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Cold and Fever with Fibro

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Posted 10/15/2008 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
I'm just getting over a bad cold with no fever this time.  But I was wondering if this happens to any of you.  Several months ago I got sick while at work, I could tell I had a fever and I felt like I was dying.  I called my mother to tell her I had a fever of 101.9 and while she felt bad she said she's had a fever of 101 before and I'll be fine.  I tried to stress to her that I felt like I was dying.  I felt like my fever was higher than 101.9 and I literally could not get out of bed with that fever whereas I know many people can almost function with a fever like that.

Fast forward to a week ago when I caught a cold.  No fever but boy did it wipe me out.  My asthema set in as well.

So my question is this, when you ahve fibro, do cold and fevers feel worse and are exaggerated.  I mean this cold has literally knocked me out and it's been over a week now and I'm just able to do a little every day.  I do not remember years ago being taken down by a simple cold or fever.

Posted 10/15/2008 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Have you been to the doctor? The last time I had a "bad cold" it turned out to be pneumonia...

Fever is good for you. It puts you in bed and makes you sleep so your body can rest. The elevated temperature is very good for speeding up your lymphatic system and accelerates your white blood cells so they work faster and more efficiently. 102º is a pretty hefty fever. Sorry your mom wasn't more understanding... but moms are like that sometimes.

Fever is bad for viruses and bacteria. They like your body at 98.6º, the way it was when they took up residence. Germs do not like hot... If you take medicine to lower your fever it will make the germs happy, and the lower temperature will slow down your white blood cells, preventing them from doing their job efficiently.

When you are sick and have a fever, stay home, go to bed, rest, drink fluids to help your kidneys wash away all the dead germs your white blood cells are killing and keep your germs to yourself. Do not be like the idiots who take over-the-counter cold medicine (that really doesn't do much but mask the symptoms) and show up at work to spread their germs all over the workplace.

With fibro you have more than just pain going on and the other stuff, the fatigue and lingering looooonnnngggg recovery time, is frustrating. Be kinder to yourself and get enough rest. Get back to work as soon as you can, but don't go running any marathons or go to the gym for a few days until you get your strength back. And until or unless your mom gets fibro, don't expect any sympathy. That's been my experience.
Posted 10/15/2008 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi LBL, I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better. :-)

I've noticed a big difference in how sick I get with just the common cold!  As you can tell, it's just about 2AM as I'm posting this because this is the third time I've woken up from coughing my head off.  I figured I would sit up a little while to see if it makes a difference.  I'm now on week 3 with this stupid cold, have two ear infections, (never before in my life have I had an ear infection), I'm on my 12th day of being conjested, and now it seems to be also settling in my lungs.  I've been on antibiotics for my ear infections since Friday (after waiting a week thinking it would clear itself), and the antibiotics have not yet taken affect.  I'm miserable! mad !  I literally have not gotten out of my pajamas since October 1st! I barely have enough energy to take my shower every day!

I'm too tired to drive, and the weather has been absolutely beautiful, so I sit outside in the morning sun to warm my bones. Worst of all, with the Fibro and the cold, I feel like I've been hit by a Mack truck!

Geesh, I'm really ranting here, aren't I. tongue    Didn't mean too.  I basically wanted to say that since Fibro settled in my body, I don't seem to have a very strong immune system, and when I catch colds that everyone else in my house has for 3 days and then they're fine, I seem to be down for weeks! smhair   

Posted 10/15/2008 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
LBL and VaVoa I hope you both get better soon. Jeannie is right. I have become almost phobic about hand washing and have my DH doing the samething. I know when I get something it's going to hit me harder than other people.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 10/15/2008 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
I do think that fevers can feel more exaggerated with the fibro. I'm constantly getting low fevers which are usually around 99 point something. Most doctors wouldn't even consider this a fever, but it certainly wipes me out and I usually feel bad enough that I don't trust myself to drive. I've made a lot of silly mistakes driving when I've had a temperature of 99 like stopping at a green light and things like that, but luckily it hasn't caused an accident so far.
Posted 10/15/2008 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
VaVoa,
I'm sorry you're feeling so rotten. Are you taking a decongestant? This will help get the fluid out of your ears while the antibiotic is working. Also, if the coughing is keeping you awake the best over the counter med is something with an anti-tussive (dextromethorphan) along with an expectorant (guifenisen). You will have equal success with store brands or name brands so I buy the one that is the least expensive. Guifenisen loosens up the secretions in your lungs so your cilia can move them along your bronchial tubes, causing irritation and giving you a productive cough (the good kind of cough) BUT this med won't do its job if you don't drink enough fluids.

I make it a rule to carry a water bottle and drink two swallows with each cough. Now, this sends you to the potty all day long but it really breaks up the crud in the lungs! The sooner you get that stuff out of your lungs the less likely you will be to have bacteria take up residence and give you pneumonia. Keep on resting and taking care of you, because if you don't, who will? confused

Jeannie
Posted 10/15/2008 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Carrying the water bottle andt taking two swallows after a cough is a great idea!  I will try that next time.

 

Sherrine

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