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.
By the way. I wouldn’t consider yourself out of the woods on this Laz. Give yourself a good week and a half to make sure it is all gone.
The beastie bacteria weren't phased by the antibiotics and the bacteria got into my bloodstream and damaged my heart. I had a heart attack and now only have 63% of my regular heart function. Changed my life forever.
Yes, I agree. I will attend my physician tomorrow, now that I am feeling reasonable enough to get around. The whole thing was a crap shoot, I agree. I took a chance and (apparently) won this time. I still feel like crap, my breath is still about <80% of normal efficiency, but I agree with you and I will go get the professional care I can. I just didn't want to do the Amber Lamps thing.
I’m just glad it did not spread to your pee-pee.
Seriously, we need you around here—please take care of yourself.
You should have a Peak Flow Meter to check.
Thanks Laz, I am adding one to my preps.
Amber lights suck. Have your wifey drive you while you puke out the window. It works but she does get a little stressed.
Laz, please put me in your will!?!
I could have cut my body off, in an effort to save my brain....
Seriously, I kid, but I will heed your advice. I used what was readily available to me at the time. I was unable to get to a doctor without an Amber Lamps. So I made do with what I had. I got lucky. I get that.
okay Laz, you’ll see why soon enough!?! Hand on Bible, Sir!!!
I can actually detect my shallow breath. I wouldn't try my normal 7-story-stairs hike when I get back to work, for a while.
Yeah, it’s a strange and scary thing; I was in my early thirties, extremely athletic, very energetic, and - like many kids before me - utterly full of myself.
Within a day or two I was humbled and semi-conscious in a bed slick with sweat - mine - and fighting for breath.
Luckily a friend stuffed me in her car and hauled me off to the hospital, where they gave me liberal handfuls of antibiotics (I can’t remember which one) and I spent about a month in bed.
It was a very nasty time.
Over Christmas Mr GG2 and I got what we think was viral pnuemonia. It started out as upper respiratory but the fatigue was hugh and series. We stockpile antibiotics also and started taking Cipro and an elderberry tincture Mr GG2 brewed up in the summer. I think it saved us from the ER. 4 weeks later we hardly had the energy to go to the grocery.
I’m glad you are doing well.
This is just a preview of what it will be like when the grid goes down.
Better Half says, *I'll take care of that!!!*
Really, for 25 bucks, it's an excellent investment, and for most people it's a one time shot...I get one every five years.
Be sure to stay on the antibiotics until you’re confident it’s ALL gone - then stay on another week or so.
It’s like Sigourney Weaver’s Alien - unless you’re sure it’s dead, it may come back and bite you on the *ss.
I need a solution for THAT, too.
The rest of the Grid Down test, I passed.
Pardon that pun.
My short term plan
http://www.doomandbloom.net/
Also I purchased a nurses guide to drugs and a Physicians Desk Reference off ebay.
My long term plan is putting my son through medical school.
I've actually paid a woman for this kind of treatment.
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