Janty Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 We are a reasonably healthy family. Cooked meals every night. We don't buy ready meals, we eat lots of fruit and vegetables. Take-aways are very rare occurrences. I was always reasonably healthy. However, I reached 40 in July and seem to have had one bout of illness after another (or that's what it feels like). Before Christmas I was off work for two weeks due to a rotten infection, cough (which I still have) and sneezes, etc. Last Saturday I had severe stomache cramps and thought it would pass but after 36 hours of diarrhoea I called NHS direct who said that I had to see a doctor straight away. He said he thought that it was gastroenteritis but that I had to be tested for a whole host of other nasties and that I couldn't go back to work until the test results came back. I still haven't been able to eat anything and keep it! I'm so tired due to getting up in the night that I only got up at 11am this morning. I love my job but I am sure that the Head will be getting fed up with me. I miss the children. Today is my big cookery day. I love Wednesdays and I feel miserable being at home not enjoying it. Rant over. Anybody got any wise over 40s tips for getting me back on the right track and fit and healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Nothing to do with being 40, more to do with all the germs which are roaring round the country. I was 40 in a time when we didn't have all these different bugs and I can honestly say that being 40 (and 50) had no effect on my health - 60 is a different matter and it's because as soon as I recover from one thing someone passes on another Currently I have a very nasty case of something with itchy ears and throat and a headache - OH made me a hot toddy which I'm drinking at the keyboard before going back to bed, but why did he do me half a pint of it in a tankard? Hope you get over all these nasties, Janty sorry, no tips... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 Thanks anyway. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I just think its the sheer volume of bugs going around. The body doesn't have chance to recover before the next bug comes along. I hardly ever get ill but since Christmas I have had the V&D bug and a cold. It's taken ages to get shot of the feeling of being ill. I can only suggest some vitamin C, zinc and that herbal remedy begining with E I am sorry can't remember the full name) . Sometimes I think us Mums stand a chance around Christmas because we push ourselves just that little bit too far by doing so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 It could be a combination of all the bugs and the time of the year. A couple of years ago I got everything under the sun and felt generally unwell. My MIL said that when she got to my age (44 now) she was constantly at the doctors feeling unwell so perhaps a hormonal thing. She had already gone through the menopause then, she had a really early one. I'm not there yet so I don't know. I do think if you're stressed though you will pick up every bug going and I think that was true of me back then. Hope you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I think it's the age/illness correlation is probably just coincidence Janty, though that's not much consolation to you I know! And working with children is possibly a contributory factor, I was so much healthier before I had DS & DD , though I wouldn't be without them for the world! Why do we teach them to share everything ?! When are your results due back? I tend to find whenever I have a yucky tum, that Yakult or similar tends to help everything get back to normal, but I've never been bad enough for the doctor's tests to be necessary. Back in the dim & distant I remember taking slippery elm for a tummy upset - before Yakult etc became popular. I'm sure there's someone on here who could confirm whether or not that is the case and how effective it is too. I hope you feel better soon, it's awful being knocked back by one thing then another {{{get well hugs}}} are winging their way to you! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I think you've just been unlucky, hope things pick up for you soon. I'm 48, and I don't think my health is noticeably worse than when I was younger; however I did have a bad phase a couple of years ago when I seemed to catch one thing after another, and I think this was because I was so tired all the time due to a thyroid deficiency. While there's no direct connection with catching things, if you constantly feel tired then it might be worth having this checked. I'd approach it from all sides - healthy diet, which you already do; probiotics as mentioned above; take some vitamins or echinacea if you think it will help; try and make sure you're not getting stressed, plenty of sleep etc and maybe massage or reflexology or something like that if you're into that. I do hope you soon start to feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I really hope you feel better soon Janty. It can't be fun for you. Also, I am 40 this year *gulp* so am keeping my fingers crossed that its nothing to do with the age thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 I have decided that I am not going to accept being ill all the time - hard when you spend most of your life in the loo! I am going to sort things out. Hubby came home at lunch time to check on me and poor man got an earfull. I hate being ill. I have never been like this so I am going to be a bit more pro-active. I have let the illness thing get me down a bit lately. I am going to get myself back on track. Look at diet a bit more...more hearty soups and stews. Go out for family walks again. Make more time for myself and the girls and my crafts. Cheer myself up a bit! There! Janty on the first step to getting well and getting sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I suspect it is more a case of you picked up one nasty bug which left you feeling run down, and that made you more vunerable to the rest of the bugs floating about. I think that most women with children work very hard too during their thirties and forties, and generally spread themselves too thin and it is the body's way of telling you to take more time out for you. I actually feel better at the moment than I have for about 10 years, I too had a thyroid deficientcy diangnosed and treated and with older children I get a good nights sleep most of the time and I am 42 in a couple of months. Hope you feel better soon, and although it is frustrating, take enough time off to be properly well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 My SIL had a time when she could