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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Estella on August 20, 2006, at 23:40:36
I keep getting sick. Cold / Flu type sick with cough (pleghm) and runny nose and aching all over etc. I've been sick maybe... 6 times in the last 6 months. I seem to get sick for one week per month and sometimes it doesn't even clear up properly before the next round.
Someone said maybe allergies. Different pollins and stuff. But it has been autumn then winter so that would be a little unusual... Wouldn't it? I had an allergy (doc said likely grass seed) a couple years back. Different symptoms though. Eyes and nose were streaming. That is different from this time.
I try and eat well.
But a bit variable, I guess.
Drink a bit too and I never used to before.
Been steadily gaining weight since I arrived. I was never particularly happy but now... I think I might be heading towards clinically obese. I'm not sure... But I certainly have gained a lot. I don't weigh. Just do a grab the flab test and it really isn't pretty. Growing out of all my clothes.
What has changed?
Excercise is about the same (yeah so almost nil, not quite but almost)
Food... Is similar. THough I have a roll or sandwich or something for lunch and I never used to. Drinking is all I can put it down to. Beer and red wine. Maybe the beer is doing it.
Worried I was getting bronchitus :-(
Friend went to doc for similar (though cough was dry) and was told asthma.Vitamin suppliments?
Or maybe...
I have some bacteria and need some antibiotics to clear out my system? I don't like taking antibiotics cause it messes up my Ph and then I get thrush and need stuff to treat that too...
I get scratchy patches on my legs and the back of my hands. When I scratch it gets a lot worse. Heard other people say that is the dry climate though and so moisturise every day. Have trouble remembering but have made a bit more of an effort. Seems to be helping. I think the ones on my hands are maybe 'cause I spent a bit of time in the sun. Still winter really, I think. But sometimes it is warm during the day and I've been sitting in the sun a bit (though haven't tanned up at all so it isn't that strong yet)Sorry to ramble.
Might be time to go to sleep...
I'm sick of being sick.
Maybe I'm dying. Sorry. I'm just feeling a whole heap miserable for me.
:-(
Posted by MidnightBlue on August 21, 2006, at 11:57:08
In reply to I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand, posted by Estella on August 20, 2006, at 23:40:36
Sounds like allergies to me! You can be allergic to dust, mold, all sorts of indoor things, too. And the rash could be a contact dermatitis or just dry skin.
See if a doctor will test you for allergies. I'm betting that is a good part of it. Hang in there!
MidnightBlue
Posted by ClearSkies on August 21, 2006, at 22:33:21
In reply to I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand, posted by Estella on August 20, 2006, at 23:40:36
If you have changed where you live within the last year, you might very well be experiencing all the local colds and flus. When I have moved to a totally different environment (different regions or countries), I caught all the little bugs that were making the rounds. It was very rare that I'd get these once I'd live somewhere for a year. My guess is that the new flora where you are now is different from where you used to live. Your body hasn't built up it's defense system against the new allergens and bacterias or viruses that you're exposed to.
It looks like a wonky answer but this really happens to me whenever I have moved. My body seems to purposefully slow itself down (by catching a cold or flu) when I really really need to take a serious break.
I gained quite a bit of weght while I became a heavier drinker than I'd been before. It really ticked me off because my dad was an alcoholic but he was a malnourished, skinny guy. I was hoping when I was drinking that I'd no longer need food and would live on the nutrients in my drinks. Anything made with a fruit juice got extra points for being in a genuine food group.
Posted by Estella on August 22, 2006, at 3:59:38
In reply to Re: I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand » Estella, posted by ClearSkies on August 21, 2006, at 22:33:21
thanks guys. i really am really very sick. i was going to make an appoitment to see a doctor today but i'm too sick to go to the doctor. got chills and sweats. drenched in sweat. headache. so tired... i've slept for the last two days. managed to drag myself down stairs for some orange juice and panadol but nearly collapsed on way back up. i think it is a virus. yeah. getting every single one that passes through. i feel like i'm dying. sorry if i'm being dramatic... but i really feel like i am. been taking panadol but it isn't helping with the headache and sweats and achy legs. i swear i can feel every pore on my legs and the tiny tiny stubble is sending me through the roof on the cotton sheets. crap crap crap. maybe i'll be well enough to go to the doctor tomorrow?
Posted by ClearSkies on August 22, 2006, at 7:58:39
In reply to Re: I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand, posted by Estella on August 22, 2006, at 3:59:38
Sounds like you've got a bit of a fever (they make my skin ultra sensitive and everything hurts). Does panadol reduce fever? I can't remember. On the other hand, I don't know how many times I've made doctors' appointments and then felt better by the time I went in to see them.
In the meantime - get comfy. Soft cozy blankets or fleece the wrap around yourself; cups of tea, and rest.So says me, not a healthcare professional but wanting to mother you just a bit.
