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Avoiding the flu

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Posted 2/14/2018 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have a follow up coming up with my pcp. I've already cancelled a few times because I'm fearful of walking into a flu fest. What do you guys do to avoid it? Do you still go to appointments?
Posted 2/14/2018 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Wear a hospital mask and gloves. Seriously.
Posted 2/14/2018 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
I came down a few weeks ago with the stomach virus that is going around. My husband called our PCP & was told do not bring her here, go to ER. Honestly, PCP wouldn't have been able to help because I needed some IV meds. When I was released of course they tell you to follow up with your PCP. No way will I do that, their office is packed with sick people. I called & told them I was doing ok & surely did not want to be exposed & they were fine with it. Unless this is a real important appt. I would wait if you can. If you decide to cancel I would explain why.

Take care.
Posted 2/14/2018 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys, that sealed it for me. I rescheduled a few weeks from now. I was hoping to make this one since my joints been really giving me trouble and I wanted my pcps opinion but it's not worth it when I already have flu-like aches everyday to risk getting the actual flu. Last time I got it was right before I was diagnosed with crohns almost 10 years ago and I was in seriously bad shape from it. The office said they had face masks if I wanted them but I'll give it a little longer.
Posted 2/16/2018 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Question...would you be able to take Tamiflu if you came down with the flu?
Posted 2/16/2018 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, but it only works for some strains and only if it's caught very early. When I had the flu several years ago I took it but it was several days later and maybe too late to have much of an impact because the ER did not diagnose me correctly. It hit pretty bad fast and I had a heart rate around 160. better to just avoid the flu.
Posted 2/17/2018 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Lab,

I think you were smart to cancel. I cancelled my CRS appointment. I will go in March or April-when the flu cases have declined.

My PCP just gave me a prescription for tamiflu to keep on hand-just in case. It has eased my mind somewhat.... I don't think I have seen so many people at the grocery store coughing and hacking away. Aaaaggghh.

Clo
Posted 2/17/2018 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Clo,
Yes, it just isnt worth it. For me it's also if I get sick my mother will surely catch it and she already has respiratory problems and on oxygen. I made my appointment for last week of the month so I can get her opinion before going for my next remicade infusion. Will be tiptoeing through the hospital to get the remicade.

As for grocery stores, I only venture in to them right before they close when it's a ghost town. I also wipe down the basket or cart handles with sanitizer wipes. The other day I had to go earlier when it was pretty packed. luckily the store has quite a few self checkout stations and I stalked an employee who was armed with sanitizer disinfecting the stations. I hid innocently behind a large display of rather enticing boxed chocolate and powdered donuts pretending to admire them in all their glory for what seemed like an eternity until she finished cleaning a station and then pounced on it. It felt like a big achievement lol.
Posted 2/18/2018 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Lab, is there a chance you can call your drs office & get the latest appt of the day? By changing the time you can possibly avoid the influx of the sick crowd showing up. Just a thought.

I am older & often use oxygen at night. I have COPD, upper respiratory stuff can quickly turns into pneumonia & the flu business certainly has my attention. I wipe down everything with Clorox wipes, spray Lysol the whole bit. I have my grandson a couple of days a week, taking him to & from school. I have him wash his hands, lol. His mom started having him wash his hands when he first started pre-school. As soon as she got him home she would have him wash those hands & we have kept that practice up. When I had the stomach virus I changed my pillow case every day.
Posted 2/18/2018 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
Or the very first appt of the day before everyone else's germs come around.
Posted 2/18/2018 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
I just had an appointment and I think I used germ x like 50 times and washed my hands about 10. I also held my breath when people passed me and stayed in the corner On the elevators lol. When I got home I threw my clothes straight in the washer and took a shower as a just in case...I do not wanna catch the flu either!!
Posted 2/18/2018 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
Mak,

Lol.....I thought I was the only one that did that! I dash home yanking clothes off as I am walking in....toss in washer and continue into the shower. Good thing I don't have a car of germx or I would swim a couple of laps in it prior to the shower!

Lab,
Seriously...you made me get the giggles!!! I do that too...but I am not as good at it and sometimes I get some funny looks. Last time I went to the store I put on a mask, gloves and took my walker for extra space....lol..all for a loaf of bread! Could not believe I ran out!

Clo
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