|
history_grrrl
|
 |
« on: June 21, 2009, 10:58:50 PM » |
|
I posted earlier on the seasonal allergies thread because the discussion had become more general, but I thought I'd start a separate thread for this. Obviously I'm not asking the forum for a diagnosis, but I'm curious to know whether anyone else has experienced this.
I have been sick since last Tuesday. Although I have some weird medical issues, I almost never get "regular sick." And I have never, ever been sick like this. The first few days, I had an occasional dry cough that seemed to come from deep in my lungs. Since then I have been coughing nearly constantly (not dry), and the locus has slowly moved upward so that yesterday I felt the most pain near my ears. This morning I coughed for four hours virtually nonstop after waking up. At night, I've been waking up every 20 minutes or so; the nighttime stuff, like Nyquil, seems to make me agitated instead of drowsy. At times I've been able to sleep for a few hours during the day until I wake from coughing.
I've been drinking endlessly amounts of hot tea, water, etc. I've tried various over-the-counter meds, with some relief today from an antihistamine-decongestant combo. I've been taking scalding hot baths morning and night, which give temporary relief. Despite the occasional relief, and the fact that my voice has returned somewhat, it doesn't feel like this is really going away. I am exhausted (and way, way behind on my work).
I have a theory about the cause of this. I bought an old house and moved in mid-February. I've had a lot of work done on the place, so there must be dust particles and gunk everywhere. A few days before this started, I was cleaning the basement floor, which was carpeted with thick layers of dust and debris. I suspect this is a reaction to all of that dust.
But maybe it's just a cold? I hoped to see my doctor on Friday to try to get a sleeping pill, but the office was closed so I'm planning to call first thing tomorrow. I feel silly seeing him about a cold, but this seems so abnormal to me. Any thoughts about where this falls in the range of "normal" and whether I am overreacting? Realistically I don't know what seeing my doctor will accomplish. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
[R]eality sometimes has a left-wing bias.
|
|
|
|
concordancia
|
|
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2009, 11:02:32 PM » |
|
You started out by mentioning the allergy thread. Your symptoms sound a lot like allergy induced asthma. I know, everyone talks about the wheezing, but there can be coughing, too.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
I like money. I like to buy stuff and experiences with money.
|
|
|
|
history_grrrl
|
|
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2009, 11:09:25 PM » |
|
Hmmm. I've never had allergies, but I have been doing a lot of yardwork lately for the first time in my life. Hmmm.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
[R]eality sometimes has a left-wing bias.
|
|
|
jackit
Uppity
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 2,694
'Til the cows drive home.
|
|
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2009, 12:16:18 AM » |
|
Goodness, don't wait till Friday! Without any attempt at diagnosis I will just note that it sounds like it *could* be some kind of flu. Or something else upper respiratory that could turn into pneumonia. Please don't take it lightly...
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
barred_owl
|
|
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2009, 01:55:52 AM » |
|
Do you feel feverish or have chills? Those two symptoms, if present, would indicate an infection like bronchitis or pneumonia or the flu. Don't leave out even the smallest details when you see the doc!! He won't mind if you only have "just" a cold--people go to the doc for reasons much less important than that.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
...I can't help rooting for the underdog underbird. |
|
|
|
mended_drum
|
|
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2009, 02:31:21 AM » |
|
If, after a few days, the rest of the cold disappears, but you're still coughing (perhaps even worse) and get a low fever at night, you could have whooping cough. Adults don't always make the same sound that children do, and if you didn't update your tetanus on time, you didn't get a pertussis booster--which means you can get it even if you were vaccinated as a child.
Which I did last spring. It was horrible and lasted six weeks with mild "relapses" throughout the summer. Ugh.
I'd go to the doctor if you can, just to be checked out. Even if it's an extreme allergic reaction, you might be able to get more relief than over-the-counter stuff will give you.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
scotia
|
|
« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2009, 02:55:08 AM » |
|
You started out by mentioning the allergy thread. Your symptoms sound a lot like allergy induced asthma. I know, everyone talks about the wheezing, but there can be coughing, too.
I have asthma that usually manifests as a cough; this does not sound like asthma for two reasons. First, with asthma the cough remains dry. Second, it remains on my chest and does not move up to my head. (According to my GP it is also unusual for an asthma cough to wake you at night.) I have had respiratory infections that have started off feeling like asthma and then the cough has ceased to be dry and become much more persistent. It sounds to me as though you should definitely see a doctor - on both occasions I have needed antibiotics to clear the gunk. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
inthelab
Where beloved molecules abide
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 4,240
Who knew?
|
|
« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2009, 10:34:11 AM » |
|
You started out by mentioning the allergy thread. Your symptoms sound a lot like allergy induced asthma. I know, everyone talks about the wheezing, but there can be coughing, too.
