Question About the Flu UPDATE

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I wouldn't take the Tamiflu.

Sorry, but at the end of the commercial it clearly says, " will shorten your flu by 1 1/3 days." Really? A whole day and a third? And it costs how much??

 

[Shanti]

I confess that, at age 52, I don't *think* I've ever had the flu. If I did, I could not tell it apart from any other type of illness that I've ever gotten that has a fever and the usual symptoms.

So, today, I got up and was feeling absolutely normal. Went to work. Around 9AM, I noticed I felt like I needed to clear my throat here and there and I had a small cough. Very small. My coworker actually had one too and I even remarked to him about it. Pollen counts are very high so I attributed it to the full bloom of cherry blossoms.

Then I noticed later that I was feeling chilly. Now, I haven't been cold in at least a year as I'm in the throes of menopause. I was achy also, but I've actually *been* achy for two weeks because I've strained my hip and back so it's just really hard to tell. But as the day wore on, it got more noticeable. On the ride home I was freezing and feeling so achy.

I get home and my little cough is there but it actually seems not as bad. When I do any talking for a length of time, my voice my break up a bit. No runny nose. Fever is 100.8.

Now after reading tons of magazines, watching Tamiflu commercials, etc. I thought "Maybe I have the flu." I should run in and get the swab and catch it early. So I went to an urgent care and sat there for 2 hours. Swab is negative. Doctor said maybe I was too early but I know nothing about if there is such a thing as the literature says you shed about a day prior to symptoms. He loaded me up with Zithromax and Tamiflu and said I didn't *have* to take the Tamiflu but I probably had the flu.

So, for you flu experts: does this sound typical for early flu symptoms? I don't think it does. My temp is up to 101.5 but I have yet to take anything and have been sitting in a freezing exam room for a LONG time.

I hoping for just some simple virus.

The fact that it came on so swiftly & strongly suggests it is likely the flu. I would take the Tamiflu immediately if I were you. I used it within hours of symptoms this year and it really helped shorten the duration & severity of my flu.

I had my first flu several years ago and that was severe, very painful, & turned into pneumonia and bronchitis. I lost 10 pounds in one week. I will always take Tamiflu when flu symptoms arise, rather than go through all of that again.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Everybody is different, but it sounds to me more like a regular virus, since your symptoms aren't severe and you actually swabbed negative - I doubt it was too early if you were symptomatic. I can't believe they gave you Zithromax - did the doctor think you had a sinus infection or something?

 

[Pig Pen]

I had the flu one time and thought I was going to die. You will know it if you have it.

 

[Christine]

Everybody is different, but it sounds to me more like a regular virus, since your symptoms aren't severe and you actually swabbed negative - I doubt it was too early if you were symptomatic. I can't believe they gave you Zithromax - did the doctor think you had a sinus infection or something?

I have NO idea why he gave me the Zithromax. At the time of my visit my symptoms were just starting and I had absolutely NO nasal symptoms at all. None. I had a very slight cough--more of a tickle. Ridiculous.

Well, I was up most of the night with a fever of course. My symptoms have increased so that my cough is now a little more productive. It's not frequent but when it happnens my chest feels a little tight. I had what I can only describe as a very bad sinus headache all night and my nose started running a bit a some point. Again, nothing major.

What's bothering me the most is the fever, of course. My joints were already hurting due to some back strain, but it's like everything is magnified 10 times. When I sat up to get out of bed, it hurt really bad, but once moving it dies down to a dull roar.

I guess time will tell how bad this will be. I feel pretty bad but I wouldn't describe it as "mack truck" I cannot get out of bed bad. But I feel awful.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Flu magnet here. Does not sound like the flu. There are several viruses going around.

Generally when the flu hits you are sitting at 103 and you feel like you are at death's door.

 

[Poohforyou]

I've had the flu twice and how I know the flu from a bad cold, sinus infection or something else is the flu hits out of nowhere.

The first time dh and I were out shopping on a Saturday and I was fine within 15 minutes I was horribly achy, had chills, sore throat etc. It hit me like a Mac truck. Dh had to help me to the car. I couldn't go up or down the stairs at home without resting several times along the way. I slept on and off for the better part of a week.

Dh wanted to take me to the Dr but I felt too miserable to even consider going anywhere in the car. Our doctor diagnosed me over the phone and told me to push fluids and rest.

The 2 nd time I got the flu I ended up getting pneumonia on top of it.

 

[Christine]

Flu magnet here. Does not sound like the flu. There are several viruses going around.

Generally when the flu hits you are sitting at 103 and you feel like you are at death's door.

Thanks for letting me know that. Sort of what I was figuring. The highest I got last night, as my Tylenol wore off, was 101.8. I'm down to 99.5 this morning (which is typical for a morning fever). Can't wait until this afternoon!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I wouldn't take the Tamiflu.

Sorry, but at the end of the commercial it clearly says, " will shorten your flu by 1 1/3 days." Really? A whole day and a third? And it costs how much??

IF you are a person that gets the flu a lot, Tamiflu is invaluable. WHY? Because the flu has a high possibility of going into pneumonia.

I have taken it 3 times so far and it does help.

