Down with the sickness

Posted by anamerith@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 68 comments

So I consider myself pretty healthy, I just take one regular prescription and get sick with a cold etc about 1-2x a year. However that has all flown out the window this year as I turned 50. I recently became the lucky receipent of "Flu B" after graciously sacrificing three hours of sanity to my sons cello concert. But I digress, Flu B kicked my ass into the next month then immediately turned into full blown pneumonia. Now on week three, having been through three different antibiotics all of which have destroyed any sort of gut flora that ever existed and still coughing like day one, this is utter bullshit. Bullshit to a level I've never experienced before in my 50 years. This is true ageism.

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TheWorldTurnsAround@reddit

I got my pneumonia shot at 55 (this year) on recommendation.

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Nakatomiplaza27@reddit

I had flu b when I was 25 and was down 4 weeks had to take FMLA at work; it's no joke.

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

This makes me feel somewhat better that I am struggling so much. I mean it is a double diagnosis so I need to give myself some grace.

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Guidance-Still@reddit

It's also a good song by disturbed

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klippDagga@reddit

Oooh wah ah ah ah.

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Guidance-Still@reddit

Now the new rock to check out is a group called " the warning" three sisters from Mexico

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Enge712@reddit

I recall seeing them play at Ozzfest in the early 00s and wondering if all of the crowds hate really could flow into him. Seemed like a mind blowing idea but we were also a little high

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Guidance-Still@reddit

I think ozzfest was their first big tour back then

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killroy1971@reddit

Yeah as you get older, the time to deal with sickness is at the first sign on illness. When I start sneezing or develop a sore throat due to post nasal drip, I medicate as soon as possible. I also start fluids and get as much rest as I can. Better to loose a day or two than loose a week or three dealing with a lingering infection.

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tictac120120@reddit

I only medicate at night so I can sleep.

In the daytime I let the nose drip all it wants, maybe a netti pot or some steam/ humidifier but I do not use medications to stop the drainage or cough unless I'm so miserable that gets in the way of healing.

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

I actually went to the urgent care 3x before they diagnosed me with pneumonia, so it definitely wasn't for a lack of trying on my part unfortunately.

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Alternative-Dig-2066@reddit

I never stopped masking in public enclosed spaces. 2 immunocompromised family members and a desire to not prematurely cause their death.

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tictac120120@reddit

You are a hero.

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No-Baker-4543@reddit

53, colds after Covid have been horrible. Month plus to get over. All new to me...

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Mediocre-Proposal686@reddit

There have been studies that show covid wreaks havoc on the immune system. Doctors are reporting patients that come in with a cold that takes weeks to clear up or turns into pneumonia and/or bronchitis. It’s worrying researchers because if it is weakening immune systems it could mean people won’t be able to fight off cancers, or other diseases that can easily overwhelm immunocompromised individuals. Also that the damage appears to be much worse for those who were not vaccinated, and those who have caught it repeatedly.

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swarleyknope@reddit

This is why I’m one of the weirdos who still masks everywhere.

I’m single & don’t had kids. Mono already wrecked my health when I was 18 & left me with long term symptoms. I can’t afford to get too sick to take care of myself (and my dog) 😕

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tictac120120@reddit

I also wear masks still. I have health problems.

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Mediocre-Proposal686@reddit

Are you me? Lol. Yep, still mask everywhere too. Have so far not caught it that I know of. Had Mono at 15. Awful! I was sick the entire summer.

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swarleyknope@reddit

I had it an entire winter break, first year in college. The worst!

And then I got it again when I was in my late 20s & had to take a 3 month leave of absence from work.

Didn’t anticipate needing to continue taking precautions for this many years & it puts a bit of a damper on my social life, but I’d rather feel healthy while I’m doing nothing than doing nothing because I’m too sick 😕

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BeepBopARebop@reddit

I am still getting over the worst cold I have ever had. I am someone who has always considered myself to have a rock solid immune system and this one absolutely kicked my ass. I've lost most of the hearing in my left ear from this virus. I've also talked to three people in my small town who have had similar experiences. I don't know what it is but this year seems to be especially bad. Sorry to hear that it sounds like you got the worst of it.

