Sick, Sick, Sick.

[Thunder]

For the most of my life, it has been very rare for me to be sick with a virus, fever, the whole mumbo jumbo. I can go a whole year without getting sick. I can go a whole Winter without getting sick and only get sick sometime during the Spring, but not as severe. The max limit for me getting sick has been a pattern of once a year.

So, a couple months ago, during Summer, I suddenly was sick. It was bad for a while and lingered for about two weeks. Now a couple of days ago, I got sick again and it feels like the worse episode ever in my life. My sinus congestion has been clearing up, but still a bit stuffy in my head, draining down my throat and chest, ya know the whole show. I had a slight fever, but it did not last long.

Should I be concerned about this? Getting sick like this so close together in time. My mom had been sick and started before I did. I don't know if I should go to the doc to have the whole blood workup to determine if I am okay and that it was just unlucky for me to rarely get sick twice so close together.

About a day or two after I started having symptoms, I bought bottles of DayQuil and NyQuil. I think about 2 days ago, I was doing Google search on, "How effective is NyQuil," and came across some info that I had forgotten about. Vicks removed the Pseudoephedrine from these medication, which is why I noticed it was not as effective as it was before. Now I remember seeing something about it on the news about cold/flu medications containing this ingredient is being sold behind-the-counter with requirement of providing proof of ID and electronic signature. It is quite shocking that Vicks actually degraded their products in order to be more viewable to the public to sell for profits. I trusted them, but now...not anymore. I went to CVS and asked for something stronger, so I got a box of CVS brand, "Severe Sinus Congestion," containing Pseudoephedrine. It was my very first time to provide an ID and sign electronically (this shows how rarely I get sick...at least this bad). It is helping clearing up my nose, but still suffering the throat/chest draining and coughing, so it will be another day or two since I was late on starting this medication.

I am afraid of becoming sick again during the course of this upcoming Winter season. I do not know what to think of that if it happens again. Should I be overly concerned about this?

Just a side question, do Chicken Noodle soup from Campbell actually contain ingredients to cure me quickly? I had 2 cans recently, which was the first time in years (probably at least 10 years) that I have ever eaten it. Tastes good!

The past week or so has been miserable. Dealing with head pains, tooth ache, busted shoulders that the doc will not operate at this time since I am not athletic (how discriminating...) and being sick. I actually asked for time off from work and the boss suggested a month, but I told him that I am willing to come back on the 1st (food stamp users day) to work my magic. Not much of a vacation for me... *sighs* But I have managed to do some work on my aquariums, such as cleaning the 100.

Hope this post pleases everyone! I know I've been a bit crazy on here... Really, I'm a great guy! <3

[bandnerd]

It's inevitable that you will get sick. Do you realize how many cold viruses there are? Eventually, one's gonna get you. Trust me, I'm a teacher and while I don't get sick often, once I do get sick, it's bad. Really bad. I usually get more than one thing at a time when I do manage to get something.

You might also be having problems with allergies. My sister has had issues for months because of allergies. They seem to be horrible for everyone this year.

As for the soup, there isn't anything magical about it. Homemade soup with a little less sodium might be better for you, though, and it's easy enough to make. Eating soup when you're sick helps keep you hydrated, the warm liquid feels good on your throat and the steam helps open up your sinuses. Plus, chicken soup is just healthy, when made with lean chicken and veggies. I say eat away.

More than anything, your body is telling you to slow down and rest. I was feeling crappy earlier this week and have taken it easy in the evenings, as best I can, and I feel better for it. I look forward to the holiday break this week so I can really rest up. I think you should take this opportunity to catch up with the boob tube or a book and let your body heal itself.

[jmarkross]

Stay healthy, Thunder...you are one of the few unique folks here...

[MadMonk]

I used to be very healthy like that for years at a time. Ever since my kids reached school age I inevitably come down with something every year because they come down with something every year.

[Thunder]

I am taking the what left of the pills back to the store. Not helping me to get better!

[kevinpate]

You work in a market. I assume you push carts outside that other folks have been pushing inside, while they also wipe lil' Johnnie's nose, etc.
Sorry you picked up a bug, but kudos for it not happening more often.

As for soup, bandnerd hit that rather well. If you go with canned chicken soup, try Progresso brand. But it's fairly easy to make a big big pot of chicken soup at home.

[Thunder]

Yeah. Children needs to be banned from grocery stores.

