Being used to being sick can kill you!

[Tempez]

I USED to kid with my husband that I was getting "used to" being sick.  Some days I could tolerate the pain more than others, some days my parotids would be the size of an egg. On Christmas day, my glands were in painful overdrive and I spent the day in bed with a heating pad on high trying to get relief.  I continued "feeling bad", but thought nothing of it, because quite honestly, with Sjogrens I feel bad alot.  My husband and mother talked me into going to the doctor (against my better judgement).  I was diagnosed immediately with pneumonia.  It was so bad I was told straight to the hospital I go OR complete bed rest with daily trips to the doctor for shots.  I am soo grateful I listened to my husband and mom.  I have started the new year now with a new attitude: Feeling bad will NOT be my norm!  I am feeling oh so much better now. p.s. The MASSIVE amount of antibiotics has taken the swelling and pain down to my parotids to the lowest amount in a LONG time!

[Joe S.]

I am glad that you are feeling better.

[Carolina]

Oh dear Tempez,

THAT is the dilemma, isn't it!!??

We get used to how bad we feel, work so hard to overcome it, and forge ahead, and THEN don't recognize the symptoms of an illness that can be, or MUST be treated.

More than once my husband has had to say to me:  "This looks different to me, Elaine.   Let's go to a doctor, or the ER, or whatever".

And that shows me that he is paying attention, even tho' it often seems to me like he is shrugging off my struggles.

I still cannot tell when I have an infection, most of the time.

I do have to say that prednisone (I'm on a pulse pack for itching, which is almost finished, alas) is working a miracle on my energy.   The constant pain and fatigue are gone with the  prednisone and I'm getting stuff done that I haven't had the energy for in ages. 

I still have some itching tho'!   Go figure.

Keep us posted, and thanks for the 'heads up' again, Tempez.

Hugs

Elaine

[LizPetillo]

Feeling bad will NOT be my norm!

It's pretty much mine ...
I'm either not feeling well or I'm feeling worse.
Pick one or the other.  But never 'good' or 'well'.

[Luna]

I am so glad your husband and mother insisted you go. You are so right. We can end up dying not realising its something else wrong. Im so glad you went in..

Luna

[GeorgiaGirl]

Glad you are better and that those around you noticed!  Unfortunately some degree of pain and/or fatigue is our new "normal" . . .

[genko_b]

I'm dealing with that myself right now. I ended up with a bad case of the flu (yes I had my shot) mouth sores and a UTI, and only found out I was so ill when I went to the doctor to have my blood drawn to get a refill on the methotrexate. My white blood cell count had plummeted to 1.8, due most likely to the virus!

Anyway, things are beginning to get under control now with an antibiotic for the UTI and I came off both the CellCept and the methotrexate to allow what's left of my immune system to kick in. So things are looking up.

But it's true you get so used to hurting and being exhausted you can't tell when it is worse or different.

Take care,

Genko

[Pisces24]

YES!!!      Durn it is hard know how bad is bad and when to see the dr. You hate running to the doctor all the time too. I work full time so that involves taking time off work too. Corporate american frowns on that - (it is another loooong story on that issue.)

I also did something like that. With me it was walking pneoumonia a couple yrs ago. I thought I was gradually feeling a bit better so heck, I thought ok to wait until Thursday when I had my physical instead of going in Mon/Tues. Well dr about bawled me out as I should have come sooner. I didn't end up in the hospital but I was "don't even poke you nose out the door for at least 3 days", med and rest.

Nice to have someone else in the house that can help you gauge when bad is really bad.