Will Anything Else Help?

[Adelle]

Ok so I started getting sick fri night/ sat am. It got much worse. My ear hurts bad, can't stop coughing, worse and worse. I'm taking a multi-vit, zinc, vit C, I just got some cough syrup (so maybe I can sleep!), menthol chest stuff (which I LOOOVE), and cough drops (all gluten-free ofc!).

Anyway, is there anything else you would reccomend? You guys r smart!

I don't wanna go to the doc, I called my insurance's "nurse line" they said if it gets bad enuf that I need antibiotics I'll probably have to stay in the hospital. I'm allergic to antibiotics (yes all of them so far) I (sorry graphic) throw up till the pill is gone or till my throat bleeds. I'm also allergic to anti-nausea meds (I lose almost all muscular control). that whole process is hell on my tummy (I got glutened @ the same time I got sick), not to mention my psyche!

The plan so far is to take all my vitamins, use the chest rub stuff, take cough syrup, and sleep. Anything ya'll would reccomend? Thanx so much!

[CarlaB]

Lots of fluids -- I'd have some gluten-free chicken broth with onions and garlic (natural antibiotic properties).

If your head is congested, snuff salt water up your nose until you taste the salt in your mouth. It will clear your sinused and prevent infection. You can gargle with it, too (from a separate glass, of course ).

[tarnalberry]

a nasal rinse, as described, is probably good, but given the constant coughing and sore ears, I'd consider an antihistamine to dry up the sinuses (which are probably causing the ear pain). if the cough is productive, though, an expectorant, like guifenissen, is a better choice than something to dry you out. and hot showers!

[Adelle]

Craaaaap..... I called my health insurance's "nurse line" back, hoping I'd get some better advice. Usually they give pretty good advice. I mentioned the gluten-free diet and she seemed impressed and wrote in my file (separate from my actual health records, it's already in those) to recomend gluten-free stuff. Anyway, she said because of the ear thing I have to go see a doc. If she doesn't get a claim within I think 2 days she calls my doc. Aparently she thinks it's serious. Well, I'm HOPING that they have a new and iimproved antibiotic or that they will let me go home and be miserable. When I take anti-nausea stuff I can't really walk or talk, but I can breathe, control bowel functions, I'm aware etc. I'd rather go thru that misery at home (with my hubby taking care of me, or my sis when he's @ work) than in a hospital. She said she thinks they will allow that. If they won't I'm going home anyway! I figure I can talk to the doc and see what he says..... He KNOWS he can't force me to do anything! Wish me luck!

[Adelle]

Yay!! My doc rox. He gave me antibiotics (some tummy friendly kind I haven't heard of) if those don't work, I'll call and get another, if I NEED nausea meds, he'll let me try to stay home (if I'm supervised and I swore to call 911 if my reaction gets bad blah blah) and not have a hospital stay. Prolly cause he knew I wouldn't go!

I also told him how much better I feel with the gluten-free diet and he said "that's great, keep going!" anyway yay!

I went to walgreens to fill my rx, they said they wouldn't check today to see if the meds r gluten-free (doc was busy couldn't check but said he'd call in a new rx if they were glutenonified). Across the street "dennis" at rite aid even brought out the labels so I could double check myself! He was so nice I called his supervisors and told them I'm getting all future rx's here!

[almostnrn]

I'm so glad to hear you will be feeling better soon, its lousy to be sick especially when you are so sensitive to the things that will make you feel better. I'm also so happy to hear that you found a pharmacy to help you, seems as if not many people have had the same experience! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!

[Guest ~jules~]

Adelle, as you know we live in the same town, and its going around bad around here!!! All month we've had colds, and we just got over the flu! I hope your feeling better soon.