Picking up every bug!
 

I don't know what the hell is wrong with us.

Mr PP is on his second cold, he rarely gets them and is feeling so drained.

The other week I had to go to the doctors for the worst headaches ever - left me drowsy. They always got worse before a thunder storm and would get better afterwards as though someone had lifted a weight off my head. Doctor reckoned it was the change in weather and something to do with the pressure, she had seen it loads in migrants. Then quite suddenly, they disappeared.

Each time I eat meat I get stomach cramps, I mean I am in Australia so why should the food upset me?

And now, my chest is hurting to breathe in as though I am getting a chest infection and I feel knackered.

I used to get one cold a year in the UK and food never upset me.

We have been here for about 10 weeks and we felt so healthy, why is it we are coming down with everything going?

It's rather funny because if we had the current Perth temperatures in the UK, I would be in a T shirt.

Yet here and now, we are freezing cold and even the cat is feeling the cold. Mr PP wraps him in a blanket and the cat refuses to move.

It seems to have affected all 3 of us - cat included and I can't explain why we are picking up every bug/cold now and not when we first landed.

I look quite ill, dark circles and suitcases (not bags) under my eyes but my face is quite brown so its not all bad:p

What on earth has happened to our immunity? I reckon we left it behind at Heathrow.

Anyway I am mega pissed off as I wanted to go bike riding tomorrow but I can't because my chest hurts and I feel like I am coming down with something.

We are also planning a trip to Kalgoorlie - flying up and train back for the experience, just hope we are well enough to do it.

So much to see, so much to do, a job that I am actually liking and one that challenges me for a change, yet I am feeling really under the weather.

Please tell me that it isn't just me that got sick after emigrating, anyone else feeling crook?:(

This is so not fair, Mr PP said he feels drained as well.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Sorry to hear you're having a hard time of it :(

re the stomach cramps: not necessarily the food, could be the change in water. I know when we moved to Australind from Bunbury for two weeks I had a dodgy stomach - the water tasted different as well.

Hang in there, you're probably both run down through all the stress of emigrating and therefore getting the bugs.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Hi PP, when i was over at xmas for 2 weeks i had a really REALLY bad sore throat and headache , i also had about 7 cold sores (very attractive!!)
the throat didn't turn into an infection but i felt so crap with it .....i thought i might be allergic to oz:huh::huh:

as soon as i got home the throat and glamorous sore cleared up instantly!!
i have since read a few posts on various sites about sickness when you arrive , i guess its the whole stress of the move takes over and when you sit back and stop the bugs attack!!!
hope you feel better soon , oh have you tried taking echinacea to give you immune system a bit of a boost , that and xtra vit C always sort me out:thumbsup:

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Every time I eat out I get stomach cramps and the trots:o

Mr PP cooked a lovely meal for me last week and I only managed a mouthful and couldn't eat any more.

It is alot better today - well apart from this morning but I think that is the end of it.

Ive made friends with an English girl from work and we meet up for coffee in Freo, she said she felt quite ill when she first moved here.

I just don't understand why, we have been here about 10 weeks - why now?

It could be the water I suppose.

The feeling of exhaustion is hard, for the first time ever I am really active and cycle/walk and stuff but when I get home from work I just want to sleep.

It is hard when you have so much you want to do and don't feel strong enough health wise to do it.

Anyway, I am due to get back into my Yoga next week so I am going to do that no matter what, I loved doing that in the UK.

And another thing (don't read this if you are a bloke), what on earth has happened to my periods!!!!! Completely mucked up since the day I got off the plane!

I am like a kid in a sweet shop with all the things I want to do - being ill was not on my agenda.

Oh well, I suppose we underestimate the physical effects of migration.:eek:

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

I am defo going to get some Vit C - and I shall eat loads of garlic, I have heard that keeps away colds (and people):p

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Hi PP,

sorry that you're feeling 'crock' it's probably a combination of factors that have added to it. Change of climate, change of water,change of location and change of food.
The change of location is probably the biggest factor, because your body has a whole host of new pathogens (germs) to build an immunity to.... the upshot is that you get ill with every new unfamiliar germ that you come into contact with. Rest assured you will stop getting ill soon, once your body has developed the necessary antibodies to slay the 'new' bugs!
In the meantime, you can boost your immune system with echinacea, zinc, vitamin c and vitamin E. Especially as you're eating so little it will definitely help.
Otherwise you know the drill, plenty of fluids, paracetamol and ride it out!

