Posted on 03/06/2014 3:56:31 PM PST by Lazamataz
I had a bacterial pneumonia over this last week.
It manifested as flu-like symptoms, at first: Low-grade fever, dizziness, chills, then sweats, and a constant fatigue. I thought nothing of it for the first day, having been the self-administered victim of minor food-poisoning before. However, this illness didn't seem to want to pass. By the second day, Sunday, I became more anxious as to the true cause of the malady. It was less likely to be a true influenza, because I had received a flu vaccine shot this year. So what was it?
I almost thought to get to the doctors, but it was Sunday, he would not be open until Monday morning. I did contact a friend who is a health care professional (an anesthetist) and knowing he was not versed in general practice of medicine, figured he might have picked up a thing or two along the decades. He was quite alarmed at my symptom list and suggested that I might have a bacterial or viral pneumonia. Upon looking the symptom list up, on a one-for-one basis, each symptom listed corresponded to a symptom I was presenting. The various literature indicated that a viral pneumonia was (generally) less severe, although more dangerous because they tended to occur in infants and elderly. Mine was likely a bacterial pneumonia.
The treatment indicated was a good antibiotic, and the one most commonly mentioned was one I just so happened to have: Amoxycillin. It is part of my Grid Down supply kit. I decided -- based on all available input -- to start a 7 day course of 750MG a day.
The next day, before the antibiotics had a chance to work, was the worst. I was completely unable to get into a car to get to the doctor. I genuinely felt at deaths door. I seriously considered, several times, calling 911 to get help, but backed off. It was awful.
Things improved, and now, six days after it started, I am well enough to pen this article.
The thoughts I have had emerge from this event:
1) While it would have been best to go to a doctor, it was an interesting experiment (thankfully, a successful one) to be able to treat yourself with supplies on-hand, with the guidance and expertise of someone in the medical field. It may well be that under the new 'Health Care System' we will be living under, we'll be needing to be a lot more proactive with our health. We may need to be able to diagnose and treat ourselves to the best of our abilities.
2) I do recognize I got lucky, and that this is not my best option while the system still works. However, it was the best I could manage without calling an ambulance, and until Monday, I wasn't that bad. I seriously considered it four times on Monday.
3) SHTF supplies are useful. They were critically useful for me. SHTF does not NECESSARILY mean societal breakdown. The SHTF for me, personally, last week. I am glad I had the proper supplies ON HAND to treat the probable disease.
4) This has caused me to do a mortality check. I am not bulletproof and 10 feet tall. Death is an option for me. I need to have my spiritual house in order, and to try to maximize the order in my physical house.
5) It's important that there be instructions left on things to do after my death. Contacting relatives, friends, and perhaps this very forum, might be one instruction. Another may be an 'unofficial will' ... I have no great wealth, so the various items I have acquired should be allocated by my instruction. Important notes to loved ones might be something I also want to leave.
Turns out I had Consumption and Congestive Chill, Bloody Flux which caused Apoplexy, the Grippe, and Flus of Humour, Scrofula, and Putrid Fever.
God I love how they used to refer to disease back in the 1800’s.
Laz, why are you describing my life?
Sounds like neurasthenia to me.
My theory is once your symptoms include “anal seepage” its time for a trip to the Doctor...
Gee... this one knows my doctor!!!
Another possibility is hysteria due to wandering womb.
When you get past this, go get a Pneumonia Vaccine shot.
Never had the anal seepage.
If you have a nebulizer, a mix of hydrogen peroxide and saline is useful for treating pneumonia.
Thank God you don't have anal leakage just yet....
Laz, you lucked out again.
THAT’s the immediate reaction I have if I sneeze more than twice!ha.
Great write-up..just excellant. I am selfishly glad that you survived so we could have this great post. Glad you are ok.
I might be naive, but how would you have prescription medication available?
All of this was a bit of a crap shoot.
Does this mean ... I could inherit ... I'll Hit It?
To your Zombie Apocalypse Regimen you might want to add a brisk walk around the block each day to counter the Fattiatrophy.
I too have a dreaded fear of taking an ambulance ride. I’ve had friends charged $5-10k for the privilege. Most had insurance which probably negotiated it down to $2-3k. But if you’re uninsured you owe the whole shebang.
On the other hand, if you come in an ambulance you’re automatically admitted rather than spending god-knows-how many hours in a hard plastic chair next to somebody with infectious TB.
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