An icky day.

12 years ago

I'm fighting the third bout of a sinus infection / cough / chills / fever / dizzinesss, etc. which has hung on for several weeks. I went to a doctor 10 days ago. She wouldn't give me any antibiotics because my "snot was not green." Let me tell you, green snot is not (haha) the only indicator of health, or lack of.

I went back to the doctor again yesterday. I knew there had to be a lung problem along with the sinus bug. The coughing pain was getting to be unbearable; I've been freezing no matter how much I bundle up. I can't sleep, and if I do manage a few winks I have to be sitting upright so I don't "drown."

I insisted she X-ray my lungs. Yep, I have pnemonia. She gave me some antibiotics.

My blood sugars, blood pressure, cholestrol, and all the usual diabetic tests were shooting up all over the board. She's attributing some of it to the length of time I've been ill.

The tech had to also burn three "spots" of what she called pre-cancer skin cells off of my forehead. I had a tiny dry patch, not even 1/8" across that kept itching. I asked her to look at it. She found two more that I couldn't see.

They used a tool that looks like a large permamant marker. The end was the size of a pencil eraser. He had to hold it to each spot for 30 seconds. I wanted to scream, but I managed to get all three removed. When (if) I'm feeling better any time soon, I'll go back and they'll go over all my skin to make sure that's the only spots.

Now? I have hot tea. I have the last season of The Tudors. I'm going to let the pups run amock, drink tea, get lost in the drama of the 16th century, and let my abused forehead heal. I have pre-cooked food in the fridge for when Wes gets home. No cooking tonight!

Talk to ya'all later when I can speak, breath, and concentrate.

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Comments (12)

Fun2BHere
12 years ago
I'm sorry you are feeling ill and I hope the antibiotics start to make you feel better quickly. (BTW...I would get a different doctor.) :smiley face here:
moonie_57 (8 NC)
12 years ago
Gosh, I'm sorry you have been under the weather! Good thing you insisted on those xrays. Now, sit back and chill and take care of yourself.
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schoolhouse_gw
12 years ago
Oh no, pneumonia. I can relate, here's hoping you get over that and soon. I didn't know patches of precancerous cells were itchy, I've had one above my eyebrow for a long time that I thought was a reaction to an eyebrow pencil. Thanks for the warning.

Enjoy your afternoon of tea and "The Tudors". I'm having tea and "The House of Elliot"! with a lasagna in the oven for supper later. Feel well soon caroline.
dedtired
12 years ago
Have you tried a Neti Pot to clean your sinuses? i kind of scoffed when I first heard of them but one time I was so clogged up I figured it wouldn't hurt to try,and it really helped.

I've got s bunch of pre-cancerous spots, too. Once my Medicare kicks in in May, I'll be having the same procedure. I keep picking at them because they are rough, but you can barely see them.

I'm also watching The Tudors. I am only on disc two. Henry is trying to get rid of Catherine of Aragon so he can marry Anne Boleyn. The sex scenes are wowza! I forgot this was produced by Showtime, not BBC. I have to laugh because all the naked women have real boobs, no implants. Guess they are being true to the times, although everyone has perfect teeth, so maybe not.

I hope you feel better soon.
sjerin
12 years ago
I really hope you will change doctors as this one doesn't seem to be on the ball. The color of nasal dischard is, like you said, certainly not the only way to determine whether one has a sinus infection or not. You had to insist on a lung x-ray with those sypmtoms??? That's inexcusable to me.

Two of my dd's use Sinus Rinse (a neti pot alternative,) but both have said they DON'T use it when they have infections, as it just pushes against the blockage and makes them feel worse. It's a great idea to use it when you're better, if you're prone to sinus problems. Have you seen an otolaryngologist? That doctor has a camera on a tube that gives her/him a good view of the area.

I'm sorry you feel so rotten, and I hope you find relief very soon, Caroline.
Kathsgrdn
12 years ago
Sorry you're feeling bad. Lauren and I've been sick too, now I have a sinus infection.
kacram
12 years ago
I'm sorry you've been so sick. Hang in there!
Jasdip
12 years ago
Caroline, you sound awful. I'm sorry you're so sick.
I'll bet if you were laying on the couch your number one son, Harry would stretch out beside you and keep you warm.
glenda_al
12 years ago
Hope you are better soon!
katlan
12 years ago
Now that definitely qualifies as an icky day. I hope you feel better very soon. I second the neti pot or nasal rinse. I started with the neti pot but now have the nasal rinse, and it works even better.

Who knew salt water could work such wonders?

This is the nasal rinse I have, make sure you get the packets of salt for it and not use just regular salt.

Feel Better!

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinus Rinse Bottle
jannie
12 years ago
When i was working, and had two young children constantly bringing home colds and viruses, I had a terrible time witrh my sinuses througfhout winter and spring. i was okay by the summer, then fall allergies would kick in and I was stuffed and miserable again. i saw a Neti Pot in a catalog and ordered it, gave it a good try. After about 3 months of daily "cleaning" with a very mild solution of table salt, I was finally cured and able to breathe okay. I've been fine for years. I can't recommend a Neti poit highly enough! My 2 sisters have had a hard time with colds and sinus problems this winter. I'm thinking of gertting both of them their own pot. They now sell them in drug stores.
jel48
12 years ago
NeilMed Sinus Rinse is the kind I use. It's great, both when I have a sinus infection and when I'm just plugged up! It loosens the gunk and lets you blow it out so that you can breathe.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

An icky day.

Comments (12)

Fun2BHere

moonie_57 (8 NC)

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