Hope you all start to feel better soon!

Ali x

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Thanks for that Ali:thumbup:

I had toast for breakfast, raisin toast for lunch as it was all that I fancied and I am meant to cook some pasta for evening meal.

But as I am really not hungry, I shall have yet more toast. I have managed lots of fresh orange juice though.

I put it down to having my flu jab the other week, I had one in the UK in October and another one in Australia as its the flu season.

Good job nobody hasn't made me laugh, I would cough my guts up:lol:

Food or not, bad chest or not - I cannot wait to start my yoga:D

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Don't worry hon, I have met 3 families who have come over recently and (including me) we have all had the same :eek: About a month ago it felt like I had a chest infection but I didn't, headaches aswell. I think it is a bug. By the way it was all the women that seem to get it, can't explain that one.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

get some vitamin c down your neck, also echinacae is really good for your immune system (spelling is not great):p
i had shingles a year ago and it knocked me for six, i had it all across my forehead and in my eye, chris kept calling me chunk from the goonies:rofl::rofl:
i think once you have something that strips your immune system its hard to build it back up
get well soon
bec

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

When my sister emigrated 5 years ago, my niece who was 2 at the time became very ill. She took her to the drs & he told her she was allergic to Oz!! :confused:
She had asthma like symptoms & found it really hard to breathe. Saying that tho she is perfectly fine now & loving Oz :thumbsup:

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Look on the bright side - at least you will lose weight - as they say, every cloud etc etc :D;)

On a more serious note - we also felt crook when we first arrived and it took a couple of months to sort out the system. It is probably all the stress leaving everything that is familiar to you in the Uk to start a new life down under. You don't realise the stress you are under until you start to relax and then it can hit you - a bit like walking into a wall. don't fight it, just try to relax, take some moderate exercise, lots of vitamins and minerals and it will sort out.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

It's also winter here now and there are a lot more bugs and infections going round - just like the UK in winter!
Add to that the stress of immigration and having to get everything organized once you are here - there is no time to be ill then - but now things are settling?
We find we get more illness here in winter.
Hoping to dodge the dreaded norovirus which is on the rampage around here at the mo!
You'll feel better soon :)

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

not had the sniffles once in 9 months.

must just be you.

I have heard of it taking time for folks to get used to the climate and environment.

Give it time and your immunity will rebuilt itself.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

I'm going through this too. I have autoimmune problems (thyroid, amongst other things) and when I change locations I often take a while to settle down. For the first couple of weeks I hardly dared leave the house. :rofl:

I'm drinking tap water, and thinking I need to get a decent filter system. It's got a pretty strong chloriney smell and I don't want fluoride.

I'm freezing :( but then I'm in Sydney and used to >30C every day.

I also think your body is subjected to different bugs than you are used to; The Geek always got ill whilst travelling on business, even though he's careful with food and stuff. And yes, stress plays a big part. However well things are going it has been a huge thing to move here.

Others have recommended everything I would - some good immune system boosters, antioxidants, and particularly the echinacea. Do try to eat some fresh food, get your greens (and reds, blues, etc.!) even if you don't feel like it - sounds like you're basically surviving on bad carbs at the moment. Oh and don't drink too much. ;)

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Stress and new environment... and bad luck. the other thing is Aussie houses feel about as insulated as a tepe on the Yorkshire moors, they are crap at insulation and do not have central heating, our rental in Mt Lawley used to be colder inside than outside in winter! Fortunately winter is pretty short, in a few months it will be continuous sunshine and you be sweltering inside the house.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

I agree. It happened to me as well when I first got to Oz. It was 34 C :eek: from 7 C :eek: It was bad for me/my parents (they couldn't stay/stand there more than a week. they went to back home straight away). I had serious haemorrhoids, constipation & bleeding, terrible acne on my face, stomach cramp, and cold/infection for Long Periods of Time. When I change locations I always take a quite while to settle down. It's a pain, isn't it? well. I discovered it later - it's all to do with changing in water and dehydration. I drank a lot of water there however... such as extreme heat, vigorous activity in the hot sun, ...that doesn't help. Australia certainly was not for me. I guess you might get better in the long run but I don't know for sure. I left Oz anyway in terms of a number of health issues and hygienic reason. for me personally living in NZ/UK is a lot healthier.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I am eating normally today so fingers crossed that is back to normal.

