Nurses General Nursing
Published Dec 30, 2002
jemb
693 Posts
I started getting sick two days ago. It started out with a sore throat. runny nose... I thought it was a cold.
By midday yesterday, I was hacking coughing nonstop, sinus headache off the scale, and chest hurt all the way through to my back. I just figured it would pass. My other half, however, went into his superprotective mode, insisting that I see a doctor, etc. (Well, I admit I do the same thing when he gets sick,)
No better today -- called in sick. I've gotten an appointment for this afternoon. My doc is on vacation, but another one had room.
Thing is (maybe just a nurse thing?) I feel like I shouldn't be wasting the doctor's time. I mean, I don't think I'm going to die from this, although I am beginning to think it might be pneumonia instead of just a bad cold or flu-bug. I also have asthma, so that could make it seem worse than it is.
Am I overreacting? Should I just wait it out? Opinions. please.
LasVegasRN
835 Posts
See the doctor.
altomga, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN
459 Posts
let's see, is the typical I'm a nurse I'll be okay syndrome??? Go take care of yourself!!! See the doctor, even if it turns out to be nothing; at least you will know!
Why is it nurses and mothers never take time out to care for themself; is it guilt b/c we are supposed to care for others?
GO GET CHECKED OUT!!! There are some nasty bugs out there!
Hope you feel better soon!:):)
l.rae
772 Posts
sounds like flu..did you get a shot?
sanakruz, ADN
735 Posts
Yep flu- Sometimes it strikes even after the shot.
AHarri66, BSN, RN
144 Posts
Definitely sounds like flu to me. Prime symptoms: headache, hacking cough, chest discomfort, temp, malaise.
I had it a month ago, and boy, was it awful. It took a couple of weeks for the chest thing to go away.
Oh, yeah. I ended up with a sinus infection afterwards...also common. Bleah.
Check with your doc...and feel better soon!!
Stargazer
859 Posts
...or bronchitis, or pneumonia...
We can't diagnose you here. I'm a great believer in supportive care for viral URI's, but your symptoms are severe enough that if you called me when I was doing telephone triage, I would definitely advise you to see a doc.
Zee_RN, BSN, RN
951 Posts
See the doc. Just had a patient with same symptoms for 10 days. Ended up intubating him with a really really bad pneumonia, only 42 years old and otherwise pretty healthy. See doc now before it gets too bad. It may *never* get that bad but better to be safe!
oramar
5,758 Posts
Zee, I am printing out your post and showing it to my husband. Two weeks ago he had flu like illness from which he never really recovered. Resists my attempts to send him to doctor.
newgamma
8 Posts
May be the flu...but could be something more serious...bronchitis or pneumonia. Get it checked out! Better to be safe. There is alot of stuff going around this time of year.
Sleepyeyes
1,244 Posts
Originally posted by oramar Zee, I am printing out your post and showing it to my husband. Two weeks ago he had flu like illness from which he never really recovered. Resists my attempts to send him to doctor.
Hah! *Message to Zee's hubby*
Same thing happened to my hubs back in October....he had pneumonia. Please see the doc.
SmilingBluEyes
20,964 Posts
I echo the above----and who says you are wasting a doctor's time? since when is His/Her time MORE important than yours? (e.g. in lost sick days, productivity, etc). Sheesh I HATE when people worry about "their" time....as if it's not OUR time, too! SEE THE DOCTOR!