never wander too far from the toilet. It really began to affect her work. She met with a herbalist/dietician and they took her diet right back to basics. She stayed on a very strict list of things for quite some time and then introduced food back in. This way she found out what food was affecting her and she now knows if she has dairy say, that she will have an upset tummy/rash. Do you think this might be something you might consider, is it a similar thing do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 There! Janty on the first step to getting well and getting sorted. You go girl! I was 40 in August and I feel great! , so don't necessarily think it is an age thing. Hope you are feeling much better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 My SIL had a time when she could never wander too far from the toilet. It really began to affect her work. She met with a herbalist/dietician and they took her diet right back to basics. She stayed on a very strict list of things for quite some time and then introduced food back in. This way she found out what food was affecting her and she now knows if she has dairy say, that she will have an upset tummy/rash. Do you think this might be something you might consider, is it a similar thing do you think? I do have IBS but have this under control. I have had it for years and since the initial shock, I have been able to manage my diet. I have a list of foods that I have minor reactions to. This just came on me all of a sudden and I know that others in work have got it but it seems like little consolation at the moment. It just feels like one thing after another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I think you'll find its your job. My friend is a primary school teacher and the kids are very generous with their germs!! She and her colleagues get everything going. Like everyone else they need to be educated (yes parents should do it but dont) to cough with handover mouth, snezze into a tissue and not come back to school till better esp after V&D which is 48hrs after last vomit in Mill Hill! Dont go back till ready, dose up on zinc and vitamin c and echanaia (cant spell) I work in Drs surgery as a nurse so we get a lot of nasties (and thats just the patients - only joking Wish u better. I am sure you are a vibrant 40 something usually. I'm 46 and creak a bit but thats wear and tear from job!! Get well soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 Thanks for all your support. Omleteers are a lovely bunch of people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 No advice im afraid, just wanted to say get well soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Nothing to add Janty - just hope you're feeling better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Sorry to hear that Jan, get better soon Hon XX I've been 40 for ... ummmm.... 6 years now and no noticeable changes in health except for a major op last year, but that was completely different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I'm 39 and three quarters. Janty, I think you just sound like your immune system has been exposed to everything going this year and is a bit worn out. Let's be honest there have been some horrible bugs around this year and the kids love to share..! Also are you a bit stressed at work? That can do the trick - we are awaiting an OFSTED inspection and the illness rates at work are far higher than normal, they will be for some time after the dreaded event finally materialises too, as everyone collapses with nervous exhaustion. Didn't you have an inspection quite recently too? I think 40 is no great milestone in age terms these days, not like it was in our Grannie's time when people seemed to get old a lot earlier. I'm rather looking forward to having a 'big' birthday. I missed the last one because I was 8 months pregnant with Stan and permanently beached on the sofa. I hope you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 Well, the doctor at the surgery has just called. He was working late going through the test results. Apparentently it's campalobacta a strain of campylobactor (spellings could be off there) It usually comes from eating chicken or unpasteurised milk. I explained that I haven't had any unpasteurised milk and that I never eat chicken unless it's at home as I keep my own hens and only eat free range organic chicken. He then said that it could be something that I have picked up from the hens. Bless him, he did then say that he was clutching at straws. In the next breathe he said that I might get a call from environmental health if they think that there are several cases in the area. My heart sank. I know my girls are clean etc. but that's the last thing anyone needs. I asked him if he was going to mention the chickens to EH and he laughed and said no. They would get the same report that he got. I explained that it was just that I was very protective of my girls. He laughed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I hope you feel a bit brighter soon. Sorry you are feeling under the weather. I'm afraid it is the sheer range of bugs the kids bring in. I had a week off before Christmas with a chest infection (I have never had that much time off before!!) and had a colleague just returned after a bout of pneumonia. Please look after yourself, this winters bugs really do knock you for six and you will feel tired for a while afterwards. Take a bit of time and feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie the Moocher Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Hope you feel better soon. Sounds like you are overdue a holiday, or, at the very least some 'me' time. A full body massage? x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Sounds like you need a rest Hon; let's get away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 that is a really nasty bacteria you had there. it's no wonder you are wiped out. You probably need to re-seed your gut as it were. I have IBS and have had loads of stomach upsets over the last few months. Finally got sick of it so tried some tablets called prebio 7, there are 7 different types of probiotics in them, and you don't have to keep them in the fridge. I've felt alot better since. I got them from Holland and Barrett but I think you can get them from various internet sites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Hope you feel better soon. When I turned 40 I made a decision that middle age starts at 60. I will no doubt revise that in a few years time! I feel 24 still but then catch sight of myself in a mirror and realise that I am kidding no-one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
