BS: Have you had these symptoms?

Subject: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Slag
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 01:50 AM

I gotta tell ya mudcatters: I AM SICK! This all started with just the faintest tickle at the back of my throat. It was completely gone by mid morning but back again the next. This went on for about 3 days and then NO MORE TICKLE! What relief. Must have been allergies.

Then it was back, each day a little longer and a little stronger, for about a week, then gone again!

Then back for about 4 days only this time I definitely knew I was getting something. To my way of thinking I should have been over it by now!

Just a headcold, I thought. And it was, for a couple of days. Real mild. No sweat. Hey, I had a flu shot, right? Stayed home Thursday just to be safe. Then BAM! Down it went into my chest. I didn't cough a lot but when I did it was deep and painful. This was Friday last. Then worse. Saturday I'm dowm and not eating much and feeling quite ill.

Today, Sunday I have a fever, a feverish migraine. I'm taking all the meds (OTC), Musinex, asperin, asperin with! #4s, Benedryl etc., trying not to overdose. I will definitely see the Doc tomorrow if I can move. My ribs hurt so much. I don't know if its from the coughing or the bug or both. You're all so lucky that you can't catch this over the internet! How are you all faring? Has anyone had this beside me?? Did you live through it??

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 04:46 AM

There are some nasty viruses going around at the moment... it's because we've not had a good hard frost to kill them off and we all rely far too much on central heating and having warm houses without the hassle of just wearing a thicker jumper (there is no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing). Keep yourself warm but don't overheat your room. Thick socks and an extra blankie around you, try and have a window open if you can.

Hope you feel better soon. I found alternating hot honey and lemon (fresh made, none of this packet stuff) with cold raspberry/cranberry juice got rid of the tickly cough and Halls Soothers helped with the rough throat. Eat healthily when you can, chicken soup has been proven the best decongestant... keep your veggie intake up and drink milk to help with mucual production. Nothing worse than trying to cough up something that won't shift.

The ribs are probably from the coughing, if the pain is specific to one area you may have strained a muscle.

Take care of yourself.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Slag
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 04:50 AM

Ohh, Thank you for tucking me in. I'm now going right back to bed and I KNOW I'll feel better in the AM.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 07:57 AM

I've had my cold now for nearly 4 weeks.

It is a pretty tenacious one at that, and lives, as you have described in the depths of my lungs, where it appears to be trying to cement all my alveoli shut on a permanent basis.

I've been usingthe Co-op's own brand of tickly cough mixture, and it seems fairly useful at loosening up the phlegm so I can enjoy the illusion that my coughing is making a difference.

You may well be in for the long haul old pal. Have fun.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: GUEST,meself (nee memyself)
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 08:16 AM

Sounds like what I had a month or two ago; more painful though. Yes, I survived, without anti-biotics, but it was miserable. My sympathies!

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: *Laura*
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 08:18 AM

Yeh sounds like what I had.... completely knocked me out I could hardly move!!
After a while it faded into just a cold but it's hung around for weeks!

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 09:05 AM

Well, y'all just keep it over on the far side of the water! I've had stuff like that and don't want it again! I give it to you...it's all yours! Present!






Although I'll probably get it again this winter....

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 10:03 AM

The Crud of some sort has been working its way through our library administration office. And there is an unfortunate tendency for whoever is hired in the receptionist/personnel clerk position to spend a day or two on the job then get really really sick. It happened again a couple of weeks ago--met the new woman once, and since then she's been out. Now she's in the hospital with pneumonia. We had one woman who started here and a few days later was out for brain surgery (an aneurysm).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 10:12 AM

Get a throat culture done to make sure it is not strep throat. As soon as my throat feels that way I get swabbed. Most recently that was what ti was; important to get on antibiotics if that's the case.

Feel better!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 01:52 PM

It's not that simple a thing to get a swab in the UK.... in fact, without a referral to an Ear Nose and Throat clinic, it's nigh on impossible. Usually by the time you get to the clinic the sore throat has either got better of it's own accord or you're in hospital with pnuemonia.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 02:05 PM

Out West, it's a routine everyday thing, in fact my mom used to volunteer in the schools to take cultures there as strep was so prevalent and, often, led to scarlet fever, if undetected. Here, we just go to the county health dept. Is strep a rare thing over there?

