She wasn't happy with my breathing and did a nebulizer treatment in the office, but that didn't help at all. She prescribed me a huge list of meds - Zithromax, Motrin, Flonase, Guifenesen, Vicodin, Tessalon and ordered a chest x-ray (but I'm still too dizzy to drive and Brian took me to the doctor this morning even though it made him late for work and he's at work now, so I probably won't get the x-ray until tomorrow. I haven't figured out how to get to Walgreens to get my meds yet, but I'll probably just take advantage of a really good hour when I'm not feeling so icky.)
I almost got away without the chest x-ray. She confirmed bronchitis, but said there's definitely stuff in my lungs, so it's probably pneumonia. But she said (as did the doc at the walk-in clinic a year ago this week) that she'd treat the two illnesses in the same way anyway. Brian mentioned the incident a year ago and she asked "and you got treated and were all better, right?" Uh... no. Every time I get allergies or a cold it goes straight to my chest since then and I start coughing again, especially at night. Then she checked the computer for the records from our family doctor and it appears I was just in to the office in November for essentially the same thing. I didn't remember that. And that's when she said "OK, now you bought yourself a chest x-ray." Ugh.
I told her I wanted to go on a women's retreat this weekend and would be leaving tomorrow. She looked at me like I was crazy. I told her it would be relaxing and restful and wouldn't I be non-contagious if I started on the antibiotic anyway? She said that suppresses the "bacterial" component, but the "viral" part is still a big risk. (They even made me wear a face mask in the office... the height of fashion, I assure you.) So Brian and the doctor conferred and I'll be staying home. So bummed. I've been looking forward to this since last year... and it hurts to throw away the money.
At least I have vicodin to keep me company, right? Sob.
Oh, so sorry you have to miss it. Equally sad that you're so sick. Get lots of rest my friend!
Posted by: Syndi | 03/11/2010 at 11:11 AM
Oh dear! What a bummer to miss out on the retreat... praying for health and that you are able to rest peacefully this weekend!
Posted by: rebecca m | 03/11/2010 at 10:08 PM
oh no. So sorry Hilary. My prayers and well wishes are with you!
Kim
Posted by: Kim | 03/11/2010 at 10:12 PM
Please, please take my advise...rest, rest ,rest. I was sick for a long time this winter with these symptoms. Started with H1N1, progressed to bronchitis and then turned to pneumonia. Not good I can tell you. I ran a fever for 11 days (with antibiotics I might add) could hardly get out of bed for over 2 weeks and then when I thought I was on the mend they diagnosed the pneumonia. By the end of the first week that my husband went back to work I could hardly breath again and couldn't get off the couch. My parents ended up coming to stay with us for about a week and a half. And I went back to bed. So, please do what the doctor says. It took 2 months for me to get a clean bill of health from the doctor.
As far as the allergies and colds going to your chest - the minute you get either you need to start on an inhaler. My 7 year old is the same way and if I do not jump on it it gets out of control. Also, singular for his allergies has done wonder with regards to breathing issues. It's more expensive but sooo worth it. Good Luck!
Posted by: kris | 03/12/2010 at 08:56 AM
Hey Hil~ Hope you are starting to feel better! K
Posted by: Kristie Hubbard | 03/16/2010 at 12:32 PM