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should this be a reason to call my Rheumy for urgent appt?

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Posted 4/23/2007 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
I am a sickie right now.. This started a week ago.. It started out with a sore throat that felt like I was swalling knifes... I thought maybe it was strep. I had a stuffy nose too.. now my nose is running and I am blowing constantly.. and it has moved into my lungs. I am coughing up green flem stuff. Its so gross.. is that a sighn of infection? I have had a temp of 100.8 all weekend. It never got higher than that. If it had I would for sure have gone to the ER... however... so I am still in the same boat.. its all in my lungs and hurts to breath and when I cough its all that goo in there.. I dont know if I should be seen by my Rheumatologist or what? Should I call him? I just dont know if this is Lupus related? What in the heck should I do??? I am lost.. need advise..

Thanks

Steph

Posted 4/23/2007 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Steph,

I think you should definitely call your Rheumy.  It sounds like you have an infection and if you don't take care of it now it will just probably get worse.  I had something similiar about two weeks ago.  I had bad congestion and was coughing really bad.  It felt like it was in my chest.  My primary care doctor was out so I saw her partner.  She said I had a sinus infection and gave me a decadron shot and some allegra D.  It didn't get any better and I had a regular checkup with my Rhemy the next week and he gave me antibiotics and it cleared on up. He said the regular doctor should have given me the antibiotics because I also had bronchitis.  Anyway, to make a long story short, I would call your Rheumy if it were me.  Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.  Keep us updated.

Rhonda

Posted 4/23/2007 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi steph, yes thick green yucky stuff is diffinently an infection. I couldn't say it is lupus related. It could just be an infection. You should call either your PCP or rheumy. One of them can get you on antibiotics. I just went through this about a month ago. Don't let it continue. You need to get antibiotics.

Let us know

Hugs

carol

Posted 4/23/2007 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys. I guess I will call the Rheumy and leave a message for him and see what they say... Maybe he wont want to see me... I dont know...
Posted 4/23/2007 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hope you feel better Steph. I think you should go to urgent care or ER if you get real uncomfortable and your doc won't call you in something and/or see you soon. There's some really bad bronchitis going around, I had it for a month and it hurt my throat so bad I had to take Ultram and hydrocodone for my throat. the fever wasn't real high but it definitely was bad. That tylenol blue cool multisymptom crap and a zpack got me through it, but I agree the green stuff means infection. i hope you feel better
Posted 4/23/2007 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
I did call. I left a message with the front desk. If I could just speak to my doctor every time it would be fine. But I know that half of my message or more never gets back to him. I will let you know what happens.. if anything does.... I just feel like my particular primary care doctor doesnt know me like my Rheumy does... and I dont think my PCP really knows about Lupus much.. dont know...
Posted 4/23/2007 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
The nurse called me back and said he wanted to call me in a ZPAC and to see if that helps me and if not to call back after. I asked what he thought or said and she said just to see if it helps and to call if it doesnt... EWWWW I hate how mean they are over there. I LOVE my doctor but I cannot stand the people that work there. They make me feel so bad about myself... But hopefully the ZPAC will help..
Anyone had it?
Posted 4/23/2007 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Don't you hate the phone tag and message swapping when you call in. I have the same experience when I call my rheumy's office and I know he never gets the full message and they make me feel like I'm a big pain for calling in. I'm glad you called though - it sounds like your symptoms needed attention. Hopefully the Zpak will help - that's what my son always takes when he gets pneumonia and it usually helps him. Hang in there and I hope you get some relief in a few days. Take care
Posted 4/24/2007 12:43 AM (GMT 0)

Hello there,

I agree with the others in that it most definitely points towards being an infection.  I had the same just recently whilst I was in hospital, and they gave me antibiotics. 

Before that I couldn't breathe and I was coughing up horrid stuff all of the time.  The coughing did makes things worse which exacerbated the breathing problems.  The antibiotics shifted it all eventually. I do hope you feel better soon.

Take care

goldenwings   yeah  

Posted 4/24/2007 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Steph:

Sweetie, I'm sorry you sick. Yep, it sounds like you've got an infection. I've had a Zpac and it should work really well for you. I never had troubles with it, I hope that it works for you quickly.

I'm sorry that they treated you so yucky over the phone. It's hard when you love the doctor but can't stand their staff. (((hugs))) I hope that you quickly turn around and begin to feel better. I normally let my PCP handle most things regarding me, she know most things about my lupus and mds, when she doesn't, she'll call or email my rheumy and oncologist. Of course, the fact that my rheumy is the head of the internal medicine clinic kinda makes it easy for her. Anyway, if I think I've got an infection, cold, etc, I call my PCP. I rarely call my specialist unless I really need too.

Hope you feel better soon honey, and you're in my prayers.

Love ya,
Mommy Barb
Posted 4/24/2007 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
I hope the Zpac works for you. I also call my PCP for most things for the main fact that I know he can see me quicker if need be. I'm not sure if he's too fluent in Lupus however he does look for bad signs that could potentially be dangerous for me and will refer me accordingly however I don't need referrals. Given that rheumatologists are so scarce nowadays, its so hard to get a hold of my doctor and he is a popular Lupus doctor here too because he's on the LFA local chapter medical board so lots of patients.

None of my doctors' staff (front desk) are very pleasant. Luckily they have nice nurses so I will always request to either have the doctor or a nurse call me back.
Posted 4/25/2007 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Steph, Yes the zpak is pretty good. take them like they say. it usually takes a couple of days and they continue to work long after you run out of them. Make sure to drink lots of fluids. preferably water. It helps to loosen stuff up in your lungs. Like I always say I hate doctors I hate their staff I had xray techs I hate em all equally! LOL

Feel better soon!
hugs
carol
Posted 4/25/2007 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Steph, your post shows that you take both prednisone and cellcept, but you don't mention the quantities. As you kknow, both are immunosuppressants and will make it harder for you to fight the infection. I'm to call my rheumy any time I have a fever of over 100. The last time she nearly stopped my cellcept for while but I convinced her I wasn't sick enough. I sure didn't have all the symptoms you do.

The insert that comes with CellCept says to call your doctor any time you have a fever. Better safe than sorry. Steph, I hope the antibiotic helps and that you get soon real fast.
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