Just checking in

[Rumor]

Hi Shanya,
Sorry to hear how poorly you are feeling. Levaquin can be a good med for pneumonia. But my younger brother got a bad case when he was much younger and a very healthy young dude. He had to spend a few nights in the hospital with I.V. Antibiotics. You have to do whatever is going to get you well.

Did they give you any of the good cough medicine that helps quiet the cough and get your ribs to stop hurting?

I hate that feeling you're having. I remember when my mom would put Vicks Vapor Rub in my vaporizer (listen to Dr. Cricket) and rub it into my chest and put a clean dry wash cloth over it to help me get some rest, with all the pillows under my head. I was the queen of respiratory infections, bronchitis, etc... and we all used to smoke cigarettes, on top of that. How stoopid was I? Very, till I quit. 3 times, it took till I got it right.

My cousin gets the pneumonia vaccine every year. I am not a vaccine person, but he swears by it. I am considering getting the shingles vaccine when I turn 60, because I also had chicken pox. Ambivalence.

Sending you get well wishes and hoping for your speedy recovery. Rumor.

[Shayna]

I am using a cold water vaporizer with some eucalyptus oil in it. I also take steamy showers with the oil in the soap dish, to really steam out and breathe it in deep.

Had a rough night last night, almost went back to ER. I am seeing the dr in about an hour. I will keep you all posted, or my husband will.

Thank goodness he is doing somewhat better. Sure, he is still groaning and stuff, but he can go about his daily activities -- I have trouble walking from room to room before losing my breath.

[Charon]

let us know. prayers going up, precious.

[IceWizard]

Shayna... This may one of the worst times you could all have sick... Runnin and gunnin at the stores and such... I am so sorry that you and your husband fell ill this time of year.. Well anytime of the year isn't a "good" time to get sick, but especially now...

I do hope you can catch a break, my dear...
We will keep you in our prayers...

Ice

[Shayna]

Thanks everyone.   Well, I am back from the dr.  There is good news and mixed news.

The good news is that my actual pneumonia is gone.  However, the Dr said I may have a severe cough for a few weeks more.

The mixed news is they got very serious about checking my heart.  They did an EKG in the office, and that came back normal.  They are scheduling me for an Echocardiagram (sp?).   I am sort of scared, tbh.  I guess they want to rule out problems since I still have shortness of breath, retaining fluids and other symptoms. 

My husband thinks that since we go to a teaching practice and rarely have the same Dr twice anymore, that they are taking advantage of the fact that I have good insurance to practice on me, etc.

I just don't know what to think.  I'm waiting for the Echo to be scheduled, and then I go back on Dec. 28th.

[Charon]

If no one said this, u hold a pillow against ur ribs when u cough hard. They won't break.

Your husband has a good point. My partner went into a teaching hospital. And, they were all concerned and scared him about his heart. COPD. Now, that he is with a good surgeon to do the reversal of the stoma, his new tests reveal nothing wrong.

Teaching hospitals will take a bit of advantage. And/or as they are our newer doctors, everything freaks them out.

Not to worry.

But, if u have codeine, only take it at nite so u can sleep. If u r breathing well. If its normal for u. Codeine Cough syrup. But, be careful all day long cuz if u suppress the coughing, u can wind up with pneumonia again.

Vicious circle. Glad u checked in. We were concerned, Shayna.

[Shayna]

Thanks Charon.  The Dr said to take Robitussin, so I started that tonight.  I already take Percocet for pain, which helps a little bit with the cough.  But it's starting to not work much on my chest, rib and back pain.

I also started a new asthma inhaler and got an increase on my new nebulizer meds.  I also am taking steamy showers with eucalyptus oil, at least once a day.

Unfortunately,  my husband now is feeling sicker, and he has been running around doing errands etc.  I can barely walk without getting winded.  If he gets sick again, I just don't know what we will do.

Oh and PS, I got the pneumonia vaccine in September so I am current.  The dr now thinks it is viral vs bacterial.

[Cricket]

Thanks Charon.  The Dr said to take Robitussin, so I started that tonight.  I already take Percocet for pain, which helps a little bit with the cough.  But it's starting to not work much on my chest, rib and back pain.

I also started a new asthma inhaler and got an increase on my new nebulizer meds.  I also am taking steamy showers with eucalyptus oil, at least once a day.

Unfortunately,  my husband now is feeling sicker, and he has been running around doing errands etc.  I can barely walk without getting winded.  If he gets sick again, I just don't know what we will do.

Oh and PS, I got the pneumonia vaccine in September so I am current.  The dr now thinks it is viral vs bacterial.

Hi Shayna,

I pray you are doin' better today.
I was thinking back about remedies my grandmother use to use on us when we were kids. I remember that she use to rub our chest and back with Vicks Vapo Rub. Also for coughing, she would give us honey and lemon. It might be worth a try. Sometimes the old and most simple ways do the trick. Besides, the honey w/ lemon tasted pretty good.

Wishing you a quick recovery.

[Shayna]

Thanks Cricket.  This sickness sure isn't for sissies!

I sometimes do a cough syrup, with equal parts of vodka, lemon juice and honey.  However, I haven't done any this round. The Robitussin does help, but gah is it expensive!

M husband is functional but feels poorly. I can barely make it to the next room in the house.  I am just so tired and feel just bad.  The Dr yesterday was saying how I didn't look sick -- but I can't talk and am short of breath?!

I better save my strength and stop venting. Thanks again for your concern.

[Cricket]

Thanks Cricket.  This sickness sure isn't for sissies!

I sometimes do a cough syrup, with equal parts of vodka, lemon juice and honey.  However, I haven't done any this round. The Robitussin does help, but gah is it expensive!

M husband is functional but feels poorly. I can barely make it to the next room in the house.  I am just so tired and feel just bad.  The Dr yesterday was saying how I didn't look sick -- but I can't talk and am short of breath?!

I better save my strength and stop venting. Thanks again for your concern.

Oh I know it's not for sissies. I had it 5 times when I was younger and it was no fun. Did you get a high fever with it? I did and no matter how many blankets I had on me, I was freezing to death. It's a nasty little bug and nothing to play with.

My grandmother never put any vodka in the honey and lemon, but that should make you feel better.
I remember when I was a kid and I talked back to her, her punishment was to put Tabasco in my mouth. Thing is, I loved it LOL. Hey, I'm part Cajun, so that's like water to me.

Seriously tho, worry about yourself and getting better. We will be here for you.

GET WELL!