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Sooo...I have the flu

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Printed Date: March 28 2024 at 10:48am


Topic: Sooo...I have the flu
Posted By: Penham
Subject: Sooo...I have the flu
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 1:00am
So I went to the doctor Thursday because I thought my asthma was acting up, she said she thought it was viral and gave me a Z=pack and steroid dose pack so it wouldn't turn into bronchitis or pneumonia. So Friday night I'm actually feeling worse, thinking it's my asthma I go to the ER to get a steroid shot. But they said my lungs were moving air fine and they did a chest x-ray, but they said they wanted to do a flu test.  I said you can but I don't really have any of the symptoms, no nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever. I have been tired and feeling cold a lot, but it's been really cold here so I didn't think much of it. So it came back positive for Type A. They gave me Tamiflu, said go home and rest, continue with the Z-pack and steroids, and breathing treatments, rest and drink lots of fluids. Not the way I wanted to spend my 3 day weekend off work, lol. I did mention to the ER doc about the high rate of deaths with people with asthma, she said I wasn't going to die, I was going to be fine. I did have the flu shot so maybe a milder case because of that. The head congestion is horrible though.



Replies:
Posted By: jacksdad
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 6:40am
Fingers crossed it clears up quickly. After both me and my son had a month long bout of coughs, sniffles and all manner of unpleasantness my wife finally started with a cough. As you know, she has pretty severe asthma and it set off all kinds of alarms, but four days later I can hardly tell she's sick. This strain seems to cover all the bases - you can have mild to nonexistent symptoms, or it can kick your behind for what feels like an eternity. I thought I was finally over it and woke up this morning congested with a productive cough again.
We were all vaccinated this year, and I suspect it would have been worse if we hadn't. We had some pretty impressive flu-like symptoms for a few days after the shot, so it obviously got the attention of our immune systems and presumably stimulated it to produce antibodies. Hopefully you'll get over it quickly - you went to the docs early and got treatment whereas I was an idiot and suffered with OTC meds ( I think I may have menthol poisoning from all the cough drops I was eating like candy...).
Keep us posted, and don't forget to rest and stay hydrated.

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"Buy it cheap. Stack it deep"
"Any community that fails to prepare, with the expectation that the federal government will come to the rescue, will be tragically wrong." Michael Leavitt, HHS Secretary.


Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 1:14pm
Penham, Would it be possible to get a sticky on the WHO Situation post?

The reports are getting confusing. Thanks and take care of yourself.


Posted By: Kyle
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 1:36pm
Today is the first day my mother has been feeling better. She was very ill for 4 days but never went to the doctor. She had all the classic flu symptoms with a fever, and she got the vaccine back in early fall.

Just today I've developed a sore throat but more of a odd swallowing sensation. No other symptoms and I'm crossing my fingers that it's not the start of this nasty bug. I didn't get the shot either.


Posted By: Penham
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 4:25pm
Suzy, did I sticky the right one?
 
I am actually feeling quite a bit better this evening after 2 doses of the Tamiflu, getting ready to take the third dose and 3 days of antibiotics and steroids and various other allergy meds and OTC meds, breathing treatments, lots of water, juice and chicken noodle soup. Getting lots of rest, watching loads of tv, talking on the phone, writing letters, it's a fight to stay in bed because I don't feel horrible. I want to get up, but know I shouldn't, I know I need to rest or I could get worse.
 


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 5:22pm
Penham, glad you are feeling better. I told my son when he left for college to get to a Doc if he even thought he was coming down with the flu. This stuff is really bad. If he can't get Tamiflu, I will get our doc to prescribe and I will drive it up there to him.

Get better girl!


Posted By: Jen147
Date Posted: January 11 2014 at 10:44pm
Penham, sorry to hear it's gotten you too. I totally believe I have H1N1 even though an ER rapid test was negative. This is starting week 3 for me & symptoms. Fatigue & fevers are finally gone, somebody knock on wood, wheezing is better, cough still a nuisance & ears are going on day 6 of being completely plugged up. I posted about my nightmare here in Gen Discussion, might lull you to sleep while you are resting ;)

Feel better soon!


Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: January 12 2014 at 11:34am
Yes, Thanks Penham.