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 02:44 PM

It's the initial phase of the new pandemic.
Make sure your burial insurance is paid up so your family doesn't get stuck with the costs.
Put a few good bottles of whiskey by the bed so your passing can be properly celebrated.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Pistachio
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 03:26 PM

I had my flu jab 3 weeks ago and have been fine. Yesterday while listening to Carols in a local church I suddenly developed a tickle which made my speaking voice squeak. I was still able to sing at a party last evening but I felt worn out by the time I got home (driving - so no booze used). By bedtime I felt rough and this morning slept in - waking with a razor sore throat. That was soon followed by a drippy nose and I reached for the 'packet' of hot lemon for general relief. Just feelin worse now and noticing my chest tightening. My sons' pal has amoxycillin for a rattling chest infection and I suspect my son and I are off down the same path. Ugh.
Just in time for the festive illness break.
I do hope you (Slag)have got your appointment booked and that you soon feel better.
It's so long since I was last poorly (lucky me)I believe it's just 'my turn' again.
Smile - it really can make you fel a tiny bit better. H.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Joybell
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 03:29 PM

We all had it here in Aus. earlier this year - about the same season as it is for you now. We survived but I don't quite know how. Didn't seem like we would at the time. Couldn't breathe at night. Strange pains below our ribs. I got Golden Staph in my sinuses. Very impressive - bright gold it is too. Quite lovely.
It's a nasty one.
Good luck. Keep warm and rested.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Tom Hamilton frae Saltcoats Scotland
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 03:30 PM

my god what a happy lot?

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 03:39 PM

I herewith declare the United States quarantined. All you people who have it can come visit when you don't have it anymore.

Strep is NOTHING to fool with. It can lead to rheumatic heart disease and other unpleasant things. I understand that it can also "go into" St. Vitus' Dance, which has nothing to do with Morris Dancing.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Helen
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 04:19 PM

Cranberry juice is the answer! It's the xylitol   in it. Scientists said, "No, it doesn't work. Old wives tale!", then, "Yes, it does work but we don't know why", then, "Amazing scientific discovery! Xylitol bonds with bacteria so that they can't bond with the body's cell walls and it's better than trying to kill the bacteria with antibiotics".

Lots of people at my new workplace are going down with either the same or similar. Every time I've felt the tickly throat or my sinuses getting stuffy I have taken half a teaspoon of xylitol in water and sipped slowly, keeping it in my mouth as long as possible before swallowing. Also I have put some in a nasal spray bottle (it previously held Sinex spray) and I use that if it is affecting my sinuses or nose.

So far I am one of only 2 people in my section who haven't had the bug.

And it helps with reducing tooth decay, and stomach bugs, and...and.. I bought a kilo of it at the health food store, which was expensive but Hubby & I only use it when we need it for health things. You can also use cranberry juice and you can get sweets with it in. There's a brand called Extra Drops in Oz, and there is also Extra chewing gum, which is good because the longer you keep the xylitol in your mouth the better it can work on the ear infections and tooth decay.

Sorry to hear you are ill, Slag. Look after yourself, there's some good advice in this thread, but also it's not too late to dose up with xylitol.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 04:28 PM

Hmmm. Better stay off the political threads for a bit, Slag. No sense in adding stress on top of illness...

I hope you get better soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Slag
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 04:33 PM

Hi All. Just got from the MD. Antibiotics (Zithromax) for the sinus infection, some other gunk to de-gunk my innards, A big fat Dererol shot with phenergan to take care of a comcomitant migraine. Check back in a week. OK! I was so sick yesterday that I hope I didn't make any egregious errors. I'll read back through later. Now to let that shot do its work. I may be gone fo a time. Whew!

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 05:23 PM

Good you took care of it right away, Slag! Best wishes and get better!

Helen, thanks for the link. I had no idea WHY I was craving cranberries so much, lately. I knew they were good for me, I didn't know the specifics. It pays to listen to our bodies!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 08:13 PM

...............we're all DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMEDDDDDDDDD!

Its POLONIUM!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Gizmo
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 08:13 PM

My daughter has had the same thing, the only thing that has pretty muched worked for her cough is an inhaler (ventolin) which she has been told to have for the next 3 weeks.

Unfortunately, because she had so much time off school, with one thing and another virus in the school, I have been threatened with the local authority, if she so much has a sneeze at school, I have to get a dr certificate to prove she is unwell. I figured that if she is sick, I will need to send her in, with bucket of chuck too.

My son on the other hand has got the lurgies at the mo. Another thing going round the local schools. He came up chicken pox all over his body, and now has to miss the school production, of which he is sad. No doubt his sister will get over christmas.

Huge well wishes to you Slag, and hope you feel better soon.

Echinacea is a good anti viral and anti septic. Get some if you can.