I managed some housework and feel shagged out, I was going to go out on my bike but coughing too much.

I went to bed early last night (well for me) and I have noticed a good nights sleep always helps.

My friend at work said she went through similar so glad its not just me.

Its true what people have said, we dont realise how stressful it is and how much we run on empty prior to emigrating.

Im not used to two flu jabs in 6 months either:eek:

Im just going to take some vitamins, I start my yoga this week and sleep when Im tired and see what happens.

Thanks again guys, put my mind at rest.:thumbup:

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

No immunity to the localised strains of many viruses. Some cross-immunity, but not all. It's rather miserable having a cold when it's hotter than hell (weird feeling).

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Luckily I haven't got the cold part - I never or rarely get sniffles.

Its the stinging chest when I breathe in that makes me cough.

I am doing very little today just relaxing at home, although my bike is looking very tempting outside and the thought of cycling by the sea is hard to ignore.

(she says coughing again):eek:

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

There's also the possibility of picking up new allergies in a new place.... but stinging? :confused: high ozone day today?

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

It could well be the changeable weather here in Freo right now, its warm then cold and then warm again, your body needs to adjust, have been here just over one week and felt completely knackered all week, but that may have something to do with the fact that I havent yet stopped running around sorting medicare doctors, driving licence, car and getting myself a job

Dawn

PS PP if you drink too much OJ it just flushes the vitamin C straight out of your system, so too much is not always good for you...hope you feel better soon

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

I clicked on this thread straight away. You would not believe the last 4 weeks in our house and I am really cheesed off with it, my chance to vent :)

My two kids started Kindy and daycare in February so I had put a lot of it down to that but maybe its not just that.

We've been here over a year now. Last winter was just about ok with illness. No more than UK.

4 weeks ago my husband, 2 year old and I got this cough croopy virus. Daughter might have had it the week before but managed to fight it off and was just very tired and grumpy. It lasted about 10 days for all of us. Lots of coughing fits and feeling very unwell. I also got an ear infection on top of it that was so painful it was a joke. During this virus my son starts having these episodes in the morning where his lips turn blue. We got it checked out at the Dr's. Not sure why it happened but the gp spotted a heart mummer for us to get looked at with a specialist. We all feel better from the bug and ear infection but by the time I pick up my daughter from Kindy that same day she has gastro (thankfully not a bad one). Touch wood we have avoided this but unfortunately now my daughter and I have sort throats and a cold. My husband has now started to complain at how long I've been ill. I noticed in another post that it was just the women that got it (would love to know why perhaps mixing with more children than the guys?)He's been pretty patient thus far.

I don't think its stress related. I was just managing to get my act together and on top of things and felt very upbeat. Momentum with the children was running in my favour (3 year old and 2 year old sometimes it can get on top of me). General family life before the bugs was feeling pretty positive but its been very hard when feeling ill and woken several times in the night.

I am just praying that we feel better very soon otherwise I am going into isolation along with the kids for 2 weeks just so we can feel well again.

Hope anyone else out there feeling crap finds the answer. Good luck.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

I never knew that about the OJ:eek:

It is funny weather in Freo though, I want to go out on my bike but I dont trust the weather, it looks as though it will rain.

Do you like it in Freo?

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Sorry for late reply...issues with BE not letting me here

I do like freo so far only been here just 2 weeks, so still finding my feet, but I do like it

Are you feeling better now?

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

My Doctor advised me not to have the Flu jab here (I had it in the uk before coming over)

Its the same jab but only 6 months later in this part of the world


Mind you I have had a heavy cold for about 2 weeks now

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Im off my antibiotics but still have a chesty cough and my glands are swollen but Ive realised if I take it easy and rest up when I can it is more bearable. I never knew swollen glands in the groin area could hurt quite so much:eek:

I am loving Freo, I can't imagine living anywhere else and hope the agent extends our tenancy.

