Nurses ... what is this 'flu'?

**SewCrafty** · 01-25-2006, 12:01 PM

Since Saturday night I have had this 'flu'. It started out as chills, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, bone and muscle pain, and my skin felt like it was raw to the touch. I actually have been wearing my nightgown inside out because the seams rubbing on my skin hurt. Oh and an excruciating headache.

Now it is 4 days later and I still have the occasional nausea and dizziness, the bone pain is gone completely along with the raw skin feeling and headache. Still have the muscle aches and the diarrhea is out of control.

I have been drinking to stay hydrated, taking Tylenol Flu med and Imodium. Is there anything else I can do?

My sis is in town and I can't even go see her because her immune system isn't back up to normal counts yet from chemo and radiation treatments, and she leaves on Sat! She has been here since Sunday and I haven't seen yet.

Is this a new strain of flu to be lasting so long? Or is it just me and my 'good'

luck?

TIA

**Kimberlina** · 01-25-2006, 01:34 PM

I'm not one of the nurses, but I do work in allied health and know a little bit about the flu.

Most of your sympotoms sound like true influenza, but not the diarrhea. Influenza doesn't really have a GI component. True influenza, BTW, lasts a long time- it can be weeks. When I had it last year (first time in my life) it was textbok- headache, body aches, chills, high fever, and I was pretty much unable to get out of bed. I missed a week of work and would have missed more, but I work only 3 days a week and it started on my days off.

If it were ME, I would just call my MD and give her (or her nurses) a rundown and cee if they wanted me to come in. If they think it is influenza or another VIRAL infection, they may not want you to come in, as the anti-virals really need to be taken at the onset of illness to do any good at all. If they aren't sure or think it may be a bacterial thing, they might want to see you. If it is bacterial, they can give you antibiotics, which of course will do no go if it is viral.

Hope you are feeling better soon, Dee.

**Kimberlina** · 01-25-2006, 01:40 PM

Actually, upon thinking this over, I strongly encourage you to call- they may just want to keep a closer eye on contagious things with you . Go call 'em, Dee!

**Englishlady** · 01-25-2006, 01:59 PM

Dee, I am fortunate enough to have a doctor in the family and I just asked for a professional opinion:

"As far as I can tell from the description it sounds like Viral gastroenteritis. It could be "flu" but yes, you don't usually get diarrhoea with flu.

It is not unusual for the Diarrhoea to last this long.

You are doing all the right things, but if you continue to feel unwell it is not unreasonable to speak with your own Doctor."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Me now! I hope you feel better soon Dee

**SewCrafty** · 01-25-2006, 02:06 PM

Thanks ladies, I'll be calling the doc then.

**Kimberlina** · 01-25-2006, 02:09 PM

Glad to hear it, Dee. Let us know how things go.

**canadian gardener** · 01-25-2006, 02:21 PM

hope you are feeling better soon Dee, this is Wed and first day I've been back on since before ds came for his visit.

Missed a few threads, but hoping you are better soon and I ditto the above ladies.

**Darlene** · 01-25-2006, 03:06 PM

Aww Dee, I'm sorry you are feeling so bad, you were just recently sick at Christmas. No fair! You take good care & I hope you are feeling 100% better soon.

**SewCrafty** · 01-25-2006, 06:25 PM

Thanks ladies.

I know Darlene, I was thinking the same thing! Now that Kimberly said it can last weeks, I wonder if I have had it all this time as I have felt rotten for weeks. Just figured it was the winter blahs etc..........

I did call the doctor's office right after I posted this and the nurse finally called me back at 3:30 and said he wants you to come in and see the nurse practictioner (sp). Seems this diarrhea shouldn't be going on so long. Okay I say well you have to give me about an hour and a 1/2. She said no how about 4pm? Um no, I'm not coming in without a shower (my hair is now standing on end LOL) and it is a 45 minute drive one way! Oh............

So I go tomorrow morning at 8am, but if I can keep this diarrhea under control by bedtime (so far so good today with the help of Imodium) then call their answering service and cancel the appointment.

What I forgot to ask and just thought of, if I am feeling better tomorrow and don't need to go in to the doctor's office, am I still contagious? I don't want my parents or my sister to get this crud.

Thanks again Kimberly for sharing your knowledge and Karen for asking your 'family' doctor, please tell him/her I very much appreciate their help.

**Mamaw** · 01-25-2006, 07:13 PM

Dee I hope you feel better soon. But I think I would keep that appointment tomorrow just to get checked out. It is just to miserable to feel that ill

**baxjul** · 01-25-2006, 07:18 PM

Hello.

At work I've seen this (I work in a Dr. office as a nurse). The "flu" doesn't usually have vomiting or diahrrea, so it does sound like gastro enteritis! Definitely keep hydrated, get lots of rest, keep trying the immodium. Normally an antibiotic won't help this, and yes it does last a couple of weeks at a time. The only real thing is to treat the symptoms. Let us know how you are doing.

**baxjul** · 01-25-2006, 07:19 PM

I forgot - if you are feeling better, don't have a fever, and the diahrrea is gone you are probably not contagious any more.

**northernmom2boys** · 01-25-2006, 07:25 PM

Hi
My entire family one after the other had the exact same thing as you are describing before xmas.For at least a week after we still all had the runs,things were not settled down there lol
It took a good 2 to 3 weeks to get appetites back and energy
Hope you feel better soon
Michelle