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Digitalispurpurea2@reddit

I hope your hearing comes back and you feel better soon. Getting old sucks

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BeepBopARebop@reddit

Thank you!

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

Thank you, I hope you're on the mend. The only good thing that's happened so far was the sickness also took 10lbs I didn't need.

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swarleyknope@reddit

I know it’s not super popular, and I understand why folks don’t love to do it, but I’m still masking in indoor situations due to pre-existing conditions, and I haven’t caught a cold or flu since the pandemic hit.

Not sharing this in any sort of sanctimonious or judgmental way - none of my friends wear masks - I’m just tossing it out there as an option to help stay safe 💕

COVID infections made everyone’s immune systems extra vulnerable, and each subsequent infection causes more damage, but it seems like even most doctors don’t seem to be communicating this very well, which makes it difficult for people to make informed decisions to weigh out risks.

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

I so wish I had masked now 😩 deep regrets here.

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swarleyknope@reddit

It’s not too late to start!

There have been lots of folks who have just begun to take precautions recently because they are tired of getting sick.

I didn’t mean for my response to come across as “you should have been masking” - I just wanted to share that masking does seem to work, to help avoid future illnesses.

And it doesn’t have to be an all the time thing. Even just being aware of the option before a big trip or while traveling so that getting sick doesn’t tank your vacation can be helpful. 💕

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tictac120120@reddit

Masking definintely works.

I have very low immune system and the difference was incredibly obvious for me. Had a little kid that I lived with spread his strep for two days all over the house while I masked (just at home before covid) and everyone else got it but me. First time anything like thats happened to me.

Repeated experience showed the same results.

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

I totally agree with you.

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MamaSquash8013@reddit

I keep a pack of masks in the car, and a couple in my purse, in case of a crowded situation.

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Loose-Confidence-965@reddit

Yes I’m doing this more. I got covid two months ago and missing work and having a surgery pushed back was the result. It sucked and took away my saved PTO so I had little pto left over for th surgery. Happy no loved ones got it from me!

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Ok-Cauliflower-3129@reddit

Smart move I don't because for some reason it seems I was immune to covid.

A lot of people got it and I was I close contact with them and I didn't. One person spent and hour in my car hacking and coughing with the windows rolled up.

I went to check on them a day later cause I was worried about them and they were so sick they couldn't get up off the floor. They spent over a month in the hospital and almost died.

Anyways you're being smart and safe.

The bird flu will be coming here shortly. There's already been 52 reported cases in the US this year I think.

It's got like a 50% - 90% kill rate in humans from what I've read.

I'm sure the 50% is the US governments wishful thinking and a way to lesson the fear.

Other countries reports I've read had 90%.

America has shut down a lot of the stop gap measures that would have warned us or slowed it down.

It's going to make COVID look like the fucking sniffles.

It's coming, start getting prepared now.

I'll be getting some N100 masks shortly and sart getting a lot of beans and rice saved up.

Plus all the other shit that disappeared when covid hit.

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postprandialrepose@reddit

What's nice is that you're doing what's right for you without crushing everyone else's hopes and dreams. That's more than what many seem capable of these days.

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immersemeinnature@reddit

I am currently going through this 😢 haven't started any antibiotics yet. Should I just forget about it? Doesn't sound worth it but I have family coming for thanksgiving

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

Well a viral illness can turn into a bacterial infection and if that happens you most certainly want antibiotics so best to get checked.

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immersemeinnature@reddit

I just saw the doctor and started today. Can't wait to feel better. Thanks for your concern 🙂

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veryforsure@reddit

Sending well wishes. Sucks ass getting old.

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MsColumbo@reddit

I had pneumonia earlier this year. Am otherwise healthy and get lots of exercise. Never had it before.

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

How long was your recovery?

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MsColumbo@reddit

It took me three weeks of being progressively worse to get to a doctor and start on three really strong antibiotics in a week, plus steroids. After that it took my lungs 2 to 3 months to really get back to where they were. But I have asthma too so that complicated things.

