Bamm, I'm sick

[ktfabian]

I just woke up and, not surprisingly, my throat is on fire, there's a gland in my neck that's threatening to pop through my neck and my sinuses feel like they're filled completely. My husband has been fighting a sinus infection/bronchitis for several days and it seems all our efforts at hand washing, separate towels and what not were for nothing.

I'm not worried about swine flu, but I do get Rituxan infusions on top of all the other concerns we normally have, and wondered how quickly others turn to their doctors in such cases?  Of course, I will call my family doctor in the morning (it's almost 4am here in PA), but I know I won't get in to see her very quickly and diagnosis will be done over the phone.  This has been happening more and more often lately, and at times it concerns me, but I'm not sure if I'm over reacting on that.  I really like her and my husband has pointed out that I probably won't find much different a situation anywhere else.

But I can tell this one is starting out with a much bigger bang than the annoying infections I've had over the winter and am wondering just how hard to push to be seen? or to settle for an antibiotic over the phone?

The good news is, despite my husband having been laid off from his job last month, we still have health insurance.  The newest stimulus plan in the US included a law that allows laid off workers to continue their health insurance (COBRA) at 35% of the total cost for 9 months instead of the usual 100% of what was paid by the company while they were  employed. (We found this out  from my husband's account/HR brother-in-law, not the company that  laid him off, then had to push for them to comply).  Under this program, insurance for both of use cost less than my Medicare  Part B, D and supplement insurance alone would have cost.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any thought you might have on the doctor/antibiotic thing.  The Rituxan and infections thing makes me nervous.  I also didn't have a flu shot last Fall because by the time they were offered, I already had bronchitis.

Thanks, Tracy

[wednesday mc haggis]

tracy
your haging a right time of it

I can comment too much as im in UK, but ehre no antibiotics would be prescribed unless youd actually seen the docotr, dont realy understand the phone presribing thing, surely she would have to see how bad it was, and get a swab done for culture to see what the infection is senstitive to ? especially as your on rituxan.

Hopefully someone will have better advice here that knows the US system better, seems to me like you need a new GP, butt hen i dont know how they work there, but certainly in the meantime, make a call to her

T x

[Linda196]

Sorry, I can't help either because, like McH, in Canada an antibiotic wouldn't be prescribed sight unseen, and only without a culture if it had the obvious tell tale smell or appearnace of a known pathogen.

My doctor told be when I started Prednisone, "Now that you are taking a drug that affects the immune system, if you get any thing, even a sniffle, that lasts longer than 24 hours, or if you have a fever, come see me! You might need antibiotics." I would imagine that the stronger the immunosuppressant is, the more necessary to have everything checked out.

[JannaLee]

Tracy,

I guess I would say, flat out, "This one is a doosy, and came on with a bamm.  I am worried because this infection does not feel like usual infections.  In fact I have a strong instinctive feeling this infection is going to be serious.  Is there any way I could get in sooner?"  Then, if by some miracle you get in today, say the same thing again to the doc.

That is about all you can do...Their answering machine basically says, "Go to the ER if you really think you're so sick."

We lived in Colorado for 20+ years and raised a chronic illness child there.  I have to say there were several times when I worried he would die because the doctors refused to work him in!  

Now I live in the middle of nowhere and could get in to see the local brain surgeon on 20 minutes notice!  

A lack of access to one's physician can really cause unnecessary wear and tear to your health on top of the germ!

Thinking of you!
Janna

[KYMOM]

Tracy, If it feels different to you than you should probably visit the Doc instead of trying to do this over the phone.  If you have frequent sinus and upper resp infections you may want to ask your Doc about nasal rinses and or sprays that could help with the nasal drip.  Hope you feel better and let us know what the Doc says. Roxanne

[Scottietottie]

Hi Tracy 

I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. I guess a doctor would have to assess whether this is something you've causght from your husband or whether it is something different. If it's a nasty virus but not bacterial, antibiotics won't do a thing for it but could be bad for the rest of you. 'Superbugs' are coming into being as a result of the overuse of antibiotics - but I'm sure you know that already.

I think the doc would need to take a look at you.

I hope you feel a bit better soon.

Take care - Scottie 

[irish]

Tracy, I live in the same world you do. I have the low t-cells so have a lot of infections. My immunologist who is 80 miles away wants me to call him ASAP when I get an infection. He will order meds over the phonee and depending on what is going on in my life he will tell me to go to my family doc if he feels it is something that needs to be seen. Also, he will also have me go in and get cultured here and have it faxed to him up there.

It sounds like you got sick fast and furious and if it was me I would be telling the nurse or the receptionist that I need to be seen today by someone. Sometimes we have to see whoever is on call and that can really stinks, but at least we are seen.

Also, I think your husband is probably right about the doc you like. If you change docs I would bet you would not get one that was as good and could be really a lot worse. We just have to know when to fight for our rights. Remember that Rituxin kills off the B cells and untill they are replacing themselves you are at higher risk for infections. Have you had your B cells checked lately. I forgot how many infusions you have had and how far apart they are. Good luck. Irish

[ktfabian]

Thanks everyone.

I called yesterday and of course, there were no appointments available.  She called in generic Zithromax, which is a good antibiotic for me.  I started it yesterday but actually feel lousier today.  I know this is the way it hit my husband as well, but he starts out with these things as a healthy 59 yo man.  I'm only 48, but you all know the rest of the story.

My husband went to work for what was supposed to be a short time (yeah, right) and took my car because he has his taken apart to fix something that isn't fixing as easily as he thought. So, I'm basically stuck at home.  But I have decided that, if I wake up tomorrow not feeling the least be better or even a tiny bit worse, if I can't get in to be seen by my doctor, I will just have my hubby take me over and we'll sit in the lobby til she agrees to see me.  I look pretty nasty, so maybe I'll scare some of the other patients away!

I haven't felt this sick in a while, so I'm not going to settle for describing things over the phone and hoping she gets it right.  Thanks for helping me know that my thoughts were correct.

(please excuse the typos because my fingers are kind-of fuzzy, and they don't always land where they should)

Thanks again, Tracy