Nicci

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: JennyO
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 08:48 PM

This sounds like something that John seems to have been showing signs of for the last couple of days. He's been coughing and hacking all over the place and had a headache yesterday - and last night he said he felt a bit crook. But he's gone to work today.

Our weather has been changing dramatically from one day to the next, and that doesn't help. Yesterday was stinking hot, followed by wild winds and thunderstorms. Today it's cooled right down with the unpleasant wind still blowing.

I'm off to take a dose of Astraforte - it contains Astragalus root and is supposed to be good for strengthening the immune system. I take it whenever people around me are coming down with things, or if I think I'm starting to get sick myself, and I haven't been sick for years. Even if I already had the telltale cold symptoms, one dose of this stuff made it fizzle into nothing. I'm very impressed. A little bit in hot water is also very soothing if you already have a sore throat or a cough. It's available in health food stores here in Oz.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 09:12 PM

I'm going to make up a bunch of my brother's recipe: a liter of the cheapest rotgut whiskey (or whisky) you can get and dissolve the foulest tasting cough lozenges in it -- the large sized bag. Then you tell yourself that if you don't get well in a hurry you'll drink some of that stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Slag
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 11:23 PM

Ahhh, Much better now, thatnk you all for your prayers and concerns. You are all very kind. My lady is back on the East Coast to be with her daughter over Christma and New Years. I'm pretty much alone here and it has been wet and cold, the power went out Sunday AM but fortunately they got it restored within the hour. Theres nothing quite like being home alone and sick with weather all about.Did I mention that I live in the countryside? Well, I'm not really alone when I have you Mudcatters near at hand. Thanks again my friends. Oh I did have my dear old Mum pick up my meds (which included a "wiffer" of albyuterol) and she brot me a jug of the cranberry juice!

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 11:42 PM

Xylitol is also found in strawberries and in the bark of birch trees (when it isn't being used as the sweetner in sugar-free gum). For those of you not fortunate enough to have strawberries handy, you may need to check out the neighborhood trees. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 11:56 PM

Hang in there, Slag. Too bad more of us aren't close neighbours. We could drop off emergency supplies and stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 12:58 AM

Our supermarkets always have strawberries from somewhere, but they get damn expensive this time of year (I think those in our Safeway are greenhouse stuff but I have seen some flown in from Latin America).
Just reverse Rapaire's recipe and treat yourself to a good single malt. If one is going to die, one might as well be properly prepared.

(Never seem to catch the bug this time of year- always the Spring, when the weather starts to get nice. Maybe that's when the fall flu shots have lost their efficacy.)

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 06:25 AM

You're all SICK!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 04:05 PM

I once had a chesty cough that felt like I had cracked a rib (not having had one I had no guide as to how it felt) it hurt. The doc said I had pneumonia and it was just a pulmonary embolism. The tissue layers near the lung separate and when they rub they become more inflamed. Your telling me!

I did feel a bit better knowing that - but not much!

That cold lingered and lingered.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Helen
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 04:24 PM

Q,

I suspect the change of weather means that you never know if it's going to be hot or cold so you put on layers of clothing and get hot, take off a layer or two and get cold, put another layer back on, etc etc.

And as JennyO says, the weather here (I'm 100 miles north of Jenny) has been cartoon central style: hot, cold, wet, windy, humid, dry, stormy, calm, droughts, hail, floods, all within a couple of days of each other, and sometimes within a few hours of each other. When that happens repeatedly it's easy to get a chill and then get susceptible to any bugs going around.

I'm glad you are feeling better now, Slag.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: GUEST,John Taylor
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 04:47 PM

I've just learned that I have a 50% chance of dying from heart disease within the next year.

KInd of puts your 'colds' into perspective....

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: RangerSteve
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 07:46 PM

I moved into a house that had forced-air heat. If the basement got damp, the hot air would carry mold spores up into the house and my voice would be gone. Since I've been living in a house with hot water radiators, I haven't had the problem any more.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Adrianel
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 08:49 PM

Reminds me of the old country cure for a cold:
1) Take a bottle of whiskey and a hat to bed.
2) Hang the hat on the bedpost.
3) Get into bed.
4) Drink the whiskey until a second hat appears.
5) Go to sleep.

Subject: RE: BS: Have you had these symptoms?
From: Slag
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 09:38 PM

Heads you win John Taylor. I'm rooting for the right half to come up for ya. I've had odds quoted to me in the past and so far, I've landed on the right side of them.

Ok!, My fever broke and I'm getting my voice back. I'm still an octave below bass but I'm counting on barritone by Friday! Thanks again all.