A little off topic.....anyone else sick?

spacey · Oct 15, 2009

Awww......I've had it, and got bronchitis / pneumonia afterwards as well but had a doc who gave me the antibiotics asap, knowing I usually get bronchitis and or pneumonia with any upper resp illness. It seems like it'll be forever, I know, but remind yourself that you'll be much better in 24-48 hours....once the antibiotics kick in.

For the aches.....this sounds weird.....but if you get in bed with the hairdryer and blow it under the covers you can create a super relaxing warm environment for all the achey parts, but still keep your head cool and still have fresh cool air to breathe. 1-2 hits of the hairdryer treatment usually puts me right to sleep when I'm achey....whether it's from working too hard or flu or whatever.

It's seems to be a really regional thing right now...it's still increasing where I live. I got it early. At least our census is down...so the sick people aren't as noticeable, as people are being canceled left and right anyway. You'll be able to help out soon, and there will still be others to get it. Rest up and try to stay in touch with friends and family online......do you facebook? That's a great way. I hope you feel better soon!!

mamamerlee, LPN · Oct 15, 2009

If you truly have pneumonia, you may want to look into your short-term disability. Call your HR dept. I was out about 6 weeks with a MILD pneumonia, it really knocks you over and leaves you with little reserve. Lots of fluids, lots of rest.

Best wishes!

readytoroll · Oct 15, 2009

I had it and so did my hubby. I recovered fairly quickly but the hubby got bronchitis, it was nasty

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Oct 15, 2009

Facebook and IM have been lifesavers, that is true!

I like the hairdryer, am going to try it. Thank you.

Even the doc (PA) that I saw said I should be ok by Friday or Saturday if I have no more fever....I thought that sounded so soon!! I am hopeful but a couple hours sounds like too much right now, much less 12! Not being contagious is good, of course, but I am still afraid of feeling just too much like crap.

Thank you for letting me vent!

mfrancisco · Oct 15, 2009

I really hope you get better cherrybreeze. I'm sorry you're going through that. My cousin had it a couple of months ago, and she is all better now, but she said she had never felt worse. Make sure you keep talking to others. It helps!

RedWeasel, RN · Oct 15, 2009

I hear you. I think I had all that in July. And I just got over bronchitis...though I think it is sneaking back. My throat was just two white patches. The cough was brutal. I never had shaking chills but I was very achy and had those pains that travel all over your body. I guess it is the bones getting out the germ fighters or something. Anyway just take good care of yourself. This thing is brutal. I am glad you were diagnosed though. My doc just kept looking at me like why are you back here? Well cuz I was coughing up neon green crap and the atbs you keep giving me won't work. I really think I did damage. So now I am on an inhaler, singular, nasonex, and been through Amox, Avelox, Augmentin and for the bronchitis I just had a Zpak. I feel like a pharmacy. Also vitamins of course. I really hope I had it because if I get it after all this I may end up in the hospital! HAVE some MRS GRASSes CHICKEN SOUP. Mix it all together and throw in EXTRA egg noodles (the dry kind) --enjoy...

emidianeRN · Oct 15, 2009

Hope you feel better! We've had 4 nurses on my unit with H1N1. ( Northern Va/DC suburb). Don't know how many flu patients we've had in the hospital though, since they keep all flu off of our floor. I seem to be immune to everthing, ( knock on wood) but I'm worried my little 5 year old will catch it at school. Make sure you drink lots of water!! and maybe lots of green tea for extra antioxidants. Can't hurt! get some rest...

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 15, 2009

i had "it" -- something, anyway, around labor day. dh had it a week later. then last weekend, i had something again -- coughing, sneezing, aching, fever, chills, headache -- it lasted about three days. looking back, either dh or i has been sick the entire time since labor day! i was on vacation, so i only missed one day of work.

it's not fair to be that miserable and not miss any work!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Oct 15, 2009

OMG - we are all living the same life here!

I was dx on Aug 19 with a "type A" virus (they didn't do an H1N1 swab since it hadn't been reported in my area at that time). Went through about a week of typical 'flu' but just didn't get well. It morphed into bronchiolitis (about 3 weeks) and finally into bronchitis (still). I have underlying asthma, but that was well controlled until Aug. I am still chronically SOB - worsens with the slightest exertion.. resting pulse ox hovering at about 92. I am really greatful for my job - not direct care, and I have a private office - so I can continue to work and not use up all my sick leave. Just went back (4th visit) to my pulmonologist yesterday - had to have IV solumedrol this time and Lidocaine neb tx to stop chronic bronchospasm. Now on another 2 week course of steriods. UGH!

On the up side, over the last 2 months of this "stuff", I have created a personal treatment center, complete with my own pulse ox, new nebulizer, etc. I even have a tote bag to haul it to work with me every day. I have also managed to off-load mundane chores (like grocery shopping & 'heavy' hourse chores) to my daughter for the duration - but she's getting suspicious and wants to see a 'note from my doctor' at this point -

Chapis · Oct 15, 2009

they've closed three school around the city where i live, half the school is sick with the flu. so it will be a matter of time before it trickles to here, i just pray and hope that my little 2 year old won't get it. he's so sensitive to tempt. change he gets the nasty croupy cough right away. so if the flu gets him, i am sure we'll end up at the hospital. prayers for everyone-

oguesswhat · Oct 15, 2009

Wow...I don't think I had H1N1 ha but I have been sick for a little over a week now. Started last Tuesday...thought it was allergies actually. My boyfriend had what we thought was bad allergies for 2 weeks. Finally he was clearing up I gave him a kiss and low and behold I got sick ha. Anyways allergies turned into full out body aches. My calfs would just break out into pain every so often along with the rest of my body. Of course I had to give flu shots that day! (mind you the aches didn't kick in at first so I still thought I had allergies when I went there) Then I go visit my boyfriend freezing! He says I feel hot as H*ll! I had like 100.1 temp which is high for me cause I run low. Plus this whole time I have a horse voice and feel terrible. Tell him I want to be 99% better the next day. I can deal with the scratchy voice but besides that let me better! Well that almost worked ha. I woke up feeling mostly great except I couldn't talk! I had lots of congestion in my head, swollen tender glands all that. Friday I went to doctors cause I needed to talk for work. Didn't work out. He told me to take Robintessin DM for congestion (even though it was in head and not chest) Told me I had viral tracheitis...even though that doesn't have anything to do with not talking from what I can tell. I still think it is laryngitis. None the less....they told me not to try talking and rest. So Friday and Saturday I was off work even though Saturday I got a little voice back...as in I could almost talk 3 words in a row ha. Sunday a little better and so on. However scratchy voice and sore throat stayed. Started coughing more and sneezing more. Glands would hurt as the day went on. I am almost all better now! Now I just have a little tickle in my throat...still a little cough and a little sneasing...but I am off of meds so that's good. So yeah...that's my sick story ha.