Wegener's and the Flu

[NikkiNicole]

Has anyone here caught the flu since being diagnosed?

As you all know, I work in a germ factory. We share desks, phones, keyboards, chairs, etc. I wipe everything down and I try not to sit or be near the people who are sick but ... it's inevitable with people coughing and hacking away in this room I'm going to snag something.

In the past week 5-6 people have passed through here either getting the flu, or getting over it. I started to feel rather poopy yesterday. Today, I still do ... but it's kind of just the same level of poopy. However, as today is going on ... I feel a lil more worse and worse.

My throat hurts and feels thick. I keep having to clear the gunk out. I have been mildly dizzy and feel just sort of 'out of it.' I didn't call in sick because this isn't "bad" yet, you know?

I don't know.

I just want to lie down ....:blink:

[carriej22]

I have been sick a few times, and while it's definitely more miserable and slower to come on (seems like it takes forever to get sick even though you feel it coming), it also sticks around a lot longer. Both hubs and I got sick, and I was twice as long recovering as him. However - other than being sick I didn't flare, but I had only had my last RTX infusion a few months before hand.

[Geoff]

Sorry to hear you are getting that dreadfull awareness that something is not quite right!
You are right, working in an Office its a daily chore trying to avoid the germ carriers. Most of the people I work with are quite good in that respect, but of course its impossible to avoid everything thats going around.
First of all, I have been reliably informed that the flu vaccine is a must have for me. I have had it every year since my DX 5 years ago with no ill effects. Not much good to you right now, but feeling like you do I would gargle with a strong antiseptic mouthwash, take some asprin like tablet, plenty of fluids and get to bed. REST, REST REST! I find it the best solution.
I have been told by my docs that we are all going to get colds and maybe flu but not to freak out.
Keep calm but watchfull, if it drags on or gets worse then of course call for the fire brigade to put out the fire.
I can only say what works for me as of course we all walk a different path with WG but good luck Nikki and keep us posted :smile1:

[NikkiNicole]

I didn't sleep a wink last night, this doesn't help my current situation. I have a 16 hour work day today, but I am off tomorrow. My throat doesn't just ache, man it hurts! It's almost a very sharp pain, and my ears are being funny ... when I breathe in, they clog and I hear myself breathing inside my head.
I will be spending tomorrow in my pajamas. I can guarantee you that!!!

[Debbie C]

Nikki , I feel so bad for you especially having to work such long hours,I don't see how you do it even on "good" days. I sure hope you are not getting or got the flu.I agree with Geoff and drink plenty of fluids (hot tea with honey,even a teaspoon of honey will help coat your thoat) Hugs to you and hope you feel better soon.

[MikeG-2012]

I agree with everyone else, REST, REST, REST. If I've learned one thing with this awful disease it is the fact that I need to listen to my body. When it tells me to STOP and rest, I listen and do so.

So hang in there Nikki! And I hope you can sleep like a baby and get some good deserved rest.

Mike

[mishb]

Get some betadine gargle happening Nikki.

Your throat description sounds like it has an infection and needs to be sorted quickly, once it has reached this, razor blade swallowing, stage.

I agree with Geoff, gargle, aspirin, fluids and BED.

I know we have to work to make the ends meet, but killing yourself in the process, just doesn't fix the problem.

[Debbie C]

mishb,what is betadine,is it an over the counter thing ???

Nikki, hope you got alot of rest today.

[mishb]

Deb, it is an antiseptic throat gargle and is available over the counter. Sorry, I didn't realize it wasn't over there.

I guess it is just the name and you guys probably know it as something different. It is an iodine solution.

They also make it as an antiseptic liquid for cuts and scrapes etc.

[Geoff]

Have to agree with Michelle, I find that a strong antiseptic gargle is a must have!

Hope you are resting up Nikki, keep us informed.

[NikkiNicole]

Every day seemed to be a little worse. I gave myself my injection of MTX on Monday and gradually continued my decline. I felt extremely disoriented yesterday so I stayed home (my job definitely requires an intense amount of "focus") and got up today too late to call in sick. So, I headed to work. I stopped at a smoothie place to get something to soothe me and found myself vomiting in a bush outside my car.
I feel awful, worse than I ever have ... ever ... even with the sinus pain from before. This is ... my head hurts, my brain feels like it's scrambled, my eyes hurt, I'm dizzy and nauseous, I'm weak, ... right before I got out of the car, my heart was fluttering in my chest and I felt like my blood pressure dropped.
If this is still just the flu ... ok. If this is something worse ... not ok!

[Dirty Don]

NOT OK...get thee to a doc NOW...skip the smoothie this time...

[annekat]

Nikki, I'm sorry I missed parts of this thread until now. Maybe you have been to a doctor by now, maybe you have the flu and can take some time off to get the rest you need.... but in any case, your workload sounds VERY stressful, not to mention the germs you are exposed to.... I'm not suggesting you quit, as you need to make a living, but I'm just wondering if there are some options, any at all, that would take some of the stress off. Maybe a naive question, as I'm sure you have thought of everything. But I know I could not handle that level of stress without severe consequences, like maybe a major flare or an infection I can't fight off, something of that nature. I'm worried about you and looking forward to hearing that things are a little better or at least you have figured out for sure what is going on.

[carriej22]

Once vomiting comes into the picture something isn't right.

Go get yourself checked out!

[Debbie C]

Nikki,it is definately time too take a leave from work ( if you can ) but get some time off,GET TO THE DR., and get things right with yourself. This has been going on for way to long,maybe the mtx is causing a reaction ?? Please take time out for yourself and go get checked out.

[annekat]

Nikki,it is definately time too take a leave from work ( if you can ) but get some time off,GET TO THE DR., and get things right with yourself. This has been going on for way to long,maybe the mtx is causing a reaction ?? Please take time out for yourself and go get checked out. I agree. You are obviously a valuable employee who needs a paid leave or whatever is possible. You need a chance to recover... you handle emergencies for other people all day, and this is an emergency. Maybe even two weeks off would do it. I mean OFF, totally, to take it easy at home and be taken care of by your husband to the best of his ability. Even in my state of "new normal", I don't think I could handle that workload, but then, you are a lot younger and no doubt capable of more than I, if you can just be given a chance for a little recovery from this disease so you can get back on your feet.

[Alysia]

Hi Nikki,
like the others have already said, enough is enough. it is time to take care of number one: you. all the others can wait. I don't know if it is the flu, or the mtx, or wg or who knows. time to meet your doc. good luck.

[Meredith]

I had the flu - my throat (I HAVE THROAT PROBLEMS HAS TO BE STRECHTED) started closing up and I knew I was in trouble so went straight to the ER. Showed up in an x-ray that I had pneumonia in my right lung. When I arrived my heart rate was really high (NEVER HAD THAT BEFORE), immediately admitted. In the hospital for 5 days the end of Jan. They gave me antibiotics, etc. After it was all over my specialist said I did the right thing going to the ER. Don't play around with it. Took me 3 weeks till I started filling normal again.