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.
“That which does not kill us makes us post vanities.”
~Friedrich Nietzsche
Seriously, I’m glad you’re on the mend.
I got a real bad case of pneumonia a few years ago, and collapsed. Someone saw me and got me to the emergency ward. I'm fine, put here's a caution: it never really completely goes away.
I've gone to pure foods, detoxed as much as possible, live a very balanced lifestyle. I also did a bucket list, but cancelled it halfway through....it does have a healing effect to do some of those things you've always wanted to do!
Stay healthy.
So you get your Amoxycillin from the pet foods store?
If so, I will need to make a trip.
Correction Laz ... Could I inherit ... I’d Hit It?
Freepmail coming
I thought you were dead Laz? Did you put me in your will?
It is a good hobby, to keep fish. And you need supplies to keep those fish healthy.
Damn, Dude, glad you paddled back across the river styx!
Hope next week is better....
I did put you in my will:
“I will... NOT GIVE ‘NO-TO-ILLEGALS’ ANYTHING!”
See? You were in there!
“If you have a nebulizer, a mix of hydrogen peroxide and saline is useful for treating pneumonia.”
—
In what proportions?
.
This new is actually disheartening .... I truly wanted to inherit ... I’d Hit It!
We have cats so fish are out of the question, but I could buy the meds to have on hand.
You may have
“I would gently tap that”
No, actually, fish are ideal to have if you have cats. They provide the cats 24/7/365 television. The cats will be fascinated. GET FISH.
I share Laz!!! So no not a threesome but you shall never be alone.
Better Half says Yum ... Yum!!!
Whenever I traveled and ended up close the Mexican border I’d go over and buy 100 penicillin pills for $5.00. You do have to check the expiration date. But if my wife or I got a bad cold we’d hit it hard with the antibiotics. I’m out now and wish I had some.
She Lies Laz ... She Lies!!!
Pneumonia with no breathing problem in the symptom list—a first! Research doctors should be very interested.
Your better half is a cat.
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