Well, I've got H1N1

I wanted to wait a few days to post this while my swab results came back. I started getting another really bad migraine last Friday that was different from my regular ones.  Saturday I woke up with a cough and a low fever. Saturday night I had a high fever... and Sunday was the worst. I had a really high fever, deep wet cough, aches, pains, headache - typical flu. I called my doc and he said to head toward the ER and to call when I was there and someone would bring me into the contagious area with a mask, etc. I got a nose and a throat swab, and results came back today. When I went in, I wasn't in any additional distress or respiratory discomfort, so did not get an antiviral, and was told rest  & fluids, Tylenol, etc. (I felt like a statistic when I left!) I have been doing a good job forcing fluids and keeping track of my fever. It goes up and down every day, a little less high each day. It really does feel like typical flu, with a deep cough. The ER was absolutely mobbed, and they said they have been like that for over a week now. The hardest thing is that I want to sleep all the time from the fever, and I have to make myself get up and move to the recliner because my back will start to hurt from the fibro. The second worst is that I am having a really hard time regulating my temperature - I do every day with the fibro because I run cold, and get heavy cold sweats if I'm not warm enough. Now with the fever I'm sweating thru blankets! I was told to come back if my fever does a super spike instead of this lower-and-lower cycling thing. I learned that this flu sheds germs even longer than regular flu, and that I should stay home until my cough stops, not until a day or two after the fever breaks (without drugs) as with a usual flu. 

Also, I am kind of surprised I got it, because I am super careful about washing my hands, not touching my face, using my own pens to write with, carrying and using hand sanitizer, etc. I am totally germphobic and have been on "germ alert" for weeks now. But it can take up to a week after exposure to show up. My office is away on a retreat and they are all also starting to fall ill one by one. I just have the good fortune, as always, to be first!

Oh - PS - my "bed buddy" has come in REALLY handy for placing on my chest to help loosen it up so I can cough it out. Plus it's so cozy.

Post Edited (Littleneck) : 9/16/2009 4:24:39 AM (GMT-6)

Littleneck, so sorry that nasty flu bug got you. Hope you feel better soon!

Robin

So sorry you caught this nasty bug. You have handled it very well, and are taking good care of yourself....that is wonderful. Thanks for listing the symptoms. I hope this passes quickly and you are doing better soon.

I am sorry that you are sick also Littleneck. How does it feel to win the "Who gets the H1N1 flu first on the fibro board?" Your prize, what whatever you drink in order to fight your fever.

Thanks for telling us your symptoms and for calling your doctor. I am disappointed that you were not given anti virals. The health department here has strict rules concerning their distribution.

Hand cleaning and sanitizing cannot keep a virus away, as you well know now. However, it might reduce the chances of contact. This flu is virulent since we have not developed any antibodies to it.

Thanks to you I cannot wait for the vaccine. Darn, I will receive three flu shots this year. Sigh. I hope they are released in time for the rest of us.

Take care and thanks for checking in. Please keep us updated if you have the strength.

Donnaeil

I hope you feel better real soon Littleneck. I know how I feel when I get the flu...I always end up getting a bad fibro flare along with it. Just listen to your body and sleep when you need to sleep and like Sherrine said, push lots of fluids. It really does help to flush the germs out. It also will help to loosen the phlegm.

take care

Miriam

Carnissa, I am definitely catching up on some video watching, and getting lots of rest. My favorite things to watch have been the very cute puppy and kitty cat videos on YouTube - things to make me laugh. I tried to eat some solid food this morning (chicken) but my stomach isn't handling it too well, so back to liquids, soup, and maybe some rice later. My fever is starting to stabilize but now I'm just really really tired and coughing - the liquids definitely help loosen everything up. I made myself get up and get dressed today but I'm kind of regretting it... the good news is that my BF finally went to the laundromat so clean sheets and clothes tonight <sigh>. Besides the cough the worst again today is my back.

Marlee, I am not sure but this is the one that the first vaccine is supposedly for. The "second wave" drug-resistant H1N1 that is about to start is supposed to be much worse, with lung pain, mucus and inflammation. (oh boy) I'm not surprised I didn't get an antiviral. My hospital ER even knows me because I used to work on another floor; they are pretty rigid and have a tendency to downplay people's illnesses, so whenever you go in you have to really raise a stink to get what you want, and I just didn't have the strength. Apparently fibro, at that facility, doesn't put me in the high-risk category! I was afraid at first when I went home, but I know I have the strength to fight it myself. I have always been kind of sickly since getting pneumonia as a 6yr old, and am sensitive to anything respiratory going around. I haven't had an actual influenza in so long I'd just plain forgotten it takes time, rest, and liquids, and that's it. Glad you all found the post useful. Thanks for all the kind messages. I check in every night and will let you all know when I'm better.

It's really hard to get the facts about this version of the flu...I saw a doctor on one of the news channels this week say that this same swine virus was around in the 70's and late 80's and those of us who got it then are immune to the recent strain.  That's why they keep saying that young people are the most vulernable.  He also said that people with fibro and other neurological conditions should NOT get the vaccine.  But again, just another opinion from another doctor.

Donna

My DH told me last night that they have both flues in one of the nursing homes here in town. Getting a little close to home for me.

luv and hugs

Marlee