Posted By: Penham
Date Posted: January 12 2014 at 12:15pm
Jen, fortunately the head congestion is almost all gone. The first 24 hours it was horrible, I could not breath through my nose, the headache was so bad 800mg of prescription ibuprofen was not touching it. A few hours after the first dose of Tamiflu the headache stopped. I never had any wheezing, just chest tightness, that probably was helped from the Prednisone, Z-pack and Albuterol/steroid breathing treatments at home. I am also taking about 4 or 5 other meds too. So hitting this very hard and so far it seems to be working. I have been up and out of bed most of the day, but not doing anything but watching tv, that is the hardest part, not doing anything when you start feeling better.
It came on very quickly, I had gone out to dinner with my ex and taken him to the airport because his dad passed away, went to work and was feeling just fine. During the course of my 8 hour shift I went downhill quickly and went straight to the doctor after getting off at 8:00am. 24 hours after the first doctor visit I got worse and went to the ER, that was when they did the flu test and gave me the Tamiflu.


Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: January 12 2014 at 5:23pm
Penham, Sorry to bother you but WHO Situation Update came unstuck.


Posted By: Penham
Date Posted: January 12 2014 at 8:14pm
Then Albert may have undone it or one of the other mods.


Posted By: Albert
Date Posted: January 12 2014 at 8:54pm
Hi Suzi,  caught this thread a little late.  I don't usually like sticky topics in the news section, and if we do one it's usually only temporary, although I like the idea of what you wanted to do.  The top news slot is for fresh breaking latest news. I also don't put a lot of weight into the WHO's reporting when it comes to China i.e. the enormous amount of under-reporting condoned by the WHO.  Apparently their under-reporting is not limited to just h7n9, and also includes h5n1.  The only way that h5n1 ended up in Canada is because China has probably been hiding many cases for years now and it's about the only thing that makes sense as to why that case popped up in North America.  The WHO also changed the content at the top of the H7N9 page to address H5N1 case reporting, or the fact that they won't report cases regularly, as they're probably aware that people are going to soon realize China's latest cover up scandal with H5N1.  

Anyway, I appreciate your idea of doing the sticky and trying to improve tracking of the outbreak. Your intentions are in the right spot.   What we can do is put a link at the top of the forum that leads to that thread with the same heading of WHO H7N9 Situation Update if that works for you. 

Let me know what you think.

A
 


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https://www.facebook.com/Avianflutalk


Posted By: Suzi
Date Posted: January 13 2014 at 6:17pm
Sounds good Albert. Thanks


Posted By: Penham
Date Posted: January 15 2014 at 4:43am
So I had to go bac in yesterday morning and get a steroid shot for my asthma. Another appointmenton Friday, they are making sure I don't get pneumonia. Finished the Prednisone and Z-pack, take the last Tamiflu today. They said it was safe to work.


Posted By: jacksdad
Date Posted: January 15 2014 at 4:52am
Are you feeling better?

-------------
"Buy it cheap. Stack it deep"
"Any community that fails to prepare, with the expectation that the federal government will come to the rescue, will be tragically wrong." Michael Leavitt, HHS Secretary.


Posted By: Jen147
Date Posted: January 15 2014 at 7:24am
Z pack didn't help me & I had a double pack. Went back Monday with another ear infection & sinus infection, this time on Omnicef & Muscinex D. Hope you keep it under control Penham. Has your daughter stayed well this year?


Posted By: Penham
Date Posted: January 15 2014 at 11:39pm
Yes, I am doing much better. Still some head congestion at times, but not constant. My daughter so far has been well, thanks Jen for asking. She had a concussion not long ago from basketball but other than that this school year she has been good, no softball injuries, lol.


Posted By: Kyle
Date Posted: January 16 2014 at 6:41am
The past two days I've developed a terrible sore throat and an even more stuff/sore neck. I feel like crap. What should I do?!?!


Posted By: Jen147
Date Posted: January 16 2014 at 7:54am
Kyle if I were you I'd get to a Dr or clinic & get on Tamiflu asap! That is your best bet if it is flu to have an easier time with it & feel better quicker. You are still within that 48 hr period of time, but I would ask for Tamiflu even if I were beyond the 48 hrs. Don't know about your part of the country but here there is also a LOT of strep going around, that in some people does not present with the typical symptoms. So I'd get checked for that too. I'd get a nose swab for flu, throat swab for strep & no matter what the rapid test says ask for Tamiflu.

Then after that, all the yada yada yada stuff, like stay hydrated (it is very important) keep fever under control if you have one, don't hesitate to go to the Dr/clinic/ER if you feel something is wrong.


