POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: Basquo on July 27, 2007, 10:11:42 pm
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I’m posting this in Off-Topic because even though I’m sick, I’m pretty sure it’s not HIV-related—just dumb luck.
I’ve been having mild fevers for a few weeks. After I realized I had cancelled on dinner with my boyfriend 5 times, I decided to go to the doctor last week. My regular doc was on vacation, so I saw another one in the clinic. I told him that on the off-chance it was allergies (mold, from the STILL wet weather and occasional dry-out) I’d been taking Claritin, but hadn’t really noticed a difference. He ordered standard bloodwork plus my CD4 and viral load, and suggested I stop the Claritin if it wasn’t doing anything. I did, and BOOM! I had full-blown allergy symptoms. My friend in the lab called me to tell me that some of my blood arrived frozen at the off-site lab that does CD4 and viral load, so I had to get stuck again.
I went to work Monday, but Tuesday morning I could feel it going down into my chest, so I called in sick and went to the doctor again, a different one this time. He put me on an antibiotic, and didn’t know what else to do until the rest of my labs came back.
Long story short, I coughed up a little blood this morning (teensy bit) and on my fourth day off from work, went back to the same doctor from Tuesday. I’m starting to think he’s uncomfortable with treating HIV+ patients. He gave me more prescriptions and sent me for a chest x-ray. Long day when all I wanted to do was stay in bed.
So after another $89 fucking dollars at the pharmacy, I’m feeling okay. The doc gave me some Nasonex, I bought some Advair ($85) and some Robetussin with codeine. Yay! But I still have fevers (the green doc actually asked me “Are you really having fevers? Because you don’t have one when you come here.” I had to remind him that my normal temp is 97.6 so 98.9 IS a fever and I’m smart enough to take a fever reducer when it gets up there. Currently it’s 99.9.)
The upside is that I haven’t had a drink in several days, my inner Spaniard isn’t demanding wine, and I don’t really miss it. I’m not having any IBS symptoms, either, even with taking an antibiotic the size of my thumb twice a day. My labs finally came back—VL 406 and CD4s 814, not bad for blood drawn when I was sick.
The downside is that I have to miss the OZ Party tomorrow (see Wes’ thread here: http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=14187.0 (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=14187.0) My boyfriend is the organizer of this group and I want to be there to help him. I haven’t seen him in a week. With all the drugs, I feel like I could go, but considering I was contemplating going to the ER this morning, I don’t think it would be wise to go to a pool party, when it’s going to rain and there’s little chance of drying out all day.
Thanks for letting me vent a little.
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I too suffer from bad allergies, and had no relief from Claritin. Working with my allergist I tried several different medications and found a miracle drug. It is called Dallergy (used to be Pannaz). It is a prescription med and is very cheap. It works the best because it has the 3 main ingredients that you need: Chlorphenarmine an antihistamine, Phenylephrine a mucosal vasoconstrictor (decreases sinus swelling) and antihistamine properties, and Scopolamine which reduces the amount of mucus you produce. If you try this, be careful about drowsiness. I cant take the prescribed 2 pills a day, I have to take 1/2 a pill twice a day.
Also, with regard to several weeks of fever. Though I work in healthcare, I wont even pretend to know anything much about HIV. But I do know that here in Arkansas, in the summer months, when a patient presents to us with several weeks of fever, we always suspect a tick borne disease such as Lyme's or Ehrliciosis. So you might think back as to whether or not you have gotten any bug bites (not just ticks) prior to this incident. Here, we see it very commonly during the summer months. Hope some of this might be helpful. ; :)
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I've thought about insects, since there's almost always mosquitos aroud here, but neither doc asked me about that. Ticks are rare unless you're out hiking, which I haven't since it's been wet for so long. I did get stung on top of the head by a red wasp in June, but that was 10 days before the fevers started. I'll ask about Dallergy, but medicine-wise it looks like I've got allergies covered for the next few weeks with the Nasonex. If all this clears up and I heal nicely but still have fevers, you can bet I'll be back at the clinic to see my regular doctor. I started writing down my temperatures this evening. Thanks for the recommendation!
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*brings Basquo a nice bowl of chicken soup and a cool wet cloth*
(giving the boyfriend a break from playing mother hen)
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Ugh, Bubba, I'm sorry you're still not feeling well. When does the normal doc get back?
Flash sends puppy kisses and cuddles... I'm sure Kürt would too, but he's busy pooping... probably in my shoe or something
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he's busy pooping... probably in my shoe or something
SNORT! Giggle!! That made me laugh!! Thanks Sweetie!
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Creighton,
I'm sorry to learn that you haven't been feeling well. It sounds like this has been going on for a while, so I think you were smart to see your doctor. Between your fevers, and coughing up even a little bit of blood, your doctor should be taking your concerns seriously. Goodness knows that with the incesssant rain here, it could well be allergies. But it's gone on a long time, and you feel miserable, so your doctor should be working with you on this. If not, it's time for a new doctor.
Hugs,
Henry
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Thanks Henry! Dr. Wright has been on vacation, so I've seen two other docs at the same clinic, neither of which have the experience treating HIV that he has. If I'm not better by say, Tuesday, I'll try to get in to see him. The problem with that clinic is that the staff are very uncaring, and have an attitude, I guess they think they can get away with it because the majority of their patients are on public assistance and have no choice but to deal with whatever they can get. So if I get the old 'he's too busy, can you see Dr. _____,' I'll call my friend in the back office who can get Dr. Wright to call me himself. Once you get the doc's attention, the staff usually straightens up.
Now I can't sleep. Two doses of codeine. Brewing a cup of tea. Guess I should chase it with some ativan!
Take care,
Creighton
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Hello,
I hope you feel better soon. I have a sinus and ear infection right now cuz of work and stress, so I commiserate. Ick.
Drew
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Hope you are not still up readin this. Feel better soon!
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(((((((HUGS)))))))))
Get better soon.
Love
Jan :-*
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Hopes you feel better soon too....I'm new to getting allergies, so I'm just learning what triggers mine which seems to be freshly cut grass, trees, dust and mold so far. At the moment my doctor has me on Clarinex, not sure if you've heard of it. But it does seem to help, so does Nasonex except it seems to make my nose run or it's dripping back out.... :D
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A "few weeks" is a long time to be having low-grade fevers. I'll be glad when Dr. Feelgood gets back and can check things out.
How are you feeling this morning? Any better? Hope so.
Cheers,
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Hello,
Hope you are feeling better soon, but I do agree with Andy. If your fevers don't improve, make sure you go back to the doctor. I am a better to be safe, than sorry girl.
Christine
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Thanks everyone! I'm having some mean coughing fits this morning but they a very productive. I feel like I'm clearing a bunch of stuff out. I had a 99.7 temp earlier but I had just gotten out of the shower. Lee just came by with a bag full of books, movies and chicken soup. He's so sweet! I wish I could go to the party today, but you know, I pulled that shit in college and well into my thirties, and even though you think you're being low-key you get caught up in the spirit of the party and you overdo it, and then you're sicker than you were before. I've learned that lesson. It would take a family or friend emergency to get me further than the grocery today.
I'm bored, and sick of laying in bed reading, so I may do something very rare for me, whick is actually sit on the sofa and watch a movie or two.
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I agree with Andy too. The last time I had a long period of low grade fevers it ended up I was allergic to a medication I was taking. Take care!
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Hope you're feeling better soon Basquo! :-*
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Get well soon!
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I hope you're on the mend Creighton
just take it easy and get better soon!
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Get better soon. I'm jealous even of your sick lab numbers!