I've been feeling like a piece of expired "fermented tofu" - yeah, EXPIRED ... fermented tofu, smells funny but really, it is edible. BUT, "expired" ..
It is like, I feel awful but maybe I am okay after all - then again, what if it is "expired", like I am sick, I wouldn't really know the difference - right? wrong? (I am on so many sort of medication (immunosuppressive ones) that screw with the way my body response to infection.)
It started with a slight cough, congested nose, hot flashes (no fever) a week after I got home from my holiday. I waited for three days before going to the hospital. Why 3 days? I wanted to see if I could get well on my own by swallowing paracetamol! I do not want to be labelled as a "hypochondriac".
At the hospital, I was directed to the "FEVER CENTER" despite me telling them, I don't have a fever - well, flu symptoms are automatically directed to the "FEVER CENTER" due to the swine flu scare. At the FEVER CENTER, I was the only one with mask .. how nice, for all you know, someone healthy could have contracted swine flu by just being there! I'd say, it is more like a "RISK CENTER", with god knows what sort of germs, bacteria, viruses hopping around, happily choosing their next victim to suck on, "hey, that one smells like she just had bacon, let's hop on her! wooo hoooo!"
Anyway, to cut the story short, after one week of antibiotic and ridiculous amount of paracetamol prescribed (my liver is probably yelling at me now!) - I am still feeling weird. I have no fever but hot flashes, congested nose and now cough is getting worse.
Should I go see the Doctor again? It is hard to be treated seriously if symptoms are like mine. This is when I really wish my temperature will spike and at least I can say to the Doc, hey - I HAVE FEVER ... looky ... it is not in my mind!
So ...
Until I get a FEVER or collapse because of excessive coughing - I shall remain in my humble abode.
I hope to get better. I need to get better. I need to work and make $$$.
And I hope it is not the f**cking "shingles" - as it is a known adverse effect of the drug I am taking - plus, hey
WebMD says :-
"Shingles occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox starts up again in your body."
" Shingles is most common in older adults and people who have weak immune systems because of stress, injury, certain medicines, or other reasons"
"Early symptoms of shingles include headache, sensitivity to light, and flu-like symptoms without a fever. You may then feel itching, tingling, or pain where a band, strip, or small area of rash may appear several days or weeks later."
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-topic-overview
Oh great? I know at least two lupus friends who just had "shingles" and described it like "chicken from hell"!
Plus, hey - I just had my chicken pox early this year! Let's end the year with "Shingles" - Shingles bells, shingles bells .. shingles all the way - hmmm too far from Christmas though.
A big touch wood ..
BUT hey, cough is not a symptom of shingles, so that's good right?
13 comments:
Oh, Bin, I am so sorry you aren't feeling well and don't seem to have a doctor who is taking your symptoms seriously...I hope you will get some relief from your discomfort soon and start to heal...Sending you positive energy, love and big hugs, wishing you the best of luck, sweet friend.
Oh no! No shingles! I contracted them in March this year, and still have them. Ugh! Pain and fatigue. Please G-d, don't let her have shingles.
Thanks for the comforting words on my numbers. I have to take another blood test at the beginning of the week to determine if I am spiraling out of control or am on the right track.
Bin so so sorry you are not well. Make them listen and get some medication. I so hope it is not shingles. Do please take care.. Thinking of you.. Hugs GJ xx
(((Bin)))
Here I was thinking allergies, because I have year-round allergies and coughing and congestion are symptoms, at least for me. Then I read "shingles!"
I really hope that's not it!
I'm sending lots of healing Light, and the cats are sending purrs, for your health and well-being. We hope you feel better soon!
Yep, you should go. When I don't feel quite right I get stuffed in my carrier and away we go. You might not get stuffed in a carrier so you have to look after yourself...please!
Hi Bin, I hope you don't have shingles - I had it about 20 years ago and saw the doctor who gave me very strong pain killers for the pain across my back which made me like a zombie - I can remember driving into our village and when I got to the shops (all 4 of them!!) didn't have any idea what I'd gone for so went back home and I didn't take any more.)
BTW When I went to see my doctor he fetched a load of medical students in (who were there to see life as a GP)to see my back as he wanted them to see a classic case
- lucky me!! ha ha!!
Your symptoms don't sound much like shingles to me although I'm not an expert.
Hope you start to feel better soon.
Hannah and Lucy want to send kisses to Lucky xx xx
Oh Bin!!!! You poor thing!! Me and Charlie are sending you tons and tons of hugs!!
I had shingles a few years ago and it was the strangest illness for me. I was so tired and was experiencing pain in my skull that didn't feel like a headache but just floored me completely. No temperature, just tiredness that I could not recover from and pain, pain, pain. The only way my doctor diagnosed me correctly was the funny bumpy things growing on the side of my face. I didn't experience any itching just horrid horrid pain!
I don't know why I'm telling you all this!! I just know what shingles felt like - bloody horrible!! Excuse my French - so I do feel for you, I share your pain!! You poor thing! You are obviously ill, you're not well so there must be a reason why you are still feeling unwell - coughing continuously is normally a sypmtom of something not right!!
Good luck Bin! I say see how you feel by the weekend and if your cough is still persistent and you are still tired and these hot flashes are still happening - I would harass the doctors really and truly!
Please keep us updated!!
I am touching wood continuously for you!!
Take care lovely Bin! Hugs and purrs!
x
Try to avoid having shingles, please!
It is extremely unpleasant!
Wrote about it to release the pent-up feelings then. Off and on I would read it to remind myself to keep healthy.
Oh Bin,
I hope you will be all right...I agree with Brian, nobody is gonna stuff you into a carrier so you MUST take care of yourself.
Back to the doctor you go! And be firm! You feel bad, and you need to know why.
Prayers and purrs to you from me and the herd...
MomKat Trish
Hope it's not shingles...keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you.
We are sorry to hear you are not feeling well. We will be purring for you to get better!!!!
Oh boy that sounds bad. Don't you have a nice GP who has time and interest??? We're purring you feel better soon.
Well I really hope it isn't shingles - my dad had them and it wasn't a bad case but he was still really unhappy. I have heard bad stories. The only bright side would be that you would have proof you were sick - I am not sure if there is a way to treat shingles now (when my dad had it there wasn't really anything but that was a long time ago). I am sending prayers and of course the kitties are purring for you to feel better soon!
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