I have asthma that usually manifests as a cough; this does not sound like asthma for two reasons. First, with asthma the cough remains dry. Second, it remains on my chest and does not move up to my head. (According to my GP it is also unusual for an asthma cough to wake you at night.) Time to change GPs; nocturnal asthma: http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/nocturnal-asthma-nighttime-asthmaPersonally, I see a pulmonologist to treat asthma, not a family practitioner (what GPs have morphed into) |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
inthelab, I love you for that.
|
|
|
|
antiphon1
|
|
« Reply #8 on: June 22, 2009, 10:56:34 AM » |
|
Sounds like you have an upper respiratory infection. I'd say go see the doctor. You may need antibiotics.
As to the wheezing and coughing, allergies can trigger asthma-like symptoms if the lining of the airways in your lungs become inflamed or infected. Asthma coughs sound like barks whereas upper respiratory infections are usually more, er, productive, shall we say. Again, go see your doctor.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
history_grrrl
|
|
« Reply #9 on: June 22, 2009, 11:11:19 AM » |
|
Thanks, everybody (maybe this should be on the Validation thread). Last night's "sleep" may have been my worst so far; I don't think I can handle another one like that. I talked to a nurse-on-call this morning and will call my doctor's office in an hour when they open. Or maybe I'll just show up there, looking pathetic as I beg for an appointment.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
[R]eality sometimes has a left-wing bias.
|
|
|
|
scotia
|
|
« Reply #10 on: June 22, 2009, 11:39:20 AM » |
|
You started out by mentioning the allergy thread. Your symptoms sound a lot like allergy induced asthma. I know, everyone talks about the wheezing, but there can be coughing, too.
I have asthma that usually manifests as a cough; this does not sound like asthma for two reasons. First, with asthma the cough remains dry. Second, it remains on my chest and does not move up to my head. (According to my GP it is also unusual for an asthma cough to wake you at night.) Time to change GPs; nocturnal asthma: http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/nocturnal-asthma-nighttime-asthmaThank you for the link. I moved earlier this year so I have just changed my GP. (I am in the UK so I can't see a specialist without a referral, but since the move I have been very nearly symptom free.) history_grrrl - I think a trip to the doctor sounds to be just what you need. Last time I had an infection all I had to do was wander in and cough: an appointment appeared within an hour. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
history_grrrl
|
|
« Reply #11 on: June 22, 2009, 02:25:01 PM » |
|
Scotia, you got that right. I showed up at 1 when my doctor's section of the clinic opened. There was a long line ahead of me (apparently my doc was on vacation for 10 days), and the poor receptionist was overloaded and was telling everyone there were no appointments until tomorrow. When I got to the head of the line, she said, "Please tell me that at least you have an appointment!" I felt really bad and said no as I thrust my health card at her. I explained about the nurse-on-the-phone (who had already sent in her notes) and asked if she could tell me where the closest walk-in or urgent-care clinic was if I couldn't see my doc. My voice was so raspy that I could hardly make myself understood, but she looked at the notes, listened to me hacking away, and sent me back to the waiting room. I got in. (I have noticed that being accommodating and offering to accept alternatives, instead of being insistent and demanding, often results in kind treatment.)
Everything's clear. Respiratory infection, likely viral. I am about to take a dose of cough syrup with hydrocodone in it, after which I hope to collapse into a sound sleep. Praise the lord. And thank you all.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
[R]eality sometimes has a left-wing bias.
|
|
|
inthelab
Where beloved molecules abide
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 4,240
Who knew?
|
|
« Reply #12 on: June 22, 2009, 02:27:42 PM » |
|
Feel better, good you were seen.
Viruses can cause nasty pneumonias too, btw (respiratory syncytial virus, to name one). Better to be checked out.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
inthelab, I love you for that.
|
|
|
|
history_grrrl
|
|
« Reply #13 on: June 22, 2009, 09:27:03 PM » |
|
Update: first dose didn't do jack; I dozed fitfully on the couch, waking up every 15 minutes as usual in a coughing fit. However, second dose seems to be taking effort, I mean, effect. I think I should be on the Posting while Plastered thread. I'm feeling pleasantly spaced out and will be hitting the sack in a few minutes unless I collapse into a heap in the hallway and just sleep there instead . . . G'night!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
[R]eality sometimes has a left-wing bias.
|
|
|
|
tee_bee
|
|
« Reply #14 on: June 22, 2009, 11:06:34 PM » |
|
Update: first dose didn't do jack; I dozed fitfully on the couch, waking up every 15 minutes as usual in a coughing fit. However, second dose seems to be taking effort, I mean, effect. I think I should be on the Posting while Plastered thread. I'm feeling pleasantly spaced out and will be hitting the sack in a few minutes unless I collapse into a heap in the hallway and just sleep there instead . . . G'night!
If you have any left over, can you send it my way? I need a good night's sleep..... |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