If ever you fancy meeting up for a coffee, we could get together:)

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Glad tohear your improving. I had a bad headache for a few days when we arrived but kept on top of it with leg painkillers...
koh had a cold for about 2 weeks, kids have all been fine - so far!

at nights i take a doona into the family room to snuggle up in to watch tv - too cold to just sit there otherwise.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

You know how sometimes if you've been stressed at work and working really hard then you go on holiday and get sick?
I think the same principal applies here.
You have spent a lot of time and energy getting to Perth and setting up a new life. As soon as you relax - POW! - you feel awful.

It always happens to me when I get a week off from work :(

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Absolutely correct!

I worked in Australia for periods of four months, three times around 20 years ago: each time I was laid low by various bugs within a couple of days of arrival. Just different bugs than the ones I was used to!

You will build immunity to the "new" ones in no time.

Having said that, Australians are not necesssarily all the super-fit bronzed adonises that you might expect - they do seem to have a fair selection of viruses and bugs here!

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Sam,

You're not alone mate!

We have both had all kinds of bugs and viruses in the 9 months we have been here. Both rarely got ill in the UK. We put it down to a new strain of bugs etc....that we haven't been exposed to yet! Basically, we have to re-build our immune system to fight Aussie germs! :eek:

I have just recovered from my 3rd cold in 9 months - was lucky to get 1 every 3-4 years back n the UK. Stick with it - time heals! :)

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

me too! I can definitely sympathise, we've been here 3 months and i've had every bug going including chicken pox :eek:
Seem to be over it all now so must have started to build some immunity, have broken my coccyx too but thats another story lol

Hope you're all better soon :)

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

Well its not just the girls getting it. I've been fine, and my OH is flattened. Came home from work today to find him comletely relapsed with headache, aches, snuffles, sore throat and eararche with dizziness.
This is 10 days of it now, so I take it this means I cant refer to it as "manflu" any more?

Me? I had half a day of sinussy toothache, but I've been having lots of juice with echinwotsit in it, and loads of garlic and fresh fruit.

I did start work straight after arriving so I think Kapri's theory about your body relaxing now that the stress is over is a good one.
Cos I'M STILL STRESSED!:eek:

And as I've got 2 weeks off in July, I shall have to up my garlic intake coming up to that to keep the sick people away.

PP: hope your feeling better.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

When we came here 15 months ago, I had gastro and flus every month for the first six months. Different strains of things I suppose.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

.[/QUOTE]

Were flying out to Perth on saturday, I'll pack some more Andrex in the personal baggage.....lol..:eek:



Seriously though, hope all you guys n galls get well soon.

Dave

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

It is so weird having this. Antibiotics finished but still have a cough and tracheitis - codeine helping on that.

A fellow POM at work has the same and we both have swollen glands:eek:

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

My daughter got to year 6 in UK and only ever had three days off school, she has been to school here since October and has three days off school already, plus she was unwell during the April holidays!

Maybe all that cold weather is better for us than we think, it must help to suppress certain germs?

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

I hope you're feeling better. My kids and OH have just had flu, no not the common cold, and I - touch wood - never seem to get ill at all.

My secret is lemon juice and garlic every morning...
Squeeze the juice of 2 lemons, add to warm water and swallow with raw chopped garlic.

Garlic caps. or cooked garlic don't work - it needs to be raw for the goodness to hold. Your breath definately doesn't smell because you don't chew the garlic. I just pop it on a spoon and swallow down with the water and lemon juice.

It's not very pleasant but it really works.

I'm not a health freak - I like my food and wine, and take mod. exercise, so it's definately the galic and lemon comb. that does the trick!
Good luck

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

My doctor told me this umpteen times during my first two years in Australia. I've had very few colds since ;)
Hope you feel better soon PP...and everyone else who is not feeling the best.

Re: Picking up every bug!
 

sounds good to me:thumbup:

having entrance issues with BE so slow in replying still