Still struggling a little.

I really feel for you Kate. It sounds like you are having a bit of a bad time at the moment and your body is wanting a break and some feet up time.

I know how you feel. I stopped smoking in October, thought I would feel great in no time. How wrong could I be? I had chest infections all through November and Christmas time, struggling to breathe continuing through January and last two weeks not too bad. Good, I thought, it's getting better. Wrong again. It came back this week. Bad again from Thursday.

So, time to put the feet back up, stop thinking about the decorating that needs doing etc (we moved recently) and to take things easy. Get out the honey and lemon, Vicks vapour rub back on the chest, Olbas Oil for inhalations and lots of rest and sleep. I do have a ventolin too.

I would just give in to it for now. It hasn't really been that long if it was January. It does take time to recover. Do it slowly but don't give yourself a hard time if you don't feel up to doing anything. Put on your favourite dvd, soak your feet, do things that make you feel a bit better. If you feel tired, sleep. I think we don't listen to our bodies enough in our society. But enjoy the time you do go out and see friends. It is nearly March now and the flowers are starting to poke their little heads out and say hello. The lambs will soon be playing poker in the fields (gamboling). Take a ride out soon and see nature unfurl it's winter coat and stretch. Slowly, hopefully, your mood will lift and you will begin to feel better again. Just go easy on yourself until then.

Katek as you know asthma can be so debilitating and if you had a chest infection as well you have had a double whammy. If you really feel bad get yourself checked out at the doctors to ensure that you do not still have an under lying infection. Otherwise it is just going to take time for you to recover. Be gentle with yourself, take some gentle exercise if you can and get lots of rest. You will recover but it is harder at this time of year.

I have moderate asthma and had a similar experience a few years ago, also in the winter - it took a couple of months but i did recover.

katek go back to your GP and say exactly what you have said here! Sometimes it just takes time to build up energy levels again and sometimes it takes some extra support to get back to pre-illness vitality.

I've had a succession of viruses, infections and so on and I know how you feel Katek. It started at the beginning of November with a sinus infection and went on and on until I got flu in January. I've heard that it can take six weeks to get over that, so I have a while to go yet. I also have PMR which doesn't help. Sometimes I find myself dropping off even before lunch, so I've resigned myself to having a little nap most days. You're not alone, Katek; as my GP said to me, 'There's a lot of it about!' Though why that should be reassuring beats me!

It can take a long time to surface after a chest infection. Roll on spring!

Thanks for all your moral support ladies. Just made doc appointment for 9.30 to check for any residual infection but oddly enough I'm feeling brighter today!

There have been some very nasty and long lived viruses circulating this winter Katek

Hope you feel better soon.

I've had a cold of some sort since November. I went to the doc last year and he said not to come unless I'm running a fever, have an underlying condition etc., He wouldn't give anti -biotics - no surprise but he gave me a steroid nasal spray which I didn't use much but was effective.

Not long home from doc and there doesn't appear to be any infection but still have some crackles. She's referred me for X-ray to see if there are any signs of infection. I've stupidly got a bit panicky about this .. my friend's late DH had ongoing cough, tiredness etc., was sent for X-ray and died 6 weeks later from advanced primary lung cancer with secondary spinal, liver and brain cancer. I know I'm nothing like him but can't help being a bit anxious. DH says I'm the healthiest and plumpest(his words) terminal patient he's seen!

DH has been down exactly the same route, same symptoms, same response from GP KateK - in fact I'm just waiting for him to come back from his chest x-ray now. I'm sure it's only a precaution.

I'm sure it is but I do have a tendency to catastrophise...... one of my worst traits. Hope all goes well for your DH.

He's home now, and has to wait up to 2 weeks for results. We have a walk-in x-ray system here. The GP gives you a referral note and you just turn up when it suits you.

Try not to worry x

You too x