Posted By: Kyle
Date Posted: January 16 2014 at 8:07am
Sadly I can't get to a doctor but might call one later. I'm extremely foolish for saying this but I have to be at school even though I feel like total crap. These last 2 days are finals and I can't miss them at all.


Posted By: hachiban08
Date Posted: January 16 2014 at 10:34am
Kyle, does your school have a health center? Mine does and most people that don't have outside insurance (like my s.o.) get to use the school's health insurance to get to go to the health center for "free" the pay comes out of the tuition. If you have a health center, stop on by there while you have time. Also, you guys have finals in the strangest times. We had ours in the second week of December. Good luck!


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Be prepared! It may be time....^_^v


Posted By: Kyle
Date Posted: January 16 2014 at 4:24pm
Well I ended up leaving school early. Got a Dr appt in and he performed rapid flu, rapid strep, and overnight strep culture. Both rapid tests were negative, and will have culture results tomorrow. I have a low grade fever,extremely sore throat with white patches, neck soreness, chills, cough. He refused to prescribe me tamiflu in case it was a false negative. Hopefully its neither and just a nasty viral infection, but we'll know for sure by tomorrow I suppose.


Posted By: jacksdad
Date Posted: January 16 2014 at 4:38pm
That doesn't make sense. He should have given you the prescription in case it was a false negative, not refuse to write it because it might be. And waiting closes the 48 hour window that antivirals like Tamiflu supposedly have.
I started with a really sore throat, as did my son. Hopefully yours doesn't last long - ours went away after 3-4 days. We didn't feel any better, but at least it wasn't painful to eat and drink. Good luck and stay overhydrated if you can.

-------------
"Buy it cheap. Stack it deep"
"Any community that fails to prepare, with the expectation that the federal government will come to the rescue, will be tragically wrong." Michael Leavitt, HHS Secretary.


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: January 16 2014 at 4:39pm
Kyle, with the stiff neck I worry about Meningitis. If you get worse go to the ER.


Posted By: Satori
Date Posted: January 16 2014 at 5:16pm



Rapid Flu Tests Not Always Accurate


http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/URItheFlu/35695


I dont put a lot of faith in rapid flu tests

increasing  amount of evidence that they are not that accurate




Posted By: jacksdad
Date Posted: January 16 2014 at 5:27pm
I agree - very unreliable test.

-------------
"Buy it cheap. Stack it deep"
"Any community that fails to prepare, with the expectation that the federal government will come to the rescue, will be tragically wrong." Michael Leavitt, HHS Secretary.


Posted By: Jen147
Date Posted: January 16 2014 at 7:50pm
Wow, refused did he. Ignorance is still rampant. TX basically has widespread recommendations that ANYONE with flu like symptoms get Tamiflu despite any negative rapid tests. That's not a bad policy IMO. Hachi & FluMom give good alternatives if you have a clinic on campus try there, also the ER if you feel the need.


Posted By: Penham
Date Posted: January 18 2014 at 3:56pm
Yeah at my doc they are handing out Tamiflu like candy. When I went back in for a steroid shot, there was a 14 year old kid getting seen and he did not test positive for the flu and he was being seen by a "student" the student came in to consult with the doc. The doc told the student give him Tamiflu, "I don't care that he didn't test positive, he has a cough and sore throat, he's got flu symptoms".


Posted By: hachiban08
Date Posted: January 18 2014 at 8:19pm
Wish my dr here was like that, Penham. My crappy doctor in my college town would have said, oh, you are probably constipated and send me home. Can't wait to switch doctors, upon seeing an urgent care one, I had a mild form of salmonela that time (was about two years ago). I feel better seeing the urgent care doctors than my own doctor, just waiting for a good one to accept new patients. My hometown doctor was the best, but he retired this year, he always listened to me and gave me the tests I wanted to take and medicines I probably would need. :( College town one keeps trying to get me stuff I have a known bad reaction too and complains when I don't get it at the pharmacy. Blegh, I hope you're getting better, Kyle.


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Be prepared! It may be time....^_^v


Posted By: Jen147
Date Posted: January 19 2014 at 9:42pm
Me too Kyle, hope you are feeling better!

I can relate to the bad dr scenario! I don't have insurance that's why I use the clinic that I do. They have very reasonable prices & some excellent dr's but when you walk in rather than make an apt you don't always get the shining star.

Here's a direct quote from an article that I posted tonight at sf.org...

The CDC has recommended health-care providers treat patients for H1N1 if they believe there’s a chance the patient is infected.


