, over the years I have stopped smoking (15 years ago) and have done all the exercise classes recommended to me and attended breath easy sessions and would recommend all of them. I have no strength to do them anymore. I have a lovely family who visit but thankfully are getting on with their lives, I have five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. I know compared to some people I am lucky. l am sorry to moan but I haven't felt like this and wonder why. I think the way things are in the world right now is also getting me down as I feel so helpless. Thanks for listening, you don't have to reply as there is not much can be said. xx
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gillyjay
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Hi Jilly, speaking as an 83 year old, I don't think you are finished at 73. You should have several more good years in front of you. You seem to have had a really stubborn infection and need to give yourself time to get over it. Be kind to yourself- give yourself little treats, even if they are unhealthy foods- the sort we normally avoid because they're bad for us. Do a little gentle exercise when you feel up to it. Try to get out for a short while when it's mild enough- not like today's artic weather. I'm sure other people will be along with more suggestions and hope you'll soon be feeling more like yourself.
Thankfully I haven’t had this particular bug. But I have had both pneumonia and pleurisy several times. It can be really difficult to recover from a serious chest infection, even after the original infection has gone. You need to be kind to yourself, rest when required, gentle exercise, eat as healthily as possible. Lots of foods with vitamins in. In the past it has literally taken me months to recover, but eventually I have recovered and no reason not to think you won’t.
I would recommend a visit to the gp though. You need to check if original infection has gone and maybe useful to do blood tests. I also think gp might reassure you about your progress.
After being ill with RSV and requiring my rescue pack in November I arranged a package holiday in December. This was perfect for recuperation as the weather was hot, the air was dry ish and daily sea swimming and plenty of rest and relaxation and good food helped me back to relative fitness. Perhaps a member of your extensive family could accompany you? Anyway, that’s what I would recommend to get out of the doldrums, hope you feel better soon, S
Hi.. Sad to read this. I understand how you feel after going through a serious infection over Xmas & only now feeling a slight improvement.I do think the weather has a lot to do with it. Hopefully some brighter, drier, warmer days will help you improve.
Dont give up! You have a lovely family &lots of happy times ahead.
The news is dire:switch it off. And take good care of yourself! 💕Xx
I had a severe respiratory infection which started 14 December. Rescue pack did nothing so I saw the GP who prescribed 5 times the dose of steroids I normally take plus another rescue pack.
I felt absolutely dreadful (Christmas was dreadful) for about 5 weeks. I’m just starting to feel better, but am still very tired and my breathing is poor. I’m on oxygen 24/7 with ILD.
Do what you can, when you can. I’m sure you’ll feel better gradually.
Hi I had a really stubborn infection last winter that took 2 lots of antibiotics to shift and the second ones were prescribed by the GP as the rescue pack did not help. I am in my 70s and felt very much like you do now.My immune system was so compromised that after the chest infection I got covid and shingles! It took till June to feel back to my normal self. Please be kind to yourself. Rest when you need to and have good food and fresh air (but only when it's a bit warmer). Good luck and I am sure you will get there.
hi gillyjay, your post could have been written by me, I am 80;this year and feel exactly like you, having had 2 exacerbations of Bronchiestasis since last November treated with my rescue pack antibiotics and steroids but feel I am fighting a losing battle. I am always tired and breathless and very down not wanting to go out or see anyone, but exhausted when I make myself.
On the advice of my Consultant I have today requested my doctor to do some blood tests just to check there is nothing else causing me to feel like this.
I completely understand how you are feeling, but I think we have to just hang on in there and are lucky to have lovely family.
I am glad your doctor is running blood tests it could be you are low on b12, please ask him to test this when taking bloods. It could also be your not breathing properly when sleeping again ask your gp for a test. It could just be that the infection cleared, ask about a sputum test. There are so many reasons why we feel exhausted and it can affect you badly. In the meantime plenty of rest and tlc x
Ditto, Gillyjay. I am the same age as you and could have written that myself, except I haven't been blessed with children, so I totally sympathise. I feel so bad this morning that I've been debating whether to call the GP (before the weekend), but know there is nothing they can or will do, but fear I could end up in hospital if I don't do something. I wish I had some answers, like you I have been asking if this is just the natural progression of the disease and is this as good as it's going to get now? Big, big hugs, wish I could say something encouraging. take care and hang on in there, spring is round the corner, maybe then.....Sally xxx
Yes, that's what finally decided me to ring the GP, she was lovely. Had a phone consultation and she's given me another course of antibiotics, Clarithromycin this time and have started Prednisolone too, so fingers crossed. It has been such an awful winter for so many of us, I do hope both you and I start feeling somewhat better soon. It's so hard to stay positive sometimes, but there is so much to celebrate and be thankful for, we mustn't lose sight of that. Take care ❤️xx
Forgive me for offering this opinion if I’ve got it wrong, but when you say “I don't feel like doing anything or seeing any one” it sounds to me as if you’re severely depressed. That feeling of hopelessness is dreadful. Antidepressants help, but you’d probably benefit from talking therapy too. Given the state of NHS mental health services, could you afford to pay to get some professional help? That way you can choose your therapist and see someone quickly. Otherwise, if you have a sympathetic gp I’d urge you to see them urgently & tell them how bad you feel. I know from experience that you shouldn’t ignore these symptoms - get help before it turns into a major depressive episode, which will take that much longer to climb back from. The first time you genuinely open up about how you feel is terribly hard, but after that it’s a real relief to share it with someone ❤️
I feel as though I don’t want to see anyone or go anywhere but it’s not because I’m depressed, it’s because I feel so poorly & weak. I’ve had a really bad chest infection & am now on IV antibiotics at home so hopefully these will work. It’s quite natural to feel like this when you’re not at all well but I’ve been like this many times before & I know that when I start to feel much better, I will be glad to see people & do things & get back to normal. It’s more a case of being fed up than depressed, there’s a huge difference.
Occupational therapy (you can be referred through your gp or hospital consultant) might be able to help you get talking therapy on the NHS, I followed this pathway last year, only had a four week wait, and it's helped enormously, I hope these suggestions help you find the right support for you 😊 x
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Hi there guys, this is my first time posting on here so bear with me please. I've just been told that my D.L.A decision made back in August 
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