[ClaraTaylor]

I'm rather doped up with medication right now (and I HATE IT ) so excuse the nonsense but I appear to be rapidly declining into a "flu" like illness. It feels like all of the side effects of the drugs have suddenly tripled (hence the doped up) and the "effects" of my SCI are much more noticeable / harder to deal with.

Does anyone else find that a general cold (yes I know it's June but I'm catching myself the sniffles) wipes them out so much more now than it used to?

It feels absolutely pathetic (and ruins the "indestructible status I have earnt amongst my friends) but completely dehabilitating. Wish me luck - it's taken two hours to get dressed and now I've got to try and get into work.

This post has been edited by ClaraTaylor: 25 June 2009 - 07:21 AM

[greybeard]

Could the sniffles actually be hayfever? I started suffering from it suddenly at the age of 62. Never noticed it before - then suddenly started to feel life shit, with all the symptoms of mild flu.

Why not try some anti-hayfever stuff like Benadryl? It might work.

[Travelling Blackbird]

ClaraTaylor, on Jun 25 2009, 09:16 AM, said:

Does anyone else find that a general cold (yes I know it's June but I'm catching myself the sniffles) wipes them out so much more now than it used to?

Yes. Colds, the flu, allergies, stomach bugs... if it causes any kind of temperature, makes it harder to breathe, or causes any kind of cramps, it exacerbates the effects of the SCI, TBI, MS, CP or whatever it is that put us in the disabled category. Pain seems more acute, fatigue comes on faster, and things that are already may be difficult, like transferring, bowel care, getting dressed and so on, become even more difficult because we can't concentrate, and get frustrated more easily. The combined effect is to put us down for longer, and eat into our reserves.

My flat-mate got over the erythema infection in about 8 days. I'm still feeling it after 19 days: aching joints, recurring fever, dizziness, and a general run-down feeling that tells me that even when I'm better, I won't be better.

ClaraTaylor, on Jun 25 2009, 09:16 AM, said:

It feels absolutely pathetic (and ruins the "indestructible status I have earnt amongst my friends) but completely dehabilitating. Wish me luck - it's taken two hours to get dressed and now I've got to try and get into work.

Just as a side note: several friends of mine have actually requested that I stop worrying about appearing indestructible to them. They said that they know I'm tough, and stubborn, and have gone through a lot, and they're already impressed and proud of me, but if I wouldn't mind, could I just occasionally let them see that I'm human because they don't like this feeling that I'm gritting my teeth and bearing it in an effort to maintain an indestructible rep.

[twisted_ophelia]

I find that if a cold gets into my lungs, I have a really hard time getting rid of it. All my coughing muscles aren't working so the stuff just doesn't come up and out. I'm still hacking up a lung from when I was sick the other week. I'm prone to getting stuff like bronchitis and pneumonia because of shit like that. Just rest up and take lots of vitamin C, eats lots of garlic, and hopefully you will feel better quick. Take some cold medicine if you need it! Also, like Greybeard said, it could be allergies/hay fever. If the snot is clear, it's allergies. If it's green/yellow, you're sick.

[greybeard]

twisted_ophelia, on Jun 25 2009, 04:21 PM, said:

If the snot is clear, it's allergies. If it's green/yellow, you're sick.

Love it when you talk dirty!

If you need help pummelling your chest, you only have to ask.
I'm sure Scribs is as good with chests as he is with bums.

[Slowlegs]

I think things like bladder infections also bring down resistance. I find if I get a cold and have a bladder infecton at the same time it can often take a couple of months for the bladder infection to cure. Also, bugs like klebsiella pneumoniae can also pass from the bladder to the kidneys and then to the lungs from the blood stream. They can cause pneumonia if left untreated so make sure you keep on top of your bladder infections while you have colds/flu.

This post has been edited by Slowlegs: 25 June 2009 - 07:58 PM

[ClaraTaylor]

greybeard, on Jun 25 2009, 09:27 AM, said:

Could the sniffles actually be hayfever? I started suffering from it suddenly at the age of 62. Never noticed it before - then suddenly started to feel life shit, with all the symptoms of mild flu.

Why not try some anti-hayfever stuff like Benadryl? It might work.

It's not a hayfever thing as far as I know, certainly my wandering through the garden / canal tow path / field hasn't made it worse.
Worth keeping in mind I guess.

[ClaraTaylor]

Travelling Blackbird, on Jun 25 2009, 01:16 PM, said:

ClaraTaylor, on Jun 25 2009, 09:16 AM, said:

Does anyone else find that a general cold (yes I know it's June but I'm catching myself the sniffles) wipes them out so much more now than it used to?

Yes. Colds, the flu, allergies, stomach bugs... if it causes any kind of temperature, makes it harder to breathe, or causes any kind of cramps, it exacerbates the effects of the SCI, TBI, MS, CP or whatever it is that put us in the disabled category. Pain seems more acute, fatigue comes on faster, and things that are already may be difficult, like transferring, bowel care, getting dressed and so on, become even more difficult because we can't concentrate, and get frustrated more easily. The combined effect is to put us down for longer, and eat into our reserves.

My flat-mate got over the erythema infection in about 8 days. I'm still feeling it after 19 days: aching joints, recurring fever, dizziness, and a general run-down feeling that tells me that even when I'm better, I won't be better.

Thanks! I am glad it wasn't just me being "more broken than normal". I hope you feel better soon!!

We've begun to think that perhaps I went toxic or something with my new tablets... I had to stop taking them (mainly because I couldn't swallow them and struggled with the Lyrca) and already just not having the side effects is making life much more bareable even though the pain is rocketing in the direction of up. Something to talk to the doctor next time he comes in from the golf course.

Travelling Blackbird, on Jun 25 2009, 01:16 PM, said:

ClaraTaylor, on Jun 25 2009, 09:16 AM, said:

It feels absolutely pathetic (and ruins the "indestructible status I have earnt amongst my friends) but completely dehabilitating.

Just as a side note: several friends of mine have actually requested that I stop worrying about appearing indestructible to them. They said that they know I'm tough, and stubborn, and have gone through a lot, and they're already impressed and proud of me, but if I wouldn't mind, could I just occasionally let them see that I'm human because they don't like this feeling that I'm gritting my teeth and bearing it in an effort to maintain an indestructible rep.

Unfortunately it is my friends who gave me the indestructable status. It is not something I try to live up too but something that is put upon me. Many times I've said I can't do something only to get "but you're indestructable".
I'd much rather it this way than they try and pander or stop doing the insane things we do together. But it does get hard work at times.

[greybeard]

ClaraTaylor, on Jun 28 2009, 10:06 AM, said:

greybeard, on Jun 25 2009, 09:27 AM, said:

Could the sniffles actually be hayfever? I started suffering from it suddenly at the age of 62. Never noticed it before - then suddenly started to feel life shit, with all the symptoms of mild flu.

Why not try some anti-hayfever stuff like Benadryl? It might work.

It's not a hayfever thing as far as I know, certainly my wandering through the garden / canal tow path / field hasn't made it worse.
Worth keeping in mind I guess.

When the pollen count is high, like it is at the moment, you don't have to be in a grass meadow to suck it up your nose. It gets blown everywhere, including inside your home.

[twisted_ophelia]

greybeard, on Jun 25 2009, 12:29 PM, said:

twisted_ophelia, on Jun 25 2009, 04:21 PM, said:

If the snot is clear, it's allergies. If it's green/yellow, you're sick.

Love it when you talk dirty!

If you need help pummelling your chest, you only have to ask.
I'm sure Scribs is as good with chests as he is with bums.

I love how well taken care of I am around here