CS
Posted by Phillipa on August 22, 2006, at 22:25:46
In reply to Re: I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand » Estella, posted by ClearSkies on August 22, 2006, at 7:58:39
Estella keep the docs appointment he can run a blood test that includes one for allergies it's part of the CBC. It's the eosinophils I think. And drink pleanty of fluids and if you're that tired and dizzy have someone take you. And please let me know what it is. Love Phillipa ps it could be basophils one of the two.
Posted by Estella on August 22, 2006, at 22:48:12
In reply to Re: I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand » Estella, posted by ClearSkies on August 22, 2006, at 7:58:39
((((((((((((((((((((((((clearskies)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
i will go to the doc. but i'll wait a day or two yet, i think. i'm still too sick to go, i think. yeah fever. i'd say... that panadol does nothing to alleviate fever whatsoever.
i'm trying to drink orange juice. i've stopped hurling now which is nice. been eating apples and oatmeal and almonds. can't eat very much. haven't had a cigarette for three days :-O
i'll get allergy tests too. i think my hand is unrelated. i think it is a sun rash. it was a bit itchy and i scratched it instead of trying not to and putting moisturiser on it. i've had similar rashes while taking chlorpromazine after spending some time in the sun. and as for my legs... i think the lady was right about needing to be very liberal with the moisturiser because the climate here is so dry. but all that could be linked to my chronic cough with my airways getting irritated and then... infected.
sorry to go on.
thanks everyone. still feel like i'm dying... but not hurling today :-) think i might be able to shave my legs too so long as i don't get goose bumps in the shower... if i shave my legs then maybe they won't hurt as much perhaps perhaps.
Posted by Estella on August 22, 2006, at 22:51:10
In reply to Re: I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand, posted by Estella on August 22, 2006, at 22:48:12
yeah i need to cut back drinking too.
hard 'cause of social anxiety...
but then i drink too much and berate myself for saying stupid things the next day.
has to be a middle ground.
maybe... one pint of water between every drink. would be a good way of slowing down and improving my water intake lol.i do need to be careful. i think... it would be only too easy for me to develop a drinking problem since i've laid off the drugs since i've arrived. discovered alchohol really... not a good thing. not a good thing at all.
er... does the weight start to come off when you stop?
Posted by Estella on August 22, 2006, at 22:59:55
In reply to Re: I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand, posted by Estella on August 22, 2006, at 22:51:10
uh. nurse at hospital said i had to be careful of my legs 'cause if i get an infection it will target the metal in my legs. feels like one of the screws / part of a plate is on fire... uh... is that just cause i'm achy everywhere or is there an infection there? i'm sorry. i know nobody is a doctor :-( i just feel really terrible. and i can't get to the doctor cause i can't walk across campus. and i'm pretty sure i'm not bad enough for hospital. i just feel really really bad. i'm sorry :--(
Posted by Phillipa on August 22, 2006, at 23:10:24
In reply to Re: I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand, posted by Estella on August 22, 2006, at 22:59:55
Well if you have to I'm sure someone will take you. Estella I have another friend in Australia and he's been sick about a week a month too. Is there some type of virus going around? His Dad works in a hospital and he says he gets it from him. Feel better. Love Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on August 23, 2006, at 9:01:57
In reply to Re: I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand, posted by Estella on August 22, 2006, at 22:51:10
> yeah i need to cut back drinking too.
> hard 'cause of social anxiety...
> but then i drink too much and berate myself for saying stupid things the next day.
> has to be a middle ground.
> maybe... one pint of water between every drink. would be a good way of slowing down and improving my water intake lol.
>
> i do need to be careful. i think... it would be only too easy for me to develop a drinking problem since i've laid off the drugs since i've arrived. discovered alchohol really... not a good thing. not a good thing at all.
>
> er... does the weight start to come off when you stop?I'm afraid that I put on weight when I stopped drinking, because I exchanged refined sugars (chocolates, cakes, sweets) for the alcohol sugars; and because my depression became worse when it was no longer squashed under the blanket of drink. I felt worse if I drank while I was sick with a flu or cold. (That never stopped me, however.)
A change in climate really wreaks havoc with skin. Try using a heavy-duty moisturizer, like one with shea butter in it, for relief. Jeez, I'm just full of suggestions, aren't I? :-)
CS
Posted by Estella on August 24, 2006, at 2:50:17
In reply to Re: I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand » Estella, posted by ClearSkies on August 23, 2006, at 9:01:57
I have a doctors appoitment for next Tuesday. I'll ask about the possibility of psych meds etc while I'm there too. Feeling a bit better today. A lot better in a sense because my period started and whenever it does I kinda go 'oh. so thats why i was feeling so crappy'. sigh. sorry guys...
Posted by ClearSkies on August 29, 2006, at 8:21:01
In reply to Re: I'm sick (again) and I have a rash on my hand, posted by Estella on August 24, 2006, at 2:50:17
Posted by Alexus on September 7, 2006, at 1:51:21
In reply to Are you feeling better? (nm) » Estella, posted by ClearSkies on August 29, 2006, at 8:21:01
This is the end of the thread.
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