I want to cry - hand foot mouth disease may ruin my vacation!

[tigger1972]

I just needed to vent and decided to post here. I've been coming to these DIS boards every day for months now, planning my family's Disney vacation to celebrate DS's 3rd birthday.

I found a wonderful family through the DVC boards and arranged to rent points to stay at BCV from Monday Oct 9 - Fri Oct. 13th. We are driving down THIS FRIDAY, and staying with in-laws until checking in on Monday. MNSSHP tickets are bought for Oct 10th. I've set up lunch at H&V with Ryan's favorite Little Einsteins and dinner at CP with Pooh before the Halloween Party. Index cards are made, touring plans charted, packing list is typed and ready.

Monday Sept 25th, DS was diagnosed with Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. Basically, he had ulcers in his mouth, and little chicken-pox like blisters on his hands, feet, and diaper area. Doc said no worries...he should be fine by the trip and fortunately, yes he is now 100% recovered.

The problem is now me. Thurs Sept. 28th I got the ulcers in my mouth, on my tonsils, down my throat. Friday the 29th, I was so exhausted after work I had to rest 30 min after my patients left before driving home (I'm an orthodontist). Saturday was when I first noticed little blisters on my hands. I have been literally lying in bed since Saturday, praying to recover quickly and doing everything in my powers (drinking, vitamins, healthy foods) to do so. I have only left my bedroom to visit my doctor on Monday and to type this post downstairs right now.

Each day I have had to call work, cancel my schedule - about 60 kids, and my staff has been trying to reschedule them - I feel just horrible about all this. I have had a constant fever around 100 degrees since Monday night and aches in places I didn't know existed which are preventing me from sleeping, even after taking Unisom.

Well, last night I had drenching sweats and woke with no fever -- yipee! I called my office, told them I would probably be in on Thursday. I started feeling hopeful and happy, remembering what it was like to anticipate this trip. By 10am...99 fever...1pm...100 fever (took Tylenol)....now fever is up to 101 and I feel horrible.

I have now conceded we cannot leave on Friday and unless a miracle occurs, looks like I won't be working tomorrow. I am still a bit hopeful we can leave Saturday (it's a 14 hr drive to the in-laws), but I am so scared I will "recover" like I did this morning and then get worse again on the drive down.

I emailed the family we are renting points from and they said there is a 24 hr cancellation policy, and then we would have pretty limited choices for recheduling (BCV is booked for 60 days which is as far out as you can reschedule). They are wonderful and I feel horrible about causing so much trouble for them and my patients.

Does anyone have any experience with Hand Foot Mouth Disease as an adult? Any experience with having to reschedule a vacation with DVC last-minute? I really just want to go cry now. I know there is no miracle you guys can give, but I just needed to vent a little...

-April

 

[momto3girls]

No advice, just wanted to tell you I'm thinking of you..... What did the doctor say? Does he think you'll get better soon? Maybe the fever will break tonight for sure and you can still go....

Can't imagine how awful you must feel - so sorry!

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

Hand, foot, mouth is the worst! I got it from my daughter too. In fact it is one of my worries that we may catch it on the trip while we touch so many public surfaces. All I can offer is my sympathy and to say that if you mix mylanta and liquid benadryl it will numb your sores in your mouth and throat (our pediatrician reccomended this. She also told us that once the sores appear you are no longer contagious. I hope you can still make the trip, Disney does have a lot of popsicles, which is what the we lived off of during our episode with it. Good luck!

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't have any advice, but here is a for you.

Is your hubby driving? Hopefully you can get more rest during the drive down. I would just take it one day at a time. And if you have to have a more relaxed, slower paced Disney vacation, that is still better than none at all! Don't give up hope yet!

 

[tigger1972]

Now I am a little scared. Just went offline to check my Microsoft Money account and the little theme song sounded horrible! It sounded like all the instruments were flat and...well its hard to describe but there is obviously something going on with my hearing! I've had a ringing since around 1pm but have never experienced this before. I think I will go call the doctor on call.

 

[madelinesmum]

I had this two years ago and I can tell you that it sounds like the worst part is over with. It seems like I started getting better after having the night sweats and after my fever broke. I remember being weak and very achy. Atleast you'd get to rest on the drive. Any chance you can reschedule and just stay at a resort?
Good luck!

 

[jlx2]

Oh my goodness! I feel your pain. My twins had it this summer and one ended up in the hospital due to dehydration because he woundn't drink anything. The Dr. perscribed something called "magic mouthwash" that numbs the sores in your mouth. Maybe they have an adult version? Your best bet is to rest, rest, rest, and cancel all your appointments for the week (easier said than done I know!) But at least that way you won't stress about going into work and feeling crummy. Is there any way wou can drive down Sunday morning? That would buy you a few extra days to recouperate. As you know a Disney vacation can be tiring at times, so you really need to make sure you are feeling better. Take a day or two to just sit by the pool and sleep in. Make sure not to get worn down. Even if you drove down early Monday morning you will still be there for the check in day. Don't push it you really do need to rest and get better. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. Keep us updated!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

I feel awful for u.......sending and pixie dust that u will be better really soon and can enjoy!