[bandnerd]

Yeah. Children needs to be banned from grocery stores.

I know you're sick and all, but that's kind of impossible Anyway, if you're feeling stuffy, get some Mucinex and a neti pot. Rinse your sinuses then hit them with the decongestant. Ibuprofen might help, as well, if there is any swelling in your sinuses, which is sometimes the problem. Just get some rest.

[OKCisOK4me]

Try Airborne too. They're little Alkeseltzer type tablets that you drop into water, they bubble up and then you drink it. A school teacher like bandnerd came up with it. Also, if it's throat related, drink some jalapeno juice!

[jmarkross]

Try Airborne too. They're little Alkeseltzer type tablets that you drop into water, they bubble up and then you drink it. A school teacher like bandnerd came up with it. Also, if it's throat related, drink some jalapeno juice!

Dill pickle liquid works as well--somewhat less harsh than jalapeno nectar...I prefer the Kosher, myself...with garlic...

[OKCisOK4me]

Dill pickle liquid works as well--somewhat less harsh than jalapeno nectar...I prefer the Kosher, myself...with garlic...

That sounds yummmmmmmmmy!!

[jmarkross]

That sounds yummmmmmmmmy!!

Ever since childhood...I would wait for the pickles to be eaten...then covet and sequester the big jar and push it into the back of the fridge...and everyone knew it was mine--and late at night...I would sneak in and take a big pull on that jug...I especially liked the bottles that looked like barrels...those were salad days...and I still like it to this day--also--it turns out a little vinegar a day is good for you, and it is better with dill...

[Thunder]

Reading here is making me more sick. :-(

[bandnerd]

Feeling better yet?

[Thunder]

Better, but each time I try to blow out smoke, I cough violently. Been chugging down a bunch of honey...no effect.

[kevinpate]

Better, but each time I try to blow out smoke, I cough violently. Been chugging down a bunch of honey...no effect.

You cough violently when you exhale cig smoke?
Honey isn't helping?

Perhaps, just perhaps mind you, if you were to take a break from your cigs for a few days, that violent cough might subside a bit and your head and sinus cavities might, just might, become a wee bit less congested and inflamed.

I'm no doctor, but hey, maybe that's worth a shot since the miracle honey isn't being very magical.

[bandnerd]

Um, yeah, messing with a chest cold or bronchitis isn't smart. Put down the cigarettes and honey and get some robitussin.

[jmarkross]

Better, but each time I try to blow out smoke, I cough violently. Been chugging down a bunch of honey...no effect.

Switch to Pall Malls, or Lucky Strikes or Camels...avoid the temptation of Kools--the menthol won't help...

[Easy180]

Better, but each time I try to blow out smoke, I cough violently. Been chugging down a bunch of honey...no effect.

Just don't try my approach..cough and wheeze for 3 weeks before seeing a doc...ended up with slight pneumonia and a " hey u r a dumbazz for waiting this long" speech

Doc said at a certain point it won't clear up on it's own so go get steroids...cleared up within 4 days

[Thunder]

How do I know the difference between Pneumonia and screwed up chest with drainage/coughs?

[jmarkross]

How do I know the difference between Pneumonia and screwed up chest with drainage/coughs?

See a doctor. You will be very, very unhappy if you do not. NEVER mess around with respiratory infection.

[Thunder]

Well, it is too late for that. Almost 2 weeks. I'm getting better. I get 120 Lortab monthly to every 2 months and it been helping me greatly.

[jmarkross]

Well, it is too late for that. Almost 2 weeks. I'm getting better. I get 120 Lortab monthly to every 2 months and it been helping me greatly.

Pneumonia can cause permanent, irreversible damage is the reason to not wait for professional opinion...although it is not particularly common in younger people...

[kevinpate]

Well, it is too late for that. Almost 2 weeks. I'm getting better. I get 120 Lortab monthly to every 2 months and it been helping me greatly.

With respect you are simply no longer young enough to be so dang silly on your health.
Loratab may help you bear the pain you are in from another medical issue, but it does nada to clear you up and get you well.
Even so, I hope you get well in spite of the odd way you sometimes look after your health.

[Thunder]

I hope to get better soon. My medical vacation ends on the 30th, so I go back to work on the 1st. They offered me to return on the 18th, but I told them that I will come back on the 1st for the Food Stamp days. Yesterday, I started on the Halls cherry candy to soothe my throat. It has been getting dry lately, so that is a good sign it is all drying up.