![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Katgirl on April 10, 2010, at 14:20:56
I have been sick with some sort of horrible virus for four weeks now.
I really depend on being able to exercise 4-6 times a week, stay on a sleep schedule and do something socially (however small) at LEAST once on the weekend to build my feelings of well being.
I actually decided to be kind to myself this time when I got sick, and take a full week off of work. (Normally I just try to work through anything because I don't have sick days and I always rationalize that I've worked through much worse so I should just suck it up and go. This, despite the fact that work pretty much exhausts me even when I'm not sick)
Unfortunately, this very sane and self affirming strategy totally back fired on me, because two days into my "staycation" I had new furniture delivered. The furniture smelled of chemicals and was apparently off gassing and making me sicker. (REALLY? Sometimes I think if I didn't have bad luck, I would have no luck at all. I finally decide to spring for real adult furniture after my divorce, and it poisons me).
I got the furniture out of my house, but rationalized that now I was just sick from the chemicals, not the virus. And since I'd already taken a whole week off, I went back to work (even though I felt like I was going to die because I was so exhausted and couldn't get a deep breath into my lungs.) Pretty much, if I wasn't at work I was in bed, ditto for the weekends.
Week three I finally went to the doctor, who gave me some antibiotics for a sinus infection and a steroid spray to open my lungs (which I can't take at the prescribed levels anyway). I kept working because I've pretty much always gotten better on a z-pac. I mentioned at the appointment that I felt so tired I was worried I had mono, but she said I was too old for that.
The antibiotics definitely improved my head congestion, but didn't get rid of it and my lungs are still shot. I have another doctors appoinment next week, but can't conceive of continuing to work like this. I'm losing track of whether this is my fourth or fifth weekend in bed. (And just in case you think I'm being an over reactive whimp, I was sick for four weeks last fall and never went to the doctor, because it just ran its course and I could see every week that I was getting better)
I am just so afraid if I don't start feeling better so that I can exercise and stop isolating I'm going to slide into a serious depression.
What is really distressing, is we have had a really early spring here (it was in the 70's in March, when we usually still have snow), which means I would have been out on my bike everyday if I wasn't sick. I LIVE for getting outside and exercsing in the fresh air, after a long winter of battling seasonal affective disorder.
Sometimes it just feels like I can't catch a break.
How long can a person stay sick?????????
Posted by Justherself54 on April 10, 2010, at 19:01:44
In reply to Starting to get scared, posted by Katgirl on April 10, 2010, at 14:20:56
Sinus infections can be brutal. I am prone to them every spring and fall, due to allergies. The post nasal drip always causes bronchitis in me. My GP always puts me on antibiotics for close to double the normal time, as that is what the ear, nose and throat docs have been recommending, but a lot of GP's aren't following their recommendations. Also, a steroid nasal spray, antihistamine and a steroid puffer.
Also, doing a sinus wash helps. It sounds like your infection only has been partially treated. The reason your chest hasn't cleared up is because there is still post-nasal drip going on. Your body is trying to fight the infection, and that's what's making you exhausted.
I've had sinus infections that haven't responded to one run of antibiotics. Sounds like you may need to go back to your doc. The steroid nasal spray really makes a difference.
I hope you get feeling better soon.
Posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2010, at 13:10:49
In reply to Re: Starting to get scared, posted by Justherself54 on April 10, 2010, at 19:01:44
Oh I know what you mean about the excercise. I have to force myself but it usually helps. I should be out now. Trying to force myself Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on April 11, 2010, at 21:56:51
In reply to Starting to get scared, posted by Katgirl on April 10, 2010, at 14:20:56
My husband has had a flu into cold thing for four weeks! He's just getting his energy back--and he doesn't have to contend with depression.
Being ill is a BIG trigger for me.
Can you pull a friend over for a visit? Therapist and phone session? Writing babble and babblemails? Just thinking of things to pull you through while your body rests and recovers....
Rotten cold! You'll get through it.
Posted by Katgirl on April 12, 2010, at 10:53:45
In reply to Re: Starting to get scared » Katgirl, posted by floatingbridge on April 11, 2010, at 21:56:51
Thanks everybody. I had been so exhausted that I was just planning on lying down/sleeping all weekend and then I got overstimulated from the steroid inhaler and didn't sleep or rest well. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Going back to the doctor on Wednesday
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.