 

[matt&jakesmom]

I hope that you get to feeling better and that your vacation will end up on a happy note. Please keep us posted. Take care.

 

[kidsgobears]

I was so exhausted after work I had to rest 30 min after my patients left before driving home (I'm an orthodontist).

Sending some pixie dust your way and hoping you feel better. I also hope that none of your patients come down with it. Sending

 

[Tinkbellfan]

tigger1972 - any updates on how you are feeling? Did you get ahold of the Doctor on call? Please keep us updated and we all hope you are over the worst of it.

 

[tigger1972]

Well, the doctor on call didn't offer much insight. She said she had seen ringing of the ears but had not heard of this altered hearing I am experiencing. The best I can describe is that things sound about a half note flat in my right ear (the one that is currently ringing) and it is creating dissonance. My son's voice and my own voice sound odd and almost "computerized" to me but my husband's voice sounds more normal. She just said I need to make an appointment to be seen tomorrow. So I am now cancelling tomorrow's schedule.

On a good note, my mouth ulcers are healed - they were very quick to heal over the weekend, and it is just the overall achiness and extreme exhaustion that is overwhelming me. I still have a fever around 100 now despite alternating tylenol and advil every 2 hrs.

I just wish I could know when I am going to get better so I can make a decision about this vacation. Our deadline to cancel with DVC is Saturday so I am praying to start feeling better before then.

Your words of encouragement really do help, though. I am trying to stay positive!

 

[prestonsmomma]

I had it last December. It lasted about 6 days with me after that I was drained but OK. I honestly think you will be OK by Sunday. The drive down won't be the best you've ever had but you can do it. I hope you recover quickly. It's NOT fun as an adult. My DS barely knew he had it. I on the hand, felt like I was dying for a couple of days.

 

[tigger1972]

Thanks for your insight - I am also hopeful I will get better before too long. I called and have an appointment at 10 today to examine my ear. In addition to the sound distortions, I am so dizzy I can't drive. I really don't want to burden poor DH with a 14 hr drive without me to trade driving times with!

 

[curiouser]

Sending some pixie dust your way and hoping you feel better. I also hope that none of your patients come down with it. Sending

Flame me, but that's what I was thinking. HF&M is highly, highly contagious! Even after your symptoms disappear you are still capable of spreading the virus. Just for the common courtesy of those in the parks I'd reschedule if you can. I know that's horrible to hear, but its the right thing to do.

 

[Desnik]

Ah, Coxsackie is what this is called. DD came down with it in the summer, then gave it to DH and then me. DS had a very mild case that lasted only 2 days. DH and I were a mess!! DH had the fever with the blisters on his skin. I had the blisters in my mouth, down my throat but no fever. We both were so exhausted. It took a good week for us to start feeling better. Do a search on the community board for coxsackie virus. We had a couple of threads going about it in the summer. Lots of really good info. I hope you are feeling better soon. Remember to make sure you all practice good hand washing. That is the only way to prevent it from spreading. I would just worry that someone else in your family would get it while you are down there. Has your DH had any signs of it yet? He might get lucky and not get it at all.
Good luck!

 

[4EverFigment]

My son had HF&M/coxsackie when he was not quite a year old; the biggest shock to me was, this is a virus that (at least then) wasn't found west of the Mississippi and I'd never heard of it before. Luckily he barely noticed it and neither adult in the house got it either.

If your immune system was strong before, you should rebound fairly fast; however anytime you've had a debilitating illness remember that your reserves are not there anymore. So while I'd say, you're going to be healthy again by the weekend-ish, you've got to keep in mind that your strength might not be where you'd want it to be for the parks.

Try to build up on vitamins and nutrients; eat very very healthy as much as you can; lots of Vit C, E, etc's that you've lost. Stay well hydrated. Sleep when you can, as much as you can for a couple of days. Pay attention to your body's cues and if you need to take a break, do it.

Overall, good luck. A positive attitude will carry a long long way!

peace,
figgy

 

[JessRocks83]

I am so sorry you are sick before your big trip. But to me it sounds like you have an ear infection now. I've had my share of them as a child and even now as an adult. I have ear problems and those are all signs that I have an ear infection. the fever... the ringing... the being dizzy but the good thing is you take so pain meds, get some meds from the doctor and with me at least I'm good to go. I really hope you feel better and can go on your trip.
Good Luck!!!

 

[MDMOUSE]

I know that yur child had coxsackie- just make sure and confirm that you don't have shingles. Your hearing issues make me suspicious and should be addressed aggressively and ask about valtrex. It shouldn't hurt and may help if this is something else.

 

[jcemom]

Just a thought...

Although BCV may be booked solid for the next 60 days...could you reschedule at another DVC resort? How about OKW or SSR? I don't have any experience with that, so I don't *know* for sure that it's allowed, but I would think it might be. It couldn't hurt to ask.