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

Did the mucus part linger? At 3 weeks that's where I'm at, despite all the meds, choking on mucus constantly. I just start steroids and 3rd antibiotic yesterday.

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MsColumbo@reddit

The "productive" cough (that awful deep rattling) went away within a week of my starting the antibiotics. But I took three different kinds pretty soon after one another. But the wheezing, especially at night, stayed for months and I was afraid I had ruined my lungs for good. But it abated too, finally, and now only comes up with my usual allergies.

Is your mucus still green (sorry to be graphic!)?

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

No it's clear but the cough is neverending. I'm really frustrated.

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Affectionate-Map2583@reddit

I've never had the flu or pneumonia, but I feel for you on the cello concert. My son played the violin from 4th to 11th grade and I went to all the concerts. The worst was in elementary school when they combined it with the band concert. They all sucked and it was just a lot of loud noise.

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

This was combined with many other schools and we were all packed like sardines into a can of about 400 people. I am so stupid for not wearing a mask.

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TakeMeToThePielot@reddit

They are now recommending pneumonia shots for folks over 50 as of about a month ago. It used to be like 65. I just turned 50 and I am going to get it in the next few days. I was sort of on the fence but you convinced me. That’s probably why the CDC is recommending it now so early (post-COVID weakened immune systems.)

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jenorama_CA@reddit

Oh dang. I’m 51 and husband is 56 and we just got flu and Covid shots at the end of October. I hadn’t heard about the lower age rec for the pneumonia.

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TakeMeToThePielot@reddit

I am spacing all mine out so I don’t hurt so bad. Shingles, then Flu/covid, then shingles again then pneumonia each about 2-3 weeks apart.

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jenorama_CA@reddit

Ooof, shingles. I finished my protocol earlier this year and that second shot was rough. Fever and chills, but I’ll take it over shingles.

The flu/covid combo wasn’t too bad. We were both just kind of tired. Good luck to you!

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TakeMeToThePielot@reddit

Shingles 2 kicked my butt. Everything else just gave me a sore arm but I agree, much better than shingles!

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AnitaPeaDance@reddit

When I diagnosed with asthma years ago, my GP told me to get mine.

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TakeMeToThePielot@reddit

Smart! How was it? I’m gonna get it this week.

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AnitaPeaDance@reddit

Sore arm.

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TakeMeToThePielot@reddit

Seems like a small price to pay! Thanks!

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Digitalispurpurea2@reddit

I had no idea, thanks!

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

I'm getting mine as soon as I can as well. I didn't even know about it until I saw the sign at the doctors office.

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TakeMeToThePielot@reddit

I hope you feel better soon and make a complete recovery! Thank you for sharing your story!

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Fast_Courage_2934@reddit

I stay away from children and very rarely get sick.

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Boomslang505@reddit

Vitamin D, check with your doc.

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anamerith@reddit (OP)

Yes I'm already on a big vitamin D supplement because of low levels 😔

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Agreeable-Can-7841@reddit

no science, BUT, go slightly over the recommended dose on vitamin C every day. Get the chewies, or the gummies, and eat them like candy. It's been our practice for years, even before the rona, and we have two kids in middle and high school.

Never. Ever. Sick.

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imalloverthemap@reddit

I mask indoors as much as possible- especially airports and supermarkets. I have barely been sick this year and love it.

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AnitaPeaDance@reddit

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I had flu kick my ass bed ridden for 2-3 weeks not long after starting a new job in my early 30s. My lab partner WTF OMG laughed at me when he heard my voice calling in. It was then I understood why they push for old people to get their flu shots.

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Moonsmom181@reddit

My husband and I got something odd last year. Covid negative so maybe it was an odd flu. It kick our butts. Not as bad as OP, but lingered for weeks.

Hope you feel better OP. To everyone else, do what you can to keep you and your family healthy. Vitamins, supplements, vaccinations, etc. Talk to your Dr and if you don’t have one, get a physical.

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Techchick_Somewhere@reddit

There is also a lot of whooping cough going around (pertussis) which is nuts.

Feel better soon!!

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