 

[Christine]

I've had the flu twice and how I know the flu from a bad cold, sinus infection or something else is the flu hits out of nowhere.

The first time dh and I were out shopping on a Saturday and I was fine within 15 minutes I was horribly achy, had chills, sore throat etc. It hit me like a Mac truck. Dh had to help me to the car. I couldn't go up or down the stairs at home without resting several times along the way. I slept on and off for the better part of a week.

Dh wanted to take me to the Dr but I felt too miserable to even consider going anywhere in the car. Our doctor diagnosed me over the phone and told me to push fluids and rest.

The 2 nd time I got the flu I ended up getting pneumonia on top of it.

That's the thing--mine came on quite suddenly. I was fine when I went to work in the morning and then BAM. But I don't seem to to have the exhaustion or other symptoms as you describe.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks for letting me know that. Sort of what I was figuring. The highest I got last night, as my Tylenol wore off, was 101.8. I'm down to 99.5 this morning (which is typical for a morning fever). Can't wait until this afternoon!

Yep. When you have the flu, drugs don't touch the fever really and it is HIGH for days morning and night.

 

[Christine]

So, is there something bad about Tamiflu? I am scared to death of all drugs so I really don't want to take it but I know a few people who have and it actually stopped their flu in its tracks versus only just shortening the amount of days they had it.

 

[Bilberry]

I don't really have advice in dealing with an existing cold or flu. It has been nearly 10 years since I last experienced one. I used to develop colds/flu frequently in the past. When i changed my diet and began eating healthier/real foods/ avoiding processed foods, along with obtaining some sensible sun exposure, avoiding being burnt, I stopped developing winter colds/flus.

 

[Christine]

I don't really have advice in dealing with an existing cold or flu. It has been nearly 10 years since I last experienced one. I used to develop colds/flu frequently in the past. When i changed my diet and began eating healthier/real foods/ avoiding processed foods, along with obtaining some sensible sun exposure, avoiding being burnt, I stopped developing winter colds/flus.

Here's the ironic thing. For many years, I have been Vitamin D deficient. Well, I'm sure I have. About 3 years ago, I started getting it measured and so I knew I was. Last year was the first time I have achieved a very good Vitamin D level and I still have it as I continue with supplements and sun. This is the first real illness I have (aside from a cold) since probably 2003.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So, is there something bad about Tamiflu? I am scared to death of all drugs so I really don't want to take it but I know a few people who have and it actually stopped their flu in its tracks versus only just shortening the amount of days they had it.

I would not take it because it does not sounds like the flu and would be a waste.

People that do not get the flu a lot do not understand the benefit of it.

Pneumonia is very, very common with the flu. I am susceptible which is why I will take the Tamiflu.

 

[Poohforyou]

That's the thing--mine came on quite suddenly. I was fine when I went to work in the morning and then BAM. But I don't seem to to have the exhaustion or other symptoms as you describe.

I'm sure you're feeling miserable and I know everyone is different but if I had the flu I wouldn't have the strength to be online or have the brain power to post. I hope you feel better soon. I personally wouldn't take any meds other than something my specific symptoms. Honestly tamiflu has side effects that might just add to your misery. Stay hydrated and rest.

 

[Christine]

I'm sure you're feeling miserable and I know everyone is different but if I had the flu I wouldn't have the strength to be online or have the brain power to post. I hope you feel better soon. I personally wouldn't take any meds other than something my specific symptoms. Honestly tamiflu has side effects that might just add to your misery. Stay hydrated and rest.

This is exactly what I wanted to know! I'm just going to chalk this up to some upper respiratory virus (since I've know got a cough and sinus stuff happening) and hope it goes away (at least the fever) in a day or two.

It has definitely ruined my Easter dinner plans; not that they were major but I was supposed to make a few things and that's not happening now.

 

[Bilberry]

I read about the controversy with Tamiflu, and the companies many political connections awhile ago. There was a good amount of news on that 5 years back. You can read a little on the controversy below, along with a British Medical Journal study finding Tamiflu of modest benefit.

If you find it helps though, it helps.

Does Tamiflu actually work (and is it safe)?

http://www.drbriffa.com/2009/12/11/does-tamiflu-actually-work-and-is-it-safe/

&

Why won’t Roche release its data on flu drug Tamiflu?

http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/11/02/why-wont-roche-release-its-data-on-flu-drug-tamiflu/

 

[mjkacmom]

Dd15 just had a cold like that. Came out of nowhere, bad headache, sore throat, fever, cough, runny nose, fatigue... Fever lasted less than 3 days, and now, a week later, she feels better.

 

[gemini2727]

Sorry you aren't feeling well. I've had the flu twice as an adult. I felt fine, then felt like I wanted to die. I KNEW it was the flu within an hour of first symptoms. Like a PP said, it's like being hit by a truck.

ITA. I had read once that if you can remember exactly when you started feeling sick, like out of the blue, (as opposed to a cold or another virus where the onset is more gradual) then good chance it's the flu. My son went into a birthday party last year, feeling completely fine, came out two hours later, feeling completely awful. It was the flu, hopefully he hadn't passed it on to the others