Posted By: Kyle
Date Posted: January 19 2014 at 11:51pm
Well I'm not sure it even was H1. The fever subsided after 24 hours, although my sinuses are still stuffed up, I still have had headaches that are only near my right temple. And my neck is still stiff but not as bad as it was before. The sore throat is still there though. As well as a lack of appetite,but I have several GI disorders/diseases so I'm naturally not as hungry as some. But its even less of an appetite than usual.


Posted By: Jen147
Date Posted: January 20 2014 at 1:07pm
Well glad to hear there's been "some" improvement. I'm not 100% I had H1N1 either, but even with a negative rapid test... that's what I really suspect... based largely in part on that Friday morning I thought I could be in imminent danger, couldn't walk, chilled to the bone, felt like passing out/throwing up at the same time, very fatigued, at times felt like I could fall asleep sitting up, an unusual sleepiness feeling... most ill I've ever been in my entire life. If you read my "novel" about the experience you'll see what I mean. I had fever about 5 days.

Today cough is almost gone, 2 days left on antibiotics. Ears are still clogged up. Been 3 1/2 weeks since it started.


Posted By: Kyle
Date Posted: January 22 2014 at 9:42am
Woke up at 430 this morning to excruciating ear pain. Its subsided a little but looks to be an ear infection. All I've been hearing is ringing on my right side. Sore throat is gone today, trying to get antibiotics through my mother instead of going into an urgent care for the ear infection. Sigh.....


Posted By: Technophobe
Date Posted: January 22 2014 at 9:52am
Do not delay.  Get those antibiotics.  Ear infections are both liable to eardrum-rupture (happened to my husband and he is still stone deaf on that side) and too close to the brain to take any risks with.  Chances are you will be fine without, but why take any unnecessary risks.


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How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.


Posted By: Medclinician2013
Date Posted: January 22 2014 at 10:22am
Originally posted by Jen147 Jen147 wrote:

Kyle if I were you I'd get to a Dr or clinic & get on Tamiflu asap! That is your best bet if it is flu to have an easier time with it & feel better quicker. You are still within that 48 hr period of time, but I would ask for Tamiflu even if I were beyond the 48 hrs.


Question: In asking for Tamiflu, what is the current availability and supply? I have heard that many locations cannot get liquid Tamiflu at all and while some may have health coverage or jobs; some do not. What is the outlook for them putting off going because they have to work with no coverage or job?
http://www.news4sanantonio.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/tamiflu-supplies-running-low-7509.shtml -
http://www.news4sanantonio.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/tamiflu-supplies-running-low-7509.shtml

Updated: Thursday, January 16 2014, 08:45 PM CST AUSTIN, Texas (KEYE) -- We're at the peak of flu season, and there's a shortage of the main drug used to treat it. It's become the go to drug for people suffering from the flu. But is there enough tami-flu to go around? "What's really ironic is a month ago you could have bought all the Tamiflu you wanted," said Pharmacist Ray Solano. "But unfortunately, now it's now in short supply." Genentech, the makers of Tamiflu, are reporting a shortage in the liquid form of the drug because of early strong demand.

comment: Healthcare in this Flu season is by no means a turnkey item and while some currently have the options, it is very possible the classic healthcare sites will find many being told to SIP. Is this viewpoint accurate in terms of a spreading Flu with many losing healthcare and hospitals accepting the new insurance, which will be available to give it?

Med



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Medclinician - not if but when - original


Posted By: Jen147
Date Posted: January 22 2014 at 8:57pm
Kyle, trust me... I've had 2 ear infections in the past 2 weeks. Get the antibiotics. Today was my last day of 2nd round of them & the fluid remains. Still blocked, left side worse than the right. People tell me it takes forever for that part to get better, but I would not be able to endure that ear pain. Ibuprofen helps but I had to take it every 6 hours until I could get to the Dr. The pain was better within 24 hrs after starting the Omnicef.

I predict I will have to go back to Dr myself because I'm still having sinus pain & pressure in my cheekbones, jaws & upper teeth area. I just need to take a week & be off of any kind of meds except ibuprofen for the sinus pain. Then I'll go back in, my stomach is a wreck so I'm just going to tough it out & keep taking my probiotics to get a healthy gut again.


Posted By: Kyle
Date Posted: January 22 2014 at 9:16pm
Went to the urgent care today because the pain wasn't there too much mainly just the annoying ringing. He said that there's no wax,fluid, or signs of any infection which is good I suppose. Told me to take pseudoephedrine and see if it clears up. I hope he's right. Took some earlier this evening and pain isn't really there just ringing and muffled sound similar to when you leave a concert.


