I spent my birthday just a little achy but I could feel it was getting worse. Sunday, I couldn't make myself even go to church, but the more I got up and showered I felt well enough to go have birthday dinner with my family. Monday was the last straw. I stole the batteries out of my roommate's remote (AAA) to use in her flashlight to check the redness of my throat. I thought it was strep, so after learning my Doctor was booked for the day, I forced myself to go to the InstaCare facility nearby.
After the strep test came back negative, the Dr. told me it was probably a secondary infection caused by whatever infection initially caused my head cold. I was given an antibiotic "Z-Pack" which cleared up the sore throat and sinus issues pretty well.
All last week I had this little hack that continued to get worse and worse as the week progressed. I went and bought some Robitussen cough syrup but after spending this past Tueday night (almost ALL night) hacking so hard I wanted to puke, I thought it was time to visit the Dr. again. By this time I had been on Nyquil/Dayquil for sinuses, Antibiotics, Nyquil (but the regular syrup this time), and Robitussen. I am still getting more sick. How is that possible??!!
Again, my Dr. was booked but at least an associate in the same office was available. After an hour and a half wait in the waiting room, the Dr. listens to my lungs, and asks me a bunch of questions (beyond the ones the nurse asked me before he got there). He tells me he isn't liking how my breathing/lungs sounds so he wanted to get a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia. X-ray tech was out to lunch! He decided that instead of making me wait or come back, that an x-ray probably wasn't 100% necessary, unless I wanted it. How do I know if I want it or not, I am not the Dr. that's why I am here!
I told him it was his call cause I just want this sickness gone! 3 sicknesses in 2.5 weeks. I will do whatever it takes! I didn't have the x-ray, but got two new prescriptions for stronger antibiotics, and cough syrup (w/codine). So, with my high deductible it came to $150. The pharmacist warned me before filling it, and asked what I wanted to do.
Let's see, not get better because you are a cheapo, and really end up with a full blown form of pneumonia and be in the hospital for who knows how long--which would only cost a freakishly tiny bit more than the medicine would. I opted for the medicine cause I am tired of spending the entire month of January wishing I could trade in my immune system for a better one! I have to go back in a week if I am still not 100% better, so all I have to say is,
"SELF, COULD YOU PLEASE GET BETTER ALREADY? THIS IS GETTING VERY TIRESOME, AND VERY EXPENSIVE. I PROMISE I WILL GIVE YOU CHOCOLATE IF YOU JUST GET BETTER!" (Should work right?)
I hardly ever get sick, and this one definitely takes the cake for the worst one in forever. I didn't really have another choice, so hopefully February (and let's hope the last week of January too) goes MUCH better!