Posted By: Jen147
Date Posted: January 22 2014 at 9:25pm
Genentech Resolves Tamiflu Shortage

January 21, 2014

Roche/Genentech announced that the shortage of the liquid form of Tamiflu in the US has been resolved. The shortage occurred during the flu season, but lasted less than two weeks. The FDA has already taken the product off its drug shortage list.

Tamiflu, also known as Tamiflu Oral Suspension in its liquid form, has been in short supply since the beginning of the first quarter. The shortage coincided with the height of the flu season in the U.S. Thirty-five states have submitted reports of widespread flu cases and several associated pediatric deaths. When taken at the outset of symptoms, Tamiflu as an antiviral reduces the severity of the flu.

Genentech previously sent notice of the shortage in advance. The company blamed the backup in supply on scheduling misalignments. Genentech spokesperson Tara Iannuccillo stated in an email, “For a two-week period our ability to package Tamiflu OS fell behind demand due to scheduling misalignments between the arrival of new product from Europe and its final packaging in the U.S.” Roche has experienced shortages before, specifically with its cancer drug Perjeta back in 2012 and its osteoporosis drug Boniva.

Despite Tamiflu’s liquid form shortage, there has been a steady supply of 75 milligram capsules of the drug. Patients who are unable to swallow capsules were advised to ask healthcare professionals to open the capsules and mix the content with liquid for intake.

Genentech said its information concerning the drug’s supply in certain areas were incomplete. “We have limited information regarding Tamiflu supply in specific local areas… Given the widespread flu activity in 35 states nationally, there may be some instances where a local pharmacy may not have the liquid formulation of Tamiflu in stock.”

The company expects to have sufficient supply of Tamiflu in both liquid and capsule forms in anticipation of demand during the ongoing flu season.

http://www.pharmaceuticalonline.com/doc/genentech-resolves-tamiflu-shortage-0001


Posted By: Jen147
Date Posted: January 22 2014 at 9:30pm
Kyle, I hope it stays that way. The problem is when that fluid sits in behind your eardrum it's the perfect place for bacteria to start to grow. When I went in for my 1st ear infection it was obviously infected but the other ear was just "cloudy" as she called it. And instead of giving me an oral antibiotic like I believe she should have she gave me antibiotic drops to put in the ear. If you ask me this should only be given when people have an external ear infection not one behind the eardrum! Sorry for the rant, but I was so irritated because I felt like crap & knew I be right back there for the other ear soon & be out more money. And sure enough... exactly one week later I was back with the other ear & a vicious sinus infection that I am STILL dealing with. If that lady had given me the oral antibiotics that first day maybe it would have headed off the 2nd ear infection & sinus infection... maybe not, but we'll never know will we.

Hope you continue to improve!


Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: January 22 2014 at 9:52pm
Originally posted by Kyle Kyle wrote:

Woke up at 430 this morning to excruciating ear pain. Its subsided a little but looks to be an ear infection. All I've been hearing is ringing on my right side. Sore throat is gone today, trying to get antibiotics through my mother instead of going into an urgent care for the ear infection. Sigh.....


So frustrating and particularly when you aren't feeling well.

I have to say though I am nervous and certainly would hope that unless your mom is a doctor that she couldn't get you antibiotics. Careless use of antibiotics is a big problem and resistant bacteria are something we should all be worried about.


Posted By: Littleraven
Date Posted: January 26 2014 at 4:19pm
Suggestion: Try Monolaurin- comes from the coconut and is not an antibiotic. Doesn't react with antibiotics, no major side effects and does a major number on viruses, gram positive bacteria and certain fungus infections. I use it as a preventative and as a treatment. I have made salves from it and helped to clear up MERSA infections that were very resistant. It doesn't destroy the natural helpful bacterias you need in your system. For a flu or bacterial infection you take it internally. I don't understand yet why people don't use it, maybe from lack of knowing. I'm not saying that it is a cure all and it can make you feel worse for a bit as it kills off the infection in your system but it's worth a try as it won't hurt you. I haven't been to the doctor in many years and I work in a petri dish--I teach. Feel better.


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There's a Bad Moon on the Rise


Posted By: Littleraven
Date Posted: January 27 2014 at 5:58am
Sorry--I meant MRSA

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There's a Bad Moon on the Rise



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